Unitek Microsoft CRM Blog

I don’t know whether anyone still reads books anymore but I’d thought I would recommend one.

Maximizing Your Sales with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0

The book explains, in concise, easy-to-understand language, how to get the most out of this helpful crm software. Topics like working with contacts and accounts, managing opportunities and schedules, writing letters, sending emails, running reports, and more are explored in-depth. With this book and Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0, you’ll also be able to perform numerous other functions that will speed up your workflow and keep customers happy:

You’ll learn to:

• Create price lists and discount codes to manage pricing
• Generate quotes, orders and invoices for sales
• Track competitor information
• Automate correspondence using Outlook and Word
• Create marketing lists of leads, accounts and contacts
• Track the effectiveness of your marketing efforts
• Much more!

I would also like to mention that Edward Kachinske attended our 6 day Microsoft CRM boot camp; this is what he had to say about us “DG, the CRM Practice Manager from Unitek, was a great resource while writing this book. He’s one of the premier Microsoft CRM trainers, and if you ever get the opportunity to take a class from him do so.”

To purchase this book visit amazon.com

For more information on an upcoming Microsoft CRM Boot Camp please click here.

After my last post (Customize Microsoft CRM 3.0 Tool Bar By Adding A Custom Button), I had a few inquiries as to how to customize Microsoft CRM 4.0’s tool bar. So in this post I will walk you through all the steps necessary to accomplish this in Microsoft CRM 4.0.

High level steps:

1. Add a new webpage for the button. In the last post, I showed how to create a new virtual directory under IIS. In this post I will just add a new webpage to the ISV folder.
2. Edit the ISV Config file to add the button to the Lead form Action Tool Bar

Add the code for the button

The best practice is to create a directory with the name of your company in the ISV directory and then create a directory with the name of the application (button) you are adding to CRM. In this example, I have created an html file that simply outputs a message when clicked. Create the directories

/ISV/YourCompanyName/MyCustomButton

Place the code for the button in the above directory

/ISV/YourCompanyName/MyCustomButton/MyCustomButton.html

Edit the ISV Config to add the button to the tool bar

We will place the button on the Lead Form’s Action Bar

If you have not done so, you need to enable ISV customization:

1. From the Navigation Pane, click Settings, click Administration, and then click System Settings.
2. Select the Customization tab.
3. Locate the Custom Menus and Toolbars section and click the lookup button.
4. Select all of the available values.
5. Click OK.
6. Click OK to save the System Settings.
7. Close and re-open Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 or just hit the F5 function key to reload.

Next we will edit the ISV Config file. For obvious reasons, please make a copy of this file as a backup before you edit it.

To edit this file you would have to export it from in Microsoft CRM 4.0. Once you exported it, make sure that you create a backup copy.

1. From the Navigation Pane, click Settings, then click Customization, then click Export Customizations.
2. Select the ISV Config
3. On the Actions toolbar, click select Export Selected Customizations.
4. Click OK to acknowledge the dialog box describing what will be exported.
5. The file download dialog box appears. Click Save
6. In the Save As dialog box, enter ‘ISVConfig’ in File name. Click Save
7. Click Close
8. Make a copy of the ISVConfig.zip file and rename to ISVConfigBackup.zip
9. Open the ISVConfig.zip file
10. Extract the customizations.xml file to a convenient location

Once you have created the backup copy, edit the ISV config file (customizations.xml extracted above) as follow:

Place the following node:

Save and close.

Now go to Microsoft CRM 4.0 and import this edited ISV.config file into Microsoft CRM.

Refresh Microsoft CRM 4.0.

Check this capability by opening a Lead record to see the button you just added.

RM
Microsoft CRM Consultant
Unitek Microsoft CRM Services

There have been some really good books written for Microsoft CRM 3.0 and CRM 4.0 but there’s another one on the horizon that will address CRM 4.0 in great detail. The book is titled “Maximizing Your Sales With Microsoft CRM 4.0” and is written by Edward Kachinske and Timothy Kachinske.

You can purchase from Amazon

Edward Kachinske has written a number of books for Microsoft products, as well as other manufacturers. Click here to see his collection at Amazon.com:

If you are a CRM consultant who needs to get up to speed quickly on CRM 4.0 or if you’re an end user or administrator for CRM 4.0 at your company, this book is a must!

DG
Microsoft CRM Consultant
Unitek Microsoft CRM Services

I learned some new numbers and statistics about Microsoft CRM:

• There are now 14,000 customers and 775,000 users worldwide
• Microsoft added 4,000 customers and 225,000 users in FY08
• There are 500 Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online customers

This means that Microsoft has about 1/3rd the customer base that SalesForce has (SalesForce has 43,000 customers). We’re catching up !!

After my last post, I had a few inquiries as to how to customize Microsoft CRM 3.0’s tool bar. So in this post I will walk through all the steps necessary to accomplish this.

