Writing Custom Plugins for MS Dynamics CRM 365

Revolutionize Your CRM Experience with Custom Plugins!

Are you tired of the same old CRM experience? Do you wish you had more control over the features and functionalities of your MS Dynamics CRM 365? If so, then custom plugins are the answer! With custom plugins, you can tailor your CRM system to meet your unique requirements and enhance your user experience.

Creating custom plugins may seem daunting, but with the right resources and tools, it can be a breeze. In this article, we will guide you through the process of writing custom plugins for MS Dynamics CRM 365, including the basics, benefits, and a step-by-step guide. So, let’s dive in!

Introduction

What are Custom Plugins?

Custom plugins are add-ons that extend the functionality of MS Dynamics CRM 365 beyond its out-of-the-box features. Essentially, they allow you to create custom business logic that responds to specific events or data changes within the CRM system. This means you can create automated processes, perform data validation, or integrate with external systems, among other possibilities.

Why Write Custom Plugins?

There are numerous benefits to writing custom plugins for MS Dynamics CRM 365:

Benefits of Custom Plugins
Enhanced functionality and customization
Streamlined business processes and workflows
Improved user experience and productivity
Increased data accuracy and integrity
Integration with external systems and services

As you can see, custom plugins can significantly enhance your CRM experience and streamline your business processes. Plus, with the right knowledge and skills, writing custom plugins can be a fun and rewarding process!

What Do You Need to Write Custom Plugins?

To write custom plugins for MS Dynamics CRM 365, you’ll need the following:

A development environment with Microsoft Visual Studio and the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Developer Toolkit
Access to an MS Dynamics CRM 365 instance
Knowledge of C# programming and .NET framework
Understanding of the plugin registration process and deployment requirements

Don’t worry if you’re new to these tools and concepts – we’ll cover everything you need to know in this article!

How to Write Custom Plugins – A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you know the basics and benefits of custom plugins, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of creating them for MS Dynamics CRM 365.

Step 1: Set Up Your Development Environment

The first step is to set up your development environment by installing Microsoft Visual Studio and the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Developer Toolkit. These tools will enable you to create and deploy custom plugins to your CRM instance.

Step 2: Create a New Project

Once your development environment is set up, create a new project in Visual Studio and select the Dynamics 365 Plugin Library template. This will generate a basic plugin template that you can customize to meet your requirements.

Step 3: Write Your Plugin Code

With your project set up, you can start writing your custom plugin code. Plugins are written in C# and interact with the Dynamics 365 API to perform various business logic tasks. You can also use external libraries and frameworks to extend your plugin functionality.

Step 4: Register Your Plugin

Once your plugin code is complete, you need to register it with your CRM instance. This involves creating a new plugin registration record and specifying the assembly and class name of your plugin. You can also specify when your plugin should trigger and any input or output parameters.

Step 5: Deploy Your Plugin

Finally, you need to deploy your custom plugin to your CRM instance. This involves building and packaging your plugin assembly and uploading it to your CRM instance using the Plugin Registration Tool.

That’s it! With your custom plugin deployed, you can now enjoy enhanced functionality and automation in your CRM system.

Writing Custom Plugins for MS Dynamics CRM 365 – In Detail

Step 1: Set Up Your Development Environment

The first step in writing custom plugins for MS Dynamics CRM 365 is to set up your development environment. This involves installing Microsoft Visual Studio and the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Developer Toolkit.

To install Visual Studio, follow these steps:

Download and run the Visual Studio installer
Select the following workloads:

.NET desktop development
ASP.NET and web development
Universal Windows Platform development
.NET core cross-platform development

Click “Install”

To install the Dynamics 365 Developer Toolkit, follow these steps:

Download and run the Dynamics 365 Developer Toolkit installer
Follow the prompts to install the toolkit
Open Visual Studio and create a new project
Select the Dynamics 365 Plugin Library template under the Dynamics 365 category

With your development environment set up, you’re now ready to start creating your custom plugins!

Step 2: Create a New Project

Once you have installed the necessary tools, create a new project in Visual Studio and select the Dynamics 365 Plugin Library template. This template will generate a basic plugin project structure that you can customize to meet your requirements.

The plugin project consists of the following files:

File Name	Description
Plugin.cs	The main plugin class file, which contains the plugin logic
Plugin.csproj	The plugin project file, which contains project settings and references
Properties/AssemblyInfo.cs	The assembly information file, which contains metadata about the plugin

You can customize these files to meet your requirements, such as by adding external libraries, modifying the plugin logic, or changing the assembly information.

Step 3: Write Your Plugin Code

With your project set up, you can start writing your custom plugin code. Plugins are written in C# and interact with the Dynamics 365 API to perform various business logic tasks.

