Microsoft CRM Custom Design & Development: SDK, C#, SQL, Exchange, Integration, Crystal Reports

Microsoft CRM is new player on the CRM software market. The whole conception behind CRM seems to be different. In case of traditional CRM software (Siebel, Oracle) - the application was designed with platform independence in mind. Microsoft CRM is dedicated to Microsoft technology and so deploys all the Microsoft tools: Windows Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange 2003/2000, SQL Server, Crystal Reports Enterprise, Biztalk server, Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Great Plains as backend, etc.

If you are software developer, database administrator or web designer who is asked: how do we customize Microsoft CRM ? we are giving you directions in this article.

  • Microsoft CRM SDK ? this is software development kit with C# and partly VB.net code samples ? it is supported by Microsoft Business Solutions technical support. It is based on web service calls, if you are C# .NET developer ? you are excellently positioned to do this type of customizations. This is the preferred modification scenario and this should be easily upgradeable customization. VB.Net examples will be available soon.
  • Legacy SQL Data integration. This is also easy and safe. If you have SQL database, sitting on the same or linked SQL Server ? you can create ASPX .Net application and simply integrate it into CRM. You can place it on the navigation bar or menu in isv.config ? please refer to MS CRM SDK
  • Legacy ASP integration ? this is somewhat more sophisticated. You have to deploy HTTP handler to be a middle party between CRM which is .Net based and ASP which is legacy IIS. The trick is ? you have to have INI file with security settings to penetrate into MS CRM with proper credentials, calling web service.
  • Microsoft Exchange Programming. Microsoft CRM has Exchange connector ? which moves CRM incoming email to MS if it has GUID in its subject. You can alter this logic (for instance - move email to CRM if it doesn't have GUID but it is from the sender who is contact or account in MS CRM). Refer to MS Exchange SDK onsyncsave event handling. Then simply apply some MS CRM SDK programming - you need some COM+ objects creation and VB programming experience.
  • Direct SQL touch ? in #4 above I described you the scenario with MS Exchange handlers ? this would be ideal world if MS CRM SDK does the job. But ? in real world this is not always true ? you have to do direct flags correction in CRM database (like making Activity closed, moving email attachments/octet streams, etc). This is not supported by MBS technical support ? but you can rescue to this technique if you have to get job done.
  • MS CRM Customization tool ? this is rather end-user tool and we don't describe it here ? read the manual. We've described above the options to use when this tool doesn't do the job
  • Crystal Reports - feel free to create Crystal report - tables and views structure is self explanatory. Try to avoid the temptation to create your own SQL view or stored procedure in MS CRM database, instead - create custom database and place your view and stored proc in it.
  • Happy modifying! If you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

    Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer in Alba Spectrum Technologies ? USA nationwide Microsoft CRM, Microsoft Great Plains customization company, based in Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, Canada, UK, Australia and having locations in multiple states and internationally (help@albaspectrum.com), he is Dexterity, SQL, VB/C#.Net, Crystal Reports and Microsoft CRM SDK developer.

    licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..
    In The News:

    Chrome extension spyware disguised as a free VPN service highlights security risks after it captured private browsing data from trusted sites.
    New research shows how fatty acids in cooking oil can safely dissolve and recover silver from circuit boards without harmful chemicals or environmental damage.
    The Fox News AI newsletter gives you information on the latest AI technology advancements, and about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    Anthropic investigates alarming AI abuse case where hacker automated entire cybercrime campaign using Claude, stealing sensitive data from defense and healthcare firms.
    TikTok, Meta and YouTube restrict Charlie Kirk shooting videos with age gates and warnings while X faces criticism for allowing continued circulation.
    Cybercriminals use fake troubleshooting websites to trick Mac users into running terminal commands that install Shamos malware through ClickFix tactics.
    San Francisco startup Fable launches Showrunner, an AI platform dubbed the 'Netflix of AI' that generates animated episodes from text descriptions with Amazon support.
    Apple raised iPhone prices for some models despite receiving tariff relief from President Donald Trump, with the new lineup starting at $799 for the base model.
    A two-story 3D concrete printed home in Western Australia demonstrates faster construction methods that could reshape American housing amid rising costs.
    Credit scores remain important during retirement for insurance rates and housing applications, while seniors become prime targets for identity theft and financial scams.
    Scammers now send unexpected packages with QR codes that redirect victims to fraudulent websites or download malicious software to steal sensitive information.
    Meeting AI tools record private conversations alongside work discussions, creating privacy risks that can be managed with proper settings and awareness.
    Hotel privacy concerns are valid but rare, with methods to detect hidden tech using smartphone flashlights, mirror tests and scanning apps.
    Improve your Wi-Fi speed and reliability with 10 simple router optimization tips that don't require special apps or expensive subscriptions.
    A Columbia University breach exposed names, Social Security numbers and academic records of nearly 869,000 people, with notifications beginning in August.
    Rental car drivers use AI-powered apps like Proofr to protect themselves from unfair damage fees as major companies deploy automated inspection tools.
    Fox News' AI newsletter brings you the latest on technology advancements around artificial intelligence.
    OnTrac data breach between April 13-15, 2025, exposed personal information of over 40,000 people including Social Security numbers and medical records.
    A woman named Wika announces her engagement to an AI chatbot sparking worldwide debate about virtual relationships and technology.
    The notorious people search site National Public Data relaunches despite a previous breach affecting 3 billion individuals, raising fresh privacy concerns.
    Revolutionary TRAUMAGEL gel controls life-threatening bleeding from gunshot wounds and traumatic injuries, helping first responders prevent prehospital deaths.
    Protect your home network by enabling proper encryption, creating strong passwords, checking connected devices and using VPN and antivirus software.
    The Navy's solar-powered Skydweller drone flew nonstop for 73 hours in Mississippi, proving renewable energy can power long-endurance military missions.
    Moving and downsizing expose seniors to identity theft and scams as data brokers collect real estate records and personal information to sell to criminals.
    ShengShu's Vidar technology revolutionizes humanoid robot training by using AI-generated synthetic video, reducing required training data from hours to just 20 minutes.

