A Freaky Microsoft Dynamics CRM Blog : Demo

AVAILABLE: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 RTM VPC

mennotk — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:27:00 GMT

We have released Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 back in December 2007 and did not immediately provide you with a new VPC. Why did it takes this long? I don't know, but I can tell you that as of today we have a new VPC with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 RTM on it. I actually did not built this particular VPC, a partner did. However, I did provide feedback and ideas what needed to be on this new VPC and did intensive BETA testing.

Ok I see you think, now tell me what is on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 VPC Menno! It actually has a ton of software on it, which some of you might like, and some of you might not. For the ones that don't want to read further, you can download it here

The RTM VPC Contains the following:

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 (RTM)
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Desktop Client
Microsoft Dynamics CRM SDK
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition (SP2)
Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Internet Explorer 7
Microsoft Office Professional 2007
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007
Microsoft Performance Point Server
Microsoft Office Communication Server
Microsoft Visual Studio 2005
POP3 E-Mail Services (No Exchange)
English, French, German, Danish and Dutch Language packs

This partner-ready download includes account and contact trial data and is ready to be populated with locale-specific data via the associated demonstration tool. Once complete, please copy the Demonstration tool to the virtual machine, and follow the instructions to populate activity, opportunity and other entity data and e-mails in Outlook. Refer to the demonstration documentation for detailed information.

For example, you may create seed data in any language to create opportunities, activities, cases, etc. that will be randomly assigned to the existing accounts.
You may also enter seed data for e-mail generation. Random e-mails (using your seed subject and message data) will be created using the contacts found in the existing contacts list.

Thanks for the scoop Michael!

Training: Demo2Win reminder

mennotk — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:49:22 GMT

You probably seen my previous post talking about Demo2Win. With this post, I want to remind everybody located in the NorCal area that we still have a few seats available. It's an awesome training, worth both the money and your time!

Available: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Sample Data

mennotk — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 02:33:42 GMT

As of two days ago, you now can download Sample Data for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0.

You can use sample data in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Sample Database in marketing and sales presentations or for training people to use Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0.

The sample database includes a set of comma-separated value (CSV) files that contains the sample data and an XML map file that maps the data to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0. To install the sample data on your on-premise installation or VPC, you must use the Data Migration Manager.

Training: Demo2Win Workshop for Microsoft Dynamics Partners

mennotk — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 03:36:53 GMT

It doesn't matter if you're either in Pre-Sales, Sales, are beginner or a veteran this is training you really should attend. I personally sat through this training, after reading the book "Demonstrating to Win!", and boy let me tell you, this was a training I actually did not fall asleep or opened up my laptop and started working on email.

The goal of this workshop is simple: deliver a practical, proven set of skills, tools and procedures that you can immediately put to use to improve your demo-to-win ratio.

We still have availability for our NorCal Partners that would like to attend this workshop in either San Francisco or Mountain View.

You can read and register here: http://www.msreadiness.com/demo2win

ENJOY: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 RC0 VPC

mennotk — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 08:15:00 GMT

Find out where and when you can download the RC0 VPC......(read more)

Titan Global Readiness Training Tour Components

mennotk — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

All the nice shiny decks are waiting for you!...(read more)

Sales Best Practices for Microsoft Dynamics CRM

mennotk — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 09:59:00 GMT

A 90 minute session where we will discuss sales best practices for CRM partners to help accelerate prospect decision making....(read more)

Exclusive: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Partner Readiness Tour Event

mennotk — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:21:00 GMT

So yes you guessed it right, The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Launch starts in San Francisco! Be sure to hold September 24th from 8:30-5:30 open in your calendars. This event will be held at the Microsoft San Francisco office (One Market Street, Suite 200) and will be a great opportunity to learn more about CRM, see the ability to grow your business, and add value to your clients! This is also a chance to meet...(read more)

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 VPC (Extended May 2006 Edition)

mennotk — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 03:49:00 GMT

Just a quick post about the fact that we finally......(read more)

Microsoft Dynamics CRM VPC - Client toggle

mennotk — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 21:46:00 GMT

How to switch between the two Microsoft Dynamics CRM clients on the August 2007 VPC...(read more)

Searchable?

mennotk — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 10:01:00 GMT

Ever wondered why you don't see certain fields in Advanced Find? I didn't realize this was happening until I got a question about it via a Partner. To test this I started my brand new image, opened Advanced Find and tried to search on Business Type. As you can see in the screen shot below, it is not showing up as a possible option.

Why you might ask? I don't know, but apparently after upgrading to Rollup 1 the Product team added an extra option on attributes called "Searchable". Look at this support article for detailed information: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/912061

So in my example I noticed that Business Type was set to No. Changing this to Yes, saving the attribute and publishing the changes made the attribute Business Type searchable.

Download the Microsoft Office Live Meeting 2007 client!

mennotk — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 08:09:40 GMT

Lately I have been doing a lot of demo's and for this, I am using the new and improved Office Live Meeting 2007 Client. If you want to experience a better Live Meeting experience I strongly encourage you to download and upgrade!

You can download the client here: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/HA101733831033.aspx

Troubleshooting tip!
Unable to join the meeting? Launch the Office Live Meeting client and join the meeting with the information provided by the meeting organizer:

Meeting ID: 1497b23b247156282047234cb4b5bee50bf85be4b3
Entry Code: 55kiXR52z
Location:meet:sip:email@yourdomain.com;gruu;opaque=app:conf:focus:id:1121212121a23b24734ab4b5bee50bf85be4b3%3Fconf-key=55kiXDfGa78

Released: Microsoft Dynamics CRM VPC - August 2007 Edition

mennotk — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 05:15:00 GMT

It is here and here to stay! The Microsoft Dynamics CRM VPC August 2007 Edition...(read more)

Java, Jscript, JavaScript ....

mennotk — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:58:00 GMT

No I am not talking about coffee!...(read more)

Vertical Templates for Microsoft Dynamics CRM

mennotk — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 23:09:00 GMT

As you know we announced some very nice things at the WPC in Denver last month. One the things beside pricing was that we were going to release vertical templates to be used for Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Well today is the day that we have released two Microsoft Dynamics CRM vertical templates; manufacturing and municipal government.

These templates include data models, user interfaces, user roles and workflows that showcase how Microsoft Dynamics CRM is relevant to customers in these industries.

Microsoft field marketing and partner communities should utilize these templates for demonstration purposes and as well as to expand and enhance vertical focuses.

Each vertical template includes the following materials:

README File
CRM Configuration XML Files
Workflows
User Roles
Demo Data
Demo Script

These templates are designed to work with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 today and will be updated for the upcoming release at the end of the calendar year.

The downloads are offered at no charge to partners and customers via Microsoft’s shared source initiative at www.codeplex.com/crmverticaltemplates.

Drop me a comment to tell me which vertical should be next. I will make sure to bring that message across.