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Hosted CRM applications in business organizations handles potential customers and projects.

by Jamie McCintyre on November 16, 2011

Customer Resource Management (CRM) can be a customer-centric strategy for large and small businesses that has started out larger and much more expensive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software and techniques. In large Fortune 500 companies, CRM is part of the larger ERP package. This can be a company-wide strategy which is designed to lower costs while increasing profitability and providing a higher level of customer satisfaction and loyalty. The achievements CRM for Business is determined by a company-wide commitment from top management on down to the shop floor and warehouse.

Components that comprise CRM for business. Many of the features that make up a CRM include inventory tracking from the moment raw materials get to the warehouse to the time they may be shipped out as finished goods. Another part of a complete CRM is definitely an accounting system. The accounting system ties within other CRM components to provide management amongst other things a real-time check out cost accounting data for work in progress and also other critical information.

The sales team automation component allows salespersons inside field to own access to the latest real-time data on customers to drive sales and close on more leads. The backbone coming from all CRM systems can be a back-end relational database that stores all accounting, customer, and inventory details and it is accessible to those who need the information whenever they need it.

The sales staff automation component allows salespersons within the field to get access to essentially the most up-to-date real-time data on potential customers to drive sales and close on more leads. The backbone with the CRM systems is really a back-end relational database that stores all accounting, customer, and inventory details and is particularly accessible to those that need the information once they need it.

With this option, all the CRM applications are maintained with the vendor on the computers as well as the company contracting the help accesses the software with the internet. What’s the Future of CRM for business? Not able to CRM for business is different in the last couple of years due to viral marketing plus the emergence of smartphones. Also Social CRM permits people in the field, whether they are salespersons or management to own access to the CRM database to find the latest real-time data on customers and clients.

The modern Social CRM software programs are also that will work with iPads as well as other electronics available today. They’ve created marketing on Facebook along with social networking sites quick and simple hence the user will take good thing about the most up-to-date in viral marketing. CRM for company is a power tool allowing companies of any size to compete within a global marketplace while using latest tools and technology.

Bringing in CRM Software to your business represents a significant step forward in automating your customer service cycle and developing more business. Customers are the backbone and Microsoft CRM 2011 is the best, most integrated, software for looking after them.

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Hosted CRM software in business organizations controls buyers and projects.

by Jamie McCintyre on November 8, 2011

Customer Resource Management (CRM) is really a customer-centric strategy for minor and major businesses that has evolved from larger plus much more expensive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software and methods. In large Fortune 500 companies, CRM is part of the larger ERP package. This is a company-wide strategy that may be designed to lower costs while increasing profitability and providing to the next stage of customer support and loyalty. The prosperity of CRM for Business will depend on a company-wide commitment from top management on right down to the shop floor and warehouse.

Components of a good CRM system in business. A number of the features that make up a CRM include inventory tracking; from the moment raw materials get to the warehouse on the time they may be shipped out as finished goods. Another element of a complete CRM is an accounting system (MYOB integration with your Microsoft CRM is our strong point). The accounting system ties together with other CRM components to produce for management, amongst other things, a real-time look at cost accounting data to be employed in progress along with critical information.

The sales force automation component allows salespersons inside the field to obtain access to the most recent real-time data on prospective customers to drive sales and close more leads. The backbone of CRM systems is often a back-end relational database that stores all accounting, customer, and inventory details which is accessible to those who need the information once they need it.

The sellers automation component allows salespersons inside field to get access to probably the most up-to-date real-time data on potential clients to drive sales and close on more leads. The backbone on the CRM systems is usually a back-end relational database that stores all accounting, customer, and inventory details and is particularly accessible to people that need the information when they need it.

With this option, the many CRM applications are maintained through the vendor on their own computers and also the company contracting the support accesses the software through the internet. What’s the Future of CRM for business? The way forward for CRM is different in the last two years due to viral marketing and also the emergence of smartphones. Social CRM lets people in the field, whether salespersons or management to get access to the CRM database to find the latest real-time data on customers and clients.

The most recent Social CRM software packages are also that which will work with iPads along with other electronics now available. They tap into marketing on Facebook along with social networking sites actually quite easy hence the user might think twice about the newest in viral marketing. CRM these days is a device allowing companies of any size to compete in the global marketplace while using latest tools and technology.

