Many business owners are curious if Google Plus is worth the time, “I’m already feeling maxed with Twitter and Facebook I don’t think I have time for another social network” they say. Can it really make a dent in the social media landscape for businesses? These questions from businesses of all shapes and sizes are [...]
Categories: Email Marketing, Tips, infusionsoft, small business, social media Tags: Infusionsoft CRM, social media
I believe that people are the most stressful part of any job. That sounds harsh. After all, most people are the best part of any job, providing social interaction and supporting skills. But others… well, some are so difficult to deal with that they present an obstacle to you being at your best. Wouldn’t it [...] Related posts:
Categories: Intuit QuickBase Tags: Intuit QuickBase, online crm, QuickBase, QuickBase Marketing, QuickBase Project Management, QuickBase Sales Management
Data. You've got a LOT of it. You use it every day for reporting and analysis to determine effective campaign management to your clients and prospects. But with 600 Tweets, 20,000 Bing searches, and 700 Facebook posts per second, marketers are no longer in control of their brands, thanks to the real-time web. But that doesn't mean you have to accept defeat and succumb to these new challenges. By bringing your data together across channels, it's possible (even easy!) to successfully embrace real-time marketing and evolve campaign management to conversation management - turning previous challenges into ROI opportunities. The key simply lies in establishing data as the new marketing creative.
Categories: CRM, CRM Online, Marketing, Microsoft Dynamics Tags: microsoft dynamics crm
In This Post:
You have created a solution using the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Solutions framework and you want people to download it and try it. But without some sample data it may be difficult for people to understand how it is supposed to work.
This blog describes a way to create a script to install sample data for any Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011solution.
In order to create the sample data application you need to:
Note: These steps require that you have some .NET programming experience.
How to create and export CRM Data
Let’s say you have a solution that has 2 entities: a household and a client.
For this example we will create 2 household instances and 2 client instances that we will export using Import/Export Functionality. To access the Export functionality, click Advanced Find and select, in our case, the Clients. Build the query to select the data that we want to export and launch the query as shown in the following screenshot.
Now we are ready the export the results using the Export Clients button from the Ribbon as shown in the following screenshot.
Save the export as an *.xls (Excel) file and repeat the operation for all the entities that you want to create sample data with. For this sample you would repeat it for households.
To be able to import the data using the SDK APIs, we need to transform all the xls files into xml. To do that, open each xls file in Excel, and choose save as XML Spreadsheet 2003 as shown in the following screenshot.
Now, you can compress the 2 xml files into a zip file as shown in the following screenshot.
Then you can import the zip back using the CRM Import feature with the purpose of creating the data map.
How to Create a DataMap and Save it
The next step is to create the DataMap.xml. Data maps show how to map your XML record data to Microsoft CRM entities and attributes.
To create the SampleDataMap, we will import the xml zip file data into CRM, and during that process, capture and save the DataMap created automatically by CRM. The following steps describe how:
1. Navigate to Settings/Data Management/ Imports
2. Click Import Data from the ribbon as shown in the following screenshot.
4. Navigate the screens and by clicking next and fix all the mapping warnings :
5. On the Review Settings and Import Data screen give a name for the Data Map Name. For this exercise we will name it “SampleDataMap”.
6. Click Submit and now you are ready to export the data map xml.
7. Navigate to Settings/Data Management/ Data Maps and click Export to export the xml data map as shown in the following screenshot.
Now with all these xml files (entities XML + data map XML), we are ready to us the SDK to import the data in any system that has our solution deployed.
How to Import Sample Data using SDK APIs
With your Client.xml, Household.xml and SampleDataMap.xml you can write a console application to import the sample data in any organization that has your Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 solution.
Using the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 SDK samples as source templates for the initial connection with CRM we can add additional code to import the sample data.
First we create the import request. Note that this creation doesn’t trigger the actual import. The import will be triggered at the end by calling “ImportRecordsImportRequest” SDK message. What we need to do is the following:
// create import id
Import import = new Import();
import.ModeCode = new OptionSetValue(0);// 0 -Excel
import.Name = "SampleDataImport";
import.SendNotification = false;
Guid importId = _serviceProxy.Create(imp);
Once you have the import id you can create the datamap. The datamap describes what attributes in the source xml files maps to what attributes in the CRM system. You will use the ImportMappingsImportMapRequest message to import the import map.
// create import file map
ImportMappingsImportMapRequest importMapReq = new ImportMappingsImportMapRequest();
importMapReq.MappingsXml = File.ReadAllText(@"C:\SampleDataImportMap.xml");
importMapReq.ReplaceIds = true;
ImportMappingsImportMapResponse importResponse = (ImportMappingsImportMapResponse)_serviceProxy.Execute(importMapReq);
Guid importMapId = importResponse.ImportMapId;
With references to the importId and the importMapId we can now import our sample data xml files. We will do this by using one helper method that can be used for all the sample files that we have.
// Create the import file 1
CreateImportFile(importId, importMapId, @"Account.xml", "account", "account");
The method implementation is shown below:
private void CreateImportFile(Guid importId, Guid importMapId, string filePath, string sourceEntityName, string targetEntityName)
{
ImportFile file = new ImportFile();
file.Content = File.ReadAllText(filePath);
file.Name = sourceEntityName;
file.FileTypeCode = new OptionSetValue(1);// excel
file.IsFirstRowHeader = true;
file.Source = System.IO.Path.GetFileName(filePath);
file.SourceEntityName = sourceEntityName;
file.ImportMapId = new EntityReference(ImportMap.EntityLogicalName, importMapId);
file.ImportId = new EntityReference(Import.EntityLogicalName, importId);
file.TargetEntityName = targetEntityName;
file.Size = file.Content.Length.ToString();
// Note: Process code 1 = "Process"
file.ProcessCode = new OptionSetValue(1);
file.UseSystemMap = true;
_serviceProxy.Create(file);
}
Once we imported all the sample files we are ready to:
// Parse the import.
ParseImportRequest parseRequest = new ParseImportRequest();
parseRequest.ImportId = importId;
_serviceProxy.Execute(parseRequest);
// Transform the import.
TransformImportRequest transRequest = new TransformImportRequest();
transRequest.ImportId = importId;
TransformImportResponse transResponse = (TransformImportResponse)_serviceProxy.Execute(transRequest);
// Create an ImportRecordsImport request
ImportRecordsImportRequest request = new ImportRecordsImportRequest();
// Assign the request the id of the import we want to begin
request.ImportId = importId;
// Execute the request.
ImportRecordsImportResponse response = (ImportRecordsImportResponse)_serviceProxy.Execute(request);
Since the import data is an asynchronous operation, it takes some time to complete. We can pull the status of the operation by using something similar with the following code:
// Wait for the operation to complete by polling it's state every few seconds.
ColumnSet cols = new ColumnSet(new string[] { "statecode" });
// We try 50 times for example
for (int i = 0; i < 50; i++)
{
System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(2000);
AsyncOperation op = (AsyncOperation) _serviceProxy.Retrieve(AsyncOperation.EntityLogicalName, response.AsyncOperationId, cols);
if (op.StateCode.Value == AsyncOperationState.Completed)
{
break;
}
}
Conclusion
In this blog post we have shown that creating sample data for our Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 solution can be made easier if we create the sample data once, export it, and use SDK APIs to create a simple console application to import the sample data in any system that has our solution deployed.
You have created a solution using the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Solutions framework and want to include sample data with it, the next step would be to create a Silverlight Web Resource that you expose in the configuration page for your solution which will allow your customers to import a set of sample data that will make it easier for them to understand how your solution works.
Further reading
Creating Custom Sample Data for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011
Creating Custom Sample Data for CRM 2011 - Advanced
Categories: Blogging, CRM Basics, CRM Online, Data Import Wizard, Microsoft Dynamics Tags: microsoft dynamics crm
It’s the question on all of your team members’ minds. Now that the holidays are upon us, will bonuses be handed out despite the still-poor economy? Over at the Intuit Small Business blog, Suzanne Kearns discusses performance bonuses. Her source, Art Jacoby, a business growth adviser at JACOBY, remarks: “A Christmas bonus during these difficult [...] Related posts:
Categories: Intuit QuickBase, management Tags: Intuit QuickBase, online crm, QuickBase, QuickBase Marketing, QuickBase Project Management, QuickBase Sales Management
By Chris Bucholtz Yesterday, Nucleus Research issued a paper (read it for yourself here) that made a fairly encouraging claim: for every dollar spent on CRM, companies were seeing a return of $5.60 in benefits. That’s a very interesting number, although it’s a number in an area of research that can be very hard to [...]
Categories: On-Demand CRM, Social CRM, SugarCRM Tags: CRM Reviews, SugarCRM
Picture this scenario: You leave your boss’s office after hearing there are going to be a number of belt-tightening measures throughout the company that will affect your team’s structure. As you head back to your desk, you feel the acid start to churn in your stomach as you consider the most important bit of news [...] Related posts:
Categories: Intuit QuickBase, productivity Tags: Intuit QuickBase, online crm, QuickBase, QuickBase Marketing, QuickBase Project Management, QuickBase Sales Management
BigContacts has just rolled out a unique opportunity for you to spread the word about our service and get paid for doing so!
