A CRM Riff

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Implementation Guide

2010-03-17T15:04:42Z

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Implementation Guide (IG) has been available on TechNet since last year. The IG is comprised of 3 major areas: Planning Guide Installing Guide Operating and Maintaining Guide These guides are key documentations to plan, install and operate a successful CRM solution. There is a lot of great information around requirements gathering, planning, deploying the Outlook Client and more. Some of the materials included are: Here’s the link: http://technet.microsoft...(read more)

Microsoft issues vouchers for online training

2010-03-11T17:00:24Z

How cool is this? :O) San Francisco Chronicle : “Microsoft Corp. will offer thousands of Californians free training in its office software programs and distribute 18,500 vouchers to provide computer professionals with a no-cost way to upgrade their skills under a program introduced Wednesday in Mountain View. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited the company's Mountain View offices to thank local Microsoft chief Dan'l Lewin for including California in the free training program, called...(read more)

My Fav Spell Checker - ieSpell

2010-03-09T16:56:38Z

My favorite spell checker for my Internet Explorer browser is called ieSpell and it’s available for free. I have installed it on all the computers I use. I use it on Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online , Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and the Dynamics forums ; anyplace you have a text box you can right-click and check your spelling. Here’s their spiel: ieSpell is a free Internet Explorer browser extension that spell checks text input boxes on a webpage. It should come in particularly handy for users who...(read more)

Cool Video: Microsoft on Cloud Computing

2010-03-05T16:09:00Z

Steve Ballmer talks at the University of Washington about Microsoft’s cloud computing strategy . Can you define ‘cloud computing’? tweetmeme_style = 'compact'; tweetmeme_source = 'MSdynamicsCRM';...(read more)

CRM MVP Curtis Plays the Blues

2010-03-04T16:15:41Z

At the Microsoft MVP Global Summit this year, someone caught Curtis Spanburgh doin’ his thang. I wish we’d caught him on video when he sat in with the combo for a couple of songs at the CRM Team Dinner event. tweetmeme_style = 'compact'; tweetmeme_source = 'MSdynamicsCRM';...(read more)

J.D. Meyer: Getting Results the Agile Way

2010-03-01T20:39:24Z

From our man J.D. Meier, Principal Program Manager on the Microsoft Patterns & Practices team: “Are you getting results? …” Over Christmas break, I committed to finishing the writing for a book that I expect to change a lot of people’s lives. It’s my first non-technical book. The working title is, Getting Results the Agile Way. It’s all about getting results in work and life. It’s the playbook I wish somebody had given me long ago for finding work/life balance, managing time, playing to my strengths...(read more)

DataTraveler® 310, the first 256GB USB Flash drive

2010-02-24T16:39:22Z

A Keith Combs’ Blahg , ramblings from another nerd on the grid, post caught my eye this morning. Dual Boot on a stick? Kingston launches 256GB DT310 announced a really cool flash drive with mega space, fast transfer times, and password protection. Check it out at http://www.kingston.com/press/2010/flash/02d.asp ....(read more)

Beatnik’s Microsoft Dynamics CRM Blog: Duplicate Detection with Phonetic Matching

2010-02-23T16:55:20Z

A friend of mine Anne Stanton pointed us to Beatnik’s (aka Mario Raunig) post Pimp Your Duplicate Detection with Phonetic Matching (Soundex) . Since Duplicate Detection has been the discussion of a number of forum threads on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM forums , I thought I would point you to Mario’s site. Here is his intro paragraph as a teaser: Ever wanted to get some more "fuzziness" in your detection rules? Then Soundex as a phonetic algorithm will be your friend. There are some caveats...(read more)

Microsoft Partner: CA’s Home Page

2010-02-22T18:27:27Z

I happened to be look at CA’s home page today and saw this: Wonder how many slides will include the Titanic or the Naavi. :O) tweetmeme_style = 'compact'; tweetmeme_source = 'MSdynamicsCRM';...(read more)

Update Rollup 9 Special Cases Support

2010-02-19T16:47:01Z

On the CRM Team Blog post titled Update Rollup 9 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 I noticed the following: How to get support for Update Rollup 9 To get support please contact Microsoft Product Support. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[LN];CNTACTMS Note: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may...(read more)

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online to Go Overseas

2010-02-18T22:46:22Z

I was reminded of this again today and thought, I should blog that! :O) “Microsoft plans to expand the number of countries where it offers the hosted version of its Dynamics CRM product, which has proved popular in the U.S. and Canada, where it is already offered. Dynamics CRM (customer relationship management) Online will be offered in Western Europe and parts of Asia in the second half of next year, said Marie Huwe, general manager for Microsoft Dynamics marketing. A Down-to-Earth look at...(read more)

Microsoft Dynamics CRM MVPs arrive at MVP Summit

2010-02-15T20:15:35Z

From the Microsoft MVP Award Program blog we hear: “1300 of the world's top leaders from the technical community will spend four days at the Microsoft Corporate headquarters in Redmond, Washington this week for the 2010 Most Valuable Professionals (MVP) Global Summit. Microsoft’s MVP Award Program is in its 17th year, with MVPs representing 96 countries, speaking 37 different languages and spanning 94 Microsoft technology areas. The Summit gives Microsoft's product groups an extraordinary...(read more)

