Microsoft Dynamics CRM @ Joris Kalz's WebLog

Improving Microsoft Dynamics CRM Performance and Securing Data with Microsoft SQL Server 2008

Joris Kalz — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:46:16 GMT

Initiated by the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Engineering for Enterprise Team a new document has been released, which shows the different techniques you can use to further improve the performance of Microsoft Dynamics CRM by using SQL Server 2008. In summary, the results of the testing efforts demonstrate that the SQL 2008 features like Compression, Filtered Indexes, Sparse Columns, Backup Compression can significantly improve the application performance of both SQL Server 2008 and Dynamics CRM 4.0 while resulting in space savings. Download the document here:

Improving Microsoft Dynamics CRM Performance and Securing Data with Microsoft SQL Server 2008

Update Rollup 2 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM available

Joris Kalz — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:54:00 GMT

Update Rollup 2 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM is now available:

KB article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/959419

Download center page: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=aa671769-61e9-45c4-919f-c88199aa4241

Windows Azure and Microsoft Dynamics CRM Services

Joris Kalz — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:08:00 GMT

For quite a while now we have heard Microsoft talk about the next shift in the software industry and we have called it our Software + Services (S+S) strategy, also known simply as cloud computing.

And today, chief software architect Ray Ozzie announced Windows Azure, a cloud operating system that serves as the development and run-time environment for the Azure Services Platform. While this is definitely interesting in itself, I would like to point out, that Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online will be part of the Azure Services Platform.

This leads Microsoft to a very unique position compared to other competitors in the CRM space. Unlike them, we are offering Microsoft Dynamics CRM on-premise and we have a service offering with Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, but also we offer a complete service platform that allows developers to create any type of application and they don't have to stay within the boundaries of CRM-related applications.

If you are interested in cloud computing and why this is related to Microsoft Dynamics CRM I highly recommend you to watch the on-demand webcast of the PDC keynote (750kbps).

More interesting stuff:
Windows Azura Videos:
http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/Charles/Manuvir-Das-Introducing-Windows-Azure/
http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/Charles/Steve-Marx-Windows-Azure-for-Developers/

Other links:
Azure for web developers, Azure for corporate developers, Azure for ISV, Azure for system, integrators, Azure for business, Windows Azure

Microsoft Dynamics CRM JScript Export Tool

Joris Kalz — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:04:56 GMT

I recently had to transfer several customizations to a different CRM installation. While Microsoft Dynamics CRM offers an export and import functionality, in this case I just wanted to select specific client side customizations. However, manually grabbing all jscript code is a little bit time consuming. Instead, I wrote a few lines of code to export all jscript code without annoying interaction.

The code is pretty straight forward, so feel free to modify. You can download the VS 2008 project here: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Jscript Export Tool

Before you start this tool, you have to change the app.config according to your CRM installation:

After running the tool, all client side jscript will be stored at the declared output folder.

The result will be a list of all entities containing jscript separated by event type and further by form and field events.

Hopefully you like this tool. In the final stage of this tool, it will be even possible to write changes back to Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

CRM 4.0 RTM VPC, Tools and Sample Data

Joris Kalz — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:55:00 GMT

Thanks to Michael Rich the new VPC Image is now available as a download. In addition there is a great demonstration tool, which helps you to prepare your demo environment and demo data. The VPC image is a one computer setup including Microsoft CRM 4.0 and associated Microsoft Dynamics CRM clients for Microsoft Office Outlook and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

The base language is English and the following language packs are already installed: German, French, Danish and Dutch, However, you can easily add other language packs by downloading them here. Beside the basic infrastructure components the image contains Microsoft Office Professional 2007, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Microsoft Performance Point Server and Microsoft Office Communication Server to help you to demo the overall Microsoft value proposition.

But please keep in mind: Much more important than just a good demo platform are your skills to prepare and execute a software demo. There is fortunately a good book, which explains the art of demonstrating software in a very impressive way. By using the right demoing methods and by avoiding common pitfalls you can easily improve the quality of your software demonstrations and win more customers.

Learn more about this great book at amazon: Demonstrating to Win!

Best regards from Whistler

Product keys v4.0 available on Microsoft TechNet

Joris Kalz — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:19:13 GMT

In case you haven't noticed: I just stumbled upon the product keys on TechNet. It looks like they are now available.

