MSCRM Mobile Applications

Microsoft does offer 2 different applications for the mobile devices. These are the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Mobile client (in short the CRM Mobile client) and the CRM Mobile Express for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 (Mobile Express client). Next to these two applications there is the CWR Mobility's Mobile CRM client (CWR Mobile client). Now which application to use?

Lets look at the descriptions for each client:

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Mobile application
Microsoft CRM Mobile provides salespeople with up-to-date information about their accounts and contacts, and helps them manage sales opportunities and track sales-related activities.

Salespeople select the data to take with them on the road. While disconnected, they can enter data related to their sales activities. Salespeople can synchronize data with the Microsoft CRM server when the network is available, either when the user is on the office network, or when wireless access is available through CDMA or GPRS/Edge. The data entry forms and views can be customized for your business.

CRM Mobile Express for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0
CRM Mobile Express for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 is a shared-source initiative sponsored by Microsoft that offers a lightweight, mobile browser client for viewing and editing data in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0. Now you can manage important Sales, Service and Marketing information from your Windows Mobile, Smartphone and HTML 4.0 compatible devices! CRM Mobile Express for Microsoft CRM also includes a Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Administration Console that can be used to customize your mobile data objects - such as adding custom CRM entities to CRM Mobile Express, set data object read and write permissions, and configure mobile forms according to your CRM system's design. This community project comes complete with three documents - an Installation guide, a User guide and a Developer guide, as well as the application source code for both the CRM Mobile Express Client and Administration Console applications. Developers can use Visual Studio.net 2005 to extend and modify both applications as they see fit.

CWR Mobile CRM by CWR Mobility
CWR Mobile CRM delivers:
- Access to Dynamics CRM 3.0 while out of the office – allowing for up-to-the-minute data changes (from the field and the office) and instant access to current data.
- A user-friendly interface on the Windows Mobile devices for intuitive CRM data access and entry by the mobile professional. Both while the device is connected online to a wireless service provider and offline, such as in an airplane, or deep inside a customer’s warehouse

Using CWR Mobility's Mobile CRM, sales and service teams have instant access to important customer information when and where they need it.

Differences
There are some factors which would influence the result on which application to use. These factors include:
- Out of the box functionality
- Extensibility
- Offline support
- Client Requirements
- Language support
- Price

Out of the box functionality
When comparing the functionality out of the box, then the CWR Mobile client gets the highest score. It supports all (custom) entities, (custom) attributes, a very efficient synchronisation mechanism, field level security via configuration and a lot of minor, but useful features like: direct calling the phonenumber on the screen and TomTom integration.

The Mobile Express client misses the paging functionality out of the box.

Extensibility
Both the Mobile Express client as well as the CWR Mobile client have good possibilities for extensions. The Mobile Express client is a shared source initiative which offers all the code which can be extended. The CWR application supports the addition of custom build controls and client side business logic. Of course these extensions should be developed by professional developers.

Offline support
The CWR Mobile client support Online as well as Offline modes (network aware). The CRM Mobile client supports only Offline mode with a manual sync. The Mobile Express client only supports Online mode.

Client requirements
The Mobile Express client only requires a HTML 4.0 compatible device. If Blackbarry support is required, then this is the only supported application.

The CRM Mobile client as well as the CWR Mobile client requires Windows Mobile or PocketPC. The CWR Mobile client requires a screen resolution of 240x240 and 48mb ram. The CRM Mobile client requires a screen resolution of 240x320 and 64mb ram.

Language support
The CWR Mobile application supports all supported Microsoft CRM languages. They also allow more languages to be added if required. The Mobile Express client supports all CRM languages and the CRM Mobile Client supports only the languages English, German, French and Spanisch.

Price
The price depends on the cost of the product and the additional costs for customization by a partner. Here are listed the prices of the product. Prices of customization are variable.

The CRM Mobile client as well as the Mobile Express client are available for free. The current list price of the CWR Mobile client is €299 per mobile user.

