Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Online is a Tour de Force. But one thing that's always been lacking from this and other cloud-based application software is that you can't actually get direct access to your database. So therefore, you can't perform some basic operations that remain some of the very reasons people still like to have their applications on-premise, where the database is readily accessible for:
- Full, Differential, and Transaction Log Backups - so that if you or your users inadvertently hack-up some data, you'll be able to restore to a point-in-time (like, say, right before they pressed the button that updated the customer's unique Account ID with a cell phone number!) Note that with CRM Online, the backups are not your own. They're Microsoft's backups and they're not there at your convenience if your users' screw up. There would be a charge to restore your database to the last full backup they have, which -- again -- might not be that "point-in-time" restore that you're in need of.
- Custom Reports -- besides having on-site back-ups, custom reports are by far the most popular reason to bring your data on site. SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is a powerful report-writing tool; but you need direct access to the database to write reports in with this tool. There is an end-user reporting-writing tool in CRM Online, but it is a weak little sister to the brawney SSRS, which can do it all in regard to custom reports.
- Dashboards, dashboards, dashboards -- everybody loves dashboards. With direct access to your CRM Online database, you'll be able to put your data to work on your intranet home page in the form of pie charts and other graphical performance indicators. Again CRM Online has a built-in dashboard view, and it is very cool and easy to use -- just not as powerful / flexible as you could do with direct access to the database.
- Integrations -- if you want to trigger changes to other systems based on changes in your CRM data, you'll want to have this data local so your integration software can access it directly.
- Data Warehousing -- similar to reporting, dashboarding, and integrating, you'll want a local copy of the database if you running data warehouse operations.
- Compliance - archive CRM data for governance needs.
So there you have a slew of reasons as to why to bring your data home. The question is how? The answer is either access the web service and pull the data down yourself (Web Service SDK programming skills required), or sign up for the Replication Service (Scribe RS) from Scribe Software.
With the Scribe RS tool, you'll be able to:
- Easily make a local copy offline for Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity.
- Optimize access for websites, portals, and dashboards without impacting CRM Online performance.
- Quickly generate cubes with object level data.
- Use any reporting tool. Merge CRM data with other sources.
- Archive customer data for governance needs.
- Use your own BI vendors, or use BI from Scribe recommended partners GoodData and iAnalytics.
Call SyncraTec today at 215-310-1750, for information on how to get Scribe RS for free for all of 2011!
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