As you may already know, BigContacts is a Web-Based Contact Management (CRM) Software designed for small businesses that have outgrown basic solutions like Outlook, Goldmine or ACT but don't want the cost or complexity of CRM solutions like Salesforce.
Our software is helping many thousands of small businesses all over the world to:
Unlike many affiliate programs we don't require a "sale" in order for you to get paid. All we require is that you refer leads to BigContacts and we will pay you for every lead that starts a verified* 30 day FREE Trial of our software.
You can promote our site with text or banner ads on your site, or spread the word on social network sites like Facebook, and earn a commission for every verified FREE Trial you refer. Access your Affiliate Control Panel to see your results, and get paid monthly...it's that simple!
BigContacts offers a very simple commission structure. You earn $5 for every verified* FREE Trial that you refer. As long as the referral signs up for a FREE Trial within 90 days you get credit for it!
A check will be issued to you at the end of the calendar month following the month your commission account reaches or exceeds this $50 level . For example, if you generate $50 or more in commissions this month, and we will send a check in the mail at the end of the very next month!
* A verified FREE Trial is one that we are able verify/ validate both the phone number and email address on the free trial signup form.
Categories: BigContacts, Contact Management Software, Sales and Selling Tags: Autopilot, Big Contacts, business leaders, Web-Based Contact Management Software
Help! You know little about computers, and you’re suddenly in charge of overseeing the I.T. department. Or you can barely balance your checkbook and now your firm’s finance team is under you. If you’re charged with managing an area of work outside your main expertise, you could feel in over your head – or you [...] Related posts:
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Small Business Saturday is November 26, after Black Friday and before Cyber Monday, where people are encouraged to support local entrepreneurs by patronizing their businesses. Whether you’re a business owner or passionate about supporting entrepreneurs across America, I’ve compiled a number of helpful resources to help you fuel the small business economy. Before you commit to [...]
Categories: Email Marketing, infusionsoft, small business Tags: Infusionsoft CRM, social media
Recently, I shared how Infusionsoft customer Printer Bees increased the productivity of their lead capture and follow-up activities using Infusionsoft’s sales and marketing software. Now, I will explain how they use personalized and automated follow up to wow their prospects and customers. In today’s digital world, no customer wants to get the same messages as everyone [...]
Categories: Email Marketing, Marketing, infusionsoft, small business Tags: Infusionsoft CRM, social media
It’s no secret that working with small business owners is our passion. We have over 7,500 amazing customers using Infusionsoft to nurture and convert leads, grow sales and save time. Every day, we hear from users rockin’ their apps finding more time to spend with family and doing the things they love. But what about [...]
Categories: CRM, Customers, Email Marketing, infusionsoft, small business Tags: Infusionsoft CRM, social media
Some people start out just wanting to share quality information, and so others listen to them in order to learn and reap the benefit of the experience and knowledge. Unfortunately, many of these same people become addicted to the attention paid to them, and they gradually become narcissistic. Their advice becomes less about situations that [...] Related posts:
Categories: Intuit QuickBase, management Tags: Intuit QuickBase, online crm, QuickBase, QuickBase Marketing, QuickBase Project Management, QuickBase Sales Management
Competence is generally defined as – a combination of awareness, skills, knowledge and attitude that enables an individual to perform a job to the standards required for successful job performance. Essentially, “Competence” is what enables people to be better at what they do. It is not just skills picked up to enhance one’s knowledge. e.g. – [...]
Categories: Deskera Tags: CRM iPhone, Deskera, Deskera Accounting, Deskera HRMS, Deskera Project Management, iDeskera CRM
Last Thursday night, Infusionsoft CEO and Co-founder Clate Mask was recognized as the Business Leader of the Year at Arizona’s Governor’s Celebration of Innovation event hosted by the Arizona Technology Council. We’re incredibly proud of this achievement as it reflects the entrepreneurial wisdom and inspiring leadership Clate brings to Infusionsoft. Every. Single. Day. Under Clate’s [...]
Categories: Business, Email Marketing, infusionsoft, small business Tags: Infusionsoft CRM, social media
Some influence tactics work better than others in general and some work better than others depending on the situation. In a previous article, I covered the most effective influence tactics. Those are good, they work well, and people respond to them positively. Equally as important is to know the less effective influence tactics that exist, if [...] Related posts:
Categories: Intuit QuickBase Tags: Intuit QuickBase, online crm, QuickBase, QuickBase Marketing, QuickBase Project Management, QuickBase Sales Management
You may not know this, but every maker of websites, web applications and web browsers has to comply with particular design and usage standards. Its these standards that make the Internet function as a consistent unit.
You may also not know that these standards are constantly ignored by Microsoft for the sake of proprietary.
