If you manage emails, contacts and appointments with the help of Microsoft Outlook in your organization, it is recommended that you use the Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Outlook (MDCO). The CRM for Outlook can be used to access data for Microsoft Dynamics CRM as you work within the customary Outlook interface. It also lets you synchronize your activities and contacts between the The Dynamics CRM and Outlook.
You must follow the right installation steps in order to set up the entire program successfully. This program also grants you access to the CRM data even when you are not online. To successfully have the software running, you will have to first install it, then configure it according to the needs of your organization.
Setting up Microsoft Dynamics for Outlook
Installing the CRM for Outlook
Prior to installing the program, you will have to complete the preferred CRm settings. For the perfect performance, ensure you have enabled only the least required entities and views for the offline use, that is if the users will use the program in offline mode.
To successfully install CRM for Outlook, you will:
1. Run the MDCO-2013 setup Wizard in order to install the CRM for Outlook. It can be either from the Web, a DVD or the message bar in CRM.
From the Web: You will navigate the official Microsoft website’s download page and download and run the relevant .exe file of either 32 or 64-bit, that will depend on your computer system and the Outlook version.
Installing it from the Message bar in CRM: When you are in the interface, you will click on Get CRM for Outlook inside the message bar. There could be an appearance of Security Warning dialog boxes, which you should click on Run in both.
From a DVD: Once you have inserted the disc, you will then double-click on SetupClient.exe while selecting either 32 or 64-bit.
2. Once you have run the setup wizard, you will then choose a folder, in the Browse For Folder box, to restore the Outlook files that you have extracted. Always store the files you have extracted in a different folder by creating a New Folder, without leaving the wizard
3. When you are in the License Agreement page, select I accept the license agreement and click on Next to proceed.
4. A page for getting recommended updates may appear and you will select if you want to obtain the updates automatically via Microsoft Update, then click Next. The Outlook software Update will depend on the handling of updates by your CRM admin from the Microsoft Update.
5. Once you are on the installation page, you can either;
Install the CRM for Outlook with Offline options by clicking on Options, then Offline Capability on the Customize Installation page, then Click on Install Now. However, you can add the option later by Clicking on Go Offline in the CRM for Outlook, if you skip it during the installation. If the MDCO-2013 Service Pack1 is installed in your system, you will not be able to see the new features when you are offline, unless you upgrade it to the New Outlook client.
Install Microsoft Dynamics for Outlook without the Offline Options directly by clicking on Install Now.
6. Once done, click on Close, then restart your computer when the installation is complete.
Configuring the CRM for Outlook
After successfully installing the software, you will have to configure it. Once you open it after restarting your computer, the configuration wizard will begin automatically. However, if the setup doesn’t start by itself, you will then navigate to the Start Screen, search for the wizard, then run it. If you have an earlier Windows version, you will click on Start, then All Programs, Microsoft Dynamics CRm then Click on Configuration Wizard. Once the wizard opens;
1. A server URL will be available on a drop-down list, click the arrow next to the list then, either
Select CRM Online if you want to be linked to a CRM Online organization. To confirm if you are using an online CRM version, check in at the web address in your browser, for Microsoft Dynamics CRM. If it has Dynamics.com after your organization’s name, then it is an online version. If not, it means that you are using the on-premise version.
Connect to a CRM-2013 on-premise organization. You can either go for the internal deployment, which is not connected to the net. You can do so by entering the URL http://crmserver:5555 or http://crmserver. If you want to connect to the Web, you will enter this URL https://dev.crmserver.contoso.com. However, you can confirm with the CRM admin if you are not sure of the URL that you want to use.
2. Once you have the connection that you wish, you will click on Test Connection, which will automatically add your organization to the Organization Information list. If you are requested to enter the credentials, you will choose any of the following;
Enter the username and password of your Microsoft Online Services account, if your company connects via Office 365. You then click on OK. The details are usually sent to you via email when you create an account.
If it’s a connection via a previous online service interface, you will enter your Windows Live ID (now Microsoft account) with your password, then Click on Ok. This is also sent via email when you create an account.
If it is for a CRM on-premises organization, it uses your Active Directory domain credentials and for that, you will could not be prompted.
3. When the Organization list appears, you will choose the CRM organization that you wish to connect to, then click on Ok. When all is done, Click on Close.
Conclusion
If you encounter any problems, you can always contact the CRM administration for tips on how to perform whichever function that has challenged you. If you also have challenges when you are installing the CRM for outlook, you can try running the Configuration Troubleshooting Wizard, which will automatically detect the given problem and alert you on how you can fix it. If you follow these steps systematically, you will successfully set up the Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Outlook.
