MS Dynamics and Power Platform Blog

Update Rollup 13 for MS CRM 4.0 is now available. Download at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=406e6247-873b-4db0-8a25-3f041b066844 Read more about RU 13 at : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2267499

Beta for MS CRM 2011 launched globally.. For a sneak preview of MS CRM 2011 visit: http://www.screencast.com/users/coloradojules/folders/Default/media/094c821f-c71f-448d-88bf-5b627b586004 Catch the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 beta or sign up for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online beta at www.crm2011beta.com .

GrapeCity Telemarketing Solution has scored 2nd place in XRM Showcase challenge. Over 80 unique XRM Solutions particated in XRM showcase challenge. Around 2570 individuals registered to vote and submit solutions http://blogs.msdn.com/b/crm/archive/2010/07/22/xrm-showcase-challenge-results.aspx Congratulations to GrapeCity CRM team and I wish lot more rewards in future.

As announced at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference on July 12, 2010, Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 - formerly codenamed "CRM5" - will be publicly available as a beta release in September 2010 for both online and on-premises deployments. Please refer to following URLs for details https://offers.crmchoice.com/betaofferlanding/ http://blogs.msdn.com/b/crm/archive/2010/07/12/introducing-microsoft-dynamics-crm-2011.aspx

The latest cumulative update rollup for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 has been released on Jun 4th, 2010. Read about RU 11 for MS CRM 4.0 at: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/crm/archive/2010/06/04/update-rollup-11-for-microsoft-dynamics-crm-4-0.aspx http://support.microsoft.com/kb/981328 RU 11 can be downloaded at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=f84f2bfb-393d-4b90-bf1b-300a82ec6083

While localizing my custom website hosting a Silverlight 3 control, I added multiple resource files (.resx) to my xap and when I hit the page I got this error: System.Windows.Markup.XamlParseException occurred Message="AG_E_PARSER_UNKNOWN_TYPE On hitting this link http://www.telerik.com/community/forums/silverlight/navigation/navigation-samples-failing-with-silverlight-3-because-of-urimapping.aspx I realized the goof up. One of the resx files had the constructor still declared as ‘internal’, and you get this error when the application is getting initialized and trying to access and internal resource. So I made the changes to set it to public, and it worked like a charm!!

CTP3 for MS CRM 5.0 now available!! The main features offered by CRM 5.0 include: 1. Features for end users Enhanced Navigation - A “Fluent UI” like Office 2007 Single Page Forms - Single scrolling page, “quick access” navigation shortcuts and less pop-ups and clicks to complete common task Data Filtering –In-line filtering like Excel, visualization of numeric data using in-line charts and availability of drill through charts WSS integration -Document management, site and document library provisioning and check-in check-out capabilities. Team ownership for entities 2. Features for Administrators and Customizers Filtered Lookups :) Solution Management -A single unit solution (a defined set of entity customizations, workflows, e-mail templates, security roles, plug-ins etc.), version controlled solution and ability to specify selected attributes for exporting “Global Picklists” at solution level that are re-usable across multiple entities. Drag and Drop form editor New server role for...

This is for beginners in MS CRM 4.0 wanting to understand the Security Architecture in MS CRM 4.0. Download the whitepaper from: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=fb4bb16b-586f-4aae-aa4b-790023e95b61 A brief summary for the Role Based Security and the Object based security is explained from the article: To determine the extent to which users have access to the system and the resources it stores, Microsoft Dynamics CRM leverages two complementary security mechanisms: Role-based security in Microsoft Dynamics CRM focuses on grouping a set of privileges together that describe the tasks that are performed for a user in a specific job function. The basic concepts of role-based security include the following: o Users are assigned one or more roles based on their job function or tasks o Roles are associated with permissions (privileges and access levels) for the different business objects (entities) o Users gain access to entities or groups of entitie...