Tips & Tricks: Dynamics Convergence 2010 - in Atlanta

2010-02-08T19:47:05Z

I just got done booking my flight and hotel for the Convergence 2010 conference in Atlanta. Although it is 24-27 April this year, getting great hotels and cheap air flights should be done now. And there still are some great hotels with some very decent rates for the remaining rooms. And super saver prices are still available for early bookers. Here’s hoping you come to my session on the CRM Community this year. I’ll also be in the Dynamics Community Lounge. More to follow as I work on my presentation...(read more)

Measuring Our Work by Its Broad Impact

2010-02-05T16:25:58Z

I was very impressed by Microsoft VP Frank Shaw’s response to former Microsoft employee Dick Brass’ strident op-ed in the NYT. Actually, I am often very impressed with Frank. He sez: “Former Microsoft employee Dick Brass has an op-ed in the NYT arguing that our better days are behind us, (“clumsy, uncompetitive innovator” . . . ouch!) and using examples from his tenure to make the point that the company can no longer compete or innovate. Obviously, we disagree. :) But his piece does represent a good...(read more)

TripIt Review

2010-02-03T18:12:10Z

More and more of my friends are using the TripIt platform/service. You can use it privately but share out individual schedules to coworkers, family and friends or use it privately for you own tracking. I don’t travel us much as I used to, but when I do I often end up cobbling some info for the other people involved. This service pulls hotel, airline, and rental cars info all together into one report. I started using this a year ago, or more. It is one of those rare services that I have continued...(read more)

More Nuts and Bolts Goodness

2010-02-02T17:25:52Z

The Nuts and Bolts article Outlook Synchronization in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 , which is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=2d497348-0a10-40ce-8edb-b0ee85f1215e Outlook synchronization enables Outlook users to view Dynamics CRM information, including contacts, tasks, phone calls, letters, faxes, appointments, and e-mails, within the Outlook interface. This document describes the client synchronization...(read more)

Microsoft Showcase Videos

2010-01-29T17:18:38Z

I’m in the process of looking at how my readers can find the most interesting and pertinent videos. The new (relatively) Microsoft Showcase Video has a lot Microsoft Dynamics CRM videos including this one from the Customer Relationship Management Summit. I like how this video talks you through the thought process for picking Microsoft Dynamics CRM. It is very in depth for a CRM 101 type of video. Make sure you expand the video to full screen to see the slides better. Have a great weekend! tweetmeme_style...(read more)

Bill Gates on the Daily Show

2010-01-28T17:08:54Z

I caught this Monday showing finally last night. I record them but you can see it online at http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/mon-january-25-2010-bill-gates . It would appear retirement doesn’t mean the same thing to Bill as it does to most people. He’s only 54 and apparently kickin’ butt in the world of charity. The Gates foundation is continuing to bring innovations in health and learning to the global community. tweetmeme_style = 'compact'; tweetmeme_source = 'MSdynamicsCRM';...(read more)

J.D. Meier: What, Who, and How

2010-01-26T19:21:25Z

From J.D. Meier’s Blog post titled ‘ Career Growth ’: Read more … tweetmeme_style = 'compact'; tweetmeme_source = 'MSdynamicsCRM';...(read more)

Connect and collaborate with other partners and Microsoft

2010-01-25T18:51:48Z

The new Microsoft Partner Network Community is designed to facilitate real-time networking opportunities between people selling or building Microsoft solutions, Microsoft partners and Microsoft. It looks like, at first glance, that the community offers a number of ways for you to engage with your peers and Microsoft globally or directly within your region. You can: 1. See what’s happening in your local community and region, attend partner events and engage in social media with people in your community...(read more)

Top 5 sites to measure your Twitter clout

2010-01-20T16:34:00Z

Alltop’s Holy Kaw talks about measuring your clout on Twitter. With so many people using new social media channels, experimenting with the new paradigm, this is a good read. My team was talking about the changes in communication. I’ve already noted that most people under 30 no longer own a land line opting instead for a cell phone. Now I’m hearing about kids under 20 no longer using email in favor of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. No, no I *do not* feel like an oldster. Really! :o...(read more)

Channel 9: The Visual Studio Documentary

2010-01-14T16:47:28Z

There are so many great sources of information out there that sometimes you might miss something. It’s like a stream of data coming at you that is so full, it threatens to consume all your time. The most savvy readers have various filters to let only the most interesting information, videos, and blogs through. When I saw “ The Visual Studio Documentary: Tony Goodhew full length interview ” I knew I had to share it with my peeps. Tony Goodhew has been a major part of the success of the Visual Studio...(read more)

I luv Bing

2010-01-11T16:00:05Z

Bing wins a Crunchies Award as best technology achievement of 2009. tweetmeme_style = 'compact'; tweetmeme_source = 'MSdynamicsCRM';...(read more)

“CRM at the Speed of Light” – Paul Greenberg

2010-01-07T20:22:47Z

"I have a saying that one always overestimates what can be done in one year and underestimates what can be done in ten years. We see this over and over..." Paul Greenberg in " CRM at the Speed of Light , 4th Edition". So begins my reading of Paul’s newest book. You can see his Biography here . The book promises us new ways to look at CRM in the light of an Internet with rampant growth of things like blogging and social media sites like LinkedIn and Facebook . CRM’s promise is...(read more)