Software Information

Microsoft CRM Implementation & Remote Support


We would like to give you pluses and minuses of Microsoft CRM.

  • Web and MS Outlook based client - this means that you don't need additional installations or training - everyone is using Outlook if you are on Windows XP/2000/2003
  • SQL Server database - just to mention
  • Integration with Microsoft Exchange 2003/2000 - this means that replies to CRM originated emails will be captured and store in CRM as activities for the Contact, Account or Lead.
  • Remote Support - I would say - this would be in the nature of MS CRM - you host it's database in your headquarter and users will connect to it worldwide via Internet Explorer
  • Integration with other MBS products - currently it has integration interface with Microsoft Great Plains
  • Microsoft technologies dependence - yes, this is true and maybe considered as minus, it doesn't work with Netscape or Mozilla browser.
  • New Product - it is relatively new on the market and may not have industry specific features yet
  • Also if you are considering some customization scenarios, we would suggest you to review the options below:

  • Microsoft CRM SDK - this is software development kit with C# and partly VB.net code samples - it is supported by Microsoft Business Solutions technical support. It is based on web service calls, if you are C# .NET developer - you are excellently positioned to do this type of customizations. This is the preferred modification scenario and this should be easily upgradeable customization. VB.Net examples will be available soon.
  • Legacy SQL Data integration. This is also easy and safe. If you have SQL database, sitting on the same or linked SQL Server - you can create ASPX .Net application and simply integrate it into CRM. You can place it on the navigation bar or menu in isv.config - please refer to MS CRM SDK
  • Legacy ASP integration - this is somewhat more sophisticated. You have to deploy HTTP handler to be a middle party between CRM which is .Net based and ASP which is legacy IIS. The trick is - you have to have INI file with security settings to penetrate into MS CRM with proper credentials, calling web service.
  • Microsoft Exchange Programming. Microsoft CRM has Exchange connector - which moves CRM incoming email to MS if it has GUID in its subject. You can alter this logic (for instance - move email to CRM if it doesn't have GUID but it is from the sender who is contact or account in MS CRM). Refer to MS Exchange SDK onsyncsave event handling. Then simply apply some MS CRM SDK programming - you need some COM+ objects creation and VB programming experience.
  • Direct SQL touch - in #4 above I described you the scenario with MS Exchange handlers - this would be ideal world if MS CRM SDK does the job. But - in real world this is not always true - you have to do direct flags correction in CRM database (like making Activity closed, moving email attachments/octet streams, etc). This is not supported by MBS technical support - but you can rescue to this technique if you have to get job done.
  • MS CRM Customization tool - this is rather end-user tool and we don't describe it here - read the manual. We've described above the options to use when this tool doesn't do the job
  • Crystal Reports - feel free to create Crystal report - tables and views structure is self explanatory. Try to avoid the temptation to create your own SQL view or stored procedure in MS CRM database, instead - create custom database and place your view and stored proc in it.
  • Happy selection, implementation and modification! If you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

    Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer in Alba Spectrum Technologies - USA nationwide Microsoft CRM, Microsoft Great Plains customization company, based in Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, and Miami and having locations in multiple states and internationally (www.albaspectrum.com), he is Dexterity, SQL, VB/C#.Net, Crystal Reports and Microsoft CRM SDK developer.


    MORE RESOURCES:

    Business Wire (press release)

    Elliott Terminates Tender Offer to Acquire Epicor Software Corporation
    MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
    ... LP and Elliott International, LP (collectively, "Elliott" or "we"), a major shareholder of Epicor Software Corporation (the "Company" or "Epicor"), ...
    Epicor drops after hedge fund ends hostile bid Forbes
    Hedge Fund Elliott Associates Withdraws Offer for Epicor Software Orange County Business Journal
    UPDATE 1-Hedge Fund ends offer for Epicor Reuters
    RTT News - Barron's Blogs
    all 45 news articles


