What's New in Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008? Free Clinic

In this clinic, you will learn about the new and enhanced features included in SQL Server 2008. You will explore the new data types and the data management features. Additionally, you will learn about the enhanced Integration Services, Analysis Services, and Reporting Services included in SQL Server 2008. This online clinic is composed of a rich multimedia experience.To get the most out of this clinic, it is recommended that you have:

- Knowledge of general SQL database concepts that are largely independent of a specific version of SQL Server.
- Knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 features.
- Knowledge of deploying and upgrading database solutions.
- Knowledge of how to solve performance issues related to SQL Server hardware.
- Performed the job role of a SQL Server 2005 database administrator or database developer.
- Product or technology experience in Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or SQL Server 2005.

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Dynamics CRM User Group (CRMUG)

The Dynamics CRM User Group (CRMUG) is an association of companies sharing the common interest of optimizing their usage of Microsoft Dynamics CRM. This independent community of users gets together (remotely and face-to-face) through a myriad of conferences, virtual tools, and programs to share knowledge and best practices.

Membership and active participation in CRMUG can make all the difference in the effective use of your Dynamics CRM software.Serving individuals and companies with the commonality of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, CRMUG:

- Is a forum for learning and professional development
- Provides collaboration, networking, and knowledge sharing
- Is a source for unbiased information
- Is an advocate for member needs and priorities
- Serves as a collective voice ("pipeline") to MBS and Dynamics CRM Partners and Vendors
- Promotes awareness of Dynamics CRM functionality, products, and services, as well as ancillary/partner products and services

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Update Rollup 2 Questions & Answers

Question: Does Update Rollup 2 contain all fixes that were included in Update Rollup 1 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0?
Answer: Yes, absolutely. Microsoft Knowledge Base article 927751 will list all fixes “new to Update Rollup 2”, and will provide a reference to Microsoft Knowledge Base article 922815, which lists all fixes shipped via Update Rollup 1.

Question: Can Update Rollup 2 be uninstalled?
Answer: No, it can’t. Please note that Update Rollup 2 cannot be uninstalled, and that you should back up your OrganizationName_MSCRM and OrganizationName_Metabase databases prior to installation of Update Rollup 2.

Question: Is there anything special about Update Rollup 2 regarding hotfixes released after Update Rollup 2?
Answer: Yes, there is. Update Rollup 2 is a prerequisite for future Microsoft Dynamics CRM hotfixes. It establishes a new baseline, so your clients and servers must have Update Rollup 2 installed prior to installation of post-Update Rollup 2 hotfixes. Post-Update Rollup 2 hotfixes will be uninstallable.

Question: What about “Daylight Saving Time?”
Answer: Update Rollup 2 contains the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Daylight Saving Time tools described in Microsoft Knowledge Base articles 925874: An update for the 2007 daylight saving time changes is available for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 and for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 client for Outlook and 932984: How to make the 2007 daylight saving time changes by using the Update Time Zones Wizard for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0.
If you are unfamiliar with the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Daylight Saving Time tools, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the above-mentioned Microsoft Knowledge Base articles. And if you haven't already run the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Update Time Zones Wizard, we encourage you to do so to make sure that Microsoft Dynamics CRM entities with date/time stamps that fall in the period when daylight saving time is ending have their times adjusted appropriately.

Question: Are there any Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Online Help Updates available?
Answer: Absolutely yes, and we encourage you to update your help files! Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Online Help Updates for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server and Microsoft Dynamics CRM client for Outlook 3.0, including the Service Provider Edition, are also available for download. Please refer to the Microsoft CRM 3.0 Online Help Update.

Question: Does Microsoft Dynamics CRM Update Rollup 2 provide Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Sales for Outlook compatibility with Windows Vista and Office 2007?
Answer: No, it doesn’t. For Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 client for Outlook compatibility with Office 2007 and Windows Vista, refer to the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 client for Microsoft Office Outlook Compatibility Updates for the On premise and Service Provider Edition versions of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0. Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Update Rollup client packages do include fixes for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 clients for Microsoft Office Outlook Compatibility Update, but only if the Compatibility Client is already installed.

Question: What about availability of Update Rollups for Chinese (Simplified) and Japanese versions of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0?
Answer: We plan on distributing a beta version of Update Rollup 1 for Chinese and Japanese versions of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 approximately June 29th, 2007 to external pre-release testers. The estimated public release date is August 1st, 2007. This rollup will contain the most impactful fixes provided by Update Rollups 1 and 2 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 On premise version. If you are interested in participating in the pre-release testing program, please send requests or nominations to crmsepm@microsoft.com.

Question: What about availability of Update Rollups for the Service Provider Edition of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0?
Answer: We plan on distributing a beta version of Update Rollup 1 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Service Provider Edition approximately July 23rd, 2007 to external pre-release testers. The estimated public release date is September 1st, 2007. This rollup will contain the most impactful fixes provided by Update Rollups 1 and 2 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 On premise version. If you are interested in participating in the pre-release testing program, please send requests or nominations to crmsepm@microsoft.com.

