MSCRM Dynamics

I recently encountered a post in the CRM Dynamics Forum.  The post referenced a fairly odd error message, “Failure: contact_activity_parties: Cascade link type 'NoCascade' is invalid for Delete.” that resulted when a user was trying to import Customizations from one environment to another.

Since this is an error message that I hadn’t previously encountered, my first thought after reading the post was that the issue might be related to not importing the related entities.  Attempting to import an entity that has a dependency on another entity and not including the related entity in the import file is a common issue that occurs.  Changes to related entities like the Account or some other related entity might have been made that create a new dependency between the two entities and the system now needs to have both entities imported.  I provided that as my first suggestion, but still no joy.

Shortly after providing the advice, I came across another post where an individual was experiencing the exact same issue.  The good news is that the user offered a fix for the issue.  The issue is related to a fairly well-known requirement.  The requirement for importing customization files is that both environments must be on the same Update Rollup.  In this scenario, the user was trying to import a customization file from a environment with Update Rollup 10 into an environment that had Update Rollup 11. 

Fortunately the fix for this issue was easy.  Simply apply Update Rollup 11 to the environment that lacked the update and the import worked as expected.

I hope this helps anyone experiencing this issue.

Cheers

In most environments, CRM reports uses a Shared Data Source for retrieving and viewing report data.    This data source helps to determine the type of data a CRM user can access when viewing a report. 

There are some scenarios when the CRM System Administrator might want to override security and allow all users access to the data return for a report.  For example, some user’s may only have rights to view Account record data that they own.  The System Administrator might create a report that shows a map of all the Accounts in CRM by State, County, Zip Code, etc.  The Management Team wants all CRM users to be able to view that data ‘On Demand’ and not be restricted by Security Role conditions.

One way to achieve the above is to modify the CRM report’s datasource.  Here are the steps:

• Go to your SQL Server Reporting Services Home page.  The URL should be something like http://CRM_SQL_Server_Name/reports/pages/folder.aspx
• In the top right corner select Show Details
• Select your CRM Organization folder that contains your list of CRM reports
• Select the 4.0 folder
• Find the report that you want to edit
• Select the Edit icon to the left of the report

• Select Data Sources from the left navigation menu

• After selecting the Data Source link, you’ll see that the report is using the MSCRM data source which is a shared Data Source for the CRM application

• Just below the “shared data source” option, you’ll notice a “custom data source” option.  We’ll use this option to change the data source used by the report.
• Select the “custom data source option” from the menu
• Select Microsoft SQL Server from the Connection Type picklist options
• Enter “Data Source=CRM_SQLServer_Name;Initial Catalog=CRM_Org_Name”
• In the next option, select, “Credentials stored securely in the report server”.
• Enter a User Name like the CRM System Administrator or any other user that has full access to all the CRM data
• Enter the User’s Password
• Select the check to “Use as Windows credentials when connecting to the data source
• Select Apply
• Your Data Source Connection properties should look similar to this

Your changes should be saved and you are ready to test the report from CRM.  You can test the report by having someone who does not have security rights to the data run the report and confirm that he or she can view the data from the report as expected.

Have a look at the links below if you would like to learn more about SQL Server Reporting Services in relationship to CRM and discover the many possibilities.

How it Works: SQL Server Reporting Services and Dynamics CRM

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 - Report Wizard with John O'Donnell

Create a report in 15 minutes or less

Dashboards Made Easy With Reporting Services

Cheers,

Donna

You might be wondering why am I taking the time to blog about Microsoft Windows 7.  The reason is because I am  absolutely thrilled with Microsoft’s latest Operating System.  

Not only is the performance exceptionally better than any of the previous operating systems, but the updated features significantly improve my ability to get my work done more quickly.  I am able to spend more of my available working hours completing work related activities and responsibilities which results in improved productivity.  I actually look forward to what I am going to discover next that will help me work more quickly and efficiently rather than wondering when I might experience the next potential OS or software delay or crash. 

The Action Center is one example of a new feature I use several times a week.  Here is a screen shot:

So what’s so great about this feature?  Well, with just a few mouse clicks, I have a solution to an issue downloaded and installed.  Yes, that’s right, in case you didn’t catch it the first time; in less than 3 mouse clicks, depending on the issue, I have a solution downloaded and installed.  That doesn’t just apply to Microsoft software.  It applies to third-party applications like Skype, Adobe and other commonly used software as well as hardware and drivers. 

