CRM 2011–Changing the Form Header and Footer Colors

Color , can turn anyone down. Most of the times even if we are not feeling good , looking at sky or looking at greenery makes us feel better. Is it not ??... Now people may say how is it related to Dynamics CRM. In times for people who always work on Dynamics CRM may get bored always looking at Grey or Silver color(Default Color). Since people work long in sales , marketing and service activities or any other solution which is extended to meet client requirements in Dynamics CRM a change in the themes bringing color of their interest may make things more interesting and attractive and people may have fun working which may inturn take off their stress and strain.!! If you want to have fun at work try this!!

CRM Screen Before

 

CRM Screen After

· This can be achieved by adding CSS web resource file.

· Settings-->customization-->Customize the System-->Web ResourceàNew (Code given in below link)

· Browser Support : IE 7 +

http://blog.customereffective.com/blog/2011/08/crm-2011changing-the-form-header-and-footer-colors.html

Credits to Paul for sharing this!!

Good Time!!

Lohit

Complete Activities in the Mobile Express Client - Just Configuring & No Coding

• One of the limitations in Mobile Express Client for CRM 2011 is that we cannot complete the activities after meeting with clients while on field or at customer premises.

•    According to MS mentioned during WPC this will be taken care in upcoming releases of CRM 2011.
•    Till then ??...We can use this workaround as suggested by Leon in his blog. (i.e. Taking Appointment activity )
•    Make the required activity visible from Entity location for mobile express. (Setting -->Customization-->Customize the system -->Entity (Select the activity))

•    For existing activities only thing that can be done is adding “NOTE” as it cannot be edited through Mobile Express

•    We can write a workflow so that whenever the "Note Title" has completed in it. MSDCRM 2011 automatically closes the activity based on the Description entered.

So, after the meeting sales representatives just need to type the Note as completed with their comments and thats it. Dynamics CRM will do the rest of updating the Activity status to completed.

To see an example of how to do it for "Appointments" check the link.
http://leontribe.blogspot.com/2011/08/codeless-way-to-complete-activities-in.html

Enjoy Selling! Cheers!!

CRM Online Test Drive

Recently Microsoft released MSDCRM 2011 Online Test drive for helping us to utilize the 30 day trial to understand most of CRM online functionality with appropriate support and guidance.

key steps to a successful experience starting from the initial setup to using Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Online with our data are as follows :

·         MS Outlook with CRM 2011 Online :

ü  Users can manage CRM 2011 directly within outlook. (i.e. Mails , Tasks , Appointments , Contacts , Accounts)

ü  Converting Email to Lead , opportunity and Cases

ü  Manage CRM offline

·         Streamlining CRM 2011 Online :

ü  User interface that allows you to easily create, edit, and delete entities and fields.

ü  Point and Click functionality available

·         Configuring Business Units and Security Roles :

ü  Configuring & Setting up business hierarchy structure by splitting up departments

ü  Configuring and providing access to users depending on their roles.

·         Creating Workflows :

ü  Automating business processes in CRM 2011 from CRM 2011 online UI.

·         Data Import :

ü  Creating data maps and importing data

·         Extending CRM 2011 :

ü  Extending CRM 2011 with the use of Jscript, plug-ins, Iframes, API, and CRM 2011 SDK

·         Additional Resources :

Online videos for all the functionality existing within CRM 2011 including some videos for learning how to extend CRM 2011

For more info :

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/crm/archive/2011/08/05/microsoft-dynamics-crm-2011-online-test-drive-guide.aspx

MSCRM in Blackberry

1. Download Blackberry Simulator from https://swdownloads.blackberry.com/Downloads/browseSoftware.do;jsessionid=876C5210CCDA4145FCD5AB95E0DFBB1D.node1

2. Enter your CRM Online URL i.e https://mphasis2.crm.dynamics.com/

Ready to Test different functionalities available in Blackberry!!..Enjoyy!!

Some Sample Screens!

CRM Journey – Some points from a useful Article

·         In recent few years, biggest change which took place is transformation to the cloud.

·         Businesses are using Twitter, Face book and YouTube as few of the websites where they advertise about their businesses, communicate and reach new  customers.

 

·         Microsoft has announced that their fall CRM release will contain a native social CRM application.

·         Access CRM on Mobile : Wi-Fi is starting to become the standard on flights. So even at 37,000 feet you can still track your CRM email activities real-time.

·         Transition of  product lines to support mobility and a more immersive end-user experience (like touch) will be soon introduced for MSCRM also called as“Metro” user interface.

·         So what is METRO”  à The Windows Phone 7 Series User Interface (UI) is based off a Windows Phone design system internally codenamed “Metro.” The Metro design principles center on a look that uses type to echo the visual language of airport and metro system signage. The goal is to clearly direct end users to the content they want. The Windows Phone 7 Series User Interface (UI) is based off a Windows Phone design system internally codenamed “Metro.” The Metro design principles center on a look that uses type to echo the visual language of airport and metro system signage. The goal is to clearly direct end users to the content they want.

·         One of the core concepts to the Metro experience is Live Tiles. Live Tiles deliver real-time information to the user in an interactive type fashion. As an example, if someone posts a message on your Facebook wall that message will appear within the Live Tile for Facebook on your Windows 8, Windows Phone and/or Xbox dashboard

·         Live Tiles allow developers to present real-time information to all of the hardware interfaces you might use on a daily basis (phones, computers and gaming consoles).

·         Microsoft understands our world is changing fast. If consumers are living on Facebook, watching Live TV on Xbox or conferencing via Skype then we need to be able to communicate and track relevant content with them. Mobile phones, tablets, laptops, desktops and gaming consoles are here today. Tomorrow will be another new technology device. Microsoft continues to innovate with all of their existing products to support these changes and Microsoft Dynamics CRM is no exception. So , lets move to the new world where things are at our fingertips and accessible with ease..!!

Links for Refenrence

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/crm/archive/2011/08/17/the-crm-journey-what-s-next.aspx

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_phone/b/wpdev/archive/2010/03/18/windows-phone-7-series-ui-design-amp-interaction-guide.aspx

Tips for successful CRM Implementation

Many times it happens that organization looking for CRM implementation does not have a clear understanding of their goals & desired outcomes. This may lead to less satisfied customer on such type of CRM implementation if below points are not taken into consideration before, during & after implementation.

·         Develop a vision and define scope of CRM implementation in the organization

·         Identify the areas where CRM application will be required.

·         Identify expected business outcomes, key users , data to be managed from the areas mentioned.

·         Set the scope for integration systems with CRM application.

·         CRM Requirement gathering should be done by keeping in consideration the vision and scope of CRM which has been defined.

·         Document key business processes

·         Focusing on reducing data entry & providing right information to right users

As the time passes products , services , selling methodologies will change. A process is needed to be established to review all these changes and determine its impact on CRM investment.

A new look at Dynamics CRM Community page

Related Link

è http://www.crmsoftwareblog.com/2011/02/3-tips-for-a-successful-crm-implementation/ è http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics/crm/bb501031.aspx

Magic Quadrant for Sales Force Automation

·         Microsoft's software-as-a-service offering enters the Magic Quadrant for the first time.

·         Microsoft now has more than 1.7 million users, with continued good global business growth

·         Microsoft combines committed service levels, contract flexibility and a low price ($34 per user per month).

·         Support exists for 40 markets in 41 languages.

·         There is interoperability with other Microsoft products, such as SharePoint and Windows Azure.

For more details : http://www.gartner.com/technology/media products/reprints/microsoft/vol14/article23/article23.html