While trying to install VS 2010 RC on my windows XP sp3 machine, I was facing this issue that the installer wasn't able to install any of the components after it installed .Net Framework 4.0. Once I installed .NET Framework 4.0, it prompted me to restart the machine, and on restart nothing really happened (though the setup was expected to resume). I re-clicked the setup and still nothing happened. So after trying to re-install VS 2010 a couple times, I found out the solution to the problem - Display the language bar at the taskbar, right-click on it and choose settings. Then remove the hand writing support from the list. There is a bug in the RC for computers with touch screens. Here is where I found this: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/setupprerelease/thread/dbcdcd52-d162-4460-9920-33c9ab54b36f

Recently I came across a scenario where it was required that workflow be triggered on change of a read only only field. While testing I found that the workflow wasn't getting fired. I added the code to ForceSubmit the field OnSave of record. Even after that the workflow didnt execute on change of that field. Ultimately, I had to enable that field so that the workflow could trigger on field change. Additional logic (simply a workaround) had to be applied in order to achieve the desired functionality.

Recently, I came across a scenario, where it was required that some fields be pre-populated on a new form opened from associated view of a record. One possible solution is to fire a SOAP Xml retrieve request to get the desired fields of the related record and set them on the new form. But this approach requires a database interaction using MS CRM web services, that can cause a noticeable delay in form load. An alternative to this approach is to access parent record using JavaScript object model and access the fields on form to set values on new form. Following sample code can be added to OnLoad event of form to achieve the same: //***************************************************************************** //Functionality- In create mode, get default values from associated location record //***************************************************************************** if (crmForm.FormType == 1) { //If form is being opened using an existing parent record if ((window.opener != null) ...

On navigating to "Items" link in Portal Integration and Partner Relationship Management Accelerators, following error message is obtained: Server Error in '/' Application.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The type specified in the TypeName property of ObjectDataSource 'ObjectDataSourceCategories' could not be found. Description: An unhandled exception occurred during the execution of the current web request. Please review the stack trace for more information about the error and where it originated in the code. Exception Details: System.InvalidOperationException: The type specified in the TypeName property of ObjectDataSource 'ObjectDataSourceCategories' could not be found. Source Error: An unhandled exception was generated during the execution of the current web request. Information regarding the origin and location of the exception can be identified using the exception stack trace below. Stack Trace: [In...

Just a tip for the user installing Microsoft CRM Outlook Client for Outlook 2003. Ensure that you install the Update Rollup 7 for the Outlook client, else couple of menu items (Change Organization, Options) will not be available from the CRM menu installed. Also, use the CRM->Options->Synchronization tab to change the duration of synchronization between MS Outlook and the web client (which is 15 minutes by default). Get the Update Rollup 7 for Outlook Client at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=A4893988-7804-4E23-AB58-740441CC696E&displaylang=ja&displaylang=en Read more about synchronization of records and activities between MS CRM and Outlook at: http://rc.crm.dynamics.com/rc/regcont/en_us/OP/help/ug_ol_RecordsActivities.htm

Ever got 'The E-mail Router service could not run the service main background thread. The E-mail Router service cannot continue and will now shut down' while re-starting the MS CRM Email Router Service. The trace logged is : "System.Configuration.ConfigurationErrorsException: The E-mail router service cannot access system state file Microsoft.Crm.Tools.EmailAgent.SystemState.xml. The file may be missing or may not be accessible. The E-mail Router service cannot continue and will now shut down. ---> System.Xml.XmlException: Root element is missing." Root Cause: The Microsoft.Crm.Tools.EmailAgent.SystemState.xml file is corrupted. Solution: 1. Browse to 'C:Program FilesMicrosoft CRM EmailService'. Delete the Microsoft.Crm.Tools.EmailAgent.SystemState.xml file. 2. Restart the Microsoft Dynamics CRM E-mail Router Service.The Microsoft.Crm.Tools.EmailAgent.SystemState.xml file is re-created. Read more at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/954522...

