Setting TFS for Dynamics CRM: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Welcome, readers! Today, we’re going to explore setting up TFS (Team Foundation Server) for Dynamics CRM (Customer Relationship Management). This integration will enable you to manage your CRM projects efficiently and improve collaboration among team members. Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:

Table of Contents

Section	Description
1.	What is TFS?
2.	What is Dynamics CRM?
3.	Why do you need to integrate TFS with Dynamics CRM?
4.	Step-by-Step Guide to Setting up TFS for Dynamics CRM
5.	FAQs about Setting up TFS for Dynamics CRM
6.	Conclusion: Take Action Now!
7.	Closing or Disclaimer

What is TFS?

Team Foundation Server (TFS) is a collaborative software development environment developed by Microsoft that supports project management, version control, build automation, testing, and reporting capabilities. It is used by teams of software developers, testers, and project managers to manage and coordinate their work on software projects.

Using TFS, you can manage your software projects from planning to deployment, with the ability to track project status, assets, and code changes. Organizations can use TFS to manage multiple projects simultaneously and have a centralized and integrated platform for managing their development workflows.

What is Dynamics CRM?

Dynamics CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is a comprehensive customer relationship management solution developed by Microsoft that helps organizations manage their customer interactions, sales processes, and marketing campaigns. It offers features like contact management, sales forecasting, customer service, marketing automation, and analytics, among others.

Dynamics CRM enables organizations to build a 360-degree view of their customers by tracking their interactions across different channels like email, phone, social media, and web. It helps businesses personalize their interactions with customers and deliver engaging experiences, leading to improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Why do you need to integrate TFS with Dynamics CRM?

Integrating TFS with Dynamics CRM can offer several benefits to your organization, including:

• Better collaboration among team members: With TFS integration, your development team can work on CRM projects using a centralized platform, enabling better collaboration, and coordination among team members.
• Improved visibility into project status: TFS integration enables you to track the progress of your CRM projects and identify and resolve issues in real-time, leading to improved project outcomes.
• Enhanced development workflows: By integrating TFS with Dynamics CRM, you can streamline your development workflows and improve efficiency by automating manual tasks and ensuring that everyone follows the same development process.
• Better version control: TFS offers robust version control capabilities that enable you to track code changes, manage different versions of your CRM projects, and collaborate on code with your team members.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting up TFS for Dynamics CRM

Now that you understand the benefits of integrating TFS with Dynamics CRM, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of setting it up.

Step 1: Install Team Foundation Server

The first step is to install TFS on your server or cloud account. You can download TFS from the official Microsoft website and follow the installation wizard to set it up. Make sure you select the features you need, like version control, work tracking, and reporting, among others.

Step 2: Install Dynamics CRM Extensions for TFS

Next, you need to install the Dynamics CRM extensions for TFS, which integrate TFS with Dynamics CRM. You can download the extensions from the Microsoft Marketplace and follow the installation wizard to install them.

Step 3: Configure Dynamics CRM Server and Organization

After installing the extensions, you need to configure your Dynamics CRM server and organization to enable TFS integration. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Dynamics CRM web application.
2. Go to Settings > Administration > System Settings > Customization Tab.
3. Enable the “Allow solutions to be exported as managed” option.
4. Save your changes.
5. Go to Settings > Customizations > Developer Resources.
6. Copy the URL of the “Organization Web Service” and paste it in a text editor.
7. You’ll need this URL later when configuring TFS.

Step 4: Configure TFS Server

The next step is to configure your TFS server to integrate with Dynamics CRM. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open TFS and navigate to the Administration Dashboard.
2. Click on the Extensions tab.
3. Click Browse Local Extensions Gallery.
4. Search for “Dynamics 365” extensions and install the solutions.
5. Click on the Dynamics 365 Configuration Wizard and follow the instructions to configure the TFS server.
6. Provide the Dynamics CRM organization URL you copied earlier and other details required by the wizard.

Step 5: Create a TFS Project for Dynamics CRM

The last step is to create a TFS project for your Dynamics CRM development. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open TFS and navigate to the Team Projects page.
2. Click on the “New Team Project” button.
3. Provide a name and description for your project.
4. Select the process template that matches your Dynamics CRM project and click “Finish”.
5. You can now start using TFS for your Dynamics CRM development.

FAQs about Setting up TFS for Dynamics CRM

Q1: Do I need to have Dynamics CRM installed on my local machine to set up TFS integration?

No, you don’t need to have Dynamics CRM installed on your local machine. You can set up TFS integration from the TFS server itself.

Q2: Can I integrate TFS with any version of Dynamics CRM?

No, TFS integration is supported only in Dynamics CRM 2016 and above versions.

Q3: Is TFS integration free with Dynamics CRM?

Yes, TFS integration is free with Dynamics CRM, and you can download the Dynamics CRM extensions for TFS from the Microsoft Marketplace.

Q4: Can I use TFS for version control in Dynamics CRM?

Yes, TFS offers robust version control capabilities that enable you to track code changes, manage different versions of your CRM projects, and collaborate on code with your team members.

Q5: Can I use TFS for project management in Dynamics CRM?

Yes, you can use TFS for project management in Dynamics CRM, with the ability to track project status, assets, and code changes.

Q6: Can I use TFS for build automation in Dynamics CRM?

Yes, you can use TFS for build automation in Dynamics CRM, with the ability to automate builds, tests, and deployments.

Q7: Is TFS integration with Dynamics CRM secure?

Yes, TFS integration with Dynamics CRM is secure and compliant with industry standards like ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 Type 2.

Q8: How can I customize the process template for my Dynamics CRM project in TFS?

You can customize the process template for your Dynamics CRM project in TFS by using the Process Editor tool, which enables you to modify the work items, workflows, and fields in the template.

Q9: Can I track bugs and issues in Dynamics CRM using TFS?

Yes, you can track bugs and issues in Dynamics CRM using TFS, with the ability to create work items, assign them to team members, and track their progress.

Q10: How can I migrate my Dynamics CRM projects to TFS?

You can migrate your Dynamics CRM projects to TFS using the TFS Integration Platform, which enables you to migrate data from source systems like Dynamics CRM to TFS.

Q11: Can I use TFS for reporting in Dynamics CRM?

Yes, you can use TFS for reporting in Dynamics CRM, with the ability to create custom reports using tools like SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).

Q12: Can I use TFS for testing in Dynamics CRM?

Yes, you can use TFS for testing in Dynamics CRM, with the ability to create test plans, execute tests, and track test results.

Q13: Can I use TFS for code reviews in Dynamics CRM?

Yes, you can use TFS for code reviews in Dynamics CRM, with the ability to create code reviews, assign them to team members, and track their progress.

Conclusion: Take Action Now!

You now have a better understanding of how to set up TFS for Dynamics CRM and the benefits it can offer to your organization. By following the step-by-step guide we provided, you can start using TFS for your CRM projects and improve collaboration, efficiency, and project outcomes.

If you have any questions or need further assistance with setting up TFS for Dynamics CRM, don’t hesitate to contact our support team. We’re here to help you succeed!

Closing or Disclaimer

In conclusion, setting up TFS for Dynamics CRM can transform the way your organization manages its CRM projects, leading to improved collaboration, efficiency, and project outcomes. However, we recommend that you consult with your IT team or a qualified consultant before making any changes to your IT infrastructure. The steps and recommendations provided in this article are intended for informational purposes only, and we do not assume any liability or responsibility for any damages or losses that may result from following them.