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Dynamics 365 Community / Forums / Microsoft Dynamics CRM (Archived) / Dynamics Connector CRM...
Microsoft Dynamics CRM (Archived)

Dynamics Connector CRM entity refresh issue

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Posted on by Wiechardt Brummer 160

Hi there

I came across a strange problem when using the Dynamics Connector with CRM 2011 and Dynamics NAV 2009 R2.

I have installed the connector, configured it and it's up and running with the supplied/default maps as well as some 15 custom maps that I have setup.  It's all working beautifully until you try and add a new field to an existing entity in CRM 2011 and try to get that field reflected in the Dynamics Connector.

The problem that after re-publishing the entity in CRM through the connector Configuration, the CRM entity would show up twice CRM entity listing section when using the "New Map" screen.  Upon selecting either one of the two causes the entire Connector to crash with the error "Reference to the Object not set".

So what I have done is this:

  1. Installed the Connector and configured CRM and NAV (in CRM I configured the default selected entities and some new entities I created).
  2. Created maps for these entities and activated the maps.  It;s all running 100%.
  3. Create a new field in CRM 2011 on the account entity, for example and publish the account entity changes.
  4. When I run the Dynamics Connector now (even after restarting the connector service and the application) the new field does not appear in a new map that I create for the NAV Customer Card to CRM account entity, so I decided to re0run the Dynamics Connector CRM configuration.
  5. I ran the Dynamics Connector application and clicked on the "Adapter Settings" button.  Selected Microsoft Dynamics CRM on the left hand side and clicked on the Configure Microsoft Dynamics CRM" link on the right hand side.
  6. In the Configuration Option I selected the "Install" option (default) and on the next page I deselected all entities and just enabled the "account" entity in the list.  I placed a checkmark in the "Skip complete configuration..." checkbox.
  7. Click Next and then I clicked on the Configure button.
  8. Configuration successfully published the account entity.

According to the Dynamics Connector manual these are the steps that one is suppose to follow to refresh the entity, but this causes the issue.

I then opened the Dynamics Connector (I restarted the connector service first) and then deleted my old NAV Customer to CRM account map and clicked on the "New Map" button - right there in the New Map feature where you select the source entity and the destination entity is where I now have two account entities in CRM in the list and no matter what I do the connector will no longer run for the CRM account entity - it will crash with the error "Reference to the object not set" and I have to delete records in the MSDI database where the ReaderObject and WriterObject = null to be able to re-open the connector application again.

This is a serious problem to me since the only way that I have been able to overcome this problem is to use the "Remove" option from the CRM Configuration in the Dynamics Connector and then re-install the connector in CRM.  The issue with this is that all the data in the connector-related fields are deleted which means the NAV data no longer links to CRM data and this causes duplication of records in CRM when re-running the maps.

Has anyone seen this?

Many thanks

Wiechardt

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I have the same question (0)
  • Wiechardt Brummer Profile Picture
    Wiechardt Brummer 160 on at

    I performed an iisreset from the command prompt, closed and re-opened the Dynamics Connector and the issue was resolved.

  • Wiechardt Brummer Profile Picture
    Wiechardt Brummer 160 on at

    I thought the iisreset and restart of the Connector resolved the issue, but it only resolves the issue for existing entities.  

    If you run the Configuration for CRM twice on the same new CRM entity it duplicates the entity in the entity listing and there is no way to get rid of the entity or fix the problem other than to disable the entire integration and re-enable it. (This is WITH the "skip complete configuration" tick enabled" when running the update of CRM configuration).

    Please can anyone shed some light on this or tell me how to get around this issue?

  • Wiechardt Brummer Profile Picture
    Wiechardt Brummer 160 on at

    To give you an idea of what this looks lie, take a look at the screenshot - notice that every time I re-publish the CRM Configuration for the "Item Vendor" entity using the CRM Configuration tool from the Dynamics Connector Adapter Settings, a new line would appear in the list creating a third "Item Vendor" entity in CRM.  You cannot create a map to any of the "Item Vendor" entities since the Connector application crashes with an error "Reference to the object not set".

    Take note that this is even with the "skip complete configuration" setting enabled when performing a refresh of the entity using the RM configuration tool.  The same does not happen for existing CRM entities.

  • Wiechardt Brummer Profile Picture
    Wiechardt Brummer 160 on at

    For some reason the image that I attached did not appear in my previous post, so I will try and upload the image again...

  • Verified answer
    Shadowing Profile Picture
    Shadowing 275 on at

    Hello Wiechardt,

    I have experimented with this too, and Im having the same problem.

    However I have found a work around for this with a few steps:

    Adding a new field to the Connector:

    1 - Back up any mapping that uses the Entity with the "Save Map to File" option.

    2 - Browse to <Dynamics path>\Microsoft Dynamics Adapter\Adapters\Microsoft.Dynamics.Integration.Adapters.Crm40\ObjectConfig\<OrgName>

    3 - Delete the config file of the Entity you wish to update.

    4 - Go to the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Adapter inside the Connector and execute the Configuraton Utility

    5 - Tick the "Skip complete configuration" option, and re-tick the entity you wish to update.

    6 - Next, Configure, Finish.

    7 - Restore your mappings by using the "Add new map from file" option (when you right-click your Integration).

    If you follow this guide there should be only one of your entity and it should be updated with the new fields.

    Good luck,

    Richard

  • Wiechardt Brummer Profile Picture
    Wiechardt Brummer 160 on at

    Hi Richard

    Thank you for response, it solved the problem!  I must have spent 3 days looking for a solution to this problem.  Thanks a million!

    Regards

    Wiechardt

  • Abhishek Divekar Profile Picture
    Abhishek Divekar 335 on at

    Hi Richard,

    This solution solve my some problems, i can add new fields into connecter. but i still i have problems in to create new entity. can you explain me how to add new entity into connecter.?

  • Shadowing Profile Picture
    Shadowing 275 on at

    Hello Abhishek,

    Adding a new Entity works just fine with the standard Dynamics Connector functionality, atleast for me. You run the Configuraton Utility for CRM and tick the new entity in the tree-list (also tick the "Skip complete configuration" option).

    This should add your new Entity to the Connector.

    Richard

  • Abhishek Divekar Profile Picture
    Abhishek Divekar 335 on at

    HI Rechard,

    Thanks for the reply its work for CRM .

    but how to add new entity from Nav 2009 R2?

  • Abhishek Divekar Profile Picture
    Abhishek Divekar 335 on at

    HI  Wiechardt,

    Can you tell me how to add new entity from Nav 2009 R2 into Dynamics connecter?

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