CRM 2013 Tool – Easy Navigate lets you design your own metro like start page

I saw a tweet from CRM MVP Jukka Niiranen @jukkan mentioning there was a new tool on codeplex which allows you design your own start page.

This sounds interesting particularly as I still find getting around CRM 2013 a little bit on the slow side but this could be because I have been conditioned to go to use the left hand menu which is no more.

There is already a tool called quick navigate which does almost exactly the same thing except it doesn’t let you edit what you show on the start screen.

I have done a quick video looking at the tool and going through the process of installing and uninstalling

Here is what Easy Navigate looks like

It’s easy to install and use.

There is a little trick to uninstalling it, you have to uninstall it inside the easy navigate solution first before you delete the solution.  I was momentarily dumbstruck when it wasn’t letting me delete the solution.

It makes navigating CRM a lot quicker when you first open CRM, particularly if you want to go to Solutions or customizations because I can get there in one click rather than the two or more in the default navigation method.

If you are not a CRM Admin (which automatically gets all new security roles ) then you need to assign EasyNavigate security role to any users who want to use it.  I haven’t got any other users in CRM 2013 trial so I’m not sure how it works with regards to security privileges of the user and if they can view only the entities they are allowed but it wouldn’t really matter because if they clicked on it they couldn’t see anything so why would they

Here is my new default start, got rid of marketing and service and moved case to sales.

The only down side I can see is it isn’t easy to add the tiles back once you have got rid of them.

Here is the link to the codeplex project page so you can download it yourself

http://easynavigate.codeplex.com/

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12 thoughts on “CRM 2013 Tool – Easy Navigate lets you design your own metro like start page

  1. Junior Rodriguez March 21, 2014 / 3:33 pm

    Hey! Ben I’m getting 404 on all icons or tiles after successful installation. Have you come across this issue before? or know what can cause it? Thanks!
    I really want it to work.

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    • Hosk March 21, 2014 / 3:48 pm

      I haven’t come across this error

      have you tried uninstalling and installing again?

      do you get the same errors on different internet browsers?

      Like

      • Junior Rodriguez March 21, 2014 / 5:34 pm

        I’ve tried a few things, uninstalling and trying different browser was the first thing I did. Also notice that sitemap.config has LocalizedName languagecode / Description languagecode = 1036 which is for Frensh and I have a US English(1033) instance insatlled. not sure how this configuration can affect it at all. Thanks!

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      • Hosk March 21, 2014 / 8:25 pm

        Have you tried downloading a new version of the solution just in case is got corrupted on download

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  2. Junior Rodriguez March 21, 2014 / 3:38 pm

    Great posting by the way …like your blog it helps a lot

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    • Hosk March 24, 2014 / 5:00 pm

      it looks very similar except it has more functionality because you can edit what is shown

      Like

  3. Junior Rodriguez March 24, 2014 / 5:55 pm

    Yeah! man I tried that one as well but is not useful as easy navigate …. also there’s a new update for this tool with a bug fix from language config. but still has issues. I suggested a minor addition to the sitemap.html to the owner and I’m just waiting on it.

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  4. Pamela Bascio April 22, 2014 / 5:28 pm

    I’m wondering if you know if there are issues with this tool and upgraded implementations. i.e., we have upgraded our CRM to 2013 which is as old as version 1.2. The Easy Navigate doesn’t work for many of the buttons, takes us to other sections instead of the one we click on.
    We had the same issue with another client who we just upgraded who has been around since 3.0. I wonder if the background upgrades messed something up that Easy Navigate just can’t understand.
    Have you seen this at all? It works great for new installs. But I still can’t figure out how to edit a button and have it display, not sure of the difference between the “switch to live” and “switch to custom” links and there is no documentation. I wasn’t sure if you’ve had contact with the developer to get a greater insight.
    Thanks for your time.

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    • Hosk April 22, 2014 / 9:05 pm

      I’m afraid I haven’t used the tool with an upgraded version. I’m guessing you have uninstalled and installed the solution.

      The solution is in Beta so I guess it could have a few bugs to iron out.

      Unfortunately I haven’t had any contact with the developer so I don’t have any extra insights.

      I would suggest raising an issue on the codeplex project page.

      apologies I couldn’t be more helpful

      Like

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