For this reason, many web-designers find that Internet Explorer is perhaps the hardest browser to work with when it comes to developing a website or web application.
BUT, we realize that many of our users still prefer to use Internet Explorer, and we want you to know that we will never let these difficulties stop us when it comes to delivering a great experience for you when using our Web Based CRM Software.
What's our latest Internet Explorer (IE) fix?
We have just fixed the IE display issue when using the "Admin" tab in our application. We support 4 different browsers in our application - Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Mozilla's Firefox, Google Chrome, and Apple's Safari.
The other 3 browsers (outside of IE) have all worked just fine, but IE users were required to press the "CTRL" and "+" keys simultaneously to get a normal view when in this tab.
This issue with Internet Explorer has now been fixed. If you are using IE currently, pleae give this a try and let us know if you are still experiencing any issues.
For technical assistance with your account, please feel free to reach out to one of our Customer Support Associates. They will be happy to help you.
Want to learn more about BigContacts and how it might help you in your business? Fee Free to contact one of our very knowledgable Small Business Advisers. They will be happy to discuss your particular needs and share with you how BigContacts can work for you in your business.
Categories: BigContacts, Contact Management Software, Sales and Selling Tags: Autopilot, Big Contacts, business leaders, Web-Based Contact Management Software
We just released Activity Feeds for Microsoft Dynamics CRM. With most new features come the additional amount of data introduced with it and this is also true for Activity Feeds.
Every time a user creates a post or a comment, a record is created. Every time an auto post is generated, another record is created. With this in mind, prior to releasing this feature we made sure that you have an easy way to manage the data generated by Activity Feeds.
We enable the Activity Feeds entity, Posts, for Bulk Delete jobs. You can create your own bulk delete jobs from the user interface or from the SDK to clean up the Activity Feeds data based on your criteria.
Here is a quick snapshot on creating bulk delete job from the UI to clean up Posts entities.
1. Under Settings -> Data Management -> Bulk Record Deletion, create a new bulk delete job.
2. The bulk delete wizards will lead you to the look up dialog, where you should select the Posts entity type.
3. You can define your search criteria by Source, ModifiedOn, CreatedBy, CreatedOn. For example, to delete AutoPost that has not been commented for X months, you can specify Source = AutoPost and Modified On Older Than X
4. Just like any bulk delete job, you can specify the frequency of the run. Continue to the wizard and Submit.
5. All running and completed bulk delete jobs are displayed in these Bulk Record Deletion grid, but the master (recurrence) record itself is displayed under System -> System Jobs under the Recurring System Jobs View.
Another way is to create bulk delete job from SDK. Here is a code snippet on triggering one bulk delete request from SDK to clean up Post entities.
QueryExpression query = new QueryExpression(Post.EntityLogicalName);
// create your filter criteria…
BulkDeleteRequest request = new BulkDeleteRequest();
request.QuerySet = new QueryExpression[] { query };
request.JobName = "Activity Feeds Data Management";
request.SendEmailNotification = false;
request.ToRecipients = new Guid[0];
request.CCRecipients = new Guid[0];
request.RecurrencePattern = string.Empty;
request.StartDateTime = DateTime.Now;
BulkDeleteResponse response = (BulkDeleteResponse)_serviceProxy.Execute(request);
So there you go, 2 ways to manage your Activity Feeds data. I hope you find this helpful.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Tester
Categories: CRM Basics, CRM Online, Data Management, Microsoft Dynamics Tags: microsoft dynamics crm
BigContacts iPhone App
We wanted to let our iPhone users know that we have just released our latest iPhone App. This has been updated to work properly with Apple’s new iOS5 operating system and is now available in the App Store.
If you already have the BigContacts iPhone app loaded on your phone, you can simply click the App icon on your phone to retrieve the update. If you have yet to download our iPhone App, you will want to go to the App Store and search for “Big Contacts”. (notice the space between the two words) Here you will find the latest download.
BigContacts "Mobile Edition"
We often get asked if we are going to release other apps for all the great smartphones on the market - like the Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile Devices, etc.
We want you to know that we have NOT forgotten about you. After a great deal of research and planning, we have realized that we can deliver much greater value to ALL smartphone users by thinking beyond Apps. 
At BigContacts, we have decided to develop a full “Mobile Edition”.The BigContacts Mobile Edition will do things that an App cannot deliver:
Categories: BigContacts, Contact Management Software, Sales and Selling Tags: Autopilot, Big Contacts, business leaders, Web-Based Contact Management Software
Back in the day, learning a new skill was a detailed proposition for which you had to carefully prepare and budget. Now, thanks to eLearning, it’s as simple as opening a new browser window. The main advantage of eLearning is that you can do it on your own time, which is convenient for those who [...] Related posts:
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