Overall conclusion
By using a mobile application for MS CRM, you will be able to increase your sales. You are able to react very quickly to questions you get from customers and you can check the latest information just before you enter the clients room.

In the part above I have shown my experiences with these applications. In my point of view, the CWR Mobile application deliveres the best functionality. It supports everything that I expect a mobile application should support: network aware data access (online and offline), all languages, entities, custom entities and integration with many other applications on the client device. The price of the product is very reasonable and the quality you'll get for it is very good.

More Information
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 Mobile:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ea5a3566-7ec8-4afe-bbfa-91e7210c55c4&DisplayLang=en

CRM Mobile Express for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0:
http://www.gotdotnet.com/codegallery/codegallery.aspx?id=8e65fc13-4073-406c-879c-442faf78f2c8

CWR Mobility's Mobile CRM: http://www.cwrmobility.com/Products/CWRMobilitysCRM30Mobile/tabid/73/Default.aspx

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Ronald

I am new to CRM Mobile Express.

I have Installed successfully by following Installation guide which is downloaded from gotdotnet.

After Completion of installation got Mobile Configuration page in CRM server.In this page i Added some entities and successfully added.

Now i wants to connect crmserver from device.

then I connected my device to CRM Server Machine.

Opened IE

Typed URl:http://[servername]/default.aspx

Then I am getting Error like "Unsupported Browser Version"
Microsoft CRM requires IE 6 with SP1 or Later.

So could u please help me ASAP.

I am waiting for ur Kind response.

And Our crmserver was installed with IE6.

Please solve my problem

Thanks in Advance

Regards
Julian

Anonymous said...

Hi Julian,

It would appear that you are pointing your mobile device at the main CRM site.

I'm not sure how you have your system set up, but the mobile application runs under a seperate website. You can distingush the mobile application from the main site by using a port number.

The setup that I have on my test system is to have the mobile application on port 5566 and the main site on port 5555. (the intranet site runs on the default site)

You can also use host headers to the same effect.

Hope this helps,
Kevin Hughes

Anonymous said...

Hello Ronald and Kevin Hughes
Thanks for your Response.

Actually I have Installed MS CRM Mobile Express is same as What you said.But I am getting the same Error with my pocketpc i.e.Unsupported Browser Version.

I have one more Doubt.

I am Using Mio PocketPC device actually i dont know whether or not it is compatible.I have installed VS.Net 2005 in my CRM Server.

Could you please Give me Clear Sugestion Regarding my Device.

Evrything is working fine in the Server Machine but i am tring to access CRM server from device i am getting above error.

Try to understand my problem and Give me Response ASAP.

Thanks in Advance
Regards

Julian

Ronald Lemmen said...

Hi Julian,

The Mobile Express client works on every browser. It is software and device independable and even works on a Playstation Portable. Therefore it must work on you MIO as well.

Please provide me the following information:
- What is your server name
- What is the URL you are using to get to CRM from your PC
- What is the location where you installed the Mobile application to
- What do you see if you go to that location with Internet Explorer on your PC
- What URL do you go to from your mobile device?

If you have answered these questions, then you might already have found the solution yourself, or I (or Kevin) could give you the answer.

Kind regards,

Ronald

Anonymous said...

Hello Ronald

I am providing all the information which you asked me .

1.My ServerName is.... MYCRMSERVER
2.http://MYCRMSERVER:5555/default.aspx

3.Ronald actually I have installed CRM MobileExpress by following installation guide which is downloaded from gotdotnet site.

in this what i did is

In(my Pc)D Drive I created one folder named MobileExpress and gave all permissions afterthat i copied two directories(administrative interface and mobileapplication) in to this folder.I follwed the Same steps which are in Installation Guide.

Before installing this mobile express I have installed CRM mobile 3.0.Its location is c:/Programfiles/Microsoft CRM/CRM Mobile

4.If i Use the URL Which I said in step2 My Browser Asks for Credentials.Then i pass credentials and got display same as CRM window.Then I go to Settings/Customization .in that i found MobileConfiguration Node in navigation pane.Then i can able to add entities whatever i required.Up to this OK

5.If i am accessing the server from my device(I am using same CRMSERVR system to connect from device).I opened IE and Typed
URL Like
http://MYCRMSERVER:5555/

or sometimes am using IP address

http://MYIPADDRESS:5555/

then i am getting Error "Unsupported Browser Version".