I will use the “Quick Email” example/code from my last post. (Send Emails to Deactivated Leads Without Needing to Activate Them First)

High level steps:

1. Add a new website for the button. We will create a website called QuickEmai. PLEASE NOTE: You can always add your web page created in the next step in the ISV directory. This post will show an alternative.
2. Place the code inside an html page and place the html page in the QuickEmail directory/website.
3. Edit the isv.config file to add the button to the Lead form Action Tool Bar

Add a new website:

Please NOTE: You can always install your web page in the ISV directory. However, we will create a directory; best to create it under C:\Inetpub\Custom

Start IIS Manager (Internet Information Services Manager)

Expand the node that is the Local Computer.

Right click on “Web Sites” and create a new “web site”. This starts the Web Site creation wizard.

First screen asks you to enter a description.

Second one will ask you enter the port number. Choose a port number you know is not being used:

On the next screen put the full path to the directory we created in Inetpub. At this point if we had not created the directory, we can create it.

On the next screen if you are doing more than a read, then check other items. For example if you are going to run a script (such as ASP), then check “Run scripts” as well.

Ok you are done. All you have to do now is to restart IIS.

Place the code inside an html page and place the html page in the QuickEmail directory

You can get the code form the previous post. (Send Emails to Deactivated Leads Without Needing to Activate Them First)

Place that code inside an html file: QuickEmail.html

Place QuickEmail.html file in C:\Inetpub\Custom\QuickEmail directory

Edit the isv.config file to add the button to the tool bar:

Since this button is only relevant to a Lead record, we will place it on the Lead Form’s Action Bar

Next we will edit the isv.config file. For obvious reasons, please make a copy of this file as a backup before you edit it.
You will find this file under “_Resources” directory of you Microsoft CRM 3.0 installed directories. For one of my customer’s implementation it is located:

Edit the Microsoft CRM 4.0’s isv.config.xml file as follow:

In the file

• Expand the <Entities> node
• Expand the <Entity name=“lead“> node
• Expand the <ToolBar ValidForCreate=“0“ ValidForUpdate=“1“> node

Place the following line under this node:

<Button Title=“Quick Email“ ToolTip=“Send Email to a disqualified Lead without needing to activate the Lead first“ Icon=“/_imgs/ico_16_138.gif“ Url=“/QuickEmail/QuickEmail.htm“ Client=“Web,OutlookWorkstationClient“ PassParams=“1“ WinMode=“1“ WinParams=“menubar=no,status=yes,toolbar=no,width=600,height=350“ AvailableOffline=“false“ />

Here is a partial view of the file:

Save and close.

Refresh Microsoft CRM 3.0.

Check this capability by opening a Lead record to see the button you just added.

RM
Microsoft CRM Consultant
Unitek Microsoft CRM Services

Unitek’s Microsoft CRM Training Team periodically supplies FREE, useful tools for the CRM community! There is no charge to download and use these tools, either for yourself or your clients, but we do require that you complete a simple contact information form so that we can track the popularity and use of the specific tools.

We developed a method that gives users the ability to search Leads and Contacts simultaneously, with a single search. And as is our way, we want to share with the rest of the CRM community.

Here’s how it works.
Download your FREE CRM Add-On

We are interested in hearing your input on the Add-On, please feel free to comment below.

What other Microsoft CRM Add-On’s would you like to download?

I was shocked to learn that a local Bay Area elementary school had recently looked into adding Microsoft A+, Net+, and Security+ to their list of elective courses to take during their school year. I was aware that this was being implemented at the high school and community college levels, but ELEMENTARY! That’s simply incredible.

It was reported by Daniel Margolis of certmag.com that, educationally speaking:

• 33% of IT Professionals with certifications have obtained a Bachelor’s degree
• 21% have a Master’s degree
• 10% percent have received some technical training (no college degree)
• 13% of you have earned a high school diploma

That’s 23% that don’t have college degrees and are actively working in the industry. Imagine 10 years from now… all these new “whipper snappers” will have a leg up on that 23%. Of course, that’s the beauty of educational evolution. With the inclusion of IT education and certifications to elementary, middle, and high school students, these numbers relating to Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees should be on the rise in the coming years.

So what do you do if you don’t already have the BA or MA degree? Take a certification course that gives you those missing college credits. Take a class with Unitek because we can now offer college credits for completing our Microsoft CRM 4.0 Boot Camp!

Aside from information about college credits and applicable degrees, I’m repeatedly asked about what certifications are the best to obtain? Industry experts say that Microsoft CRM certifications are on the rise and it’s quickly becoming the most popular avenue for new and experienced consultants, IT pros, and systems administrators. But how do most IT professionals decide on a particular certification? Cost, cost, and, oh yeah… how much does it cost?

If you base a certification on price, the cheapest certification would seem to have the most value and asking for a low budget approval is usually easier than the alternative. However, certifications have continued benefits like:

• Opening doors to new jobs, careers, and opportunities
• Adding value to your resume
• Solidifying your position as a certified professional in an area that the company holds near and dear to their hearts, like Microsoft CRM.

