Problems with read-only fields…

by | Aug 10, 2007

When creating javascripts in general and when working with AJAX-based javascripts (javascripts that access server based information) specifically, it is not uncommon to update attributes in CRM-forms. If these attributes are “Disabled” using the form-editor or are disabled using javascript in with the following code:

crmForm.all.xxx_myfield.Disabled = true;

Then any updates to the data of this field, will NOT be saved when the form is saved. There is a way to bypass this and this is to set the attribute to “Read only” instead, with the following javascript code:

crmForm.all.xxx_myfield.readOnly = true;

This will disable any editing of the field by the user, but any data that is modified will still be saved.
I have some other stuff I will share with you soon aswell.

Gustaf Westerlund
CRM and SharePoint Consultant

Humandata AB
www.humandata.se

Inactivating custom entities in code

by | Aug 8, 2007

I am currently working with as a sub consultant for what I beleive is Swedens foremost MS CRM supplier, Cybernetics, and ran into some problems when trying to deactivate a custom entity using code. I was unable to find any documentation at all in the latest version of the SDK but after a little searching, I found that Jonas Deibe at Microsoft Sweden, had the solution. Please have a look if you want to know how to do it:
http://blogs.msdn.com/jonasd/archive/2007/04/04/setting-status-with-setstatedynamicentityrequest.aspx

I’ll just give you some code my self:

SetStateDynamicEntityRequest req = new SetStateDynamicEntityRequest();
req.Entity = new Moniker();
req.Entity.Id = yfid;
req.Entity.Name = EntityName.cyb_yearlybusiness.ToString();
req.State = “inactive”; // = Deactivation
req.Status = -1;
service.Execute(req);

I have seen some very interesting “fake lookups” here at Cybernetics aswell, and I will soon be writing about how to create them.

Gustaf Westerlund
CRM and SharePoint Consultant

Humandata AB
www.humandata.se

No more vacation – but soon Convergence!

by | Aug 3, 2007

Well, my 7 week vacation/parent leave is coming to an end, as is my low activity on this blog. I’ve been away from a proper internet connection which is why I havn’t been to active. It will be intersting to start working again now, that I have a 7 weeks old daughter at home.

Well, I really like to work with these products and all the interesting customers I have, so it’s not very saddening to go back to work, and I like to be active here as well.

In october I hope to be meeting some of you at Convergence 2007 in Copenhagen. It will be some very interesting days. If you havn’t registered already, please do, it will be very valuable. Have a look at Microsofts webpage: http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/convergence/copenhagen/default.aspx

I will be staying at Copenhagen Strand, it would be nice to meet some of my blog readers, so if you havn’t already booked an hotel, you could always give it a try. Hope to see you there in person!

Gustaf Westerlund
CRM and SharePoint Consultant

Humandata AB
www.humandata.se

CRM with MapPoint

by | Jun 17, 2007

Integrating a map service into MS CRM with mesh-up technology is not very hard and can add very strong functionality to the users/customer. I havn’t worked in a project yet that wanted this functionality which is the reason why I havn’t blogged about it.

However, today I had a look at the CRM Team blog and found that Ayaz Ahmad, a CRM MVP has written a blog entry on how to make a simple CRM integration with Microsoft Mappoint.

Please have a look here if you are interested:
http://blogs.msdn.com/crm/archive/2007/06/14/microsoft-dynamics-crm-and-mappoint-integration-a-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words.aspx

I am not sure how well MapPoint works in Europe/Northern Europe but I don’t think integration with Google Earth (sorry MS, I know you hate them 🙂 or other similar services (www.hitta.se, www.eniro.se) is very much harder as long as the do have a wsdl-webservice that can easily be consumed, or can easily be configured using URL-parameters.

Anyway, start off with MapPoint, if it doesn’t go all the way for you, try working with some other Map Service supplier. There might also be some nice ActiveX-based map-service if a better map GUI is needed.

Gustaf Westerlund
CRM and SharePoint Consultant

Humandata AB
www.humandata.se