Microsoft patches CRM flaw

Microsoft released a patch this week for a flaw in its new set of customer relationship management applications, said a Microsoft representative. The patch allows companies using the CRM software to hide from view a string of letters and numbers that the system inserts in the subject line of e-mail it sends. Some customers had complained that the string of characters, which Microsoft calls a generated unique identifier, or GUID, could confuse e-mail recipients and cause e-mail to be blocked by spam filters.

Microsoft, which released the CRM software in January, said the purpose of the GUID is to help companies organize and keep track of responses to e-mail marketing campaigns and customer service correspondence. Microsoft bills its CRM applications as tools to help small companies save money and boost customer loyalty by streamlining sales, marketing and customer service activities.