Which One: Microsoft BCM or Microsoft CRM?

This question often comes up from small business owners and sales executives - which one is better for me to begin with - Microsoft Business Contact Manager (BCM) or Microsoft CRM?

Here are five points to consider:

1. BCM is intended for SINGLE user of Outlook; granted you can have someone else log into your system and share it that way - but it is not efficient

2. If you are the primary Sales person for your business AND you don't need a Customer Service system, then BCM is a good tool for you to try out

3. Currently there is no "simple" way to upgrade BCM to CRM; it can be done via normal data conversion process
Note: Both BCM and CRM Outlook client can co-exist on the same user's Outlook

v3.0 Update: Microsoft CRM v3.0 Small Business Edition will have a Data Migration Wizard for Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 with Business Contact Manager


4. If you don't need customization and can work with "Out of Box", then BCM is a good choice to check out

5. If you have very limited IT resources/budget, then BCM may be more appropriate - it is part of Microsoft Office!

Another link to BCM vs. CRM

BCM FAQ


Frank Lee
Workopia, Inc.