Here’s an example of a simple plugin that creates a new account record when a contact record is updated:

using System;using Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk;public class CreateAccountPlugin : IPlugin{public void Execute(IServiceProvider serviceProvider){// Get the execution context from the service providerIPluginExecutionContext context = (IPluginExecutionContext)serviceProvider.GetService(typeof(IPluginExecutionContext));// Check if the plugin was triggered by an update to a contact recordif (context.PrimaryEntityName == "contact" && context.MessageName == "Update"){// Get the new contact record valuesEntity contact = (Entity)context.InputParameters["Target"];// Create a new account record with the same values as the contactEntity account = new Entity("account");account.Attributes["name"] = contact.Attributes["fullname"];account.Attributes["emailaddress1"] = contact.Attributes["emailaddress1"];account.Attributes["telephone1"] = contact.Attributes["telephone1"];// Create a new service object to interact with the Dynamics 365 APIIOrganizationServiceFactory serviceFactory = (IOrganizationServiceFactory)serviceProvider.GetService(typeof(IOrganizationServiceFactory));IOrganizationService service = serviceFactory.CreateOrganizationService(context.UserId);// Create the new account recordservice.Create(account);}}}

This plugin checks if the plugin was triggered by an update to a contact record and creates a new account record with the same values as the contact. It then uses the Dynamics 365 API to create the new account record.

You can customize this code to meet your requirements, such as by adding more complex business logic or integrating with external systems.

Step 4: Register Your Plugin

To register your plugin, follow these steps:

Open the Developer Toolkit in Visual Studio
Connect to your Dynamics 365 instance
Select “New Plugin Registration” from the “Plugins” menu
Fill in the registration details, including the assembly and class name of your plugin
Specify the plugin steps and input/output parameters
Save and publish the plugin registration record

With your plugin registered, it will now trigger whenever the specified events occur in your CRM instance.

Step 5: Deploy Your Plugin

To deploy your plugin, follow these steps:

Build your plugin project in Visual Studio
Use the Plugin Registration Tool to create a new solution and upload your plugin assembly
Select the plugin registration record you created in Step 4
Click “Update” to deploy your plugin

Your custom plugin is now deployed to your CRM instance and ready to use!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I write plugins for other CRM versions?

Yes, you can write custom plugins for other versions of MS Dynamics CRM, such as 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2016. However, the process and syntax may vary slightly depending on the version you are using.

2. What are some common use cases for custom plugins?

Some common use cases for custom plugins include:

Automating processes and workflows
Performing data validation and error handling
Integrating with external systems and services
Creating custom reports and dashboards
Extending out-of-the-box functionality

3. Do I need any special plugins or add-ons to write custom plugins?

No, you don’t need any special plugins or add-ons to write custom plugins. All you need is a development environment with Microsoft Visual Studio and the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Developer Toolkit.

4. How do I test my custom plugins?

You can test your custom plugins by using the Plugin Profiler in the Developer Toolkit. This tool allows you to simulate events and test your plugin logic, as well as debug any issues that arise.

5. Can I modify existing plugins?

Yes, you can modify existing plugins by updating the plugin code, registering the updated plugin, and deploying it to your CRM instance. However, be sure to test your changes thoroughly before deploying them to production.

6. Are there any limitations to writing custom plugins?

Yes, there are some limitations to writing custom plugins, such as:

Plugins must be written in C# and follow a specific syntax
Plugins can slow down your CRM system if they are not optimized
Plugins can only be triggered by certain events and data changes
The plugin registration and deployment process can be complex

7. How do I troubleshoot plugin issues?

If you encounter issues with your custom plugins, you can troubleshoot them by:

Using the Plugin Profiler to debug plugin logic and identify errors
Checking the system and application logs for any error messages
Verifying that your plugin registration is correct and up-to-date
Ensuring that your plugin code follows the correct syntax and best practices

Conclusion

Writing custom plugins for MS Dynamics CRM 365 can enhance your CRM experience and streamline your business processes. With the right tools and skills, you can create custom business logic that responds to specific events or data changes within the CRM system. Whether you’re automating processes, integrating with external systems, or extending out-of-the-box functionality, custom plugins are a powerful and flexible solution.

So, what are you waiting for? Start writing your custom plugins today and revolutionize your CRM experience!

Closing/Disclaimer

Writing custom plugins for MS Dynamics CRM 365 can be a complex process that requires knowledge of C# programming, .NET framework, and the Dynamics 365 API. While this article provides a basic overview of the process, it is not intended to be a comprehensive guide or substitute for professional development services. Before writing custom plugins, be sure to consult with a qualified developer or development team to ensure that your plugins are secure, optimized, and compliant with best practices.