MS Dynamics CRM is as sophisticated in its install as Small Business Server. It ties to just as many Microsoft Applications! It should never be approached lightly EVEN when it can be installed in 30 minutes.. (YES it can be done in 30 minutes when the karma is right)
We now ALWAYS recommend a full environment review before dropping MS CRM into the mix. MS CRM ties to Exchange, MS SQL, IIS, .NET framework, Outlook, Excel, Word, MS SRS and more..
It even runs a full review during the install and will not move forward until you resolve the issues. MS Dynamics CRM PROFESSIONAL can NOT be installed on a Domain Controller and as such MS DYNAMICS CRM SBE is a unique version of MS Dynamics CRM PRO. It has ALL the same features and more – it not only can be run on the domain controller (SBS) but it also ties to SBS features such as FAX services.
Soo.. what do you do when you get an error during the install?Particularly if you are not working with a partner who has been there and done that!
- Post to the CRM PARTNERS Newsgroup. Every e-mail in the partners newsgroup gets a response from Microsoft. Microsoft BUSINESS solutions/The Dynamics Team is a totally different subculture of Microsoft. (for better and for worse ;)
- Post to the CRM PUBLIC Newsgroup. Tons of the MVPs and community are talking, posting and responding in that space.
- Start a support incident with Microsoft Support Business Solutions. If it is a MS CRM problem.. it is WORTH the money. The problems are usually complicated. Try to stay with the CRM team and not get bumped to any of the auxiliary teams (such as the SQL team or Exchange team). The Auxilliary teams just don’t have the experience with MS CRM in the mix and the CRM knowledge that is needed to totally fix the issue.
- Posting to MSCRM_SMB@yahoogroups.com is an option – fairly quiet but some good SMB IT Pros doing CRM in that forum.
- Post to the CRM Sandbox – All developers writing extensions to CRM in that community.. so good .NET and SQL experts in that forum. The Sandbox and communities can be reached off the MS Dynamics CRM web site at http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/crm