Updated Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 SDK

Joris Kalz — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:33:00 GMT

Via E-Mail from Amy:

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 SDK download package has been updated. Version 4.0.1 includes several important changes:

The Plug-in walkthrough in the CHM has been updated to match the readme that is included in the SDK\Walkthroughs folder.
The Readme file in the SDK\tools\deployworkflowtool folder has been corrected.
Additional sample code has been added in the Scripting Sample Code topic.
New content has been added to the URL Addressable Forms topic.

CRM 4.0 plug-in registration tool

Joris Kalz — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:04:00 GMT

Great posting from Jonas about an update regarding the CRM 4.0 plug-in registration tool. Continue reading: http://blogs.msdn.com/jonasd/archive/2008/01/12/access-denied-when-using-pluginregistration-tool.aspx

Plug-in development and registration is a much more powerfull in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 compared to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0. The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 SDK ships with two tools helping you to register your plug-ins. Jonas added a smart improvement, he simple added a new property and once checked default credentionals are used when connection to discovery and crm webservice.

Localization Wave 1 has been completed

Joris Kalz — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:38:00 GMT

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM Team just announced that ALL of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 WAVE 1 Languages (English, German, Spanish, French and Dutch) are now released and available for download! This includes both the language version plus the language packs. Wave 2 will be Simplified Chinese, Danish, Finnish, and Italian. The delivery date for all Wave 2 languages is currently scheduled for January 29th. We will continue to trickle out languages as they are available.

Great work!

PS: Some of you asked, if everything is fine with me. Don't worry, this is my last boring-list-of-download-posting, before I will write about using Silverlight to visualize relationships in Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

English

90-Day Trial Version Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Readme
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Language Pack Readme
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 for Microsoft Office Outlook (For On-Premise and Hosted Editions) Readme
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Data Migration Manager Readme
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 E-mail Router (On-Premise and Hosted Editions) Readme
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Implementation Guide

German

Spanish

French

Dutch

Dutch Language Pack available

Joris Kalz — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:15:00 GMT

Direct link:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=nl&FamilyID=50761e58-6040-4cf3-853a-f5ab535f7194

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Live announced

Joris Kalz — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:20:00 GMT

Bill Patterson just announced Microsoft Dynamics CRM Live:
http://blogs.msdn.com/crm/archive/2008/01/09/choice-begins-today.aspx

First language packs now available

Joris Kalz — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:04:00 GMT

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM Team today announced that the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 English, German and Spanish language packs are now available for download.

Book about Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0

Joris Kalz — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 23:44:00 GMT

Via Philip. Mike Snyder and Jim Steger are finishing their new book about Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 titled Working with Microsoft Dynamics(tm) Crm 4.0, Second Edition (Pro - Developer) You can pre-order a copy of the book on amazon.com

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Spanish Language Version

Joris Kalz — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:16:00 GMT

How frustrating, he is always faster: http://blogs.msdn.com/mscrmfreak/archive/2008/01/07/usted-habla-espa-ol-and-crm.aspx

Direct link:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=es&FamilyID=99cb3a7a-eba9-4de9-b0f1-2ebf11c3d756

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 German Language Version

Joris Kalz — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:56:00 GMT

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM Team just announced that the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 German language pack is now available for download.

Existing Customer Download
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=99CB3A7A-EBA9-4DE9-B0F1-2EBF11C3D756&displaylang=de

90 day trial version
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=A9C110FD-AAC8-4D2A-B401-7801B1866E82&displaylang=de

Email Router
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=E1358499-3FDB-45B8-ADF0-7585F758277E&displaylang=de

Outlook Client
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=60C4A6CC-59D7-416E-9F44-0AE8FF249768&displaylang=de

Data Migration Wizard
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=6766880A-DA8F-4336-A278-9A5367EB79CA&displaylang=de

Download Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0

Joris Kalz — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:38:00 GMT

Via blogs.msdn.com/crm:

Download the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Trial Versions in either 32 or 64-bit!
Download the Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Outlook (For On-Premise and Hosted Editions) 32 bit!

Download the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Data Migration Manager 32 bit!
Download the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 E-mail Router (On-Premise and Hosted Editions) in either 32 or 64-bit!

