MS CRM embraces social networking

Microsoft plans on issuing free CRM Accelerators for Microsoft Dynamics CRM that will help businesses pull data from social networks, Web interaction channels and other sources, as well as reduce overall costs, says eWeek.

The accelerators will be released at a date to be announced within the next few weeks.

"These new accelerators expand the capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics CRM to address emerging business trends in social networking and drive efficiencies in collaborative business processes," Brad Wilson, GM of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, said in a statement.

It has been claimed that next-generation networks based in the cloud will be able to improve the mobile applications currently available, according to OneStopClick.

According to Dan Shey, mobile services practice director at IT industry analyst ABI Research, cloud-based applications are less restricted by handset functions, memory and the operating system.

In addition, the development process is simplified, creating greater incentive to build platforms for a larger market, he explained.

Alcatel-Lucent has been selected by R-Kom to be its sole supplier, in a multi-year frame agreement, for the deployment of a fibre-based access network in eastern Bavaria, states Fibresystems.

R-Kom will utilise Alcatel-Lucent's GPON technology, and has opted for a mixed FTTB (fibre-to-the-building) and FTTH (fibre-to-the-home) architecture - depending on the roll-out area.

Infrastructure development is set to start in the next few weeks, with the first 4 000 households expected to be connected by the end of 2009.