New Prices for Microsoft Certifications Exams from July 1st 2011

I got an email today from Microsoft, I say I got an email, me and thousands of others saying they had some important news, they were going to increase the cost of their exams.

This is a bit cheeky and a clever move from Microsoft.  Earlier this year they increase the number of certified people companies need to retain their gold standard and then a few months later they increase the exam prices, easy money.

The old price was £88 pounds and I believe it’s going up to £99.  So this is 11 pound increase for every person doing the exam and the price changes come into affect on July 1st.

if you consider the number of certifications need to be a CRM gold partner.  You need 6 separate people certified in CRM certifications, as well as 3 certified in Sure Step and I believe it’s one person certified in selling CRM.

If you want to find more about the prices increases then you can do by clicking here  where you can read the FAQ on the subject

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CRM 2011 – Video – How to apply field level security

A nice quick video on how to apply field level security.  This is one of the more useful features in CRM 2011 and can save you a great deal of javascript

CRM 2011 – Partner source Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Training Materials

I found a good blog last week called thinkcrm.  It’s quite a new CRM blog but the articles it has on the blog I found very interesting.

It had the main contents of this blog post with the training materials but it also had these good posts

Spell checking in CRM 2011

changes to on premise licensing

create a simple file share in CRM 4

I have attached the links to some of the various training materials below (requires a PartnerSource login):

• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Installation and Deployment Course Number 80296 (added: 4/15/2011 3:30:07 PM)
  This training covers the installation and configuration of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. The training describes the components used within a Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 deployment, installation instructions for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server, the E-mail Router, Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Office Outlook, how to configure Claims-based authentication and how to implement an Internet-facing deployment.

• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Customization and Configuration Course Number 80294 (added: 4/15/2011 3:30:07 PM)
  This training describes the techniques required to customize Microsoft Dynamics CRM to meet the specialized needs of businesses. The topics covered include Security; creation and configuration of entities; design of forms views and charts; auditing and Solutions. The training describes each topic and how each topic relates to the other topics to produce a full configured, effective solution.

• Service Management in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Course Number 80292 (added: 4/5/2011 3:30:29 PM)
  This training introduces Microsoft Dynamics CRM service management functionality and explains how it helps organizations track information about cases, customer complaints or requests, and small projects. You will learn how to use the knowledge base and discusses how organizations can browse, locate, and share information in the repository. It also discusses how to create, manage and use teams and queues in Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

• Service Scheduling in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Course Number 80293 (added: 4/5/2011 3:30:29 PM)
  This training discusses the scheduling process, scheduling engine, and scheduling service activities in detail since they are key entry points in the scheduling process. It also discusses how to use service scheduling in situations that have complex scheduling requirements.

• Sales Management in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Course Number 80291 (added: 4/5/2011 3:30:29 PM)
  This training introduces the capabilities of Sales Management in Microsoft Dynamics CRM that allow you to track and manage the sales process from potential to close. It provides insight on using the Product Catalog and process sales information. It also introduces some of the tools used to analyze and report on sales information.

• Marketing Automation in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Course Number 80290 (added: 4/5/2011 2:30:08 PM)
  This training introduces you on how to use Microsoft Dynamics CRM to extend the effectiveness of your marketing department and provides context of how to use things such as marketing campaigns, marketing lists, and campaign templates in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. It also discusses the role of campaign activities and marketing lists in campaigns and discusses how to associate sales literature, target products and price lists with marketing campaign.

CRM 2011 – A collection of White Papers, Brochures and Datasheets

I found a site with a very similar name to this blog  http://www.thecrmbusiness.com/crmresources.html

Whilst I was looking for details about the latest CRM rollup, I stumbled upon this site.

It lists all the rollups for CRM 4 and CRM 2011 which is useful and it also had a section which had a collection of information on CRM 2011 brochures and datasheets and also a nice collection of CRM 2011 white papers.

CRM 2011 brochures and datasheets

• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Sales Force automation brochure
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Customer Service brochure
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Marketing automation brochure
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 xRM brochure
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 for IT and Telecoms datasheet
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 for Professional Services datasheet

White papers

• CRM and Social Networks
• CRM: The Winning Strategy in a Challenging Economy
• Improve Operational Metrics and Streamline the Client Management Life Cycle in Your Professional Services Organization
• Improving Sales Productivity: An Opportunity for Sales and IT Leadership
• White Paper: The economics of The Cloud
• Real World Marketing
• Maximising Customer Retention: A Blueprint for Successful Contact Centres
• Sales and Marketing: The New Power Couple