MS Dynamics CRM Usability
Our primary focus is on Microsoft Dynamics CRM usability & training issues, but other issues will appear from time to time.
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Adventures with the new CRM customer portal accelerator
July 12, 2010
I have spent some time in the last 2 weeks evaluating the customer portal accelerator that was announced at Convergence 2010. In short - It rocks!
Summer Dynamics CRM Boot camp is now guaranteed to run
July 01, 2010
Our summer CRM 4.0 Boot camp even is now in 'guaranteed to run' status.
CRM 4.0 Rollup 11 has corrupt download- fixed as of 6/28/2010
June 24, 2010
It appears that the rollup 11 download for the CRM client is a corrupted archive.
Summer CRM training camp in Raleigh
June 16, 2010
Updated SDK for CRM 4.0 is now available for download
May 10, 2010
Microsoft has just released the latest SDK for CRM 4.0 with lots of productivity enhancements.
CRM 4.0 May 17-27 Boot Camp now in “Guaranteed to run” status
April 16, 2010
It was a tough call to move the boot camp which we had planned to run in Denver, back to Raleigh, but it turned out to be the right decision. As of today all five classes are in guaranteed to run status.
CRM 4.0 Rollup 10 available for download
April 14, 2010
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Rollup 10 is now available for download.
May 2010 CRM 4.0 Boot camp moving to Raleigh
April 07, 2010
Since the majority of interest in our upcoming May 17-27 CRM boot camp has been from the East Coast, we are relocating to the camp to our training locations in Raleigh North Carolina.
CRM 4.0 Outlook Client Mail Merge (mis)behaves like Web Client merge
April 06, 2010
I use the Outlook client in the mail merge function to generate quotes as you may have noticed in earlier blog posts. Every now and again, I run into a problem where the mail merge acts as if it was not invoked from within Outlook but acts more like you had invoked the mail merge from the Web client.
Using workflow to automatically set complex default values in Dynamics CRM 4.0
March 29, 2010
We also have customers who need to have complex default values set for attributes (data fields) that are based upon complex relationships with other attributes in the same or other entities related to the entity at hand. While it's possible to handle this with scripts in the form and through.net callouts,
CRM 4.0 Workflow tip
March 24, 2010
I read this content from Mitch Milam's blog today and thought I would share it with you! Mitch is a master at workflows and was even one of the SMEs for the 80003 Workflows in Dynamics CRM 4.0 courseware.
CRM 4.0 Data Import Error prevents submitting import job
March 09, 2010
I ran into an interesting error this morning that I thought I would share. I was attempting to import a CSV file called “Area code to Time zone & State List.csv” into a custom entity in CRM 4.0 when I got the following message: “An error has occurred”.
Join us for a CRM Bootcamp in Denver, CO – May 17 to 27, 2010
February 13, 2010
Our first spring CRM boot camp in Denver Colorado is offered in conjunction with Sunset Learning Institute. Come join in the fun...
Dynamics CRM 4.0 Rollup 9 is available for download
February 12, 2010
The latest rollup from Microsoft is now available for download
Improve CRM 4.0 user productivity with Outlook favorites
February 11, 2010
One of my favorite productivity tips is to use Microsoft Outlook favorites folders in the mail panel to make it easier to access all the different functions you use in Dynamics CRM.
Configuring CRM 4.0 R8 On-Premise E-Mail Router with Exchange Online / BPOS
January 27, 2010
If you need to configure the CRM 4.0 on-premise e-mail router at rollup 8 to work with Exchange Online or BPOS, you will need to use a pop3 and SMTP configuration for your CRM e-mail router until Microsoft releases an update that supports BPOS from directly within the router. Here’s how…
CRM 4.0 E-Mail Router manual forwarding Rule Setup in Outlook.
January 27, 2010
If you use the CRM 4.0 e-mail router with the forwarding mailbox, you have to deploy forwarding rules to the mailbox of every CRM user. While the rule deployment wizard that comes with the e-mail router is great for on premise exchange environments, sometimes you have to set up a manual forwarding rule. Specifically, you need to create a mailbox rule that will forward all of the e-mail that you want processed by CRM as an attachment to the CRM mailbox. Here's how a user can do this from within Outlook.
1 to 1 Relationships in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0
December 19, 2009
In this blog I create an example of the 1 to 1 relationship between the Facilities and Equipment system entity and the Contact system entity.
Dynamics CRM February Bootcamp in Sunny Tampa Bay
December 18, 2009
Once again, it's time for our winter CRM boot camp in beautiful Tampa Bay Florida.
Dynamics CRM 4.0 Rollup 8 Available for download
December 18, 2009
CRM 4.0 Training in December
October 31, 2009
Handling ‘leads’ from your web site in Dynamics CRM
October 31, 2009
A different approach to processing responses from your website with Microsoft dynamics CRM.
CRM 4.0 Rollup 7 has major fixes for the Outlook Client!
