Microsoft Dynamics CRM: Reporting and Dashboards

April 12, 2023 | Copyright © 2011 Infinity Info Systems

Dynamics CRM Reporting & Dashboards

Extending the Power of CRMMike Hammons – Director, Solution Architects


Presenters:

Michael HammonsDirector, Solution Architects

Kathleen FerrieMarketing Manager


Agenda:

• Reports & Dashboards• Challenges• What’s Available• Q&A• Announcements


WHY REPORTING & DASHBOARDSInfinity Info Systems


Dashboards vs. Traditional Reporting

Dashboards\Analytics• Much more visual and interactive• Typically 3-5x faster to build a

DAR solution versus a canned report with Crystal

• Charts, graphs, etc can be changed by user

• Easier to access other data sources

Traditional Report :• Supports reporting with simple drills

and light charting capability• Pre-Built canned reports • Typically printed or distributed via

PDF • Requires expertise and a developers

license to make changes• Access to other data sources can be

challenging


Challenges

• CRM Online• Database Driven• View One Entity At A Time• SSRS & SharePoint

Required for BI on CRM


REPORTSInfinity Info Systems


Reports in Dynamics CRM 2011

Similar to the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Data Connector for Microsoft ® SQL Server ® Reporting ServicesTwo components

• Fetch Data Processing Extension (Fetch DPE)• SQL Data Processing Extension (SQL DPE)

Installation required for any of the following activities• Create a report with the Report Wizard• Use Out of Box reports• Schedule reports• Upload Custom Fetch Based Reports• Enable MUI Packs• Import organizations and create new organizations• Shared Reports


Reporting Extensions

• Upgrade of Reports– The Dataconnector in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0

needs to be uninstalled and the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 CRM Reporting Extensions installed

– During upgrade, reports created by the Report Wizard are converted to fetch-based reports

– Reports created using the wizard, but modified in Visual Studio will not be upgraded (SQL-based reports)

– Out of box reports not converted


Reporting Extensions

• Out of Box Reports in Dynamics CRM Online– SQL-based

– Embedded code moved to custom assemblies

– Reports have the least execution privileges required to run


Excel Reports & Dashboards

• One of the most powerful and under-utilized reporting options in Dynamics CRM is exporting to Excel.

• Simply go to a Filtered View and click the Export to Excel button.

• Go to Opportunities, select Open Opportunities• Click Export to Excel button• Select Dynamic Pivot Table


Excel Reporting Tip• Write SQL queries against CRM without all that

fiddling around in Visual Studio. • The use of Excel for queries instead of SSRS also

fits in with Microsoft's aim of giving the power to configure to the end user.

• There are few end users who are brave enough to tackle Visual Studio but there are plenty that will play with Excel and most companies have at least one person that can write basic SQL SELECT queries.


Let’s Try it

• On the Excel Data tab click Properties• Click the Definition tab• In the command text field, add a new field,

opportunity0.actualvalue as ‘Actual Revenue’ then click OK

• You should now see the field in the PivotTable list field.


CUSTOM REPORTSInfinity Info Systems


Custom Reports

– Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS)• Authoring environment• WYSIWYG editing• Formatting

– SQL Based Reports• OnPremise Only• Use Filtered Views

– Fetch Based Reports• Online and OnPremise• Use FetchXML queries


Getting started with Fetch XML

• What to do if you are not familiar with Fetch XML– Build your query with Advanced Find

– Create a base report with the Report Wizard


Using Advanced Find• Create a new Advanced Find query to pull

the records you need and then download the Fetch XML:


Using Report Wizard• Create a base report with the Report Wizard.

Mark the new report and then choose Edit. Now from the Actions dropdown select Download Report :


Using BIDS and Fetch XML

• Requirements to use Fetch XML in BIDS• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Report Authoring Extension:– http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=13818

• Choose the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Fetch type for the Embedded Connection:

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=13818

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=13818


Using BIDS and Fetch XML• Requirements to use Fetch XML in BIDS• If using IFD then use your

https://dev.<yourdomain>.com:<port>/;<organization name> for the connection string.

• Enter the credentials for the connection:

• Ensure the query is in Fetch XML syntax then try to run the query.


Accessing Non CRM Data

• Joining data from CRM to external data where the report is run from CRM.

• Run report directly from Report Manager.• If the collation is different between the databases you may

need to add the collation to the SQL query itself. Ex:select * from filteredaccount ainner join TWO..RM00103 b on a.accountnumber = b.custnmbr collate SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS

• Use a custom Stored Procedure.• Any custom Tables, Views or Stored Procedures should be

held in an external database. It is not supported to put these in the CRM database as it will cause problems during future upgrades.


How can reports be moved between deployments

• Reports in Solutions– Export and Import Solutions

– Adding Reports to a Solution


DASHBOARDSInfinity Info Systems


Dashboards in Dynamics CRM 2011

• Integral Part of CRM• Easy to Create/Share• Inline Visualizations• Combine Data from

Different Entities


Benefits & Limitations

Benefits:

• Dashboards are simple to create• Create powerful dashboards in a short time• Reduced cost, no additional software or consulting fees

needed

Limitations:

• Dashboards in CRM are not flexible• Lack of Choice Filters


Dashboard Example


3RD PARTY OPTIONSInfinity Info Systems


Additional Options

• Reporting Services– Within MS CRM– Reporting Services Portal– SharePoint Integrated Mode

• Analysis Services• SharePoint Dashboards• Excel Services• PerformancePoint Services• PowerPivot


Reporting Services (SharePoint Integrated)• Integrated into corporate reporting strategy• Unlocks the power of SharePoint workflow• Allows reports to become searchable


Emailing Reports

• Schedule the report• Run it• Go to Report Server http://servername/reports• Go to CustomReports• Rt-click Subscribe• Select Email• Enter Details

http://servername/reports


Analysis Services• OLAP Structure - Cubes• Powerful Analytics, allows the user to ask the next

question and get an answer• Can combine multiple data sources with CRM data• Can be used as a data source for multiple reporting

avenues– SSRS– Power Pivot– Dashboards


SharePoint/Performance Point • Combine data from CRM, ERP and other sources into

one UI• Allows multiple reporting types to be presented on

one page• Interactive and

actionable


Excel Services

• Excel is a widely used and understood tool• Can be connected to live data • Provides user with a

familiar look and feel• Works Inside

SharePoint • Ultimate flexibility

from the users perspective


Microsoft PowerPivot• Data analysis add-in for Excel 2010• Gives users the power to create compelling self-

service BI solutions • Slice and Dice data in a

familiar interface• User can dynamically build

their own queries• “Free”

http://www.powerpivot.com

http://www.powerpivot.com/


What is PowerPivot

• Microsoft PowerPivot for Excel is a data analysis add-in for Excel 2010

• PowerPivot gives users the power to create compelling self-service BI solutions

• http://www.powerpivot.com




Q & AInfinity Info Systems


Microsoft Dynamics CRM: Ask The Expertshttps://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/922335833

Join Infinity and ask our panel of experts your questions on Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. Whether you have questions about how to extend dashboards to drive productivity in your business or you want the latest integration tips and tricks you have come to the right place. This session will cover everything from application questions, Outlook usability, Mobility, customization, deployment and training tips and tricks. We look forward to sharing the latest and greatest on Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. This webinar is not to be missed!

For more information contact: Kathleen Ferrie

Marketing Manager

Tel: 646.747.6398Email: [email protected]

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/922335833



mailto:[email protected]

Microsoft Dynamics CRM: Reporting and Dashboards

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