Perhaps. Anyone that knows me, knows that I am Microsoft centric. On the four PCs in my house – two desktops, a laptop, and a netbook – I use Windows 7 (Ultimate, Professional, and Starter) on three of them and Win XP media center on a desktop unit I use as a DVR. I also pack an HTC Touch Pro mobile phone and eagerly await the arrival of the new Windows 7 mobile phone.
Well, I have been running the Beta Version of Office 2010 on my laptop and Netbook for some time. I have to say it is an improvement over Office 2007… except in one area.
That one area is where I count on Office the most, for my business; Outlook with Business Contact Manager (BCM).
I have been using Outlook with BCM as my CRM tool since Office 2003; now using Outlook 2007 with BCM. I have come to count on it as a great way to track my work and conversations with my clients.
Recently I began to follow Office 2010 on Facebook and LinkedIn to see if I could find out if BCM is going to be available, as it has been in the past for us sole proprietors that rely on this CRM tool. That was after I searched for answers on the Microsoft web site and could not find one.
It seems that Microsoft will only be offering BCM with its volume licensing program where a business would need to purchase FIVE or more licenses. Well that program does not fit my business model.
Maybe I represent a very small persona for this product, but I am finding out I am not alone.
Let’s see what we can do to convince Microsoft that they need to make this tool available for single user shops. Join the Office Facebook page, follow them on Twitter, join the LinkedIn Group and let Microsoft know what you think.
I may not be upgrading to Office 2010 since what I consider an important tool will not be available for me. Let’s see if a groundswell of opinion can sway the giant in Redmond.