October 22, 2009
CRM 4.0 rollup 7 is available now & appears to have major fixes for the Outlook Client.
Cool Video we should all keep in mind
September 29, 2009
The Sony Corporation played this mind-boggling video at their executive Conference this year.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Rollup 6 now available for download
August 31, 2009
Dynamics CRM Customization and Workflow class week of Sept 1
August 18, 2009
Dynamics CRM 4.0 classes 8912 and 80003 in Raleigh the first week of September...
Windows 7 Enterprise RTM Activation Fails
August 17, 2009
How to activate Windows 7 Enterprise RTM when you get the error "DNS does not exist" message during activation.
Processing new "leads" in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0
August 03, 2009
Preserve the chain that points to your marketing and sales results....
MS Dynamics CRM 4.0 Mobile Express – First Look
July 14, 2009
FIrst look at Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile Express
Dynamics CRM rollup 5 available for download
July 02, 2009
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Rollup 5 was published for download today.
Training Session Management- a Dynamics CRM - xRM example
June 27, 2009
An example of using Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 to develop an XRM application to manage the details of putting on training sessions
CRM 4.0 Rollup 3 AsyncRemoveCompletedWorkflows side effect caution
June 26, 2009
Microsoft's fix to control the sizes of async operation base and workflow log base tables can have unexpected results...
Analytics R2 Accelerator for CRM 4.0 Available
June 24, 2009
The latest update (R2) to Analytics Accelerator for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 is available for download on codeplex.
CRM 4.0 Training available in Raleigh, NC in August
June 11, 2009
We will host a 2 week blitz of CRM training in Raleigh, NC (fly in to RDU airport) starting August 10, 2009.
CRM User Notification Emails for new & infrequent users of Dynamics CRM
May 31, 2009
An issue we commonly run into, especially with new CRM users is the problem of getting them to check for newly assigned activities, cases, or other CRM "assignments". Many users can be remote or don't normally log into CRM because they're not in the habit yet.
First Florida CRM Training Camp is a success!
May 22, 2009
Our first belated 'winter' Dynamics CRM training camp in Tampa was held in May, 2009 at New Horizons of Tampa. We delivered all of the Dynamics CRM 4.0 training curriculum over a 2 week period using three CRM instructors. It seem the students enjoyed it too, as we got all 9's on the evaluation from all attendees.Fortunately, even during a down year for training, companies still had budget to participate.
Using the Business Productivity Accelerator to generate links to CRM records
May 15, 2009
Microsoft has recently released the business productivity workflow tools accelerator (download here) which allows us to generate hyperlinks in e-mails created from within workflows. We use this to create links that will allow end-users to go straight into CRM record by clicking on a link in the e-mail.
Nurture Marketing with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0
April 15, 2009
An evolutionary approach to CRM implementation
April 04, 2009
The evolutionary approach to CRM projects helps to reduce risk while delivering faster ROI.
Links to CRM 4.0 Training & Certification Exam Resources
April 01, 2009
I got a request today for further information on resources to prepare for CRM 4.0 certification. I spent a little time putting together a summary page that should help.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Rollup 2 is now available
January 27, 2009
Understanding the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 paradigm shift
January 11, 2009
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 (CRM) is, without question, one of the most efficient development environments I have worked with in 30 years of providing business solutions. It's sort of like combining contact management software with the ability to store any additional information you need and customize forms (screens or reports)using a relational database server (Microsoft SQL Server).
What you need to know before buying CRM
November 30, 2008
In talking with our prospects and customers, we find there are many misconceptions about CRM software. Many don’t understand what it really is, some are concerned about its less than stellar history, and others are just looking for a quick fix. Here’s a quick primer.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Rollup 1 is now available
November 26, 2008
Microsoft CRM 4.0 Internet Facing Deployment
September 27, 2008
This morning I got the pleasure of using the Microsoft IFD tool to create an Internet facing deployment for one of our clients with a pre-existing CRM 4.0 deployment. After all the hype when CRM 4.0 first came out, I was expecting more trouble than it really took. The IFD tool made it simple.
CRM 4.0 Cumulative Hot fix for Outlook Available
September 26, 2008
Exam MB2-634 CRM 4.0 Extending Microsoft Dynamics released
September 24, 2008
Finally! The last of the major Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 exams is available. I found this today:
CRM Implementation Success Psychology
September 11, 2008
Customer management relationship (CRM) software implementations are an inherently complex process involving multiple stakeholders with different goals. There are a number of factors that have an impact on the success of a CRM implementation. These factors include:
- Customer Relationship Management is a process not software
- Management commitment
- Project goal setting & scope
- Balance between usability and data collection
- Stakeholder motivation
- End-user training
CRM 4.0 Exams MB2-632 & MB2-633 revised
September 09, 2008
If any of you need to retake a CRM 4.0 exam, I found out today that Microsoft has revised and re-released the CRM 4.0 applications exam MB2-632 and the CRM 4.0 install / deploy exam MB2-633.
