microsoft dynamics crm overview by anatoly kvasnikov
TRANSCRIPT
MS Dynamics CRM 2011
What is it all about?
CRM – customers relationship management
How it looks like?
How it looks in Outlook?
How it works?
Workflow vs DialogWorkflows Dialogs
Triggers are supported for workflows.
Triggers are not supported for dialogs.
Workflow vs Dialog
Workflows Dialogs
Are asynchronous processes, and do not require user input to run to completion. These processes run in the background.
Are synchronous processes, and require user input to run to completion. When you run these processes, a wizard-like interface is presented to you so you can make appropriate selections to run the processes.
Development tip
To add some button on ribbon you will need to customize XML & Javascript
Workflow vs Dialog
Workflows Dialogs
Can be either started by a user or can be automated.
Must be started by a user.
Workflow vs Dialog
Workflows Dialogs
The entity that stores the details about a running workflow is AsyncOperation.
The entity that stores information generated by a running dialog is the ProcessSession(dialog session) entity.
Workflow vs Dialog
Workflows Dialogs
Both Windows Workflow Foundation 4 and Windows Workflow Foundation 3.5 custom activities are supported.
Only Windows Workflow Foundation 4 custom activities are supported.
Workflow vs Dialog
Workflows Dialogs
Workflows that are created or updated outside
of Microsoft Dynamics CRM by creating or
updating the underlying XAML file are
supported in Microsoft Dynamics CRM
Dialogs that are created or updated outside of Microsoft Dynamics CRM by creating or updating the underlying XAML file are not supported in Microsoft Dynamics CRM.
Workflow Architecture
Workflow states
• Ready
• Suspended
• Locked
• Completed
What to use workflow or Plugin?
Changes in the business logic must be performed by people who are not developers, or the changes should not be dependent on the availability of a developer to do the work. When custom workflow activities are defined as Workflow .NET assemblies, a person who is not a developer can use Microsoft Dynamics CRM to define the conditions when the custom actions are performed and the parameters that will be passed to the assembly.
What to use workflow or Plugin?
It is acceptable to have a delay between when the event occurs and when the workflow rule runs. Unless applied manually, workflow rules run asynchronously and run after the event occurs. If you need synchronous processing, use plug-ins
What to use workflow or Plugin?
You need the ability to let users apply your workflow logic manually. With workflow processes, users can trigger the processing of workflow rules by clicking Run Workflow on the form or from a grid.
Creating simple workflow?
• A few mouse clicks!
• Understanding of CRM entities
• A bit logical brain processes
• Stupid users? You will be confused.
Simple workflow created
Oh my god! What is this?
Disgusting SQL queries causes performance loose!
Simple workflow created 2
• Complex issues should be done with hands
• Thoughts about plugins should be present
Performance tip
Long processes should be done with workflow!
Why not to use only workflows?
Flexibility
You do what you want as you want
Special needs(e.g. integration with another service)
THE END