Bringing in CRM Software to your business represents a significant step forward in automating your customer service cycle and generating more business. Customers are the backbone and Microsoft CRM 2011 is the best, most integrated, software for taking care of them.

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Video: Add users to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online

July 6, 2011

After you subscribe to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, one of your first tasks as an administrator is to add users, and invite them to join and begin using your new organization. View this video to learn how to add users to your Microsoft Dynamics CRM O…

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Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Microsoft Office Outlook Compatibility with Citrix XenApp 6

July 5, 2011

imageWe are pleased to announce the release of the white paper, Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Microsoft Office Outlook Compatibility with Citrix XenApp 6, which is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center at : http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=26667.

Microsoft, working with Citrix® Corporation, completed functional verification of Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Microsoft Office Outlook and Citrix XenApp 6 and its components. This white paper details the compatibility verification of Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Microsoft Office Outlook when deployed with Microsoft Office 2007 on Citrix XenApp 6, as well as the results of scalability testing of Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Outlook on Citrix XenApp 6 running on an Intel Xeon processor-based server.

Specifically, the paper includes:

  • Instructions for setting up and deploying the test environment.
  • A description of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM implementation and the methods used to obtain the results.
  • Details of the hardware configuration and software settings.
  • A summary of the key test parameters and results.

I’d especially like to recognize the efforts of Krishnan Rangarajan, Alex Kalinin, Corey Hanson, and the broader CRM Product Group for contributing to and reviewing this paper to help ensure its completeness and accuracy.

Note: The paper will subsequently be available via MSDN and the TechNet library in the CRM section under Technical Articles for Managed IT.

Thanks,

Jim Toland

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Update Rollup 18 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0

June 30, 2011

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM Sustained Engineering (SE) team released Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Update Rollup 18 on Thursday, June 30, 2011. The links below will take you to the necessary information about Update Rollup 18. Microsoft Download Cent…

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Free Wheeling with some Summer Fun Coding Ideas

June 30, 2011

imageI was thinking of some Summer learning opportunities that might interest some of my developer friends. You can try Windows Azure at no cost using the CODE webcastpass and deploy your first app in as little as 30 minutes. So here are some ideas, in no particular order:

1. My Customers Are Using iPhone/Android, But I’m a Microsoft Guy. Now What?: In this session you’ll learn how to scale iPhone, iPad, and Android platforms using the Windows Azure platform.

2. Tap the Cloud For Your ASP.NET apps: Say you need more horsepower today, less tomorrow. Hear how Brian Prince focuses on the app, not the infrastructure.

3. Migrate invaluable data to the cloud: Few things have as much value in the digital age as good old data. Unfortunately, it is often scattered and not necessarily running on infrastructure that’s up to date. Learn how to solve 2 issues by putting your data up in the cloud.

4. Your SharePoint Practice via the Cloud: SharePoint becomes a much bigger business and technical opportunity when married with the cloud. Learn more from resident expert Mike Benkovitch.

5. Your SharePoint Practice via the Cloud: SharePoint becomes a much bigger business and technical opportunity when married with the cloud. Learn more from resident expert Mike Benkovitch.

image6. Create the Next Big App: Webcast Series: Start from a scenario relevant to you – mobile and Sharepoint apps, Facebook promos, Access databases, and see how cloud addresses relevant gaps.

7. Combining Public and Private Clouds into Useful Hybrids: – Watch David Chou’s TechEd session about the widely discussed “hybrid” approach – solutions spanning from on-premise into the cloud.

8. Don’t Miss the Azure Security Essentials Series: Anyone serious about the cloud will “talk security” pretty quickly. Here’s terrific resources for Developers and Decision Makers.

