CRM 2011 – Getting started with oData

I was asked today where the oData url was for CRM.  it’s always tricky when someone asks you expecting you to know the oData url off the top of your head.

but CRM has this value easily at hand, you just need to know where to find it

Settings–> Customizations –> Developer Resources

When you click on here you will then get to see your discovery service, organisation service and oData Service.

The oData service should look something like this

http://<server name:port>/Metaphorix/XRMServices/2011/OrganizationData.svc

Now you have the oData url you are at the beginning of your quest.  The first thing you should do is download the oData query tool created by MVP Rhett Clinton 

http://bingsoft.wordpress.com/2011/03/06/crm-2011-odata-query-designer-crm2011/

This article explains some of the filters you can add to oData queries

Using OData Retrieve in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

This technet article is fantastic and has a lot of explanation and examples

OData System Query Options Using the REST Endpoint

another blog post, if you are still hungry for more information

CRM 2011 OData, JSON and CRM Forms

The great thing about oData is you can test the query in the internet browser, although when I did it in IE it didn’t show the full result but when I ran it in Chrome, after logging in it returned the XML data returned in the query.

Dynamic CRM and NAV KB Articles published (16/01/12 – 16/02/12)

Dynamics NAV
KB article			Publish Date	Product	Title
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/b4	b4	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/b4	31/01/2012	Dynamics NAV 5.0	“Please specify a filter for the Liquidity Date field in the Liquidity Analysis View Entry table” error message when you run the Export to Excel function in the “Liq. Analysis by Dimension” dialog box in the Swiss version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.0 SP1
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2673193	2673193	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2673193	03/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 5.0	“Your upgrade program for Microsoft Dynamics NAV has expired” error message when installing a new Microsoft Dynamics NAV license file
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664863	2664863	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664863	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 5.0	“G/L Entry No. [xxxx] already exists” error message when you run the Dimensions – Detail report (28) in the Portuguese version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.0 Service Pack 1
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664880	2664880	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664880	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 5.0	The “Calc. and Post VAT Settlement” function does not work as expected in certain scenarios in the Portuguese version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.0 Service Pack 1
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664883	2664883	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664883	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 5.0	VAT entries of the reversal are not displayed in the VAT Statement report when the entries use the Straight results type in the Portuguese version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.0 Service Pack 1
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664885	2664885	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664885	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 5.0	Bank statements that use the ABN-AMRO MT940 format are imported incorrectly in the Dutch version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.0 Service Pack 1
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664449	2664449	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664449	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 2009	The Customer Bills List report (12117) does not work as expected in the Italian version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664549	2664549	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664549	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 2009	The validation of the SEPA file still fails after you apply hotfix 2664548 in the Dutch version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664587	2664587	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664587	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 2009	Infinite loop occurs when you apply a document that is included in a bill group in a Cartera journal in the Spanish version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664596	2664596	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664596	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 2009	The upgrade tool upgrades a purchase order when you upgrade Microsoft Dynamics NAV 4.0 to Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 even though the “Quantity Received” value is not equal to the “Quantity Invoiced posted on Job” value
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664651	2664651	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664651	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 2009	The list in the G/L Budgets page does not update when you change the “View by” value in the RoleTailored client (RTC) in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664653	2664653	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664653	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 2009	The line is not updated when you remove an account number in a Payment Slip line in the French version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664655	2664655	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664655	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 2009	The “Job Unit Price (LCY)” field is not updated when you change the “Unit of Measure” value for an item in a purchase order line in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664657	2664657	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664657	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 2009	“Total Reg. [Number1] is different from Total Document [Number2]” error message when you post a credit memo in the Italian version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664659	2664659	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664659	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 2009	The system does not create one-to-one relationship between the VAT and general ledger entries in table 253 when you reverse a transaction under Registers in the Italian version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664664	2664664	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664664	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 2009	The “Amount to apply” value is used incorrectly when you correct the “Amount to apply” value on an invoice in which the “Payment discount” value will be used in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664674	2664674	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664674	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 2009	A general journal does not display a correct caption of a journal batch in the title in the RoleTailored client (RTC) in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664865	2664865	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664865	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 2009	Incorrect line types are used in job ledger entries when you create sales invoices from job planning lines in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664871	2664871	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664871	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 2009	You cannot create an electronic invoice that contains a negative sales invoice line amount in the Danish version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664875	2664875	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664875	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 2009	The Payment Terms Code fields in customer ledger entries or vendor ledger entries are updated incorrectly in the Spanish version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2664895	2264895	=A24	10/02/2012	Dynamics NAV 2009	The system creates empty pages when you print the Depreciation Book report in the Italian version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009
Dynamics CRM
PartnerSource Link		Kb Article	Publish Date	Product	Title
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2621054	2621054	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2621054	10/02/2012	Dynamics CRM 4.0	Update Rollup 21 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 is available
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2667140	2667140	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2667140	19/01/2012	Dynamics CRM 2011	The ‘Allow Email Router to use my credentials’ option unavailable in CRM 2011
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2495243	2495243	http://support.microsoft.com/kb/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2495243	20/01/2012	Dynamics CRM 2011	CRM SE : 117794 ConvertToManaged: User does not get OOB picklist options back once an ISV uninstalls all of the customizations