    New York Times

    The best thing about the 2.2 iPhone software update
    CNET News, CA - Nov 21, 2008
    When it some to iPhone software updates, I'm all about the basics. Apple could enable the iPhone to cook my dinner every night, but if it added multimedia ...
    First Look: Apple's iPhone 2.2 Software Hits The Street (And ... CRN
    Lots to like about new iPhone 2.2 software update Ars Technica
    Apple releases iPhone Software v2.2 Apple Insider
    G4 TV - infoSync World
    all 143 news articles


    Canada.com

    Microsoft: New software not Symantec, McAfee rival
    Reuters - Nov 19, 2008
    BOSTON (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp's upcoming security software is not designed to take sales from Symantec Corp and McAfee Inc as it is a stripped-down, ...
    Microsoft to offer free security software to attract beginners eTaiwan News
    Microsoft Plans to Introduce Free PC Security Software Wall Street Journal
    Microsoft to offer free security software NetworkWorld.com
    Washington Post - Bizjournals.com
    all 304 news articles


    Vertical Releases Feature-Rich Software Update for Wave
    MarketWatch - 20 hours ago
    ... today announced the release of the Wave 1.5 software upgrade to it's award winning Wave IP 2500(TM) Business Communications Solution, the industry's ...


    Hann’s On Software bouht by Mediware
    Bizjournals.com, NC - Nov 21, 2008
    Mediware Information Systems Inc. has bought the assets of Hann’s On Software, a pharmacy-management software provider based in Santa Rosa, for $3.5 million ...
    Mediware Acquisition Adds 320 Pharmacy Facilities MarketWatch
    Mediware Information buys assets of Hann's On Software - Quick Facts RTT News
    all 19 news articles


    PC World

    BlackBerry Storm Sales Delayed By Software Glitch? Screen Gimmick ...
    Silicon Alley Insider, NY - 39 minutes ago
    RIM's new BlackBerry Storm is proving to be popular with some people -- many Verizon Wireless stores sold out of their first batches yesterday. ...
    Software Flaw Might Cause BlackBerry Storm Shortage eFluxMedia
    Storm Is a Fun BlackBerry, but No iPhone Killer U.S. News & World Report
    8 Reasons to Pick iPhone Over BlackBerry Storm PC World
    ZDNet Blogs - engadget
    all 655 news articles


    AVG Sees Uphill Battle for Microsoft in Its Launch of Free Anti ...
    MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
    AVG, which for eight years has offered free anti-virus software to users worldwide, noted the multiple challenges Microsoft faces in supporting a free ...
    AVG sees 'uphill battle' for Microsoft Morro TechRadar UK
    Microsoft Announces Upcoming Events for the Financial Community NewsBlaze
    Microsoft Announces Upcoming Events for the Financial Community MarketWatch
    all 30 news articles


    ITProPortal

    Microsoft’s Mike Neil Keynotes at SYS-CON's 4th International ...
    SYS-CON Media, NJ - 20 hours ago
    ... Black Duck Software, Blackbaud, Blade Network Technologies, Blue Coat, Blue Lane, BlueArc, BlueNote Networks, BluePheonix Solutions, BMC Software, ...
    Teaching Everyone to Speak Big Blue New York Times
    IBM To Acquire Virtualization Specialist Transitive InformationWeek
    IBM To Buy Virtualization-Software Company Transitive NewsFactor Network
    eWeek - SearchDataCenter.com
    all 95 news articles


    Frankly speaking, speech software better but still not great
    Seattle Times, United States - 12 hours ago
    Getting a computer to turn your speech into words on the screen requires buying expensive, resource-intensive software and mastering a sometimes confusing ...


    Microsoft purges phony security software from 1 million PCs
    Computerworld, MA - 23 hours ago
    Windows users have been plagued with a flood of worthless security software in recent months as criminals have discovered that they're money-makers. ...

    Software - Google News

    home | site map
    © 2006