In order to find the solution, I simply select the View Message Details button from the Action Center or select the Action Center icon from my Taskbar……

Taskbar icon for the message Center

Result when icon is selected

……… and voila, I have a link to the exact solution I need to address the issue.  All I need to do is select the link provided, download and install the solution.

What I no longer have to spend time doing is search the Internet with cryptic error message phrases, continually modify the phrase to try and find a more relevant result set, dig through irrelevant posts, or try using the link from the error message in the Application Log  “For more information, see Help and Support Center” (which never seems to have a solution for the issues I encounter, sorry Microsoft but its true) until I simply surrender because I can’t find a solution, so I can get back to work . 

The time and frustration I save with this new feature alone is well worth the price of the Operating System and this is only one of several features that I really like.  My computer runs better, I have fewer issues, I have considerably more time to spend on more important tasks and everyone I know who has installed Windows 7 is just as happy as I am. 

For me, it is a huge Win / Win success story!  Not only am I able to spend my time on work related tasks, but my work morale is improved because my system is more reliable.  Who would have thought that Microsoft could impact the employee morale of a ‘non’ Microsoft employee.  Well, Windows 7 did just that for me!

For all you Dynamics CRM implementers, administrators, end users, etc., I encourage you to update to Windows 7 because regardless of the role you play, your experience and interaction with the Dynamics CRM application and your end user’s experience will quantifiably improve. 

My hat’s off to the Microsoft Team, you nailed it!

Want to give your user’s something to get excited about and encourage them to upgrade to Microsoft Office 2010, then Power Pivot might be the catalyst to make that happen.  

I read a few articles about the new Power Pivot features in Excel 2010. I have several users who love the ability to dynamically create Pivot reports from Dynamics CRM so I try to stay informed about changes to Excel's integration with Dynamics CRM. Last week, I spent about 30 minutes checking out some great tutorials on Microsoft Excel Power Pivot and Microsoft Dynamics CRM.  It is very impressive and I would have to say that it definitely has the "WOW" factor.  This is great stuff!

Power Pivot provides the ability to have a fully automated connection to the Dynamics CRM database. Connecting to the database doesn’t get any easier than this. You can train virtually any user to make the connection and find what they need in just a few minutes.

Creating ODBC connections, modifying hidden properties of the queries, and working through several steps to drill down to the data needed is a thing of the past. Now, in less than 5 steps, the user can not only connect to a filtered view but also automatically connect to the related tables with no extra effort. Yep, that’s right; data from all the related tables is also included if the user selects that option. Your users don’t have to know about joins, modifying queries or take any other actions to pull back the data. Power Pivot does all the heavy lifting. There is also an option to write queries for the Power Users so they don’t have to use the Wizard if they don’t want to.

Here is a couple of screenshots to pique your interest.

Power Pivot Button in Excel

Power Pivots, Easy Connect Feature

Import Wizard - CRM SQL Connection

Data Retrieval Options

Data Import Wizard

In just five easy clicks, I am connected and importing Dynamics CRM data for analysis. In my humble opinion, Microsoft knocked this one out of the park!!

The biggest challenge you might have in opening this world of data to your user’s is teaching them what all that data means and to remember to connect to the filtered views and not the base tables.

Install Microsoft Office 2010 and download Power Pivot today to experience the true power of your Dynamics CRM data today! Don’t forget to visit the Power Pivot Learning site to view demos, experience Hands-On Labs, and more. You will discover just how easy it is to get up and running quickly. I think this is a Definite, Must Have for any Sale’s Person’s demo environment.

Have you visited the Microsoft Dynamics CRM site on MSDN lately?  If not, then you might be pleasantly surprised by all the content that is available.  The site offers links and information for an amazing amount of subject matter to include: Getting Started with Dynamics CRM, Developer Tools, PartnerSource, CustomerSource, CRM Forums, CRM Community, CRM Resource Center, links to Support, Downloads and more. 

I spent a little time today surfing the site and within 5 minutes came across this great link to Tricks and Tips from People Who Use Microsoft Dynamics CRM on the CRM Resource Center.  I navigated to the link and discovered one page with some great 'real world' tips for Dynamics CRM Users.  On just one page you can find helpful tips for debugging plug-ins, JavaScript examples and suggestions for managing code, shortcuts and more. 

If you haven't visited the Microsoft Dynamics CRM site on MSDN lately, then you are definitely missing out on up-to-date relevant and useful information for all CRM Dynamics implementers, administrators, developers and end users.  The site is definitely a candidate to consider adding to your browser's Home Page list.