    Microsoft Great Plains: Government & Non-Profit Organization ? Workflow Implementation

    Usually workflow & messaging is realized in CRM and then... Read More

    Adware, What Is It?

    Adware is a type of Spyware program that displays some... Read More

    How To Develop Software For Your Business

    Software development is a risky business.Many software developers are barely... Read More

    Protect Your Most Vital Business Asset with Security Software

    Homeland security, airport security, Internet security ??" these days we???re... Read More

    Microsoft Great Plains & CRM in Transportation & Logistics ? Overview

    Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains and MS CRM (client relation... Read More

    Free Program Removes Spyware not Detected by Premium Security Scan

    What is Spyware?Spyware monitors your surfing habits and sends the... Read More

    Microsoft Great Plains RW: Report Writer

    Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is marketed for mid-size companies... Read More

    Microsoft CRM Modification ? Overview for IT Specialist

    Microsoft CRM is now on the scene and it is... Read More

    C++ Tutorials: 3, Program Flow (If, Else, While, For)

    Program Flow is what you think it is. How the... Read More

    Microsoft CRM: Implementation, Customization, Support ? Consultant Overview

    Microsoft Business Solutions CRM is present several years on the... Read More

    Can Group Collaboration Software Meet Business Needs?

    According to a survey conducted by InfoTrends/CAP Ventures entitled "Content-Centric... Read More

    Do You Know These Facts About Spyware ?

    Imagine something that follows you home and sets itself up... Read More

    Microsoft Great Plains - Microsoft RMS Integration ? overview

    Microsoft Great Plains and Microsoft Retail Management System (Microsoft RMS)... Read More

    Editing Your Photos Using Microsoft Picture It Publishing Platinum 2002 - A Great Dinosaur

    I started using PIP (Picture It Publishing) Platinum 2002 right... Read More

    Intro to UNIX Shells

    A UNIX Shell is in simplest terms, a command line... Read More

    Interactive Mapping Brings Information to Life

    What is Interactive Mapping?Interactive mapping is a visual display medium... Read More

    Guide to Software Marketing

    Intro This concise article will tell you in plain English... Read More

    OSI Layers Model

    IntroductionDuring the early years of our modern computer era, very... Read More

    Microsoft Update - 5 Reasons to Update Service Pack 2

    Microsoft released Service Pack 2 (SP2) for the Windows XP... Read More

    Software Engineering: An Introduction

    Software Engineering is the Systematic Approach for analysis design implementation... Read More

    Adware and Spyware

    What is 'adware'?Adware is basically software or scripts that are... Read More

    MultiNational Corporation ERP Implementation ? Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains

    If you look back to the history, you will see... Read More

    How to Choose the BEST Charting Software

    I suggest that you do not spend a lot of... Read More

    Microsoft CRM Implementation & Customization: MS CRM Fax Gateway

    With this small article we are continuing Microsoft Business Solutions... Read More

    ERP Consulting: Microsoft Great Plains Partner Future Directions

    In the Clinton era the status quo was simple: you... Read More

    on demand house cleaning Arlington Heights ..