If i am trying to access Webservices(crmservice and metadataservie)then displaying in right way.

This is what i did till now.

So Could u plz tell me whether or not I followed Rightway.

Please solve my problem.

waiting for your kind Response

Thanks in advance

Regards

Julian

Ronald Lemmen said...

Hi Julian,

In the installation guide there is this line while installing the mobile application:
f. Enter IP Address, TCP Port and Host Header (if desired)

The users should not go to http://MYCRMSERVER:5555/, instead they should go to the address which you have specified in that specific installation step. It might be http://MYCRMSERVER:81 or something similar.

Hope this helps,

Ronald

Anonymous said...

Hello Ronald

Thanks for your Advice.
I opened IIS.Right Clicked on MobileApplication(Website which is created at the time of MobileExpress Installation) and Changed as you said.

I go through that Step and changed TCP port to 81 and entered Host Header name "MYCRMSERVER"(OUR CRM SERVER NAME).

After this I opened IE in my PC and typed URL http://MYCRMSERVER:81/

I got Window with Entities which i added in CRM.this is OK with my PC.

But I am trying to Access from device using same URL getting Error
"Bad Request(Invalid Hostname)".

I tried with IP address instead of MYCRMSERVER,but can't able to access.

Plz try to solve this also .

I am greatful to you.

I wasted a lot of time regarding this issue.Plz

Thanks in advance

Regards
Julian

Ronald Lemmen said...

Its good that you did find the correct page now with your pc. Too bad it doesnt work with your pocket pc. Unfortunately I'm not sure what the problem is now. I'd like to advice you to use the public communities for either CRM or mobile devices. Hopefully somebody there can help you further.

Kind regards,
Ronald

Anonymous said...

there are another mobile MSCRM 3.0 solution for Blackberry devices, called Tendigits MobileAccess. you find more info by this link: http://www.google.com/search?q=Ten+digits+MobileAccess

Ronald Lemmen said...

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for commenting this. I heard about this solution on the Convergence. There is also a solution for Nokia phones (search for Abile dynamitt on google). Soon I'll blog about these two as well to get the full picture.

Ronald

Anonymous said...

Hello Ronald
How are you?I am Julian.I got successfully installed MobileExpress in my PC as well as can able to coonected from Device.

I thankful to you.

And I have One more Problem when installing CRM Mobile3.0.After Completion of All Steps which are in Installation guide I am trying to Connect to Server from Device getting an error "Device Registration Failed For more information Contact your System Administrator". If i give wrong credentials then it is saying "Login Failed,you are not registered to use this application".Actually I dont know why i am getting this problem.
So could you please help me in this regard.

I am waiting for your response.

Thanks in Advance

Regards
Julian

Anonymous said...

Hello Ronald

Please Respond to my above Query ASAP.

Thanks in Advance
Julian

Ronald Lemmen said...

Hi Julian,

I'm not familiar with this question and therefore cannot answer your question. Take a look in the event log, search google and/or ask the newsgroup for the fastest answer.

Kind regards,

Ronald

Anonymous said...

Hi Ronald

Do You know whether or not MS CRM Supports MultiLingual Capabilities?

Could you please Explain me briefly.

Thanks in Advance
Rose Roy

Ronald Lemmen said...

Hi Rose Roy,

MS CRM 3.0 is available in multiple languages. All the clients which are connected to your install do all have the same language. For enterprise clients there is a federated architecture available to address this issue. Titan, the next version of MS CRM, should be multi lingual.

If you're interested in the federated architecture, then drop me an email at ronaldl at avanade dot com.

Anonymous said...

Hello Ronald

WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.

How are you doing..??

I am fine and doing good.

