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Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 - Workflow

We all know that our workflow engine in v3.0 was not that "end user" friendly. The product team listened to (y)our feedback and significantly changed the workflow model in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0.

 image

The core architectural changes are:

  • Unified Event Model
  • Asynchronous Host
    • Multi-tenant/Stateless
    • Scalable
    • Reliable
  • Windows Workflow Foundation
  • Extensibility Mechanism

Workflows are now available to end users, who no longer need access to the server in order to create, modify, and monitor them. Child workflows and workflow templates provide two ways for users to build upon existing workflow logic while they are creating new workflows.

Workflows now support many more record types. Also, they can now be triggered by the update and delete events, and a workflow can be triggered by more than one event. Dynamic values and conditionals are more useful. The new user interface for workflows includes the Form Assistant, a tool for specifying dynamic values. Dynamic values are also improved by the increased number of record relationships. So, there are more records and attributes available for inclusion in dynamic values.

image

One of the other things that has changed in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 is that we now can apply and use stages on all workflow logic which makes it possible to define and monitor parts of a complex workflow. In v3.0 we only could use staging on the opportunity level.

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Posted: Thursday, October 04, 2007 2:36 PM by mennotk

Comments

MDodd said:

This is fantastic. Could we see more on the new WF capabilities? I'm excited to see how you can use the new Dynamic Value features, and how you can update the new lists of related entities. It would seem that this new functionality will be more usefull to the non-programmer, in that we won't have to resorts to callouts (plugins) for more complex Entity updates and activity automation. I'd really like to see a working example if you have the time...

# October 5, 2007 10:58 AM

Bill Walter said:

Now the the CRM 4.0 Partner Roadshow has been in several cities is it possible for Partners to get a copy of the VPC image that is being shown?

# October 6, 2007 10:13 AM

Singapore said:

Partners could download the CTP3 here

https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/products/mscrm/newsevents/news/CRM4VirtualPCImageCTP3Beta.htm

# October 9, 2007 5:23 AM

Microsoft Dynamics CRM UK Blog said:

White Wedding... To make sure I didn't duplicate any information in my blog, I have been compiling a

# October 12, 2007 6:29 AM

raybeste said:

Does the new workflow make the guid of the primary object of the workflow available so that notification workflows can easily be created?  ie - in v1.x you could reference the guid of an opportunity for example to send an email to the manager with a hyperlink to pop the opportunity record.  This undocumented feature was removed in v3 and forced the creation of a .net assembly (albeit a simple one) just to pass the guid back as a string so we could create these urls.  At first look, it doesn't appear that this guid is available in v4.  Can you confirm or suggest a non-coding alternative to provide this very basic functionality using the much more powerful v4 workflow that we see?

# October 12, 2007 10:44 AM

Meenal said:

Thanks for article.

Our team has couple of questions

1.does these workflow function synchronously?If there are some errors in

event created by workflow then Is it possible that workflow throw these errors to GUI or application to let user know that problem has been encountered.

2.Can custom workflow created in VS 2005 can call (refer) dll's of other Custom workflow

Thanks

# November 16, 2007 5:37 PM

mennotk said:

Hi Meenal,

1. Workflow functions are asynchronous. I don't have a clear answer for 1a but will look into it.

2. Custom workflow can be created through VS2005 and published into Microsoft Dynamics CRM

# November 17, 2007 12:33 AM

B@rney said:

Hi.

I'm trying to make a "Sales Process Workflow" like I had in CRM 3.0. for Opportunity. But I'm having trouble making the different stages execute tasks to the opportunity owner. I can only find e-mail, assign record, create record, etc. . I'm working in the UI (User interface)

Thanks

# December 18, 2007 10:27 AM

ceggert said:

I'm also trying to make a "Sales Process Workflow" similar to the workflow in CRM 3.0. for Opportunity. But I'm not able to create simple tasks within the stages (make phone call, call client, create proposal, etc).  I can only find e-mail, assign record, create record, etc. . I'm working in the UI (User interface)any help would be great.

Thanks

# January 24, 2008 3:18 PM

Remi said:

Ceggert,

Create record, then U can choose between task, lead, opportunity etc.

CRM 4.0 rocks!!!

# January 30, 2008 7:06 AM
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