Customer Reviews

Working with Microsoft Dynamics(TM) CRM 3.0

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Microsoft's customer relationship management (CRM) package is now out in its third revision. The new edition is much more stable, easier to navigate around, and has numerous new features that previous users have suggested.

This book covers an introduction to Dynamics CRM 3.0 from the viewpoint of what you might call the systems administrator. That is, this book is for the person who gets the task of setting up, configuring, maintaining and especially customizing the package to suite the needs of your company. It presumes that you have at least some knowledge of Microsoft Exchange Server, Active Directory service, and SQL Server. Because of the web orientation for remote use of the system, some understanding of XML files is needed. This is not the end user book.

The book is broken down into three parts: ==Part I is on Configuration and Settings. Dynamics CRM is an extremely flexible system. Using this flexibility without putting in so many options the end user gets confused is part of the challenge of the administrator.

Part II is on customization and includes both the input, reporting and workflow areas.

Part III is on extended the capabilities at either the server end or the client side of the system as well as working with outside applications.

A CD is included with the book that includes a time limited version of the software.

This book is destined to become the Bible on Dynamics CRM.

I've been looking for a thorough book addressing the technical details of Microsoft CRM for quite some time. There has been an enormous vacuum for those of us left out in the cold, wanting to implement Microsoft CRM for our business but unable to leverage the product simply out of a sheer lack of insightful documentation.

This book fills that vacuum nicely.

For those wanting to learn how to leverage Microsoft CRM in your business, this is your book.

This is a great reference book for those charged with configuring ,customizing and extending Microsoft CRM Version 3.0 to meet the needs of your or your client's business.

It contains a lot of real-world examples, and code snippets that can be used as an aid to understanding.

I found it was also a great resource in preparing for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Customization exam (CRM-30-422).

Highly recommended.

Very helpful book - Gives the reader a precise idea of what can be done/customized with that powerful software. I recommend it!

A pretty good step by step guide! Easy to follow even for not experienced persons.

This is a good book when getting started with rolling out CRM. It has a lot of info on making system customizations that help in getting CRM to display exactly what you need. This book doesn't cover everything; so, it's not a be all end all. However, it's worth the money for the info it does cover. It's definitely not a book for end-users, this covers administrative tasks.

Finally...a useful MS CRM book. Mike and Jim actually addressed the CRM issues that are important rather than just describing what CRM screens look like. Well written, understandable, useful examples. It's better than all the other MS CRM books I have looked at.

I thought this was a great MS CRM book.

The book is well written, easy to follow and packed with useful info on how to get the most out of MS CRM.

It is definitely aimed at the CRM administrator rather than the end user.
Some programming knowledge would be useful for customization but for most of the book; administrator access and an interest in CRM would suffice.

Working with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 edition is easier to understand and find what you are looking for. I have implemented another brand of CRM and I find it well written even from the viewpoint of someone who is a Business Analyst and not a Systems Administrator. Although, you will need systems administrator privileges to setting up and configuring the "time limited" software on the CD included with the book and you need knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server and Exchange Server.

Because Microsoft Dynamics ERP can now make extensive use of it Microsoft's CRM is a valuable tool to enhancing the business users experience and productivity. Ultimately, learning how to provide CRM's robustness to the end user in a helpful manner and easily navigated will be the challenge of the Business Analyst and Developer. Hopefully, most administrators will simply role out CRM rules based on a set of defined guidelines per work functions or as an application indicate. Ad hoc CRM changes could produce a difficult operational and user environment.

I suggest, extending the capabilities at either the client side or server end for working with outside applications with a Business Analyst or Developer to maintain productivity.

This book is a terrific resource for System Administrators, implementers, and consultants. It is NOT a "How to use Microsoft CRM" book. For that purpose, I recommend "Microsoft CRM 3 for Dummies".

The three parts of the book are:
1) Configuration and Settings
2) Customization
3) Extending Microsoft CRM

Part 1, Configuration and Settings, covers the basic settings that need to be addressed when Microsoft CRM is installed. This section applies primarily to system administrators and implementers.

Part 2, Customization, covers the items that can be customized, including Entities, Reports, and Workflow. This section applies primarily to system administrators and implementers.

Part 3, Extending Microsoft CRM, builds upon the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Software Development Kit (SDK). It provides terrific examples on what can be done with Microsoft CRM using programming and includes the code. This section applies primarily to programmers.

The book is easy to read, and the examples are very helpful. Throughout the books are little-known tips and traps to avoid.

In my opinion, this is a must-have resource for admins, implementers, and consultants.

Michael Cross
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