Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Online beta has a very obvious button on the interface that allows you to download the software to integrate Microsoft Outlook with your CRM 2011 Online, your application in the "cloud." You will get the opportunity to download the file ClientInstaller1033.exe, and for most Microsoft techs, they realize that the 1033 stands for the English version.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM screen
Running the file gets you to the process of installing the Outlook Client for Microsoft CRM 2011 in the Cloud.
The client software gives you the "power of choice" in many ways. We all know how we often spend much of the day in Microsoft Office Outlook. So it makes sense that we can be empowered to conduct business and be connected to business data within Outlook—not just our contacts and emails, but also data that is available to many parts of the company.
Online/Offline?
One concept in enabling Microsoft Outlook to mean business is to allow an option to be disconnected and still be able to have some key business data with us. Believe it or not, there are some people who do not have air cards or international access to the Internet when they travel. And I still don't see free Wi-Fi on the plane (even as it's getting harder to get your laptop open in coach).
So Microsoft has made the client for Dynamics CRM in the Cloud with two options. You can install the client so that you can only do work when you're connected, or you can have the offline ability to have some of the data on a local SQL Server database on your laptop.
Dynamics CRM 2011 for Outlook setup screen
What data could you have from the company? Well, depending on your business role, certain views of the data can be downloaded and synced with a local SQL Server database on your laptop.
If you're the IT person who provisioned the software, and you don't want to give offline access to the user at this time, you can just install for online and you have the option of doing the offline install without having to uninstall and reinstall the software. This is a big improvement over the former offering.
As you can see below, SQL Server 2008 Express will be installed on the client, if you choose the offline option.
SQL Server 2008 install on Dynamics CRM 2011 for Outlook
When the installation is done and you log in, you have the option of connecting to an "On Premise" server or a URL for the cloud version.