Microsoft Dynamics CRM Workgroup Server 2011 upgrade - dynamics-crm-2011

We've on-pre Microsoft Dynamics CRM Workgroup Server 2011 and we're planning to upgrade it by purchasing 5 more CALs.
Could anybody suggest what are steps/precautions I've to take ?

Backup your existing server.
Start with a fresh install of 2011
Use the Import Organization Wizard
This preserves your existing server while allowing you to test the migration to the new server.
You might give this a look. It is a PDF published by the CRM User Group:
http://www.crmug.com/events/crmugdayone2012upgrading.pdf

Related

How to get CRM 2013 Online Database schema

How can i get database schema for my Dynamics CRM 2013 Online? Is it possible in CRM 2013 online? If it is possible to get database schema, can you tell me any procedure?
A quicker option that doesn't require getting a backup of the database is to use the XRMtoolbox available at http://xrmtoolbox.codeplex.com and use the Metadata Doc Generator tool. That allows you to retrieve the Metadata and select all or some entities and various options for those entities and to save the output to a Word document or an Excel document. While maybe not technically a database schema, it allows you to see even more information at a glance than you would see in the database schema because you can see things like if an attribute is available for Advanced find and which form or forms it is located on.
Another option is to install a local copy of Microsoft CRM that is the same version as the online version and to export the customizations and solutions from the CRM online version and then import them to the local CRM install. This will give your local database the same schema as what exists in CRM online and you can either view the schema in SQL server management studio or other SQL database schema generation tools. Hope this helps.
You can request a copy of your Dynamics CRM organization database from CRM Online support. Then you'll have your Dynamics CRM database and you can restore it to a local SQL Server. If you don't already have a SQL instance you can use the Developer edition, if you have access, or use a trial.
Be sure to ask which version of SQL Server you need to use to restore.
To receive a copy of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online SQL Server
database, contact Live Customer Service by calling 1-877-CRM-CHOICE
(1-877-276-2464) Monday-Friday, 8:00 A.M.-8:00 P.M. Central Time
(UTC-6) in the U.S. and in Canada.
Restore the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online SQL Server database
The backup of your Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online SQL Server database
must be restored by using a server running the same (or a newer)
version of Microsoft SQL Server as is running in Microsoft’s data
centers. At the time of this writing, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online
data centers are running SQL Server 2008.

Where to find and download Dynamics CRM Instance adapter

where can I find official Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 or 2013 Instance Adapter ? for data synchronization between two CRM organization and migration to CRM Online ? Its missing on downloads.microsoft.com
It seems that Microsoft has removed CRM Instance Adapter feature and it's now being using the CRM 2013 SDK which has tool Configuration Migration Tool , that can transfer data from on-premise to another on-premise or CRM Online environment using xml/zip file with simple export/import.
More details:
https://community.dynamics.com/crm/b/survivingcrm/archive/2014/06/09/configuration-migration-tool-working-smarter-with-metadata-entities.aspx

Migration of MS CRM 4 to CRM 2013 in hosting environement

I have to migrate CRM 4 to CRM 2013 in hosting environment.CRM 4 is deployed in hosting environment.I got the database from hosting company to test migration.What are the steps I should take for this migration.I am a newbie in CRM environment, did few developments on CRM 4 using their SDKs, and reporting stuff.
Do I need to ask some other thing from hosting company besides database.
What steps should I take to handle login users accounts(specially if they are in Active-Directory of hosting company) can I deploy that database directly with out it? (I tried to attach that database directly with crm4 deployment but it was of no avail, unable to access login page after bindnig that live database of crm4 with my on-premises deployment)
Thanks
You won't be able to upgrade a CRM 4.0 database directly to CRM 2013. You'll need to first upgrade it to CRM 2011, and then upgrade it to CRM 2013.
During the import, you'll be asked to map users from the imported database to users in your local Active Directory.
So the steps are:
Install CRM 2011 locally.
Make sure all users are in your local AD.
Import CRM 4.0 database.
Map users.
Upgrade local CRM 2011 to CRM 2013 (users will already be mapped).
Hope that helps!

Does MS CRM 2011 require Active Directory

We're looking to implement an IFD of CRM 2011 for a client and I am curious about whether Active Directory is a prerequisite. We'd like to set up a standalone environment using ASP.Net membership provider.
Is this possible?
Thank you,
Jason
A working Active Directory is a must requirement for a Dynamics CRM deployment. See the planning section of the Implementation Guide
Active Directory and network requirements for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server 2011 software requirements

OnPremise vs. Hosted MS CRM 2011

Are there any differences between the OnPremise and Hosted versions of MS CRM 2011 besides price/licensing? Can I deploy solutions or any other custom features to the Hosted version or is that strictly reserved for the default functionality?
We are also considering trying to mold Sharepoint into being our CRM because we are already licensed for it but I'm going to try to reject that.
You can deploy plugins that run in the Sandbox environment in the CRM Online/Hosted environments. You can also deploy custom FetchXML-based reports to Hosted. The main things you can't do in a Hosted environment:
"Normal" plugins
SQL-based Reports
Direct database access (Filtered Views)
Custom .NET Workflow activities
And yes, SharePoint shouldn't be your CRM - CRM should be your CRM! :)
With rollup 12 it is now possible to use custom workflow activities in CRM online
http://mubashersharif.blogspot.be/2013/01/custom-workflowactivity-understanding-development.html

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