CRM 3.0 EAP released
Attention Microsoft Partners, if you want to get your hands dirty with CRM 3.0 (for testing purposes only) check out http://microsoft.order-7.com/CRMpartnerBeta/ . You need to sign in with your MS Passport to get access to the downloads (462Mb for the SBE edition - just right for SBS).
WARNING: don't go installing this on your production server, it's not final code and so is for testing only. I understand the final product will be released over the next couple of months.
As covered at last Monday nights SBS user group meeting, my personal recommendation is you stick to your knitting when it comes to deployment of CRM or other specialised packages. If your focus is SBS infrastructure your best bet is to partner with an organisation that specialises in CRM. This will save you and your clients a lot of pain. Same goes for application development, web site creation etc. Stick to what you know best and work with those who can compliment what you do (see this post - http://msmvps.com/calvert/archive/2005/10/27/73027.aspx for more thoughts on strategy)
That being said, have a play with CRM 3.0 on your favourite virtual server so you can see what all the excitement is about.
Keep your eyes posted on the following sites for more updates:
www.mscrm.com.au
http://thenorwichgroup.blogs.com/
http://www.microsoft.com/businesssolutions/crm/default.mspx