New CRM 4.0 Workflow Courseware now available!
September 09, 2008
The long-awaited CRM 4.0 workflow course is now available! 80003A: Workflow in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 is designed to give a non-technical one-day introduction to using the new CRM 4.0 workflow engine. We've been waiting for this course with anticipation since both Mitch Milam and I had the privilege of contributing to the courseware as subject matter experts. This one-day course is the perfect way to jumpstart using CRM 4.0 workflow to automate manual processes within your organization.
Managing Leads, Lists, and Marketing in Microsoft CRM
August 25, 2008
CRM 4.0 Outlook Client & Quickbooks Time Tracker for Outlook Conflict
August 14, 2008
CRM 4.0 Extending (8969) Course is now available!
August 04, 2008
Microsoft CRM 4.0 Certification Crazy - 5 CRM exam appointments in 1 week.
July 25, 2008
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Installation and Deployment #8911
July 07, 2008
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Customization & Configuration Course 8912 review
July 01, 2008
MS CRM 4.0 Workflow won’t publish after deleting an attribute.
May 27, 2008
CRM 4.0 Sales Process workflow observations and best practices.
May 04, 2008
Using a recursive CRM 4.0 child workflow to simulate a ‘DO Loop’
May 01, 2008
Microsoft CRM 4.0 workflow stage example (upgraded from CRM 3.0)
May 01, 2008
CRM 4.0 Child Workflow to Send Complex E-mail
April 30, 2008
CRM 4.0 workflows can be used for a number of different things. One great example is a workflow to generate a complex e-mail. CRM e-mail templates only allow you to access data stored in a single entity. However you can build custom e-mail from all related entity data sources in a simple workflow in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0.
CRM 4.0 Pipeline Report and the Sales Process
April 29, 2008
I was working on the pipeline report today and trying to figure out how it's affected by the sales process. What wasn't clear which how sales stages show up on the pipeline report. To identify exactly how it works, I created a test sales process with two stages and then created several opportunities and walked them through the stages.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Certification Exams Available!
April 25, 2008
The core exams required for certification in Microsoft dynamic CRM 4.0 are now available for those of you who are interested!
Items not being deleted from CRM 4.0 Queues
April 09, 2008
Free Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 End User Training Webinar!
April 09, 2008
We are offering our CRM 101 training seminar on Friday, April 18 at no charge for a limited time.
MS CRM 4.0 Track email fails with ‘Text entered exceeds the maximum length’
April 07, 2008
Cardscan beta is out for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0
April 07, 2008
MS CRM 4.0 Sample Quote Template
April 03, 2008
Here are two updated CRM 4.0 Quote templates for Word mailmerge
Changing the account entity name to company in Microsoft CRM (Video demo)
March 26, 2008
One of the recommendations we make for CRM users is to change the name of the account entity to company. This makes it clearer to end users that this entity stores information about all the companies that we know, not just our accounts. This was previously published in my top 10 recommendations blog, but I got an e-mail yesterday from someone asking me how to do it.
Using Outlook Favorites for fast access to CRM (video demo)
March 26, 2008
In my top 10 blog for CRM improvements, one of the tips is to use the Outlook shortcuts to get to all of your CRM folders quickly. Here's a quick video demo that shows you how to do it.
CRM 4.0 Outlook Client crashes during sync with Outlook
March 08, 2008
The Forgetful Road Warrior and CRM 4.0 off-line client for Outlook.
February 26, 2008
CRM 4.0 Mail merge templates much more usable!
February 26, 2008
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Applications Course 8913 review
February 09, 2008
CRM 4.0 Outlook Client Observations after Two Weeks of Operation
February 09, 2008
Lessons Learned on SBS2003 MS CRM 3.0 upgrade to MS CRM 4.0
January 31, 2008
MS CRM 4.0 now available as MSDN downloads
January 20, 2008
CRM 4.0 features we have been waiting for
January 09, 2008
Moving to Microsoft CRM 4.0
January 09, 2008
CRM Sales Training Relevance makes a difference!
December 07, 2007
I delivered CRM sales training to a large group of sales people for a client recently. My classes were not the first attempt to get the sales group trained in CRM. I found that the biggest issue they had was the frustration that the training did not relate to their day to day activities.
Customer Retention Strategies - Plugging the Leaky Bucket
November 28, 2007
Customer Relationship Management is a process not a program. And, customer retention is only part of the process known as Customer Relationship Management (CRM).
Top 10 CRM Tweaks for New User Productivity
October 31, 2007
So, now that you've got your CRM system in place, how do you make it work for you? Here are some simple solutions to increase your user productivity and make your implementation a success!
Customizing Your Outlook Desktop for CRM
October 01, 2007
One of the most important things you can do to improve your Microsoft CRM productivity is to customize your Outlook desktop. It takes only a minute to do and will tubocharge your CRM productivity.
