The CRM team just announced the Release Candidate availability.  As things slow down over the holidays, this is a perfect time for you to get your hands dirty with the Release Candidate to prepare for the launch.  Here is the official announcement:

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Release Candidate (RC) is now available for download from the Microsoft Download Center.  As with the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Beta, the Release Candidate is available for anyone to download, and will be available until the RTM release scheduled for Q1, 2011.   This release represents the combined efforts and feedback from customers, partners and Microsoft teams working on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Beta so thank you for all of you involved in this process.

Upgrades: 

· On-premises Beta databases can be upgraded to this new RC release which can then be upgraded to the upcoming RTM release. 

· Online Beta customers will continue to have access to their CRM Online Beta instance until the CRM Online RTW launch in January, at which time they can choose to opt-in to upgrade their Beta instance to a production subscription.

Release Candidate is the last external milestone before the CRM Online Release to Web (RTW) in January 2011, and the on-premises Release to Manufacturing (RTM) in Q1, 2011, so please continue testing and validating this new pre-release version, and encourage your partners and customers to continue building their deployments and solutions to be ready for the RTW and RTM releases.