CRM 2011 Training Courses

I was contact by someone from Firebrand attemping to sell training courses for CRM.  I had heard of Firebrand.

I haven’t ever been on a CRM training course and for them to be most useful and not too boring I think the people who would really benefit would be the people who hadn’t really used CRM otherwise I imagine the training courses would be a bit boring, especially consider how many days the training courses are.

Considering the training courses not only include the cost of the training course but you have to consider the cost to the company of 7 or 8 days of someones time.

 

Firebrand deliver the full range of Microsoft Dynamics competencies, as follows;

MCBMSS: Dynamics CRM 2011 – 8 days – £4,225.00 plus VAT
http://www.firebrandtraining.co.uk/courses/microsoft/dynamics/crm.asp

MCBMSS Dynamics CRM 2011 Online – 6 days – £3,850.00 plus VAT
http://www.firebrandtraining.co.uk/courses/microsoft/dynamics/crm-online

MCBMSS: Dynamics CRM Developer – 5 days – £3,425.00 plus VAT

http://www.firebrandtraining.co.uk/courses/microsoft/dynamics/crm-developer-certification

Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step – 2 days – £1,375.00 plus VAT
http://www.firebrandtraining.co.uk/courses/microsoft/dynamics/surestep

Our Official Microsoft Dynamics CRM competency programs include:

– Intensive hands-on training by official Microsoft certified trainers utilising our unique (Lecture | Lab | Review)® delivery methods
– Customised Microsoft official curriculum, official Microsoft courseware, comprehensive lab manuals
– Microsoft examination vouchers for your on-course Certification testing
– Self-testing software
– On-site accommodation (Private Room, En-suite), for the duration of your course
– 24 hour lab access and 12 hours (plus) of instruction per day
– All meals, unlimited beverages, fresh fruit and freshly-brewed tea and coffee
– Firebrand’s certification guarantee

Schedules can be found here:  www.firebrandtraining.co.uk/schedules

You can register online to book a course:  www.firebrandtraining.co.uk/register

Firebrand Training is a Microsoft Gold Partner, part of Microsoft’s Elite Learning Solutions Partner Group (CPLS).

Microsoft has continued to challenge Firebrand to improve the speed of our Microsoft learning programs to meet the demands of their very busy professional and partner networks.  Firebrand continue to deliver you courses that achieve maximum knowledge, skills and get you those must-have certifications and competencies, in the fastest possible time.