Enjoy,

JaAG

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CRMUG ~ the power of Networking

June 29, 2011

The Dynamics CRM User Group (CRMUG®) provides users a wealth of opportunities to learn, network, and share expertise about Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Powered by Dynamic Communities, Inc., CRMUG is an independent community and the only one recognized by M…

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Microsoft: Still Making Things Easy for Cloud Rivals

June 28, 2011

Forbes

For the most part, Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) has not been a pioneer. Instead, it has built its empire by neutralizing its competitors. For example, when Apple came out with its graphic…

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FAQ for Customer and Partner Portals

June 27, 2011

This post addresses the most common issues that occur with the Customer and Partner Relationship Management Portals. If the problem you’re running into is not in the list below, please post a message to the CRM Labs Solutions Forum here: http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/crmlabs/threads?filter=alltypes.

1. Solution Import

1.1 Getting started with the portals

Portal installation instructions are as follows:

  1. Download the cab file from the marketplace and save it to disk
  2. Unpack the cab using instructions above
  3. Navigate to the “Documentation” folder
  4. Follow instructions for On Premise or Azure Deployment

1.2 Unpack the cab file downloaded from the marketplace

The cab file can be unpacked in two ways:

  1. If you have a third party unzipping program, you can right click on the cab file and use the unpacking tool.
  2. If you don’t have a third party tool, follow these steps:
    1. Open a command prompt. Start->run-> “cmd”
    2. Navigate to the location you stored the cab file
    3. “md CustomerPortal”
    4. “expand CustomerPortal.exe.cab –f:* CustomerPortal”

1.3 Solution Import: Error about cab files not being signed

“The cab file is not signed or digital signature cannot be verified”.

This error occurs for one of two reasons:

  • The incorrect cab file is being imported
    MicrosoftXrmCustomerPortal.cab     and MicrosoftXrmPartnerPortal.cab are the solution cab files. Please make sure you’re importing one of these. They are in the root directory once you’ve unpacked CustomerPortal.exe.cab or PartnerPortal.exe.cab.
  • The root cab file was not unpacked correctly
    Please follow instructions above for unpacking the cab file

1.4 Solution Import: Schema validation error when importing the correct cab file

"The selected file is corrupted or it does not use the correct schema. Either select another file or modify the file to use the Microsoft Dynamics CRM migration template schema"

This error occurs when you are running on pre-RTM version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. The portals were developed against version 5.0.9688.583, so please make sure you’re running on a build greater than that.

Note: You can check the build you are running by going to your CRM client and navigating to File -> Help -> About Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

1.5 Installing both Customer and Partner portals in the same CRM instance

The steps are as follows:

  1. Install Partner Relationship Management Portal following the Partner Portal Deployment Guide. The PRM solution contains all the necessary components that are required for both portals to work.
  2. Install the Customer Portal website. Note – don’t install the CRM solution, just host the website on Azure. Skip to step #3 in the Deployment Steps section of the Customer Portal Deployment Guide.

You can install both solutions in step 1 as well if you’d like.

2. Live ID/Azure Setup

2.1 Getting the device id and password

Device ID and password are strings 12-22 characters long and are related to the live id so you can come up with any strings that meet the criteria. Please make sure note them down as you will need these values every time you connect to CRM Online with that particular Live ID.

2.2 Live-ID changes

Live ID no longer requires domain verification, so we don’t need to download the txt file and add it to the azure project. Additionally, the UI is different. Please refer to the updated Step 8 of the documentation here:

Customer Portal

Partner Relationship Management Portal

3. Partner Portal Access Issues

"You do not have sufficient permissions to view this page." in the Partner Portal

  1. Set the Parent Customer of the Contact (customer accessing the portal) to a Partner
  2. Set Account Relationship Type to "Partner"
  3. Invalidate the Cache
  4. Set access permissions for that contact following instructions in the documentation

4. Changing Membership Provider

If you’d like to use AD or IFD instead of Live ID for authentication, you can follow the steps in this blog:

http://www.shanmcarthur.net/crm/developers-corner/customer-portal-modifications-for-demo-vpc-without-internet-connectivity

While it is written for CRM 4, the process is identical for the CRM 2011 Portals as well.

The portals are designed to follow ASP.NET conventions. They should work with any legacy SSO solution that uses the IPrincipal mechanism of ASP.NET, or any membership provider that you plug into your site including the Active Directory or SQL membership providers distributed with ASP.NET.