But having a certification isn’t typically enough to land the perfect job. Reaching your professional goals require:

• Microsoft Training
• Microsoft Certification
• Converting certification into jobs…jobs into experience…and experience into a career!

One of the most important things to consider when choosing an area of study is the link between certifications. Thankfully, Microsoft Dynamics’ offers certifications for Applications, Installation, Customization, Extending CRM, and more. These are also partnered with other certifications under the Dynamics and Microsoft Corporate umbrellas. (VB.net, C# development, MCSE/MCSA, etc…)

Jonathan of certmag.com was quoted as saying, “Each training and certification decision helps to build capabilities and flexibility in your areas of interest and opportunity. Vendor-neutral certification gives breadth, while vendor-specific certification provides depth. In a multi-vendor environment, the mix of neutral and specific certifications offers flexibility. A mix indicates that you have carefully built a foundation of strong competencies. You should especially consider attractive add-on certifications, such as project management, that show employers you are multi-faceted.” I say…”Well put, Jonathan!”

So, what’s important to you? The degree? The certification? Boss told me to get it done or get lost? All of the above? If so, call Unitek’s CRM team NOW so we can help drive you, AND your career, in the right direction.

JH
Microsoft CRM Consultant
Unitek Microsoft CRM Services

Unitek’s Microsoft CRM Training Team is pleased to announce that we have a new product for CRM 4.0 that we’re giving away! The add-on, Quick Activity, can be downloaded from our site here: Unitek Microsoft CRM Add-On

Quick Activity allows users to add History records with just a couple of clicks. It’s a nice alternative to the existing CRM activity, saving a few clicks per activity and quite a few clicks per day!

Come back to our blog soon and we’ll provide you another method of using the Quick Activity from the entity grid. This will let you create history records for an item without actually opening the record!

It happens often that a sales rep wants to send an e-mail to a lead that has been deactivated and they either don’t want to or don’t have the permission to activate the Lead. As you know once a Lead record is deactivated you cannot log an activity against it including sending an E-mail.

As a CRM consultant, recently I had a client request to provide a way for their sales rep to be able to send Emails to deactivated Leads. What follows is the steps required to make this happen.
The solution involves providing a button on the Tool Bar of the Lead record. This button once clicked will open up an E-mail activity record for the deactivated Lead.

This blog entry assumes that the reader already knows how to customize the Tool Bar by adding a custom button. If you don’t know, please let us know and we will provide the instructions.

Here is the custom code to accomplish the above:

Two points to remember:

1. Please know that copying this code as is might be problematic with the use of quotations. Once you copy the code, you will need to go through and replace the single and double quotes using your keyboard.
2. In http://crmsvr/activities/email/edit.aspx?pId=, you have to replace “crmsvr” with the name of your Micorosft CRM server.

Code

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC “-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN” “http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd”>

<html xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml” >

<head>

<title>Quick Email</title>

</head>

<body>

<h1 align=”center”>Please Wait</h1>

<script type=”text/javascript”>

var oOpenLead = window.dialogArguments;

var oLead = oOpenLead.document.crmForm;

var FirstName = oLead.firstname.DataValue;

var LastName = oLead.lastname.DataValue;

var GUID = oLead.ObjectId;

PA = window.open(“http://crmsvr/activities/email/edit.aspx?pId=” + GUID +“&pType=4&pName=”+FirstName+“%20″+LastName+“&partyid=”+ GUID +“&partytype=4&partyname=”+FirstName+“%20″+LastName+“&partyaddressused=&contactInfo=”,”,‘menubar=0, status=1′);

window.close();

</script>

</body>

</html>

RM
Microsoft CRM Consultant
Unitek Microsoft CRM Services

Direct from the Microsoft Dynamics Download Center, this guide contains comprehensive information about how to plan, install, and maintain Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0.

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Implementation Guide consists of the following documents:

• Planning Guide: This guide gives you the information and tools that help you get your organization ready for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0. It includes two main aspects of planning for a customer relationship management (CRM) system:
  • Technical: These topics focus on such areas as the supported topologies, system requirements, and technical considerations to address before you install.
  • Implementation methodology: These topics cover the business management, CRM requirements, and project management aspects that are needed when you deploy a CRM system. Additionally, there are several documents included that you can use as tools to plan the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0. These tools are in the planning tools folder where the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Implementation Guide is located.

• Planning Tools: The planning tools are 43 template, project, and worksheet Microsoft Office documents that can be used to help plan your implementation.
• Installing Guide: This guide provides the information that you need to install Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0, such as step-by-step instructions for running Setup, command-line installation instructions for silent installations, and guidance about how to remove Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0.
• Operating and Maintaining Guide: This guide gives you information about how to back up, restore, and provide data recovery for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0. Additionally, this guide provides troubleshooting steps for known issues.

Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2003

Other Requirements: Microsoft Office Word 2003 or later version, or a compatible viewer

Download Here [Microsoft Download Center]

Good Luck!! And as always, feel free to leave comments if you need any further assistance!

JH
Microsoft CRM Consultant
Unitek Microsoft CRM Services