You can find out more about Firebrand here: www.firebrandtraining.co.uk/who-are-firebrand

CRM 2011 – Tool – Export Web Resources

CRM MVP Mitch Milam has created a useful CRM 2011 for exporting web resources out of CRM 2011.  This link will take you to the blog page where you can read about the tool in more detail.  Once again Mitch is showing why he is a CRM MVP

click here to download the tool

This screen shot gives you a good idea of what the tool does

Mitch also has a few other free tools which are worth checking out.  Click the link below to see all of his tools for CRM 4 and CRM 2011

Free E-Book – Introducing SQL Server 2012

CRM 2011 rollup 8 is on the way and to get the large benefits of this rollup (cross browser, mobile apps, better reporting) you will need to be running SQL Server 2012.  So the bottom line is we are all going to need to know how SQL Server 2012 works

So to help you get to grips  MS Press are giving away a free SQL Server 2012 ebook, so a big thanks to the writers Ross Mistry and Stacia Misner.

To buy the hardback version of the book it will cost you 15 bucks but you can download the pdf version completely free.

Click here to download the pdf version

download the PDF version of this title here

below is the contents page of the book.

PART I DATABASE ADMINISTRATION

1. SQL Server 2012 Editions and Engine Enhancements

2. High-Availability and Disaster-Recovery Enhancements

3. Performance and Scalability

4. Security Enhancements

5. Programmability and Beyond-Relational Enhancements

PART II BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE DEVELOPMENT (by Stacia Misner)

6. Integration Services

7. Data Quality Services

8. Master Data Services

9. Analysis Services and PowerPivot

10. Reporting Services

Is CRM 2011 getting more popular with Dynamics NAV users?

The company I work is called Metaphorix for specialise in Microsoft Dynamics NAV and also sell Microsoft Dynamics CRM and have experience in intergrating the two systems.

Customers are often surprised when I explain the two systems are actually two separate systems, especially when they both have the words Microsoft and Dynamics in the name of both products.

I have noticed that over the last 6 months there has been an increase in NAV customers wanting to use Dynamics CRM 2011.  There is some CRM functionality that exists with Dynamics CRM so it’s important for customers to have all the information when deciding if they want to use the Dynamics NAV CRM functionality or go for Dynamics CRM 2011.

If you are wondering what the differences are between Dynamics NAV CRM functionality and Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 functionality then I recommend you read the flyer created to help explain the functionality and differences.

http://www.metaphorix.co.uk/files/ms/CRM_Flyer.pdf

I think the increased interest from NAV users indicates companies are realising the importance of CRM but also want to use CRM from within Outlook,  CRM 2011’s Outlook add in often allows users to work the same way as they did but also benefit from the advantages CRM 2011 gives them.

The users who are often responsible for CRM and marketing often are not NAV users which I think might explain their preference for using Dynamics CRM 2011.

I would also say CRM 2011 is easier to use and gives users the ability to easily modify the forms and fields used and has better marketing functionality than NAV CRM.

CRM 2011 is not always the best choice, it depends on what you want to use CRM for, how many users will be using CRM and some other factors.

If you are interested in interegrating Dynamics NAV with CRM 2011 then contact Metaphorix

Metaphorix also have an interesting blog which you can go to by clicking the link below

http://metaphorix.wordpress.com/

 

CRM 2011 – Assembly must be registered in isolation

I got an error whilst trying to register a plugin, saying the assembly must be registered in isolation.

I found out something which I had forgotten, basically only Deployment Administrators can register plugins which do not run in isolation mode (e.g. in the sandbox).

The user I was using although was a System Administrator in CRM wasn’t in the deployment managers group so could only register plugins in the sandbox.

luckily for me the CRM in the field blog had a detailed article on the subject which you can read by clicking the link below

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/crminthefield/archive/2011/08/17/error-message-assembly-must-be-registered-in-isolation-when-registering-plugins-in-microsoft-dynamics-crm-2011.aspx

This bit below I found very interesting

In the Security Restrictions section of the following MSDN article it states, “There is a security restriction that enables only privileged users to register plug-ins. For plug-ins that are not registered in isolation, the system user account under which the plug-in is being registered must exist in the Deployment Administrators group of Deployment Manager.“

Register and Deploy Plug-ins
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg309620.aspx

CRM 2011 – Is it Citrix compatible?