I need some help from you..
when i am trying to create SSL Certificate getting Error like "Error Opening site metabase key 0x80070003".

I did as per the Implementation guide even though i am getting like this??

Could you please Solve my problem.

Regards
Julian

Ronald Lemmen said...

Hi Julian,

Please post this question to the public newsgroups as I do not have the answer for you. I also can't find anything on google for now...

Ronald

Anonymous said...

Hello Ronald

I got installed CWR Mobile Successfully in our MS CRM Server.But I can't able to add Users/Entities.I am getting an error "Error while Inserting/Updating User".And In CWR Mobile Window we found License information,Registered name,Expiration Date and Number of users in bottom of the page.This Line appeared in RedColor and could not find any information related to this Four Fields.Is it a Problem for my Query?? or something else..

Could you please help me ..

Waiting for your kind response..

Thanks in Advance.

Regards
Julian

Anonymous said...

Hello Ronald

I got installed CWR Mobile Successfully in our MS CRM Server.But I can't able to add Users/Entities.I am getting an error "Error while Inserting/Updating User".And In CWR Mobile Window we found License information,Registered name,Expiration Date and Number of users in bottom of the page.This Line appeared in RedColor and could not find any information related to this Four Fields.Is it a Problem for my Query?? or something else..

Could you please help me ..

Waiting for your kind response..

Thanks in Advance.

Regards
Julian

Ronald Lemmen said...

Hi Julian,

Please directly contact CWR for this issue. Look at their website (http://www.cwrmobility.com/) for contact and support information.

Ronald

Erik @ CWR Mobility said...

Hi Julian,

This indicates that you have not installed a license file.

Could you contact me directly.
email: support@cwrmobility.com

Thanks,

Erik van Hoof

Anonymous said...

Roland,

I am looking into CRM Mobile solutions and really enjoyed reading your view of CRM 3.0 mobile and also the CWR application.

In your opinion which application is the easiest to configure, troubleshoot and provides users with the easiest to manage intereface?

I guess I am asking from my point of view as IT admin for getting the mobile solution up and running (and maintaining) and also from the users point of view as well?

Thanks and great blog!

Reply:
K_jf@hotmail.com

Regards,
Kyle

Anonymous said...

Hi Ronald, it may be worth mentioning in your review that the Mobile Express solution by far is the easiest to configure -- the Regular CRM Mobile client is a beast to configure and it ships with out of the box configuration bugs.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ronald,

I am using CRM Mobile Express for Titan and i face a weird issue where i install the MobileClient application (Administration Interface) under CRM site.

When i access that link using CRM, it gives an exception "The VirtualPathProvider returned a VirtualFile Object with VirtualPath set to '/CRM_Titan_CTP/MobileClient/HomePage.aspx' instead of expected '//CR<_Titan_CTP/MobileClient/HomePage.aspx'".

When i check the event viewer it shows error like "error CS0234: The type or namespace name 'MetadataserviceSdk' does not exists in the namespace 'Microsoft.Crm.Sandbox.Mobile'"

I am following the instruction as specified in the installation document.

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks a Lot.
Irfan

Anonymous said...

Hi there

I have a similar problem to the one posted by Irfan on 31st January. I am trying to install Mobile Express for CRM 4.0 and I get the following error message.

'Microsoft.Crm.WebServices.Crm2007.MultipleOrganizationSoapHeaderAuthenticationProvider, Microsoft.Crm.WebServices, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35' doesn't exist.
Parameter name: Microsoft.Crm.WebServices.Crm2007.MultipleOrganizationSoapHeaderAuthenticationProvider, Microsoft.Crm.WebServices, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35

I have discovered that the Microsoft.Crm.WebServices dll is missing from the assembly cache and that this is most likely the cause of the problem. However I am not familiar with registering dlls/assemblies. Can you (or anyone else reading this) please help me??

Many thanks for your help.

Eve

P.S. Great blog I read it a lot!

Ronald Lemmen said...

This might help:
http://flarekit.blogspot.com/2008/09/register-unregister-dll-file-with-gac.html

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