5. WebsiteCopy.exe Utility fails when using Claims/IFD authentication
          OR
cannot connect to datacenters outside the US

WebsiteCopy.exe UI that was released with the portals on the Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace does not support Claims or IFD authentication. The UI will not allow providing only a username and password in the scenario where you have CRM installations with Claims/IFD auth. It also doesn’t connect to non-US organizations.

You can use one of two solutions for this:

  • Use the command line interface
  • Download CRM SDK version 5.0.3 or greater. The issue has been fixed in WebsiteCopy.exe released in the SDK

6. Language problems

The portals are English-only. We have not tested them in other languages.

If you are successfully able to import the Portal solution into your system and cannot activate workflows, you can try installing the English Language pack to your system. Alternatively, you can write your own workflows since the logic is pretty trivial.

6.1 System.NullReferenceException when trying to create/view a case

This issue occurs only in CRM orgs that do not have English as the base language. The *WEB* keyword needs to be in the service description and the case default subject and priority needs to be translated to the target language.

Palak Kadakia

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Writing a Multi-Currency Aware Roll-up Plug-in

June 24, 2011

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 localizes in 42 languages. On any base language org, one can install language specific MUI packs and have the UI reflect in the language of the user’s choice. When considering global organizations that use MUI packs, the currency issue also becomes central. CRM has multi-currency handling built into the system. By navigating to Settings>Business Management > Currencies, one can create different currencies and specify the exchange rate as the base currency of the org. In this blog we will look into the challenges of writing roll-up plug-ins that is multi-currency aware.

Let’s consider a simple scenario where a business is running a campaign to raise money with a set goal. It’s a global business and the money is being collected through its subsidiaries in different countries.

  • To model and track the collections in CRM, it uses the out of box Campaign entity and a custom “Collection” entity.
  • To get the current collected amount of a campaign. The individual collections need to be rolled up to the parent campaign and displayed in USD.
  • To model the data the Campaign entity has two new custom fields:
    • Goal: A money field that tracks the target collection amount.
    • Collected: A money field that tracks the current collection amount.
  • The custom entity “Collection” also has two new fields:
    • Source: A string field to track where the money came from.
    • Amount: A money field to track the amount that was collected.

Interestingly, CRM has some built in features to help. Since the “Amount” field of the Collection entity is a money field, CRM will internally add the following fields.

  • Amount_base: Tracks the amount collected in organization’s base currency.
  • Transaction currency: Tracks the currency in which the amount was collected.
  • Exchange rate: Tracks the exchange rate that will be used to calculate the base currency value.

Notes:

* The transaction currency and the exchange rate are created once per entity. All money fields on a single record would use the same transaction currency and exchange rate.

* The base currency field is created once for each money field.

Instead of rolling up the Amount fields on the Collection entities, whose values may be in different currencies, the plug-in can roll-up the Amount field’s amount_base values and set the parent Campaign entity’s Collected field’s collected_base.

Here we run into another challenge due to the collected_base field being read only. So we can read the amount_base field on the Collection entity, but cannot set the collected_base of the Collected field on the Campaign entity. Interestingly, the Campaign entity also has the exchange_rate and transaction_currency fields which can be retrieved to calculate the currency specific value from base field.

For cautious developers, there are two more challenges to overcome. First is to check if the currency exchange rate has changed. If the currency exchange rate has changed the CRM platform will fetch the latest exchange rate to calculate the base value for given money field. So, rather than using the exchange rate of the Campaign record we need to use the transaction currency lookup and fetch the current exchange rate when calculating the currency specific value.

The second and last challenge is regarding simultaneous updates. Since CRM is a server, it’s possible that two Collection records are being created simultaneously and their registered plug-ins are running in parallel. CRM does not provide a way to serialize the plug-in execution or lock individual records. Thus it’s recommended that we run the plug-ins asynchronously and do roll-ups using aggregate queries rather than adding and subtracting the individual Collection amount to the Campaign’s collected value. In other words, every time a Collection entity is created, updated or deleted, the asynchronous plug-ins will aggregate all the amount_base fields for all Collection records and update the Collected field on the parent Campaign with the value = (total * exchange rate); the exchange rate is being fetched based upon the transaction currency associated with the parent Campaign.

With all this we now have a good working multi-currency aware roll-up plug-in.

Cheers,

Shashi Ranjan

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