Anith Gopal

Here’s my recommended training plan to become a Dynamics CRM 2011 developer (it’s what I used).  The foundational technologies you will need to understand are: Visual Studio 2010 .NET Framework 4.0 SOAP based Web Services OData (aka WCF Data Services) Windows Workflow Foundation Silverlight (optional) HTML JavaScript XML (many customizations requiring tweaking XML or using tools that tweak XML) SQL Server Reporting Services There are other technologies that many CRM development efforts include as part of the overall system solution. Excel & PowerPivot for advanced Business Intelligence & Reporting Claims-based Authentication and ADFS 2.0 ASP.NET Windows Azure Platform BizTalk Server Team Foundation Server The first set are almost always used.  When to use the second set is highly dependent on the needs of the overall solution architecture.  I’ll be blogging about some of these over time.  Why is TFS in the second set?  I wish I could say TFS is almost always used, but just like other forms of development, it would surprise you how many people aren’t using good ALM tools.  You should strive to make TFS part of the first group .  There are all sorts of resources around the web to learn fundamentals of most of these technologies.  I am not going to make this post about those.  If you are looking for a one stop shop to ramp up on the above, then you might want to take a look at Pluralsight On-Demand .  I get nothing out of endorsing them.  I’m just one of many satisfied subscribers.  I consider them top notch.  I recently asked them about CRM training through their contact form .  The response was that it is on their TODO list.  The more people that ask, the higher priority it will get.  I already had the fundamental knowledge above when I began my CRM dev journey.  What’s next is what I did to ramp up and dig in to Dynamics CRM 2011 specifics.

Hi everyone For those of you who are interested in learning more about our Dynamics products, a reminder that we not only have the courseware available for you on PartnerSource and CustomerSource , but there are also lots of these available as E-Learning.  You can also download these and run them at your own time. Some examples you might be interested in – Management Reporter  - our General Ledger Reporting tool replacing FRx. Dynamics AX 2012 – 12 courses not including “What’s New” are available.

On January 17 we launched Dynamics CRM Online 2011 worldwide, and today we’re making available the Dynamics CRM 2011 Developer Training Kit.  It’s a great collection of materials that allows .NET developers to learn the development features of Dynamics CRM and helps them build applications using Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 and CRM Online. Download the training kit here: Dynamics CRM 2011 Developer Training Kit

In concert with the CRM 2011 Launch last week, we released a whitepaper titled “Comparing xRM Application Framework and Force.com” targeted at developers & ISVs.

  Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online , the cloud version of the new Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, launches today. It delivers new levels of productivity to sales, service and marketing organizations. ISVs provide customization to CRM that can be applied both online and on premises

Today, Microsoft announced a fantastic offer for people using Salesforce.com or Oracle to receive up to $200 per user when they switch over to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online.  That’s right, up to $200 PER USER!  What that means is, if you are a qualifying organization and you switch 25 seats to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, you could receive a check from Microsoft for $5,000.  Switch 100 seats and receive a check from Microsoft for $20,000!  If you are currently an organization that licenses Salesforce.com (Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate Editions) or Oracle (Siebel CRM or CRM on Demand) and subscribe to at least 15 Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online licenses, you could qualify for this promotion. In kicking off this promotion, Microsoft issued an ‘Open Letter’ to Salesforce.com customers inviting them to switch to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online and Michael Park, corporate vice president of sales, marketing, and operations, Microsoft Business Solutions encouraged Salesforce.com customers to ask themselves: In this economy, how can I justify paying two to three times more for an enterprise CRM system than I need to?* Having access to the most up-to-date information is critical to my business; why doesn’t Salesforce.com provide real-time access to data and dashboards, refreshed whenever I need it like Microsoft does

Looking for insight into planning and developing your Microsoft Dynamics partner practice?

This week I’ll be showcasing some of the Independent software Vendors (ISVs) that have built industry vertical applications using xRM. Today we’ll take a look at Client Profiles’ legal practice management software. Powerful Application Framework Saves Legal Software Maker $2 Million Check out more about their solution on the case study page here: http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/ Case_Study_Detail.aspx?casestudyid=4000005413 You can also download this case study for printing & distribution here: ClientProfilesCaseStudy.doc Client Profiles saw an opportunity to develop legal practice management software that was easier to use than established solutions from Lexis-Nexis and Thomson Reuters

These Sales Workshops are an extremely useful place for new employees, new partners or even those who have been in the channel for the last couple of decades. I strongly recommend this course as it gives a great head start and enables attendees to hit the ground running!! Dynamics NAV Sales Workshop –People moving into the Dynamics NAV space for the first time will get all the essential information to enable them to market and sell Dynamics NAV

 ISV solutions are essential to the Microsoft Dynamics strategy. More and more customers choose a solution because of the value that an Independent Software Vendor (ISV) has added to a Microsoft Dynamics product by developing a packaged software solution for a very specific industry or business need. To show this commitment, Microsoft has created a new PartnerSource landing page to support ISVs with developing and selling software solutions.

US Partner Training is excited to announce the general availability of both Online Partner Academies and Classroom Partner Academies through our Fargo Center of Excellence! Courses are now available through December for registration on the Partner Learning Center . Our Online Partner Academies combine the convenience and cost savings of not having to travel or be out of the office for long periods of time while receiving the in-depth technical training they need to prepare for customer scenarios…( read more )

xRM is one of the latest buzz-words in business. If you haven’t heard it yet, you probably will