Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Running Workflow Foundation on a different server than the CRM server?

In the last weeek I have been working on my new assignment for a large Financial Client in the Netherlands. One of the questions of my client was: is it possible to run the Workflow Foundation on a seperate dedicated server than the CRM server? After a short call with Microsoft, a received a link of one of the Microsoft CRM consultants that's said:
It is NOT possible to run Workflow Foundation on a different server than the CRM server, see original post here.
The following roles/services can be installed on different servers (only by using command prompt installation):
  • SRS Data Connector
  • SQL Server
  • Application Server
  • Asynchronous Processing Service
  • Deployment Service
  • Discovery Service
  • Help Server
  • SDK Server

So this can have impact on your architecture so keep in mind!

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Help Update (On-Premise Edition)

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM documentation team has updated the Help for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 based on feedback from customers and partners. In this update, you will find expanded information and clarifications in many topics, as well as bug fixes and new topics to support late-breaking product features.
Note: This update is not available for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Service Provider Edition, and is not necessary for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online. There are five download options:
  • Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 server update for 32-bit systems
  • Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 server update for 64-bit systems
  • Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 for Microsoft Office Outlook with Offline Access update
  • Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Language Pack updates for 32-bit systems (applies to both server and client components)
  • Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Language Pack updates for 64-bit systems

See also KB article: KB955921

Friday, September 12, 2008

Bug in Microsoft Dynamics CRM???

This week I discovered a bug in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. When you enter an activity in CRM you can also modify the view of your activities with example field from the Entity Lead. After modifying your custom view, you can see all your related activities. But when changing the Type of Activity (for example: select only the Appointments), your custom view with the field from the Entity Lead will not be shown. Any kind of data from related Entities in your custom view will not me shown on the specifiec Type of Activity views. Of course there is a workaround:
1. Creating a view wih the Advanced find.
2. Using the Custom Views addon of SalesCentric.
Recently I have tested the Custom Views addon and again I must say that this addon is easy to use and that this addon will add value to the system.

Screenshots will be followed asap.

CRM in 1 Day

Yesterday was the CRM in 1 Day event in "De Reehorst" in Ede. The objective is orienting on CRM and absorbing all kind of knowledge in a simple manner for everyone.
With an unique programme where, by line, experiences are shared but also other CRM-aspecten in the field of strategy, changemanagement and politically forward will come.
Keynote speeches of Egbert Jan van Bel, Rebacca Jennings and Jochem de Gruyter.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

2nd Dynamics Network Drink @ iRelate Zaltbommel

YES: October 30th 2008 iRelate B.V. The Netherlands and Microsoft are organizing the second Dynamics Network Drink in Zaltbommel. So every Dynamics person be invited. Of course I'm interested in the Dynamics CRM community so please send me an email or give me a call if you are attending this dink. More details will follows as soon as possible.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Microsoft Dynamics Partner Readiness Days

The last two days I attend the Partner Readiness Days at Microsoft Nederland.
This event was organized for all "new" companies related to the Microsoft Dynamics suite.
Some topics that were on the agenda:
EOC, Licensing (for CRM the CSA license), RMT, MSPP, Marketing & Verticalization and lots of more.
I'd like to mention especially the Marketing Factory. Every new company has to descide what Verticals and Horizontals they like to start in and start with. Two words are mentioned a lot:
distinctive capacity so please keep this in mind.
For any questions, please contact your PAM and get familiar within the Microsoft world!