While BCM 2013 remains a popular choice due to its one-time purchase benefit and deep integration, it is the final version of the product and is not supported in Outlook 2016 or later

For businesses that needed to analyze customer data, BCM could be connected directly to Microsoft Excel. This allowed users to connect data with contact lists and generate reports using Excel's powerful analysis tools.

This tutorial covers installation, initial configuration, data import/export, daily use (contacts, companies, opportunities, activities, phone logs, notes), using reports and dashboards, sharing & database architectures, backups and restore, troubleshooting common errors, and migration/alternatives. Assumptions: Outlook 2013 is installed and fully updated; Windows version is supported for BCM 2013. Follow steps in order.

: Some users reported that when attempting to link emails to business contacts, the process would freeze at the "preparing..." stage and never complete.

: Users can modify business forms to dictate exactly how data is organized, including assigning specific tabs and filters to contacts .

: Upon first launch, Outlook will prompt you to create a new database. You can host this locally on your PC or on a shared server if you are working with a team. 2. Managing Contacts and Groups

Outlook Customer Manager (OCM) was introduced as a "lighter," cloud-based alternative to BCM. It is designed to allow team members to share contact information and deal progress easily, which was a weak point for BCM.

: It supports viewing and editing business contacts across Outlook, SharePoint, or Windows Live Contacts while maintaining a record of all changes .

Installing BCM 2013 required a few key considerations. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

Because Microsoft has since discontinued the product, using BCM today requires navigating specific compatibility hurdles, data migration strategies, and modern alternatives. Key Features of Business Contact Manager 2013

Save the file to a secure location to prevent losing your CRM data. CRM alternatives that work with modern versions of Outlook? BCM Use with Outlook 2013 | Page 2 1 May 2013 —

A compatible version of Office 2013 (typically Office Professional, Office Professional Plus, or standard standalone Outlook 2013).

Represents the specific people working at those companies.You can link multiple Business Contacts to a single Business Account. This ensures that everyone in your organization can see the full history of communication with a company, regardless of which employee they spoke to. 2. Lead and Sales Opportunity Tracking

When choosing a business contact manager for Outlook 2013, there are several key features to look for, including: