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Microsoft Dynamics CRM (Archived)

Usability challenges using data entities as user interfaces

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Posted on by 35

 Hi everyone,

My organisation is currently setting up Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0.

As part of this, MS CRM should support some of our internal teams and their processes. These processes are quite complex but have common elements like sending/receiving correspondence, capturing data, and facilitating decision making.

We're at the stage where most data entities for all processes in the organisation have been set up. Using the data entity forms as user interfaces seems to work for some steps in some of the processes. However, a form used for one entity might work for one process but not for another process (too much/not enough information, sequence of fields etc).

The relationships between data entities also seems to dictate the navigation structure which potentially doesn't match user/s mental models. Especially looking at many-to-many and one-to-many relationships, a user can end up with quite a few (modeless) windows on the screen and loose orientation.

I'd appreciate any advice or experience with this situation.
Is there a way of configuring CRM in a way it becomes more user-friendly? What is your view on writing custom .NET forms?

Many thanks,
Steph

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  • Community Member Profile Picture
    on at

    Steph,
    Thanks for submitting your question to the community forums. I feel this question will be a better fit in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM community forum. I have moved moved this post, please let me know if you have any questions.

  • Al McD Profile Picture
    1,215 on at

    Many of our users complained about all the windows, and we are just using the basic forms.  I experimented with forcing IE to open all links on a new tab instead of window, but then you end up with too many tabs.  Its not quite as cluttered as having them all over the desktop, but still not as clean as we would have liked.

    We also experimented with the codeplex shareware call "grid actions".  It allows you to create activities right from the grid without having to open the contact/account/lead window. 

     

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