Module generations

Overview

As CRMs have improved over the years, KORE’s CRM-integrated products (Ticketing, Sponsorship, and Suites & Premium) have evolved along with them. Today’s CRMs now offer built-in versions of some features KORE originally built to address the shortcomings of older CRMs. These CRMs are now much more robust platforms, laying the foundation for new KORE tools and features.

Each of KORE’s CRM-integrated products is installed as a “module”. We refer to each major variation as a generation (“gen”). We can not "mix and match" different generations for different modules—if your organization uses more than one KORE module, they must all be of the same generation.

Contact your KORE Success Manager if you’d like to discuss migration from Gen 1 to Gen 2 modules. Migration is complex and cannot be automated.

Gen 1

Gen 1 modules were originally designed to solve functionality gaps at a time when sports organizations rarely had a CRM manager or Analytics department. These modules are all-in-one packages combining KORE’s components with a KORE-driven CRM experience. As such, they don’t allow for much customization or integration with other software. Instead, they are deeply integrated into the CRM—end users don’t see KORE’s modules as separate software. Unfortunately, this approach makes updating the modules challenging for more advanced organizations who heavily customize their platforms.

KORE continues to support our Gen 1 modules for existing clients, but new feature development is focused on Gen 2.

Dynamics

Gen 1 modules are available for new KORE customers using Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (on-premises) version 9.0 or above. KORE continues to support Dynamics CRM 2016 version 8.2 (December 2016 Service Pack) for existing customers. However, Microsoft ended mainstream support for Dynamics CRM 2016 (version 8.x) in January 2021. We strongly recommend upgrading to version 9.0 (on-premises) or migrating to Dynamics 365 Sales (cloud). Future KORE products and features may be incompatible with older versions.

The Gen 1 modules are no longer compatible with cloud-based Dynamics 365 Sales due to the roll-out of Microsoft’s Unified Interface.

Salesforce

Gen 1 was built to support the Salesforce Classic platform, though it’s also compatible with the newer Lightning experience. These modules are still available for new customers in certain cases, but due to the complexity of migrating to Gen 2, we strongly recommend new clients select the Gen 2 modules.

Gen 2

In recent years, CRMs have grown into platforms that allow developers to build better integrated experiences and product ecosystems. KORE’s Gen 2 modules use the new app extensions frameworks that these platforms provide. Organizations can now customize their CRMs for their unique business needs while also relying on KORE products for specialized functionality. Gen 2 takes advantage of CRM features that didn’t exist when Gen 1 was developed, making it much easier for organizations to use additional third-party apps (such as texting or email marketing apps).

Gen 2 includes “core modules”, the building blocks necessary to add KORE features to the CRM. An organization can utilize these directly to create extensively customized CRM experiences. Gen 2 also provides optional “modules apps” which enable those core modules for organizations that don’t wish to invest in such heavy customization.

Dynamics

KORE released early versions of our Gen 2 modules for Dynamics to support the new Unified Interface in Microsoft’s cloud-based Dynamics 365 Sales (Enterprise). They currently provide similar functionality to our Gen 1 modules, but new features and improvements are in active development.

The Gen 2 modules don’t support Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (on-premises). KORE continues to support the Gen 1 modules for those users.

Salesforce

Gen 2 modules leverage more of the CRM’s built-in functionality, allowing for an improved experience working with Salesforce consultants. KORE’s Gen 2 modules use Salesforce person accounts and account-contact relationships. They also use standard Salesforce opportunities and sales pipeline integrations. Additional features and improvements are in active development.

Salesforce configurations can vary widely between organizations, so the Gen 2 modules also include additional installation packages. These help customers make any configuration changes necessary for KORE products.

Compatibility table

[1] Maintained for existing KORE customers only. New installations are not supported.

Features comparison

[1] All Gen 2 modules use your CRM's built-in Activities and Opportunities.

[2] The Gen 2 Sponsorship module for Salesforce can support either business accounts or person accounts, but the Gen 2 modules for Ticketing and Suites & Premium require Salesforce person accounts.