Implementation Guid:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=1CEB5E01-DE9F-48C0-8CE2-51633EBF4714&displaylang=en

RTM* for Microsoft Dynamics CRM code-named "Titan"

Joris Kalz — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 02:51:00 GMT

Congratulations to the whole Microsoft Dynamics CRM development team! Craig Unger (GM Microsoft Dynamics CRM R&D) and Brad Wilson (GM for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Business) just send out the internal note about the sign off and the release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 – formerly code-named “Titan”. This is a remarkable milestone for our CRM product, and enables us and our partners to deliver a whole new level of value and innovation to our customers. More information in the press release.

What I have seen so far, our development team has done an absolutely outstanding job in this release by delivering a unified code base that supports both on-premise and on-demand deployments. So our customers will be able to make the best decision based on their needs and requirements.

From small businesses to large enterprises, the new release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM offers an excellent user experience and exceptional ease of use and configuration. In addition the underlying platform technology of this new release raises the bar of customization to an undreamed level of flexibility to deliver world-class customer relationship systems for every type of business.

We will have a very fast localization process and in the next few days you will see a detailed plan for all 25 languages and their availability.

I am so excited about the new release, so please expect tons of postings on my blog about this release. Thanks again to the whole “Titan” team for delivering such a great product.

*Release to Manufacturing

New DreamScene Content available?

Joris Kalz — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:38:00 GMT

Totally off topic: I just noticed a new update in the Windows Vista Ultimate Extras section and it seems to be a new content pack for Windows DreamScene, but I am not really sure. Long Zheng, could you please make an official statement?

:-)

Silverlight Video of Wallpaper Generator

Joris Kalz — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 21:52:00 GMT

Some of you asked me how to use the Wallpaper tool. Unfortunately I did not had much time to write a documentation or simple help file, because I wrote it just as a personal learning experience. Instead of it I created a small Silverlight video, which you can see here. By the way, this helps me to understand the new Microsoft Expression Encoder.

Video (Doubleclick for fullscreen mode)

Some of you would say that this posting was just a poor try to get more visits by using some buzzwords in the title. Yes, it is :-)

Cool Wallpaper Generator

Joris Kalz — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 02:22:00 GMT

I finished reading a book about Windows Presentation Foundation, which helps me a lot to understand the new concepts of Windows programming. And now I created my first WPF program and you could be the first to try it out :-)

This program "Wallpaper Generator" makes it easy to create a collage of your photo collection and use it as a wallpaper to make your desktop more personal. You can download it at my website: http://wallpaper.kalz.de

Listas: New Microsoft Live Labs Preview

Joris Kalz — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:12:00 GMT

Not related to Microsoft CRM, but nevertheless interesting: Have you seen the new Microsoft Live Labs Preview "Listas"? It is a cool Windows Live Service for the creation, management and sharing of notes, lists, and images. Just try it out and extend my existing list of Microsoft CRM Bloggers. To get startet all you need to do is to create a new account based on your Windows Live ID. There are really some interesting features like RSS, sharing with friends, tagging and much more. What makes it realy easy to add new stuff to the list is the Listas Toolbar, which makes it possible to add any selection or link just by clicking the toolbar. Give it a try!

Technorati-Tags: Live Labs , Listas

Vista CRM Search Gadget

Joris Kalz — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:54:00 GMT

If you haven't read about the Vista - Microsoft Dynamics CRM Search Gadget yet, please read this first: http://blogs.msdn.com/joris_kalz/pages/Vista-Microsoft-CRM-Search-Gadget.aspx

Thanks to TourismVI, there is now a solution regarding the empty value bug:

For all those struggling with the CS0103 error I have the solutione! Move the following line from default.aspx.cs up ABOVE the try block.
DataRow dataRow = dataTable.NewRow();
In other words that add2DataTable should function should look like this:

private static void add2DataTable(ref DataTable dataTable, BusinessEntityCollection entityCollection)
{
       // adding records
       for (int i = 0; i < entityCollection.BusinessEntities.Length; i++)
       {
           DynamicEntity dynamicEntity = (DynamicEntity)entityCollection.BusinessEntities[i];
   DataRow dataRow = dataTable.NewRow();
   try
           {
               dataRow["type"] = dynamicEntity.Name;
               dataRow["id"] = ((KeyProperty)dynamicEntity.Properties[0]).Value.Value;
               if (((StringProperty)dynamicEntity.Properties[1]).Value != null)
                   dataRow["field1"] = ((StringProperty)dynamicEntity.Properties[1]).Value;
               if (((StringProperty)dynamicEntity.Properties[2]).Value != null)
                   dataRow["field2"] = ((StringProperty)dynamicEntity.Properties[2]).Value;
               if (((StringProperty)dynamicEntity.Properties[3]).Value != null)
                   dataRow["field3"] = ((StringProperty)dynamicEntity.Properties[3]).Value;
               if (((StringProperty)dynamicEntity.Properties[4]).Value != null)
                   dataRow["field4"] = ((StringProperty)dynamicEntity.Properties[4]).Value;
               dataTable.Rows.Add(dataRow);
           }
           catch (Exception)
           {
            if (dataRow != null && dataRow["id"] != null && dataRow["id"] != String.Empty)
              {
                  dataTable.Rows.Add(dataRow);
              }
           }
       }
   }

TourismVI, thank you very much for sharing this with the community!

Titan at Convergence 2007

Joris Kalz — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 18:54:00 GMT

Dear CRM-Friends!

In few months we will have an important conference for all our customers, partners and Microsoft employees about Microsoft Dynamics based in the EMEA-region. This will be a great chance for you to be the first to know about the next version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM and to discover the new release codename Titan. I just reviewed the list of planned sessions and there are tons of sessions giving you an idea of how to use technology to streamline your business processes or improve customer relations. But more important, this event is a great place to grow your network, chat with your peers, exchange your experience with industry experts or just meet experts working for Microsoft.

Of course I will participate too and I would love to talk to all of my loyal readers, drinking a coffee or a beer :-) and listening to your thoughts.

So please register now for Convergence 2007! But don’t forget to enter the promo code GERPTSPAR and to ask for your Early Bird rate. In case you would like to talk to me please send me a mail to arrange an appointment.

Greetings, Joris

Microsoft Surface

Joris Kalz — Wed, 30 May 2007 23:13:00 GMT

It seems to be like a radical new way of computing. "Surface computing is a major advancement that moves beyond the traditional user interface to a more natural way of interacting with digital content. Microsoft Surface, Microsoft’s first commercially available surface computer breaks down the traditional barriers between people and technology to provide effortless interaction with all forms of digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects instead of a mouse and keyboard."

Read more at the official press announcement from May 29 or at the Surface website.

I am really excited about this new "top secret" product from Microsoft. I was just thinking about buying a new coffee table, but now it is clear for me: I will wait until Microsoft Surface will be available in Germany!

Microsoft Office SharePoint Web Part for Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Joris Kalz — Tue, 22 May 2007 20:13:00 GMT

We just released the localized version of the list web part for Microsoft Dynamics CRM to support Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server (MOSS 2007). The great think about is that you can use Sharepoint to create a dashboard to display essential Microsoft Dynamics CRM data for your users.E.g. this can be used to create a central portal or dashboard for your sales team with all relevant information and reports coming from Microsoft CRM and Sharepoint.

The List Web Part is now available in the following languages: English, Brazilian, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish.

Download it here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=bc9b3526-decf-4057-a530-91840c0d5401&DisplayLang=de

Microsoft Dynamics CRM @ Joris Kalz's WebLog

Improving Microsoft Dynamics CRM Performance and Securing Data with Microsoft SQL Server 2008

Update Rollup 2 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM available

Windows Azure and Microsoft Dynamics CRM Services

Microsoft Dynamics CRM JScript Export Tool

CRM 4.0 RTM VPC, Tools and Sample Data

Product keys v4.0 available on Microsoft TechNet

Updated Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 SDK

CRM 4.0 plug-in registration tool

Localization Wave 1 has been completed

English

German

Spanish

French

Dutch

Other documentation (English only)

Dutch Language Pack available

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Live announced

First language packs now available

Book about Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Spanish Language Version

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 German Language Version

Download Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0

RTM* for Microsoft Dynamics CRM code-named "Titan"

New DreamScene Content available?

Silverlight Video of Wallpaper Generator

Cool Wallpaper Generator

Listas: New Microsoft Live Labs Preview

Vista CRM Search Gadget

Titan at Convergence 2007

Microsoft Surface

Microsoft Office SharePoint Web Part for Microsoft Dynamics CRM