Date Published: August 2008.
Author: Claudio Vacalebre.
Soundtrack: For Test, Author: Claudio Vacalebre.
The Hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM Provisioning Solution for Service Providers includes the Provider for the Microsoft Provisioning System (MPS), and associated guidance for Service Providers who are currently running the Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration (HMC) 4.0 and intend to integrate with the Microsoft Provisioning System (MPS) to automate CRM provisioning.
The Hosted CRM Provisioning Solution and documentation includes the following components:
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Planning Guide for Service Providers Using HMC 4.0: Discusses concepts and issues that help Service Providers prepare for implementing hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 in a Microsoft Windows Server System™ hosting environment that is currently running the Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration (HMC) 4.0.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Deployment Guide for Service Providers Using HMC 4.0: Provides instructions for deploying and running hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 in a Microsoft Windows Server System hosting environment that is currently running the Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration (HMC) 4.0.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 API Reference for Service Providers Using HMC 4.0: Designed for service providers who are currently running the Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration (HMC) 4.0 and who want to understand how they can use their existing Microsoft Provisioning System (MPS)—a component of HMC 4.0—to automate the provisioning of hosted CRM customer organizations, users, and other Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 entities.
Note that while the guidance was developed and tested against HMC 4.0, the components should be compatible with HMC 4.5. It is strongly recommended that compatibility with HMC 4.5 be validated via lab/Proof of Concept testing as appropriate.
The Hosted CRM Provisioning Solution builds upon and is an extension to the other set of prescriptive guidance and documentation. It is strongly recommended that Partners download this guidance in conjunction with other Microsoft Dynamics CRM planning and deployment documentation to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of what is required to build a CRM environment.
Download it!
Note: that there are two downloads on this page, one for the documentation and the other for the software.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Planning and Deployment Guidance for Service Providers covers the additional information needed by Service Providers seeking to deploy Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 in their data center, or Enterprise Customers wanting to leverage 4.0’s multi-tenant architecture in their IT infrastructure.
The revised guidance covers all the topics contained in the first version, and includes supplemental information addressing questions about the role of Exchange in the CRM architecture, concerns or issues reported on IFD tool and deployment manager, and also security roles in CRM and their implications in a multi-tenant, hosted environment. More detailed guidance on managing the user account lifecycle is also included.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0: Planning and Deployment Guidance for Service Providers contains the following documentation/configuration tool:
• Deployment Walkthrough Guide for Service Providers
• Planning Guide for Service Providers
• Development Guide for Service Providers
• End User License Agreement
• Deployment Configuration Tool
The documentation details the planning process, sizing and architectural guidance, and provides step-by-step instructions on how to deploy the solution in a data center so that it can be accessed via the Internet, or by any CRM client. It covers topics such as how to leverage the Deployment SDK to automate the creation and provisioning of organizations and users in a multi-tenant CRM 4.0 deployment.
Shorten the sales cycle for you and your partners with the NEW 4.0 version of the Hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM Trial Site*!
Previously in pilot, the Hosted CRM Trial Site is now widely available; powering FREE 60-day TRIALS for anyone who wants to evaluate the product prior to a purchase.
What’s DIFFERENT about the Hosted CRM Trial Site?
• The updated trial site leverages the multi-tenancy capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0.
• New features to experience:
• The trial instance is an organizational level deployment with administrative permissions. This means that each trial user has full access and control over their trial organization to add users and share the CRM product with others. In the previous version, the trial instance was provisioned as a business unit thus permissions were limited.
• A trial instance can be localized in the user’s language of choice – the product is available in 25 languages (including English). Users worldwide can now experience their CRM trial the same way they’ll consume it!
• Trial users can now change and reset their passwords without the involvement of Trial Support.
• Enhanced reporting for regional Microsoft trial site administrators enables them to analyze trial subscriptions by country and region.
With these improvements, one capability that is not supported is Outlook integration into the trial environment. Although Outlook integration is a very compelling feature of CRM, the effort to support such an experience in a trial deployment would have presented significant support challenges given the unknown state of each user’s PC/laptop configuration, OS, software, settings, etc. Proof of concept deployments specific to a customer or VPCs are effective alternatives to showcase this integration.
*Note: The Hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM Trial Site, while hosted by Microsoft, IS NOT Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online. The CRM Trial Site is a distinct implementation available for trial purposes only, available to worldwide prospects, Field and Partners.