The latest cumulative update rollup for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 has been released on Feb 11, 2010. The details of which can be accessed at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949256 Update Rollup 9 can be downloaded at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5869f2b3-d1a0-4f71-8be3-fde6e8053a2e&displayLang=en

Recently I created a test workflow to send an email when a new task is assigned to any MS CRM user. Everything was in place but somehow the workflow just didn't publish and I kept getting the message: "An error occured when the workflow was being created. Try to save the workflow again." This was what was logged in the MS CRM trace logs: "Activity 'SendEmailStep4_policy' validation failed: Property "RuleSetReference" has an invalid value. Rule set is invalid. Rule "main" validation failed. Type System.Globalization.CultureInfo is not marked as authorized in the application configuration file." And here is where I found the resolution: http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en/crmdevelopment/thread/e0a8b1f3-5bbf-4040-ab5c-2a67df362b5b Add the following entries in the web.config file for Microsoft Dynamics CRM: <!-- * CRM SE 6681 V4: Hotfix needed for CRM Workflows before WF.Net security patch --> <authorizedType Assembly="msc...

Ever got this error while trying to access a custom web page from your virtual directory hosted in Microsoft Dynamics CRM/ISV folder: Microsoft.Crm.WebServices.Crm2007.MultipleOrganizationSoapHeaderAuthenticationProvider, Microsoft.Crm.WebServices, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35' doesn't exist This typically also appears while accessing you custom web page for the first time on a 64 bit CRM box. The reason for the error is that CRM adds 2 HttpModules (MapOrg and CrmAuthentication) to web.config in the root of the CRM website. The CrmAuthentication HttpModule is in the microsoft.crm.webservices.dll assembly, which is not in the path of the custom virtual directory. There are two solutions to this. Either: 1. Add microsoft.crm.webservices.dll to the bin folder of your web site and then add it to the global assembly cache. Run iisreset. OR 2. Remove the CrmAuthentication HttpModule from the virtual directory. To remove the HttpModule, add the fol...

I  went across the features of both Salesforce CRM and Microsoft Dynamics CRM , after complete analysis I could draw the following comparisons and how Microsoft Dynamics CRM competes with SalesForce Configuration Salesforce supports On Demand Configuration where as Microsoft Dynamics CRM supports On-Demand, On-Premise and Partner Hosted setups. Interface Salesforce has a web based access wherein Microsoft Dynamics CRM provides its users both Web Based and Native access through Microsoft Outlook. Microsoft CRM also provides Off - Line Access with all its versions and editions whereas off line access is limited to Enterprise editions in Salesforce.com Databases There is no dedicated database in Salesforce.com and there is a storage limit of 1GB or 120MB/User in all versions. Dynamics CRM has dedicated Databases. Storage varies from 20GB to 5GB depending on installation. Web Service Support Web Service Support is only available in Enterprise and Unlimited Versions where...

Microsoft Convergence  2010 Atlanta, April 24-27 Convergence is the Microsoft Dynamics premier event! Here are 4 great business reasons why one should attend this event. Learn how to get the most out of Microsoft Dynamics solution. Learn how to use the technical resources and support available. Understand how to empower people to use functionality. Investigate additional Microsoft Dynamics functionality, plus third-party vendor solutions that could better position you for success. Connect with other users and Microsoft product experts. See firsthand how other users optimize their solutions to drive business success. Consult with solution provider and Microsoft product experts. Get free technical support and participate in hands-on lab exercises. Get up to date on Microsoft products and technologies. Take advantage of more than 400 sessions covering Microsoft Dynamics and the latest Microsoft products including Microsoft Dynamics CRM and ERP (including Microsoft Dy...

