Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Requirements

Microsoft CRM uses industry standard technologies such as Windows Server, Active Directory, and SQLServer for its platform. You have great flexibility in designing and configuring your Microsoft CRM environment,and your final system design will depend on several variables such as:

Number of servers available and server hardware specifications

Number of Microsoft CRM users and their expected system usage

Hardware specifications of your servers and your local area network performance

Your network structure and security configurations, including firewalls and virtual private network (VPN)connections

Amount of disaster recovery and failover systems needed in your deployment

The Microsoft CRM 3.0 Implementation Guide lists some recommended deployment configurations based onthese variables. However, as a general rule of thumb, the Microsoft CRM server environment requires thefollowing components:

Windows Server (2000 or 2003) or Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition

SQL Server (2000 or 2005) with SQL Server Reporting Services

Exchange Server (if you want to integrate e-mail with Microsoft CRM)

Of course, users accessing Microsoft CRM must also meet certain minimum hardware and software requirements on their computers. These requirements range from minimal for Web interface users (Windows98 or later with Internet Explorer 6.0 with Service Pack 1, for example) to more restrictive for Microsoft CRMclient for Outlook users (Windows 2000 Professional with Service Pack 4 and Office 2003 with Service Pack1, for example).