TIDBITS on the Microsoft Power Platform

Power Platform Resources and Documentation

The Microsoft DOCS team has been incredibly busy over the last numerous months. You will find that many (if not all) documentation found at Docs.Microsoft.com has been updated and has a 2020 associated date. If you are not sure where to get started take a look at this incredibly helpful LINKS list. 

https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/microsoft-powerapps-learning-resources/

Dynamics CRM 2013 - Just a little weekend reading!

OneStop Shopping!

This little Wiki will have you reading about Dynamics CRM 2013 All weekend!

A Writer Never Knows

A writer never really knows the impact of their book until it is out in the field and feedback is coming in. They can judge if it was helpful by the number of sales, but that is more a matter of publisher marketing than general "Did it make a Difference". They can also judge based on the internal editing process and the critical eyes of the editorial teams, but it isn't really the same.  

I have now moved past, that unsure stage, that most writers experience when a book is released. The book Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM v2011 in 24 Hours feedback is excellent, people are getting value out of their investment in time and dollars, and a few more hundred souls are more efficiently getting more bang out of Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

I was motivated to write this little post today, because the newest Microsoft BizSpark webpage included my book within their FURTHER READING section (bottom right). I am now helping the worldwide economy in one tiny way by supporting Entreprenuers and Microsoft in growing new business seeds of success!

For a gardener like me - this is just as exciting as the new sprouts peeking their heads out of the Spring soil outside my window!   

 

A Big Thank You to John O'Donnell

A big shout out of Thanks to John O’Donnell, ISV Architect Evangelist and incredible Dynamics CRM Community resource. John patiently read through and did the technical editing on the Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 in  24 Hours Book.

If you are just learning Dynamics CRM or if you are experienced developer and want to tap into a bit of an above the trees perspective on the product. If you are overwhelmed by what comes out of the box and what is "a configuration" versus a "customization" versus an "extension" or if you just want to read up and have another great reference for your reference library then grab yourself a copy of the book at your local bookstore or Amazon or Sam's Publishing or any of the other various options.

What you are going to Convergence? Well, maybe the book will be in the Convergence bookstore.

http://my.safaribooksonline.com/book/operating-systems-and-server-administration/microsoft-dynamics-crm/9780132682138

AND if you do read it please leave your comments, ratings and feedback.

 

The Book and a Goal

Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM v2011 in 24 Hours has been released and I have held the paper printed copy in my hands. Definitely a good feeling.

The graphics have all been updated (better high resolution screen shots) AND I have five new Dynamics CRM guru voices who have contributed by reviewing, writing and updating between 1 and 3 chapters each.

If you have a copy I would love your input on my Amazon Author's page either through a new discussion thread or by posting a review. OR feel free to comment via your own blog, twitter or Facebook. 

The link to the Amazon Page is below.

https://www.amazon.com/author/annestanton

If you don't have a copy, can you help me with my goal? Get a copy and share it.

My goal? To increase the knowledge of the greater Dynamics CRM community of partners, developers, customers, administrators, consultants and users while also continuing to enhance and expand my own individual knowledge on the product family.

Amazon Recommends ...

I think it is pretty funny that I had an e-mail from Amazon today recommending my book to me. 

"Amazon.com recommends "Sam's Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours" and more ....

The best thing about this is it is a good reminder that my original book is still packed with a ton of great learning that applies to both v4 and v2011!!

Summer Reading - Leon Tribe Reviews the Book

I almost missed this, but thanks to Twitterrific I caught the mention. Leon Tribe has taken the time to write a detailed review of Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours.

He has great timing as I can now add his feedback to the next version.

Speaking of great timing - if you have read the book and/or are thinking about reading the book now would be a good time to send me feedback.

"Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM in 24 Hours" Book Review

I found this today and thought I would share. Thanks Muhammad for taking the time to post your comments and thoughts. Your feedback makes a huge difference.

Very gentle and fluid introduction, January 2, 2010

By	Muhammad Kaleem Khan "Fire Horse" (ON, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours (Paperback)

"I am a Software developer looking for CRM Dynamics custom development but first wanted to explore the concepts and out of the box functionality. I have thoroughly read until Hour-7 and skimmed over the rest, the book did a great a job so far elaborating and aligning the CRM concepts that most reader will subconsciously be aware of.

I bought another text and was overwhelmed by the information presented only from a usage viewpoint. Definitely, one would have to refer an adavnced title for custom development and that's not suggested by the book's title either. However, unlike its counterparts, the book handles a simple subject with utter simplicity.

No twinkle in fifth star due to size of illustration, hardly can peek into the pictures"

Author's Note:  As the book gets updated I will definitely depend on a different tool for capturing screen shots. Vista's Snipping Tool just didn't do the job it needed to do.

Feature Driven Development

For those of you who work within a Feature Driven Development model (FDD) there are a number of great resources on the whole subject area on this website.  

Book Review Request

I need a little help.

It has been a few weeks since the "Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM in 24 Hours" book was released and perhaps some of you have had a chance to read or glance at it.

If it was of value it would be helpful if you would write a few lines or post a comment on Amazon's review page.

Search on Amazon.Com for either Anne Stanton or the book title Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours and then scroll down and select post a comment.

Book Review by Julie Yack

A Thanks to Julie Yack  for taking the time to both read the "Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM in 24 Hours book" and post an honest review!

My goal with the book was to help people get started and, for the more experienced CRM users, to push them to another level. I also wanted to open up a few doors of potential and to clear up a few misunderstandings. Writing a book is like being in a deep forest. It is amazing how much you can see once it is published.