I was asked this question today and had no idea off the top of my head, so had to get on my internet bike and search for some information.

This official page from Citrix says CRM 2011 is verified and Citrix  compatible

http://www.citrix.com/ready/partners/microsoft/products/microsoft-dynamics-crm-2011

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

by Microsoft Corporation

• Overview
• Citrix Compatibility

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is verified to be compatible with:

Citrix Product Version Feature XenApp 6 64-bit XenApp 6.5 64-bit

There is also a good blog page from EMEA Dynamics CRM Support

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 for Microsoft Office Outlook Compatibility with Citrix XenApp 6

and on this page is a link to a white paper showing all the tests they ran

We are pleased to announce the release of the white paper, Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Microsoft Office Outlook Compatibility with Citrix XenApp 6, which is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center.

The download URL is the following:
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=26667

Specifically, the paper includes

• Instructions for setting up and deploying the test environment.
• A description of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM implementation and the methods used to obtain the results.
• Details of the hardware configuration and software settings.
• A summary of the key test parameters and results.

so it would seem that CRM 2011 is compatible with Citrix although I did read a few forum discussions which raised a few problems but most of the problems were resolved and CRM 2011 and Citrix were working.

CRM 2011 – Dynamic Connector Filtering is a great new feature

Version 2 of the Connector for Microsoft Dynamics (I’m still not convinced about this name, it seems to long to me).

has a great new piece of functionality. Filtering makes upgrading worthwhile alone.

There are some other good things in V2 like the fact it installs the CRM solution for you, which means all you have
to do now is run the installer.

Filtering

What is filtering.

When you create a map in the Dynamic Connector (much better name) there is a new section called Filter. In this area
you can specify lots of filters using AND functionality. This means you can now only sync records which pass your
filter criteria.

An example I recently implemented was a user wanted to only sync orders of a certain type. So I added a new dropdown
and the users would set the dropdown to a certain value – Orders in this case.

I then set a filter to only sync orders with the field value set to Orders.
This is powerful functionality and it’s easy to setup and use in the connector.

There are also a number of bug fixes in the connector so I would recommend upgrading.

The connector team have done a good job making the upgrade very easy, all you have to do is run the Connector.MSI
and it will upgrade legacy maps and running connectors.

when you open the connector which has been upgraded you will see there are two sections, CRM and CRM 2011.

The maps should work without you having to make any changes

CRM 2011 – Storing CRM version and rollup information for installations

I was doing a bit of house keeping on the internal CRM system.

I use it to create support information about the CRM installations, details like server names, CRM urls, key users, Database server location, user names etc.

I was updating the CRM version the user had installed.  I looked up the build number and worked out it’s CRM 2011 Rollup 6.  I was wondering how I should store this information.

I had initially created a option set lookup with the rollups on but I wasn’t really happy with this, it was a bit clunky.

so I decided to create a CRM Rollup entity, where I could store the details of the rollup, build number, release date, download link and KB article link.  Basically the information I have put on the CRM wiki build number page

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/8062.crm-2011-build-and-version-numbers.aspx

The reason I did this was because I can create a new rollup record for each new rollup and look this up on my support entity.  The reason I found this useful is because I can use it for looking versions based on the version number, which you can do either with Web CRM or outlook.  Instructions for looking up the rollup number without going to the server I have blogged about before

https://crmbusiness.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/crm-2011-finding-the-version-number-without-going-to-the-server/

The other benefit of doing it this way is I and other users can add in more rollups without needing to change and optionset or have System Administrator privileges because all you need to do is create a new CRM Rollup record.