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