TIDBITS on Microsoft Dynamics CRM

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.

Getting Started with Microsoft Dynamics CRM

This looked interesting: http://www.msreadiness.com/CourseDetail.aspx?id=6358

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Blended Learning Boot Camp – Applications Track

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Blended Learning Boot Camp – Applications Track
This blended learning boot camp explores the Microsoft Dynamics CRM application from a user's perspective so that you can prepare for customer scenarios and exam preparation. Application functionality covered in the course includes Core CRM Navigation, User Interface, Outlook Client, Sales Management, Service Scheduling, Service Management, and Marketing Automation.

Course Details

Level:	300	Training Format:	Classrooms (Live)
Audience:	Technical

Availability

Date & Time	Duration	Location	Your Price
8/1/2007 - 8/1/2007	8:30 AM - 4:30 PM	Chicago, IL	$250.00
8/8/2007 - 8/8/2007	8:30 AM - 4:30 PM	San Francisco, CA	$250.00
8/15/2007 - 8/15/2007	8:30 AM - 4:30 PM	Washington DC, DC	$250.00
9/12/2007 - 9/12/2007	8:30 AM - 4:30 PM	Dallas, TX	$250.00
9/19/2007 - 9/19/2007	8:30 AM - 4:30 PM	Seattle, WA	$250.00
9/26/2007 - 9/26/2007	8:30 AM - 4:30 PM	Hasbrouck Heights, NJ	$250.00
10/10/2007 - 10/10/2007	8:30 AM - 4:30 PM	Fargo, ND	$250.00
10/17/2007 - 10/17/2007	8:30 AM - 4:30 PM	Hasbrouck Heights, NJ	$250.00
10/24/2007 - 10/24/2007	8:30 AM - 4:30 PM	Los Angeles, CA	$250.00
10/31/2007 - 10/31/2007	8:30 AM - 4:30 PM	Tampa, FL	$250.00
11/7/2007 - 11/7/2007	8:30 AM - 4:30 PM	Denver, CO	$250.00
11/14/2007 - 11/14/2007	8:30 AM - 4:30 PM	St. Louis, MO	$250.00
11/21/2007 - 11/21/2007	8:30 AM - 4:30 PM	Waltham , MA	$250.00
12/5/2007 - 12/5/2007	8:30 AM - 4:30 PM	Phoenix, AZ	$250.00
12/12/2007 - 12/12/2007	8:30 AM - 4:30 PM	Atlanta, GA	$250.00

With this blended learning program, you will receive:

• 5 eLearning Sessions: Online eLearning to build the fundamentals and the ability to start curriculum at your own pace from your own desk
• 3 eLive Sessions:  4-hour online sessions with an instructor in a virtual training environment
• 1 Day Instructor Led Course: Access to a live instructor for one day in a live training environment
• Exam Option: Option to take the appropriate certification exam following the in-classroom review session
• Electronic Access to the courseware

Audience
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Applications Professional training is recommended for individuals who will be on the implementation team, administering or using the Microsoft CRM application.

At course completion
After completing this course, partners will understand:

• Microsoft Dynamics CRM User Interface and application terminology
• Basic and advanced navigation and record maintenance
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM Sales for Outlook functionality and synchronization
• Account, Contact, Lead, Opportunity and Activity record management
• Sales functionality, including Lead, Opportunity, Quote, Order, Invoice, and Product Catalog management
• Customer Service functionality, including Contract, Case, and Knowledge Base management
• Options to personalize the Microsoft Dynamics CRM User Interface and personal settings
• Microsoft CRM Advanced Find functionality to evaluate customer data
• Planning and budgeting tasks related to marketing campaigns; creating and managing customer lists; create marketing campaigns; manage campaigns and track campaign responses
• Service Scheduling functionality. This includes Scheduling Services, Scheduling Administration, and Defining Service

Prerequisites
Before attending this course, partners must have:

• An understanding of Microsoft Dynamics CRM solution processes and practices

Additionally students must have completed the following prior to attending the Instructor Led Portion and receiving their Certification Exam Voucher:

• Complete the 5 eLearning Courses
• Complete the 3 eLive Sessions

To Register
1) Select the city and date that you will attend the classroom portion of the blended learning boot camp.
2) You will receive a confirmation email confirming your attendance in the classroom portion of the course.
3) Within 1-2 business days, you will be contacted by our registration coordinator to facilitate the registration for the eLearning, Electronic Courseware and eLive portions of the course.

Printing Pretty Quotes (ok, ok Customer Ready)

There has been buzz about Microsoft CRM not really offering nice pretty quotes.. now when I first realized this I didn't get it.. I mean the software handles complex quote tracking, why isn't there a quick click button to print/e-mail a quote to a customer. We are talking about sales guys using this system right!?!.. BUT in fairness.. I really didn't get it.   

Microsoft Dynamics CRM totally works with Microsoft Office, but the process has to be learned and configured.

For a really nice 11 minute video on how to print a customer-ready quote! Watch Here. 

My only complaint is that it is a rare small business that actually "prints quotes for customers at the end of the month" It is more like hang up the phone, create and mail quote and move on to the next opportunity.

That's it .. it is time to go back to class!  .. Argh.. So much to learn..

Hey Jim how about MS Dynamics CRM TV! Complete with humorous trainers.. I could then just get my daily dose...

E-Mail - So Many Choices

"Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 includes several ways to connect with your customers using e-mail. Which of these approaches you choose depends on the specific Microsoft Dynamics CRM features you want to take advantage of."

Microsoft has released a new summary to help expand and explain on what is available and how to use it.

MS CRM Help Files

Some know this, others do not! Did you know that the MS CRM Help files are continually updated and are a HUGE resource of information?

They were also just updated. New MS CRM Help File Update