Clean solutions for tagging/categorization

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Hi everyone,

Here’s a beginner’s question to which I haven’t found a definite answer (yet).

We’re setting up a cross-departmental Dynamics CRM (Dynamics 365 (on-premises)) at our non-profit (excluding fundraising) and I am searching for the best way forward for tagging or categorizing contacts in order to pull out lists or groups for mass or individual mailings.
I was hoping to hear from other forum members about the pros and cons of different approaches.

One option I’ve found is to create an entity for tags with a relation (n:n, n:1) to contacts. It can be implemented within the standard solution (which is a pro). There’s a bit of time needed to set up entity, relations and forms, but that seems manageable and worthwhile. A possible Con is that it seems to work only (or better) with a limited set of tags.

Another option is to use a plugin, which might offer an easier user interface (e.g. no “clicking”). The Con here is the additional maintenance for the plugin and generally that it’s farther from the standard solution.

Have you seen other options with for a similar functionality or can share experiences with these?

Thanks a lot in advance.

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RE: Clean solutions for tagging/categorization

Thank you, Ryan. For now this is still beyond my capacities, but I'm taking note of this option. It does look a lot cleaner (and more like a taggin interface) than the normal grid view that shows the related records.

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Ryan Maclean 3,070 on at

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RE: Clean solutions for tagging/categorization

Building on the custom N:N solution, you could try using Advanced Multiselect for Dynamics to make a cleaner UI - github.com/.../Advanced-MultiSelect-for-Dynamics

There is a Selectize.js option in there that looks like a "tagging" solution

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RE: Clean solutions for tagging/categorization

In case anyone else is reading this: the default category entity mentioned above only addresses one specific way of categorization as it doesn't allow n:n relationships. So each contact or account can only have one category assigned.

see also this thread:

community.dynamics.com/.../204526

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RE: Clean solutions for tagging/categorization

Hi Shidin,

Thanks a lot for this summary. The pros and cons help with the decision-making and it seems Approach 1 is indeed more feasible for our project.

The tutorial for setting up and connecting a categories entity is very useful. Following some of the steps, I noticed an already existing (default) category entity. Does anything speak against using this one? Does it serve a different purpose already? (It doesn't seem so at first glance.)

In any case, many thanks!

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Shidin Haridas 3,497 on at

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RE: Clean solutions for tagging/categorization

Hi S. van Halen,

As Vladimir pointed out, there are a lot of solutions out there with advanced tagging capabilities. Almost all of these would have plugins or custom code which is Approach 2.

Thinking from your perspective, before you deploy a managed solution (especially one that is free), you need to consider the following:

1. Will this solution be available for newer versions of Dynamics CRM?

2. The importance of the data that is handled by the solution. In case you need to remove this solution, you need to backup the data etc to some other entities.

3. If going for a paid solution/product, these are simplified as you will be having a SLA with the seller.

However in case you are looking for a simple tagging/categorization procedure, I suggest Approach 1.

Create a custom entity named Categories (or anything). Build N:N relationships with all the required entities.

Here is a link explaining the same.

This method will be a better fit as you will be maintaining the customization and changes.

Here is a solution which you can try out: http://www.xrmconsultancy.com/what-we-do/tagging-for-microsoft-dynamics-crm/

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RE: Clean solutions for tagging/categorization

Hi Vlad,

Thank you for the suggestion. This seems to be falling into the second (i.e. plug-in) approach. Definitely an option to consider.

Are there also other possibilities in the standard solution? Is categorizing and grouping content really a functionality that is non-standard? Or is there's a good way to translate it into the Dynamics logic?

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RE: Clean solutions for tagging/categorization

Hi S. van Halen!

Here is a link where you can download one of solutions for tagging and categorizing contacts:
https://appsource.microsoft.com/en-us/?product=dynamics-365-business-central%3Bdynamics-365-for-customer-services%3Bdynamics-365-for-field-services%3Bdynamics-365-for-finance-and-operations%3Bdynamics-365-for-project-service-automation%3Bdynamics-365-for-sales&search=tagging

Hope it helps.

Please mark it As Answered or Verified if it did help you.

Vlad
dynamicalabs.com

Thanks

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RE: Clean solutions for tagging/categorization

maybe phrasing the question differently:

What are feasible ways to apply attributes to individual contacts in order to then filter datasets by these attributes?

Is there anyone who can share their approach? Does anyone even do something like that?

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