However, the world has moved to the cloud. Microsoft killed BCM not because it was bad software, but because they want you to buy Dynamics 365 or Microsoft 365 Business Premium (which includes basic CRM features).
If you are still using BCM for Outlook 2013 today, consider this article your gentle nudge toward migration. Export your data while your old machine still boots. Test a modern Outlook-integrated CRM like eWay-CRM or Copilot for Sales. The functionality you loved—linking emails, tracking deals, sharing data—is now available in faster, more secure, mobile-friendly packages. business contact manager for outlook 2013
In the fast-paced world of sales, small business ownership, and client relationship management, your email inbox is more than just a place for messages—it is the command center of your enterprise. For years, Microsoft recognized this by offering a powerful, integrated tool known as Business Contact Manager (BCM) for Outlook . Specifically, for those holding onto the reliable but aging Outlook 2013 , BCM represented the bridge between a standard email client and a full-fledged Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. However, the world has moved to the cloud
But what exactly was Business Contact Manager for Outlook 2013? Is it still usable today? And if you are still running this legacy software, how can you squeeze every last drop of productivity out of it? This article dives deep into the features, setup, benefits, and modern alternatives for the iconic . Part 1: What Was Business Contact Manager (BCM)? Before the era of cloud-based CRMs like Salesforce or HubSpot, Microsoft offered BCM as an add-in for Outlook 2010, 2013, and 2016. Unlike the standard Outlook Contacts folder, BCM was designed specifically for small businesses (typically 1-25 users) who needed to track sales opportunities, marketing campaigns, and project histories without leaving their email environment. Export your data while your old machine still boots
But if you absolutely need to keep Business Contact Manager for Outlook 2013 running for one more year? Back up that SQL database. Turn off automatic Windows updates. And pray to the Microsoft gods of legacy software that your hard drive doesn't crash.