Its a chilly winter night and I just bothered to sneak into MIX Conversation Video over you tube and finally i realized the power of Dynamics CRM and how it aids web based Line of business applications development. Sometimes I wonder why people get so crazy about CRM application development and  I have seen the CRM buffs in my organization trying new things now and then ranging from Telemarketing to Bing Maps Integration to SMS I ntegration with Dynamics CRM and CRM Live and then I thought why not to expose the power of Dynamics Live for the readers of this blog. As all of you know Microsoft Dynamics CRM is not just an Account or Contact Management Suite. It incorporates Sales, Service and Marketing as well. I guess this product has hit the roots in the Sales Force sector. This CRM Suite really fascinates people with its rich set of integrated technologies, Business Analytics and extensiveness. It has deep process automation and one fine day we could see this suite expanding bran...

The Import Data Wizard for CRM Online makes customer’s life easy by powerful features such as the automatic customizations of field width (for text data) and list values (for picklists). 1. The Field width customization feature increases the length of a Microsoft Dynamics CRM text or ntext field on the fly based on the length of data in the source file. When import data wizard encounters a mismatch in the field lengths of source data and target field it deduces following: i. Is the field customizable. ii. Finds the maximum length of the source data in respective column of given source file. iii. Checks whether the length found in step 2 is more than the default length of the field and is less than the maximum allowed length for the Text column (which is 4000). If both conditions mentioned in Step iii are satisfied, it updates the metadata of an attribute to the length found in step2 and changes the column length in database. Import Data Wizard applies field width customization even if ...

Microsoft is trying to exploit its desktop applications strength in large enterprises and promote its now-more-robust business applications to this sector. Buyer interest in Microsoft solutions is high in the market and is growing in the enterprise segment. Enterprise buyers will be attracted to Microsoft Dynamics CRM if they have made a commitment to a Microsoft infrastructure in order to lower their TCO in buying and managing business technologies. Buyers also like Microsoft Dynamics CRM usability and its quick time-to-value compared with traditional CRM applications.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM provides a wealth of sales analytics and automation capabilities that help organisations to zero in on their sweet-spot and institutionalise best practices for improved sales alignment. Microsoft has branched into various in-house technology integration with CRM Suites. The latest concept of (X)RM has proved to be a successful engagement to leverage rich set of technologies to c...

Nice read on how to capture Campaign Responses in MS CRMMicrosoft CRM includes four ways to create campaign responses: • Record responses manually : Enter responses based on a direct marketing campaign activity. • Convert an existing campaign activity to a campaign response: When someone responds to the marketing material you’ve sent them, you can convert the corresponding campaign activity, such as a phone call, e-mail, or appointment, to a campaign response. • Automatically generate responses: For e-mail activities you’ve included in your campaign, you can also use Microsoft CRM to generate the campaign responses automatically. When customers respond to e-mail activities, you can choose to have Microsoft CRM create the corresponding campaign response records automatically. This option is available only if e-mail tracking is enabled. This is a setting your administrator can set. If you are an administrator, set the Track e-mail option to Yes on the E-mail Tracking tab on the System Se...

Ever got the error when viewing any report in MS CRM: System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException: The report server cannot decrypt the symmetric key used to access sensitive or encrypted data in a report server database. You must either restore a backup key or delete all encrypted content. Here's the solution to it:1. Open Reporting Services Configuration Manager 2. Connect to your RS server 3. Select 'Encryption Keys' from the left pane 4. Press the 'Delete' button to get rid of your encrypted content 5. After doing this, you will need to re-set the connection strings and stored credentials on your reports. PS: If you do have a backup, press the 'Restore' button instead of the 'Delete' button.

When MS CRM and SQL Server are installed on separate server machines, we need to install MS CRM Connector on the server running SQL reporting services. While installing this, I faced an error saying “Unable to validate SQL Server Reporting Services Report Server installation” in the Environmental diagnostic wizard. As stated by Microsoft support , this issue comes in the following scenarios: 1. You try to install the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Connector for SQL Server Reporting Services on a server that is not running Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services (SSRS). 2. You try to install the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Connector for SQL Server Reporting Services on a named instance of SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services. 3. You try to install the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Connector for SQL Server Reporting Services on a SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services installation that uses a nondefault Web site. In my case, the issue was due to named instance of SQL server 2005. To resolve this issue:- For ...