Microsoft's Spring 2014 CRM update starts trickling out

Microsoft's Spring 2014 update to its Dynamics CRM software and service has begun rolling out to select users.

The Spring 2014 update is codenamed "Leo." The on-premises version is known officially as Dynamics CRM 2013 Service Pack (SP) 1.

Some customers and early-access partners began seeing the updated versions available for installation earlier this week. But a Microsoft spokesperson cautioned that the Leo/CRM 2013 SP1 is still not broadly or generally available for all customers. That broader availability is expected soon.

The Spring Update/CRM 2013 SP1 is slated to add new customer care functionality designed to supplement the capabilities provided by Microsoft's acquisition Parature; a unified service desk for call-center users; and other new case-management functionality. The unified service desk will provide users with a single agent console for CRM and billing integration. Android tablet support for sales professionals is part of the update, as well.

"Subra," a k a Microsoft Social Listening is slated to roll out as part of the spring wave, too. Social Listening is based on social-analytics technology Microsoft bought when it purchased Netbreeze in March 2013 and is hosted on Windows Azure, officials said. Social Listening is an add-on service that can be used with Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, on-premises or as a standalone service.

CRM Most Valuable Professional Richard Knudson, who is practice manager at Magenium.com, tweeted a picture of his CRM dashboard showing product updates were ready to be installed as of May 23. Microsoft officials said earlier this year that the Spring Update would be out in the second calendar quarter of 2014.

Users can download the Spring 2014 release preview guide, detailing the new features coming with this update.