Question: Is there anything special I need to know about export and import of customizations?
Answer: Yes, there is. When customizations were exported from a Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 server running a Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Update Rollup, importing the customizations to a Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 server that does not have the same version of the Update Rollup installed is not supported. Such an attempt will produce an error message such as “The selected schema file does not conform with the requested format. There has been an error with the schema validation in line 37977, position 16.” When attempting to import customizations to your Microsoft Dynamics CRM server that were exported from a Microsoft Dynamics CRM server running an Update Rollup 2, make sure the Microsoft Dynamics CRM server to which you are importing the customizations also has the same Update Rollup installed.

Question: What about Hotfixes and updates that you have to manually enable or configure?
Answer: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Update Rollups generally contain hotfixes and updates that you have to manually enable or configure. To enable or configure these hotfixes on the server that is running Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0, see the "Hotfixes and updates that you have to manually enable or configure" section of the Microsoft Knowledge Base article associated with the Update Rollup in question.

Source: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Team Blog

Finally: Microsoft plans to release the Update Rollup 2 on Monday, June 25th.

Microsoft plans to release the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Update Rollup 2 on Monday, June 25th.

The Update Rollup 2 is a cumulative set of updates for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server 3.0 and Microsoft Dynamics CRM client for Outlook 3.0, including performance enhancements and all the fixes that were included in Update Rollup 1.

The Update Rollup includes packages for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server and Microsoft Dynamics CRM client for Outlook 3.0 to maintain parity between the client and server components of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0.

The update will be available on Monday here

Transitioning Your MCSA / MCSE Skills to Windows Server 2008

The strength of Windows Server 2003 in the market today indicates that the demand for related IT expertise will continue for years to come. Becoming certified on both Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008 is a valuable way to demonstrate your skills.

Transition certifications are available today for Windows Server 2003 certified professionals, while full certification paths will be available soon after the Windows Server 2008 product release.

Learn how to transition from MCSA: Windows Server 2003 to MCTS: Windows Server 2008

Learn how to transition from MCSE: Windows Server 2003 to MCTS: Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2003 certified professionals will have the most efficient path to Windows Server 2008 certification. Complete your Windows Server 2003 certification by June 30, 2007, and get a head start with a 40 percent savings on your Windows Server 2008 upgrade exam. :-)

Learn how you can save 40 percent off your Windows Server 2008 upgrade exam

Implementing Dynamics CRM: Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step Methodology

There is a new methodology called Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step. This methodology is created for all Microsoft Dynamics Products.

Dynamics Sure Step defines 8 phases: Diagnostic, Analysis, Design, Development, Deployment, Operation, Optimization and Upgrade. Each phase has it owns activities, processes, deliverables, roles and milestones. In every phase is defined what have to be accomplished to go to the next phase.

Read more on the blog of Friendly Microsoft Dynamics CRM Monster or on the Partnersource site of Microsoft (login required)

IT Showcase: Centralizing and Sharing Business Intelligence v2

myBI enables users to view reports, scorecards, key performance indicators (KPIs), multi-dimensional analytics, and other metrics without having to move from one reporting site to another.

Files available in this download:

CentralizingandSharingBusinessIntelligence.doc

CentralizingandSharingBusinessIntelligence.ppt

CentralizingandSharingBusinessIntelligenceContentSummary.doc

CentralizingandSharingBusinessIntelligenceDemonstration_300k.wmv

CentralizingandSharingBusinessIntelligenceDemonstration_500k.wmv

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Microsoft Office Outlook Connector

With Microsoft Office Outlook Connector (Beta), you can use Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 or Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 to access and manage your Microsoft Windows Live Hotmail or Microsoft Office Live Mail accounts, including e-mail messages and contacts for free!

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Microsoft Dynamics Developer Center Online

Microsoft Dynamics Develop Center consists of five products, Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Microsoft Dynamics SL.

You can find general information about the products here.

New CRMDiagTool available

The Microsoft CRM Support Tools Info Blog has released a new version of the CRMDiagTool

Some bugs are fixed:
- Wrong information was shown for the IDF website properties when running on CRM 3.0 SPE Edition (thanks Fouad)
- Remove the smileys about cluster environment.
- Added the support for SRS info wherever the ReportServer web site is installed. (thanks Clifford)(The tool was checking the Defautl web site all the time so far, hence it failed if SRS was not installed there. This was sufficient for SRS 2000 sor far because installation on the Default WebSite was the only supported scenario)
- Added some more info on the Client Side report, like what do we have within the %APPDATA% folder

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There is also a nice KB925780 Administration Tool

Customer Video: U.S. Air Force - Microsoft Dynamics CRM

See how the U.S. Air Force is using Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

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Split View by AdvantageWorks

The Split View seamlessly extends the usability of the core Microsoft CRM 3.0 user interface, giving the user greater freedom and control to interact with their data.

- Navigate multiple entities from the same screen
- Configurable tab layout
- Supports both system and custom entities
- Built-in templates for quick tab development
- Increases user satisfaction and product adoption
- Reduces total cost of ownership (TCO) by increasing efficiency and accuracy.

