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DynamicsBase News
Here you will find all the latest news either direct from DynamicsBase or news we have found that we think you will be interested in.
 
Expanded range of CRM titles on our book store site - click here.
 
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011
Microsoft has launched their beta programme for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 (previously known as CRM 5). You can download the on-premise version here (note - you need a 64 bit server). To sign up for the online beta click here.
 
Dynamicsbase partners with SureStep expert
Dynamicsbase has agreed a strategic partnership with one of the UK's leading Project Management expert - Simon Robertson. Simon provides Project Management services (including SureStep and PMI methodology) across a range of projects. We expect to be announcing unique services for Microsoft Dynamics CRM projects with Simon. In the meantime you can read more here: SureStep and Project Management Services.pdf. If you wish to do discuss these services please contact us at info@dynamicsbase.com.
 
Dynamicsbase launches Rapid MSCRM
Dynamicsbase launches a rapid delivery model for new customers of Microsoft Dynamics CRM online. Costs are from £3,950 (exc. VAT and user licences). Unique features include a free preparation pack, 30 day trial licence and monthly CRM review sessions. For more information contact Dynamicsbase on 079801 75553 or email us at info@dynamicsbase.com. Click to download fact sheet here.
 
Dynamicsbase and Freshpangolin announce a strategic partnership for 2010. More details in the press release here
 
Convergence 2010 closes
 
If like me you couldn't afford the time (and money) to get to Atlanta, you will be keen to know what was said. There have been interesting announcements about CRM online and new accelerators. Here's the keynote speech by Michael Perk Michael Park, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Business Solutions Sales, Marketing and Operations.
 
Demonstration of Microsoft CRM online and Microsoft GP 2010
 
 
Microsoft releases Technical preview for 'CRM5'.
 
 
New dashboards for SQL Server 2008 from MyCRMGroup.Com
 
CRM Online gets facelift
New dashboard components for CRM online - poor en-premise customers will need to keep building their own or buying ISV solutions. For more details check out:
 
 
Update Rollup 9 now available
 
Microsoft has released Update Rollup 8 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Server, Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Microsoft Office Outlook, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Data Migration Manager, Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Language Pack, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 E-mail Router.
 
Knowledgebase article here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/977650
 
How to know which version you are currently running:
 
Open the help function from the web client. Click on About Microsoft Dynamics CRM. The resulting dialog box which will provide the version number and build number. Microsoft Dynamics CRM build number 4.0.7333.3 was the original build number.
 
VersionBuild NumberReleased on
RTM 4.0.7333.3 12/19/2007
Rollup 14.0.7333.1113 11/24/2008
Rollup 24.0.7333.1312 or
4.0.7333.1316
1/15/2009, 2/8/2009
Rollup 34.0.7333.1408 3/12/2009
Rollup 44.0.7333.1551 5/7/2009
Rollup 54.0.7333.1644 or
4.0.7333.1645
7/2/2009
Rollup 64.0.7333.17509/27/2009
Rollup 74.0.7333.213810/22/2009
Rollup 84.0.7333.254212/17/2009
Rollup 94.0.7333.264402/11/2010
Rollup 104.0.7333.274104/08/2010
Rollup 114.0.7333.2861 or
4.0.7333.2862
06/03/2010

Rollup 12

4.0.7333.2935

08/02/2010

 
Acknowledgements to David Vidmar (http://vidmar.net/weblog/)
 
How to determine the version of various Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 components:
 
Update Rollup 8 now available
 
Microsoft has released Update Rollup 8 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Server, Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Microsoft Office Outlook, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Data Migration Manager, Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Language Pack, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 E-mail Router.
 
Update Rollup 7 now available
 
Microsoft release Update Rollup 7 for Dynamics CRM - you might have missed it as they released Windows 7 the same day. This is an important update for the Outlook client so make sure you check out the improved performance from UR 7.
 
 
Remember, update rollups are cumulative so you can install UR 7 even if you missed 5 or 6.
 
Microsoft CRM UK User Group Meeting
 
Next to be held on October 29th at Microsoft offices in Thames Valley Park, Reading. Full details available from the CRM user group web site.
 
 
Microsoft CRM 4 adapter for BizTalk 2009 available
 
Microsoft Dynamics Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 adapter for BizTalk Server now supports BizTalk Server 2009 and the updated adapter is available for immediate public download:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=abd3bb9e-a59a-4eb6-8de8-fb25b77926d7

What is it?

The Microsoft® BizTalk® Server Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics® CRM 4.0 provides the following operations:

1. Availability of Microsoft Dynamics CRM as a send Adapter

2. Discovery and usage of actions/entities schemas for different Microsoft Dynamics CRM organizations.

Users can utilize the above capabilities of the adapter to connect Microsoft Dynamics CRM to other applications via BizTalk server using the BizTalk server orchestration/mapping capabilities.

 

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 5 Features
Simon Hutson gives a great overview of new features which are likely to be in the next version of Dynamics CRM. For more details follow this link:
 
 
Hot off the press.
 
The Microsoft World Partner Conference (https://partner.microsoft.com/40018508) is underway in New Orleans. No, we're not there but hopefully next time! We hear that Microsoft have announced 1 million users of Dynamics CRM - great news!  Here is the official press release link http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/jul09/07-13xRMInitiativePR.mspx?rss_fdn=Press%20Releases. Perhaps what is more interesting is Micosoft pushing the xRM initiative. Interested in how cusotmers will view this. Let us know info@dynamicsbase.com
 
Mobile Express or Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 released
 
Extend Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 to your users mobile devices. Check out this easy to use and setup tool with the link below.
 
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 Rollup Update 5 released.
 
These are arriving regularly now (every eight weeks). Remember that these are cumulative so you can skip an update and get all the latest 'fixes' with the next one. Here is the link to download it:
If you are considering implementing this, try it on a virtual server or test environment first. Then make sure you have a complete backup of your databases and your application server.
 
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 Rollup Update 6 released.
 
Remember that these are cumulative so you can skip an update and get all the latest 'fixes' with the next one. Here is the link to download it:
 
If you are considering implementing this, try it on a virtual server or test environment first. Then make sure you have a complete backup of your databases and your application server. Check whether you need to make upgrades to other components such as the Outlook client, email router etc.
 
Microsoft Dynamics CRM UK User Group
 
http://www.crmusergroup.co.uk/. Note the next UK user group forum is 29th October at the Microsoft offices in Thames Valley Park, Reading from 1pm to 5pm.

The meeting is open to all Microsoft Dynamics CRM customers and partners and is free of charge. To make a booking or for further details contact Rod Gordon; e-mail: rod@gordonassociates.co.uk; phone: 01242 529820.

 

Microsoft Ties Dynamics CRM to Twitter

It's now possible to link Dynamics CRM to Twitter using the social networking accelerator. Interesting to see how clients would see the value of this.

 

The integration, announced Thursday, is also meant to help Dynamics users boost their sales databases. Twitter usernames can be converted into a Dynamics CRM customer record or sales lead, to which more data, such as a phone number, can be added over time.

 
 
 Microsoft Dynamics CRM cline for the iPhone
I don't have an iPhone but I can see this being a very popular add on - good for demos too. Can be bought directly from iTunes store or from a CRM partner reseller. Anyway, to find out more go here: www.numenes.com