Items missed for instance or topics that could use a whole additional chapter, but despite that I am glad that we all have another resource.

Google on: Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours

The Book is Officially Released :)

Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics Crm 4 in 24 Hours ...

0672330679, Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics Crm 4 in 24 Hours, 9780672330674, Anne Stanton, Paperback, Sams Teach Yourself -- Hours Ser.
www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=0672330679 - Cached - Similar -

InformIT: Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours ...

Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours, Portable Documents. View Larger Image. larger cover. Add To My Wish List ...
www.informit.com/store/product.aspx?isbn=0768689708 - Cached - Similar -

InformIT: Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours ...

Jul 7, 2009 ... Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours is an easily accessible tutorial that uses a friendly, conversational approach to ...
www.informit.com/store/product.aspx?isbn=0768689740 - Cached - Similar -

Show more results from www.informit.com

Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours | Wow ...

Oct 21, 2009 ... Product Description In just 24 sessions of one hour or less, you will be up and running with Dynamics CRM 4. Using a straightforward ...
www.wowebook.com/.../sams-teach-yourself-microsoft-dynamics-crm-4-in-24-hours.html - Similar -

Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours » Download ...

Anne Stanton Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours October 2009 | English | ISBN-13: 978-0-672-33067-4 | 480 Pages | PDF | 11.8 MB In just 24 ...
www.downtr.net/66489-teach-yourself-microsoft-dynamics-crm-4-in-24.html - 21 minutes ago - Similar -

Safari Books Online - 9780768689754 - Sams Teach Yourself ...

Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft® Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours ... Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours is an easily accessible tutorial that ...
my.safaribooksonline.com/9780768689754 - Similar -

Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours, Sams ...

BARNES & NOBLE - Find Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours by Anne Stanton. Enjoy book clubs, author videos and customer reviews.
search.barnesandnoble.com/...Teach-Yourself...Dynamics-CRM...24-Hours/.../9780672330674/ - Cached - Similar -

Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours

1 post - 1 author - Last post: 21 hours ago

English | 480 pages | Sams (November 8, 2009) | ISBN: 0672330679 | PDF | 17.2 MB In just 24 sessions of one hour or less, you will be up and running with ...
tehparadox.com/.../sams-teach-yourself-microsoft-dynamics-crm-4-24-hours-568587/ - 21 hours ago - Similar -

Amazon.com: Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 ...

Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours is an easily accessible tutorial that uses a friendly, conversational approach to teach you the ...
www.amazon.com/Teach-Yourself...Dynamics-Hours/.../0672330679 - Cached - Similar -

The Ebooks Nest : Free Ebooks Download: Sams Teach Yourself ...

Oct 21, 2009 ... Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours. Sams | 2009 | ISBN: 0672330679 | 480 pages | PDF | 17,1 MB. In just 24 sessions of ...
www.topviewed.info/.../sams-teach-yourself-microsoft-dynamics.html - 17 hours ago - Similar -

The Book!

I think my next book is going to be titled - All the things they added to Microsoft Dynamics CRM after v4.0 was released which I either missed the release notes on or they were slipped in as nice to haves!

But in the meantime my current book is being published this week!!! So keep an eye out!! In fact I just received this today if you want to do some previewing.

Hello. 

 

This is a system generated email sent to inform you that Rough Cuts version 8.3 of Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours has been successfully uploaded to Safari Books Online. There is no action needed at this time.  You are receiving this note because you are associated to this title in the Safari Books Online back office.  You can review the Rough Cuts book at http://my.safaribooksonline.com/9780768689754

 

Your editorial and production teams have been trained to notify interested users when substantial changes are made. For your information, there are currently 4 members of the Safari community who have subscribed to receive such notifications for Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 in 24 Hours.

 

Thank you for supporting the Safari Books Online community and the Rough Cuts interactive publishing service.  Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or feedback.

 

John Chodacki

Rough Cuts Program Manager

Safari Books Online

[email protected]

The Book is up on Barnes & Noble

Not an MBS Partner? No Worries

Check it out.. There is now direct access to a whole library of new and "well loved" documentation on Microsoft CRM!

http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/crm/using/default.mspx

New MS CRM Implementation Guide

Microsoft Business Solutions released a new MS CRM Implementation Guide for MS CRM 1.2. To download visit the MBS Website.

Kudos an Implementation Methodology!

Kudos to Microsoft for having an Implementation Methodology in their Microsoft CRM Installation and Configuration Guide. The book 8018A: CRM Installation and Configuration is almost three inches thick and in large 8 1/2 x 11 format. Just a bit of light reading ;~) 

The point I really want to make in mentioning this is that you always want to create an Implementation and a CRM Roll Out Project plan or map. The Microsoft Project software can be used to help with the process, but even if you are not familiar or do not own MS Project you can use MS Excel to create a step by step, phased approach. Realize that installing the software is a very small part of the master plan.

Somethings to consider..

1) If you want to create custom fields and then who can do this? How will the fields change and grow? How will the data be controlled? Will the fields appear on reports? and if so which ones?

2) Who will be the small team of "first adopters"? Are their current processes documented or understood? Are they tolerant of change? Are they good at documenting? Will they report and then help track down any problems encountered? Are they decision makers who can pull the plug at the first little bump in the road?

3) Who and what are your support resources? and what kinds of support will you need? Software troubles? Infrastructure needs? Database Administration? Adoption? Customization? Can it do this type questions? How will the cost of such services impact your project, will you hesitate to use them?

MS CRM Information

Microsoft has a ton of material kicking around in cyberspace so for starters I am going to continue to include some of that here.

Reading Materials: TechNet and MS CRM