TIDBITS on Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Enterprise Architecture: New Article on R7 Outlook Synchronization

The Nuts and Bolts article Outlook Synchronization in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0, which is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

Outlook synchronization enables Outlook users to view Dynamics CRM information, including contacts, tasks, phone calls, letters, faxes, appointments, and e-mails, within the Outlook interface. This document describes the client synchronization process that is associated with Update Rollup 7 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 or later (for on-premise deployments) and with Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online November 2009 Service Update or later (for online deployments).

System Jobs: Follow-up

As a follow-up to my system jobs post earlier this week I was pleased to find and to have shared with me two other related posts.

Customer Effectives post titled "Bulk Deleting Waiting Workflow Instances from Microsoft Dynamics CRM"

and

Phil Adam's Blog post titled Performance is slow if the AsyncOperationBase table becomes too large in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0

Both add additional insight on the subject matter that is well worth the read.

Databases

Back in the pre-Microsoft SQL days I spent a good amount of time thinking about databases. There were databases that needed constant tweaking and maintanence and there were databases that were like chunks of granite that rarely had trouble, but when they did have trouble they could be a monster to fix.

I am curious as to if anyone out in the community has run across any favorite Microsoft SQL Server database tools and Dynamics CRM database maintanence best practices.

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Free Training

Just ran across a great post about some excellent available online training and best of all it is free! This made me realize that I needed to blog not only about this, but also about all the incredible resources from Microsoft Dynamics CRM with regards to training material. 

If you are a Dynamics CRM customer make sure you have total access to Microsoft Dynamics CustomerSource! CustomerSource is a great place to find white papers, videos, forums and links to all things Dynamics CRM.  

Additionally the Dynamics CRM Resource center is now packed with great little videos, one page quick help sheets and more. The Dynamics CRM Resource center is directly available from Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

In terms of other free classes and training from great colleges like MIT or via Microsoft and their extensive application stack check out this blog post from John F. Moore.

Give yourself the Advantage

It is hard enough to have success with any CRM application (tons of interesting case studies and white papers on this one), BUT without training and input from experience you are pushing the envelope hard.

Make time to attend a deep dive bootcamp, ask your questions, double check any and all assumptions.

For Customers

If you are a Dynamics CRM Customer make sure you do the following things (Major thanks to Holly Holt, Microsoft Group Manager)

1. Log into CustomerSource
2. Register your Partner
3. Activiate your license www.microsoft.com/licensing/sa
4. Check out the training and certifications for users
5. Look at the Downloads
6. Tap into the knowledge base/self-help
7. Give Product Feedback
8. Cross your Microsoft Solution (all your products should be listed!)
9. Tap into the CRM Resource Center with the product
10. Check out your current Service Plan

Dynamics CRM and E-Mail

When it comes to E-Mail and Microsoft Dynamics CRM you will find that users have a number of questions. In fact partners have a number of questions. These questions range from what is the CRM Tracking token and can I get rid of it to why are some e-mail addresses red and others blue within the activities view.

One of the great resources that is available for answering e-mail in Dynamics CRM questions is the Troubleshooting e-mail in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 FAQ.

Take a look!

Daniel Hunter Rocks

I had the rare opportunity to spend the day with Daniel Hunter, Technical Solution specialist for Microsoft Dynamics CRM.  Daniel is an expert at all things Dynamics CRM in both a technical and a sales capacity and is a key technical contact for our Texas offices. 

I can't share enough thanks with Daniel for spending time with TRG!

A blast from the Past : Bulk Mail

When Dynamics CRM v3.0 was first released the ability to automatically send bulk sets of e-mail was just not available. You could generate them as activities, but then the send was a bit .. well let's just say manual.

Given the feedback from the field the team released a midupdate release that offered clients a choice of e-mailing options. This midstream update allows for the automatic send of bulk e-mails. To read more about your choices when sending out e-mails you can follow this link. 

Microsoft CRM E-mail Communication Methods
	Bulk E-Mail	Quick Campaign	Full Campaign
Templates	Yes	No	No
Response Tracking	Yes (as an activity)	Yes (as a campaign response)	Yes (as a campaign response)
Unsubscribe Request Tracking	No	Yes	Yes
Return on Investment Tracking	No	No	Yes1
Automatically Send E-Mail Messages	Yes	Yes (with update KB 911520).	Yes (with update KB 911520).
Use Marketing Lists for Recipient Selection	No	No	Yes

1	Return on investment (ROI) can be tracked based on the cost of the campaign and its activities. The Campaign Performance and Campaign Comparison reports can be used to track and compare ROI.