Read more or Download Trial (Registration needed)

Dynamics CRM for Smartphones by CWR Mobility

The supplier of CWR Mobile CRM now presents Dynamics CRM for Smartphones!

This new version will be working on a Smartphone and Windows Mobile 6 Standard device.The biggest change to accomplish that was to fully implement key navigation.

So now you can use Dynamics CRM on your phone without the need for a touchscreen or keyboard.

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CTP Release of Katmai (SQL Server 2008)

Microsoft has released a CTP of Katmai. Microsoft said that the product will go to market next year with the name SQL Server 2008.

SQL Server 2008 capabilities deliver on the four key areas of the data platform vision.

Mission-Critical Platform – SQL Server 2008 enables IT groups to be more productive by providing a more secure, scalable, and manageable platform. It includes a new policy-based management framework that shifts from managing by scripts to managing by rules. SQL Server 2008 also protects valuable information in existing applications and disconnected devices. In addition, SQL Server 2008 delivers predictable query performance with an optimized platform.

Dynamic Development – SQL Server 2008 along with the .NET Framework enables developers to build the next generation of applications. Developers are more productive because they work with business entities instead of tables and columns. They can build applications that enable users to take their data with them and synchronize their data with back-end servers.

Beyond Relational Data – SQL Server 2008 enables developers to consume any type of data, from XML to documents, and build applications that incorporate location awareness.

Pervasive Business Insight – SQL Server 2008 provides a scalable infrastructure that can manage reports and analysis of any size or complexity while at the same time empowering users because of its close integration with the Microsoft Office System. This enables IT to drive business intelligence throughout the organization. SQL Server 2008 makes great strides in data warehousing, enabling users to consolidate data marts in an enterprise data warehouse. "

Source: Sonoma Partners

NBA Franchise Looks Forward to a Slam-Dunk With Microsoft Dynamics CRM

The Portland Trail Blazers, a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Portland, Ore., has selected Microsoft Dynamics™ CRM 3.0 to more effectively serve an increasingly wide range of customers. The Portland Trail Blazers’ IT team expects the new system to play a critical role as the organization shifts to serving a more demographically diverse range of customers due to the recent repurchasing of the team’s home facility, the Portland Rose Garden.

The franchise chose to replace its existing Onyx CRM system with Microsoft Corp.’s premier customer relationship management system to help manage and maintain relationships with not only its core of basketball fans, but concertgoers and attendees of many other types of events as well. Integrated with Microsoft® Office Outlook®, Microsoft Dynamics CRM has the same look and feel as Outlook, overcoming user training and acceptance issues right from the start. Microsoft CRM enhances IT’s ability to put business intelligence into the hands of those responsible for sales and marketing, Microsoft Dynamics CRM beat the Onyx solution in terms of cost as well; the Onyx system cost thousands of dollars per seat and the Microsoft option came in at $1,000 per seat.

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Another 'CRM Only' Search Engine

Mitch Millam has also created a 'CRM Only' search engine based on the CRM World link List created by Ronald Lemmen.

Try it here

Update: I've also created a CRM Only search engine based on the same CRM World link List and it's powered by Google (see the 'Dynamics CRM Search' section on the right).

Additional relationships between system entities

This is normally not possible with CRM 3.0, but if you want to add a contact lookup in a account form, the following procedure may help you.

Technically you have to add three attributes, an IFrame and a JScript to the form:

1. Create a folder and a file:Save the attached file "CrmRelation.aspx" in a new subfolder "MsCrmExtension" of the CRM-Application. This is not supported and if you want you can change this to a different position if you know what you do.

2. Create an appropriate IFrame in the form. In this sample it is the account form.
Name: IFRAME_introducer
URL: /_root/Blank.aspx
Number of Rows: 1
Scrolling: Never

3. Create three additional attributes in an additional tab with the name „hidden“.

First attribute (for contact-GUID):
Displayname Name: introducerid
Schema Name: new_introducerid
Type: nvarchar, Text, 36

Second attribute (for the Display Name):
Display Name: introducername
Schema Name: new_introducername
Type: nvarchar, Text, 160 (this can also be longer or shorter)

Third attribute (for the Type):
Display Name: introducertype
Schema Name: new_introducertype
Type: int, None, -21474… - +21474…

More on the Codeplex site

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Server Management Pack for Microsoft Operations Manager 2005

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Server Management Pack for MOM 2005 monitors the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Server Application event log and performance counters.

This management pack includes event rules for the Microsoft CRM Server, Exchange Router, and Windows Fax Router services. The events and performance counters monitored from each service help indicate some critical issues with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Server operations during the servicing of Microsoft CRM user requests.

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Server Management Pack provides the following features that help with:
• Monitoring of health and availability of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Server services and the services they are depended on
• Basic detection of brute force attacks and denial of service attacks
• Notification of configuration-related failures
• Performance measurement monitoring of Web application requests, e-mail messages, and fax messages processing

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'CRM Only' Search Engine

Matthew Wittemann has updated his search tool. The tool searches in more than 120 CRM Only sites.

Microsoft CRM Answers Search