A Custom Entity Icons solution for CRM 2011, free to download and use

Cool tips, CRM 2011, Customizations, Developer, Downloads October 6th, 2011

In your quest for CRM customization glory, there are times when you need the perfect icon graphic for your brand new custom entity.  The normal procedure for custom entity icons is time consuming, and requires some graphic editing skill.

  1. Browse open source icon galleries online for the appropriate icon (preferably in PNG or GIF format)
  2. Edit the icon in an image editor to resize it in 3 separate files:
    1. For image editing I recommend the free Paint .NET software
    2. Small:  16 x 16 pixels
    3. Medium:  32 x 32 pixels
    4. Large:  66 x 48 pixels
  3. Upload the 3 files to a new or existing solution in CRM 2011 as a web resource
  4. Open the custom entity in the Settings > Customizations section (or solution)
  5. Click on the “Update Icons” button
  6. Apply your icon web resources to the custom entity
  7. Publish your customizations
  8. Clear your browser cache and refresh CRM to see the new icons

I’ve been there and felt your pain.  Rather than using precious consulting time on image editing, I decided to group 22 of my custom open sourced icons in a solution file and share it with you.  Feel free to download it below!

Please note this is an managed solution file, meaning that you can’t modify it.  If you want to add your own custom icons, I suggest you create a new unmanaged solution.
The included icons are in PNG format, and were procured from free and open source websites.  I included a variety that will hopefully address different industries and needs.
With this solution file, the new procedure is easier!
  1. Upload the managed solution file to CRM 2011
  2. Open the custom entity in the Settings > Customizations section (or solution)
  3. Click on the “Update Icons” button
  4. Select and apply your icon web resources to the custom entity
  5. Publish your customizations
  6. Clear your browser cache and refresh CRM to see the new icons
I hope this free custom icons solution proves valuable to you in the future.  Be sure to drop a comment if you have some feedback.
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Lucky Seven! Update Rollup 7 for Dynamics CRM improves the Outlook Client experience

Administrator, Cool tips, CRM 4.0, Downloads, General Users, Salespeople October 28th, 2009

Seagrams 7 and 7

My favorite number

Some exciting news lately in the Dynamics CRM world, and all are related to lucky numero seven!

First off, the latest Update Rollup 7 was released to the world.  The most noteworthy changes were made to the CRM Outlook Client, and by itself would make this update HIGHLY recommended.  After starting up Outlook, the CRM functionality now loads quietly in the background, allowing you to immediately access your e-mails without any slow down. There are other additional improvements that make this update a must-have, all outlined in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Team Blog.  Get your Update Rollup 7 links below!

Last, but certainly not least: Microsoft announced that Dynamics CRM 4.0 is now supported on the new Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.  There’s no excuse now not to upgrade to Windows 7; this latest OS has been shown to be quite an improvement over previous releases.

Be sure to relate your experiences with CRM and this latest update in the comments section below.

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Easily integrate Twitter search results about your clients in Microsoft CRM

Administrator, Cool tips, CRM 4.0, Customizations, Developer, General Users, Salespeople March 23rd, 2009

twitter-logo-smallIt’s difficult to escape the Twitter hype nowadays, but in all honesty this “micro-blogging” tool is indeed a great source to be mined.  Twitterers can have informed opinions and news regarding some of your top clients, and having access to that information can be very valuable.  Disregard this resource at its own risk.

Twitter Search feed in a Microsoft CRM account record form

Twitter Search feed in a Microsoft CRM account record form

If your company is interested in learning about what the Twitterscape is chattering about your dearest customers, check out this easy-to-implement iFrame addition to your Microsoft CRM.  It’s basically a iFrame coupled with JavaScript that takes your customer’s Account Name and queries it on the Twitter Search page, all within a tab in CRM. You’ll be up and running in 10 minutes or less.  You will need at least System Customizer security permissions to implement.

See all the steps to adding this functionality after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

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Download these new Dynamics CRM wallpapers to spice up your desktop

Cool tips, Downloads, General Users, Microsoft Dynamics, Salespeople October 14th, 2008

Due to the popularity of the previous CRM VPC wallpaper post, I decided a sequel was due and added my own creations.

There’s a unique wallpaper for both Standard and Widescreen resolutions.  These are of course free to download for your desktops and future demos.  I hope you enjoy them!

Standard Size - 1024 x 768

Standard Format - 1024x768

Widescreen format - 2560x1600

Widescreen format - 2560x1600

Tools and website sources used:

  • Paint .NET, a free software alternative to PhotoShop [new window]
  • Social Wallpapering [new window]

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5 tips to help you pass the CRM 4.0 Applications Exam (MB2-632)

Certifications, Cool tips, CRM 4.0 June 30th, 2008

Huzzah! I passed my CRM 4.0 Applications exam today with flying colors this time!  I’m feeling as elated as Spain winning the Euro 2008 Cup yesterday… minus the jubilation of the whole country, but I’m working on it. ;-)

Thanks to ‘Second Shot’, I was able to try my luck again without consequences. I was glad to have had the opportunity to take it at least once before, to get familiar with the exam questions and get a feel for what the test writers were looking for.

So to assist you in your quest for certification, I’ve outlined five tips that will help narrow down your choices when taking the Applications exam.

5 tips to help pass some questions on the CRM 4.0 MB2-632 exam

  • There is no drag-and-drop functionality in CRM 4.0.  That would be a nice feature to add to the future CRM 5.0, though!
  • Each single Marketing List can only contain one type of record/entity.  So if you’re planning a Marketing Campaign that will include Accounts, Contacts and Leads, you will need to add at least three separate Marketing Lists to the Marketing Campaign.
  • Relationship Roles in CRM 4.0 are very useful for defining relationships that are not so cut-and-dried.  You’ll probably see Relationship Roles come up a few times in the exam.
  • Ask yourself what types of CRM records are synchronized with the Outlook Client, and how to create new records from there.
    Also figure out what records are related and available to each entity.  An example: you wouldn’t go to an Opportunity record to find related Cases.
  • Find out how the Service Scheduler shows or does not show conflicts in the Service Calendar.

Hopefully with these tips, you’ll share the glory too… at least in the Dynamics world.  :-)

Good luck!

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