To set up a notification system in Dynamics 365 CRM to alert users of updates to records they follow, you can use a combination of Following, Power Automate, and In-app Notifications. Here's a step-by-step guide:
A. Enable Record Following
Ensure that users can follow records:
Navigate to Settings > Administration > System Settings.
Under the General tab, make sure the "Enable following in Activity Feeds" option is enabled.
B. Use Power Automate for Real-Time Notifications
You can configure a Power Automate flow to send real-time notifications when changes occur to specific entities.
Steps to Create the Flow:
1. Create a Flow in Power Automate:
Go to Power Automate and create a new flow.
Choose the When a row is modified trigger for Dataverse.
2. Select Entities to Monitor:
In the trigger, specify the entities you want to monitor (e.g., Accounts, Contacts, Leads, Opportunities).
3. Filter Changes for Followed Records:
Add a condition to check if the modified record is being followed by the user. This can be achieved using the Follow entity in Dataverse.
Query the Follow table to find users following the record and match it to the triggering user.
4. Send Notifications:
Use the Send an in-app notification or Send an email notification action to alert users.
In-app Notification: Configure it to display the record name, type of change, and a link to the record.
Email Notification: Customize an email with the details of the change.
5. Customize Notification Content:
Include dynamic content in the notification, such as:
Record Name
Changed fields and their values
A direct link to the record.
6. Test the Flow:
Make updates to a test record and verify that the appropriate users receive notifications.
C. Advanced Options (Optional)
For more advanced scenarios, consider:
Custom Plugins or Workflows: If you need complex logic, a plugin can be used to monitor record changes and push notifications to users.
