Microsoft promises native Dynamics CRM client for iPad, iPhone in 2012

Software giant Microsoft will release in the second quarter a high-profile productivity tool for Android-toting business professionals. Accompanying Microsoft’s CRM Dynamics 2012 platform update is a preview guide that specifically mentions Android support, as noted by ZDnet. The document also includes a screenshot depicting Dynamics CRM mobile client for iPad (as seen on the right). In addition to native clients for Android devices and iPads/iPhones running iOS 5.x, Dynamics CRM will also be available on devices powered by Microsoft’s Windows Phone software.

As opposed to a web client that comes with significant limitations, the mobile client comes with all the bells and whistles so it should be Godsend for road warriors. Many businesses rely upon Dynamics CRM to manage their interactions with customers, clients, and sales prospects. Dynamics CRM mobile client will be priced at $30 a month per seat versus rival Salesforce’s mobile client which starts at $65 a month per seat.

In the past, Microsoft would not commit to releasing apps for iOS devices frequently, but the company appears to be renewing focus on Apple’s mobile devices (that sold nearly 60 million units during the holiday quarter) with December 2011 release of the official Xbox Live app, a SkyDrive cloud-storage client, a note-taking program, a charming game called Kinectimals and more. That elusive Office for iPad app, however, is still nowhere to be seen— if you disregards this little Office component for iOS. In addition to dedicated apps for iPads and Android tablets, Microsoft said this Dynamics CRM platform update widens browser support:

In addition to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile, the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Q2 2012 service update provides the ability for end users to access the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Web Client across all modern Internet browsers on various platforms. This includes browsers such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari running on PC, Apple Macintosh or iPad.

Cross-posted on 9to5Google.com