Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Customization, Reporting Integration highlights
By Andrew Karasev
Alba Spectrum Technologies
USA
1-866-528-0577,
1-630-961-5918, São
Paulo
55-11-3826-3449,
Curitiba
11 3826 3449
help@albaspectrum.com
Microsoft Business
Solutions CRM has now new name, Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Microsoft Dynamics
product series also include Microsoft GP (Great Plains), Microsoft NAV (Navision),
Microsoft AX (Axapta), Microsoft SL (Solomon). However version number was not
changed, Microsoft just mentioned that MS CRM 1.2 was actually version 2, due to
large number of new features, comparing to first version Microsoft CRM 1.0. In
this small article we would like to share our impression and as we see Microsoft
messages to potential and existing customers with this new version of Microsoft
CRM.
- Buyers are tired with
complex and expensive traditional CRM solutions, MS CRM brings to the
customers very attractive price and is very easy, we would say intuitive to
use
- Users should spend
most of their computer time, working with MS Outlook. Both – customer and
Microsoft could capitalize on the large number of experienced MS Office /
Outlook users. Microsoft made its CRM with Outlook client. In version 3.0
you can be assured that majority of the functionality is available in Outlook
and only specific tasks would still require MS CRM web client interface.
Technical directions:
- Reporting.
From Crystal Reports to Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services. You can
still deploy Crystal, if you purchase Crystal Report viewer or designer
license. If you do not have report you need in SRS reports set (and you do
not want to create new report in Visual Studio.Net), you can export one of CRM
views to MS Excel Pivoting Table and use it as report generator and data
analysis tool. Both SRS reports and Excel Pivoting work in MS CRM security
realm. The reason why? – MS CRM views have security restriction check in
where SQL clause – you can check it by looking at the views definitions.
- Customizations.
Before we dive to MS CRM SDK level we should mention that you can now store
your Javascript and MS CRM SDK C# or VB code in Pre/Post callouts (to check
for duplicate records, when you save new contact, for example). Plus end user
can create custom MS CRM entities (stored in tables) and relate these custom
entities to MS CRM objects. Imagine you need to create bank accounts table,
which will store multiple accounts per account-customer. Bank account is
custom entity and it might be made available for synchronized off-line Outlook
client.
- Messaging.
In version 1.2 messaging was tracked and automatically moved to MS CRM by
adding and checking GUID in the message header. Antispam filters were
blocking such messages under certain conditions. Now in 3.0 instead of GUID
we have tracking token: CRM:0001001 or like this. Please, note, if you have
custom messaging Exchange connector, based on GUID – you should consider redo
this custom connector for version 3.0, based on tracking token or simply
contact, account, lead email scan (matching with sender email address)
- Integration.
IFrame will allow you to integrate all the types of URL with your CRM . Also
Sharepoint is the future of advanced workflows and collaboration of your CRM
and domain users
- Data Migration.
The tool was improved substantially, however if you need history integration
plus certain logic on checking duplicates, you still should consider third
party solutions.
Happy implementing,
customizing and modifying! If you want us to do the job - give us a call
1-866-528-0577!
help@albaspectrum.com
Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer
at Alba Spectrum Technologies (
http://www.albaspectrum.com ) – Microsoft Business
Solutions Great Plains, Navision, Axapta MS CRM, Oracle Financials, SAP Business
One and IBM Lotus
Domino Partner, serving corporate customers in the following industries:
Aerospace & Defense, Medical & Healthcare, Distribution & Logistics,
Hospitality, Banking & Finance, Wholesale & Retail, Chemicals, Oil & Gas,
Placement & Recruiting, Advertising & Publishing, Textile, Pharmaceutical,
Non-Profit, Beverages, Conglomerates, Apparels, Durables, Manufacturing and
having locations in multiple states and internationally.
We are serving USA Nationwide: CA, IL, NY,
FL, AZ, CO, TX, WI, WA, MI, MA, MO, LA, NM, MN, Europe: Germany, France,
Belgium, Poland, Russia, Middle East (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, OAE, Bahrain), Asia:
China, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, South & Central America: Mexico, Peru,
Brazil, Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Chili, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina,
Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico