A CRM Riff

An Introduction to XRM for a .Net Developer

2009-11-20T20:06:48Z

A friend of mine and CRM MVP Shan McArthur from ADXSTUDIO, Inc. wrote this very smart piece that I’d recommend to any developer considering creating a Microsoft Dynamics custom solution.

“Most developers are familiar with various Microsoft technologies including the .NET Framework, Microsoft SQL Server, WPF, and ASP.NET. They are accustomed to designing their applications using Microsoft SQL Server for data storage and modeling their applications using relational database techniques. Modern developers are also familiar with object-to-relational mapping frameworks including Entity Framework and LINQ-to-SQL. Developers who like to live on the bleeding edge are also familiar with AJAX, Silverlight, ADO.NET Data Services, and .NET RIA Services. This article will introduce using Microsoft Dynamics CRM for the data storage tier of an application, paralleling it to basic concepts that are used in designing applications using SQL Server.”

The CRM Team is moving to another building

2009-11-18T16:26:00Z

It was announced this week that we are moving to another building on the same campus we are currently working at. The first picture is of the park north of our buildings. This is the view I will be giving up for a view of the side of an office building:

I’ve also included a picture of my desk and the door to my office. Yes, that is a Saxophone calendar above my desk. We were in the Marvel theme’d building. I’ll have to change my ‘privacy’ poster to something else for this move. Maybe I’ll move back to the film noir theme.

You get used to a space after spending time there. Let’s see we will have been in this building for around 18 months. Moving is just one of the things you get used to when working at Microsoft. In 18 years I’ve moved over 20 times. Some times it just seemed everyone was moving one office over. But team change, re-orgs happen, and life moves on.

MSDynamicsWire Beta

2009-11-17T17:03:00Z

MSDynamicsWire is a aggregation center for all thangs Dynamics, serving up blogs, news, and forum highlights.

In their words, “

MSDynamicsWire.com is an informative portal dedicated to bring the latest news updates, Blog updates and several other informative resources in Microsoft Dynamics Community. The portal is based on RSS syndication aggregating various sources of information in Microsoft Dynamics community.

MSDynamiWire.com covers various product areas inside Microsoft Dynamics that include Dynamics GP, Dynamics AX, Dynamics CRM, Dynamics NAV, Dynamics RMS, Dynamics SL adding to the general news updates in Microsoft.

MSDynamicsWire.com is a brainchild of Janakiram M.P. who got years of experience as a Microsoft Dynamics Consultant.

The Portal is in its initial Beta version and sustained development of the portal would continue in order to bring more value addition to the MSDynamicsWire.com Resource Library.”

Richard Knudson’s Dynamics CRM Trick Bag

2009-11-13T16:24:06Z

Richard’s at it again. Luv his stuff.

Creating Charts with the Dynamics CRM Online Chart Designer

November 2009 Service Update Article #3

In another article, I did a quick write-up and linked to a recorded tutorial on how to use the charts that come built-in to Dynamics CRM Online. Basically, they are available to end-users, who can use them to personalize their home page, with up to four charts across the new horizontal “Chart Pane”.

The only entities that arrive stocked with charts are:

Accounts
Activities
Campaigns
Cases
Events
Leads
Opportunities

Windows Server 2008 R2 Training Course LIVE on Monday

2009-11-09T17:02:32Z

On Monday, November 9th, Channel 9 launches the Windows Server 2008 R2 Training Course for Developers. Channel 9 has always been about giving Developers insight into new Microsoft platform technologies. The Channel 9 Learning Center extends that objective with self-paced learning experiences.

Windows Server 2008 R2, “Not your average R2!”

Explore this significant Windows Server release via a self-paced training course of videos and hands-on-labs with a focus on performance, web, management, and other server solution scenarios. Learn about developing applications for “many-core” scale, enable efficient “trigger-started” services, explore new Windows PowerShell features, create integrated solutions with the File Classification Infrastructure, build Web Platform extensions, and automate your dev-test environment with VHD and Hyper-V API’s.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM – Quick Vids

2009-11-04T17:12:29Z

I’m luving these short Getting Started videos that ramp a new user up very quickly. These videos are designed to help you get started, learn how to configure Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, and understand how features like reporting and workflow can make your staff more efficient. Click on the one below to see what I mean.

Score!

Bill Gates History on PartnerPoint

2009-11-02T15:56:55Z

Nosing around this morning and I find this excellent video on PartnerPoint that covers the ‘short-version’ history of Bill Gates. It’s very nicely done with a lot of commentary from the old guard folks like Steve Wood who used to live in the house behind one of my brother’s place. Definitely an interesting albeit short video.

Segments:

CWRMobility and Microsoft Dynamics CRM on the Zune HD

2009-10-28T17:24:41Z

John O’Donnell, one of my fav technical evangelists, is at it again with his traveling camera. Today he talks with Erik van Hoof from http://www.CWRMobility.com who stopped by at the CRMUG Summit to show John his company’s Microsoft Dynamics CRM product called CWR Mobile CRM running on his new Zune HD. Here’s the video.

It’s interesting to see how a Zune HD can be used for business applications as well as consumer applications. Most of us have a Zune and this opens new ways of getting to our CRM app. The last time I talked to Erik (2008 at WPC) I got so excited about improvements in the Mobile hardware and technology that I went out to buy a phone like his.

I’m now using a Verizon Imagio with the WinMo (Windows Mobile) 6.5 platform and everything just works. The battery life is a little better too. I’m not sure how the OS helped there because the battery is the same kind I’ve been using for a while now.

Nov CRMUG Pacific Northwest Regional Chapter Meet

2009-10-27T16:07:56Z

The next meeting of the CRMUG Pacific Northwest Regional Chapter features two intriguing user case studies: Rosalee Alan from PAML will discuss how her company leveraged workflow to improve customer service and Robert Hanlon with the Portland Trail Blazers will present tips from their unique deployment.

Meeting Date/Time: Thursday, November 5, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Location:

Microsoft
Civica Office Building
205 108th Ave. NE, Suite 400
Bellevue, WA 98004

Audience: All CRM users are welcome to attend, regardless of whether they have joined CRMUG. Members of the CRMUG Partner Program are also welcome to attend. Partners that are not yet members of CRMUG are limited to two free meetings.

Agenda:

09:30 a.m. – 09:45 a.m. Welcome/Introductions
09:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Robert Hanlon, Portland Trail Blazers
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Chapter Business
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. World-class Customer Service using Dynamics CRM, presented by Rosalee Alan, PAML

About CRMUG Regional Chapters
Regional Chapters enhance your membership in CRMUG by offering face-to-face interaction and knowledge-sharing with other Microsoft Dynamics CRM users in your region. By having meetings centrally located within your region, users from all job roles and levels in your company can participate by only driving a short distance. All job roles are welcome:

     • Customer Service
     • Sales
     • Information Technology

Join us so you can optimize the functionality, flexibility, performance and return on investment offered by CRM—and get better results from your CRM implementation back home. Feel free to invite CRM colleagues and other users within the region.

For more information about CRMUG, visit www.crmug.com.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Videos

2009-10-26T16:03:50Z

People favor learning techniques that speak to them. Some people want to have a book in hand. Others will only read online. And then there are those who prefer videos. For the learners who are in the latter category here is a collection of videos designed to help you do what ever you might want to with Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Below I only highlight some the many videos available at the Video Resource page.

Get started

General overview of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online

A navigation overview of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, along with a tour of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online for Microsoft Office Outlook and Internet Explorer Web Browser. Length: 15:00 minutes

View this video...

Video: Sharing and assigning records

This video walks you through the steps of sharing and assigning records. Length: 3:02 minutes

View this video ...

Get data into Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online

Video: Importing customer data

In this video, you learn how to import your data, and avoid the pitfall of having to spend time on repetitive data entry: 3:09 minutes

View this video...

Video: Using duplicate detection

This video guides you through the steps of how to run duplicate detection, and then merge or delete duplicate records. 3 minutes

View this video...

Data migration overview

You have multiple options for migrating data into Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online. The video shows you three of these options, including using wizards to import your information. Length: 10:00 minutes

View this video...

Get data out of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online

Video: Using Advanced Find

In this video, learn the steps for running queries in Advanced Find, including entering the criteria, or fields, that will help you filter your search. Also, save your Advanced Find search results as a personal view that you can access any time you want. Length: 3:11 minutes

View this video...

Bulk data export overview

An open source, bulk export tool available for download gives you another method to export information out of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online. This demonstration shows you how to download the tool and how to use it to export your information. Length: 7:15 minutes

View this video...

Set up Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online for your business

Video: Basic setup to get started

On your first login to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Onlineyou will be prompted to choose the currency of choice for your business. This short video will help you make the right choice for your business. Length: 2:07 minutes

View this video...

View more videos…

Lester Young - Blues for Greasy (1950)

2009-10-23T14:41:31Z

From YouTube, how ‘bout a little Friday jazz. It’s been that kind of week.

Life Magazine photographer Gjon Mili joined with jazz producer and Verve-label owner Norman Granz to produce the short film "Jammin

' the Blues" in 1944 with Lester Young, Red Callendar, Harry Edison, "Big" Sid Catlett, Illinois Jacquet, Barney Kessel, Jo Jones and Marie Bryant. The film was nominated for Best Short Subject at the 1945 Academy Awards, but didn't win.

The pair came together again in 1950 to shoot footage of leading jazz artists of the day, but when funding dried up, the film ceased production and sat on shelves for 50 years (except for a few snippets which found their way onto bootlegs).
Blues For Greasy is one of those pieces shot by Gjon Mili and Norman Granz, using musicians from his Jazz at the Philharmonic tour.

Harry 'Sweets' Edison: trumpet
Lester Young: Tenor Sax
Flip Phillips: Tenor Sax
Bill Harris: Trombone
Hank Jones: Piano
Ray Brown: Bass
Buddy Rich: Drums
Ella Fitzgerald: Vocals

If this doesn’t start your toes tappin’, nothing will. :o)

Social Networking Story on NPR today

2009-10-21T17:42:23Z

Talk to students at The Urban School, an elite private high school in San Francisco, and they will tell you that they used to be on MySpace, but not anymore. Facebook is where it's at for them and their friends.

Facebook is taking over more and more of the social networking space in the U.S. It had an estimated 95.5 million U.S. visitors in September, according to marketing research company comScore. MySpace still has a healthy share — around 65.7 million people — but numbers don't explain it all. If you listen to young site users explain their social networking decisions, the story of the two sites gets more complicated.

McAfee ScriptScan Solution for Dynamics CRM - redux

2009-10-20T15:34:51Z

This problem poked up it’s nasty head again and I have to wonder, what the heck? Did the customer never update his anti-virus solution or is it still not incorporated into the solution set. Geesh.

McAfee ScriptScan Solution for Dynamics CRM

It is possible to have performance issues when you’re using the combination of Microsoft Dynamics CRM and McAfee VirusScan 8.x in your organization.

McAfee has a feature called ScriptScan that scans and analyzes each webpage opened on your computer via either Outlook or a web browser. Since we rely on JavaScript on some of our web forms; load time of the actual page might take some time because it’s being scanned by the ScriptScan upon opening.

The current and not preferred possible workaround for this particular problem was to entirely disable ScriptScan on the client workstations and unregister SCRIPTPROXY.DLL. Understandably, not everybody felt comfortable doing this.

Read more…

Thanks to Menno for keeping on top of this.

CNN: Microsoft Reboots

2009-10-14T17:17:19Z

CNN article Microsoft Reboots by Jeffrey M. O’Brien sez:

“But here's some good news: On Oct. 22 Vista will be safely behind Microsoft (MSFT). On that day, the company will introduce a successor, Windows 7, and guess what? It doesn't suck. In fact, it's really pretty good. For all the pomp around each new version of the iPhone, the latest Kindle, or Google's next beta, Wave, Windows 7 is sure to go down as the technology launch of the year.

Critics love it, and IT managers are ready to buy. A recent Credit Suisse survey says that a quarter of corporate customers plan to upgrade within two years. Analysts estimate that the new OS could boost Microsoft's revenue by more than $3 billion over that time and ignite the entire ecosystem built on Windows — from computer makers like Dell and Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) to third-party software vendors, resellers, and system supporters. It could be the shot in the arm the entire tech sector has been looking for.”

I concur. :o)

Microsoft Dynamics CRM: SOA Platform for Building Custom Business Applications

2009-10-13T16:15:10Z

This tasty video features Philip Richardson and Maureen Hughes talking about Microsoft Dynamics CRM: SOA Platform for Building Custom Business Applications. It is as applicable now as it was when this spiel was given.

Someone was asking me about this and I pointed them at this. Although a broad overview, I found it meaty and interesting. Enjoy.