Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 User Interfaces

Microsoft CRM is a Web-based application built using the Microsoft .NET technology platform. Because of its native Web architecture, users can access Microsoft CRM through the Internet Explorer Web browser. In addition to the Web interface (also known as the Web client), users can access Microsoft CRM by installing the Microsoft CRM client for Outlook on a computer running Outlook.

The Microsoft CRM client for Outlook offers two versions:

Microsoft CRM 3.0 desktop client for Microsoft Office Outlook Designed for use with desktop computers that will remain connected to the Microsoft CRM server at all times. Use this client for "online only" scenarios and when multiple users log on to the same computer with different profiles.

Microsoft CRM 3.0 laptop client for Microsoft Office Outlook Designed for users of laptop computers who must disconnect from the Microsoft CRM server but still need to work with CRM data when they're offline.

The software copies data from the Microsoft CRM server to a Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine (MSDE) database installed on the user's computer so that the user can work while disconnected.When the user reconnects to the server, the Microsoft CRM laptop client bidirectionally synchronizes data between the Microsoft CRM server and the user's MSDE database. The laptop client can be used by only one user on a single machine. Microsoft CRM refers to the process of connecting and disconnecting from the server as go online and go offline.

Note
When we reference the Microsoft CRM client for Outlook in this book, we're referring to both the laptop and the desktop versions. They offer nearly identical functionality, except that the laptop version can be used offline.

Users can access the vast majority of Microsoft CRM system functionality from either the Web client or the Microsoft CRM client for Outlook. Therefore, you can decide whether you want to deploy the Web client, the Microsoft CRM client for Outlook, or if you want to offer both options to your users. A few notable differences in functionality exist between the Web client and the Microsoft CRM for Outlook clients:

Users can access the Mail Merge feature in the Microsoft CRM client for Outlook only.

You must use the Web client to access the administration section of the Microsoft CRM software to change settings and access the system customizations.

The Microsoft CRM client for Outlook can synchronize a user's Microsoft CRM contacts, tasks, and appointments between the Microsoft CRM server and a user's Outlook data. You can configure how often this synchronization occurs and you can also filter the data that you want the software to synchronize on each user's behalf.
Users can access the Service Calendar and Workplace Calendar in the Web client only.
When working offline, Microsoft CRM laptop client for Outlook users cannot use some of the Microsoft CRM functionality such as running reports.

More Info In addition to the Web client and the Microsoft CRM client for Outlook, Microsoft CRM includes a mobile edition that supports handheld devices using Pocket PC and Windows Mobile operating systems. The mobile edition of Microsoft CRM 3.0 was not yet released at the time that this book went to press.