As I revise for the MB2-710 exam I’m creating posts covering all aspects of my revision. Hopefully collectively they may help others prepare for the MB2-710 certification. (Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 Online Deployment.)

In this post I will look at Email Processing Options.

As I often like to do before commencing on a revision topic, lets look at the skills measured statement that I am going to cover in this post;

• Select an email processing option
  
  • Identify email processing options; describe the advantages of each email processing option; identify limitations and requirements for each email processing option
    

Email Processing Options

Firstly you need to be aware that Microsoft Dynamics does not include an email system! It integrates with emails systems using one of the three following options;

1. Email Router
   
2. Server-side synchronization – Recommended appraoch
   
3. CRM client for outlook
   

When I prepared revision notes for the MB2-713 exam I also covered email processing options. Including a description on how to configure server-side synchronization. You can refer to that post here.

Email router and server-side sync are both server based email processing methods. Whilst the Outlook client works exclusively from the local client. When implementing CRM you will need to consider the best option, things to consider include;

• On line / on premise
• Existing email infrastructure, are you using Exchange online, local exchange or another email system.

You can use a mixture of email router and outlook client if required. But you cannot mix email router and server-side sync. (Either server side option can be used but not both at the same time!)

Email Router

The email router is centrally managed, making email integration easier to manage (compared to Outlook client) in large organisations. However the email client must be installed on a computer giving a separate program “the email router configuration manager”, which is used to configure the email router options.

A key advantage of the email router over server-side sync is its ability to be used in mixed environments. By this I mean a mixture like Dynamics online and Exchange on premise. (and vice versa)

Be aware of the following requirements for Email Router:

• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 Email Router requires CRM 2013
  
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2015 Email Router requires CRM 2015
  
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 Email Router requires Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016.
  

You can install the Email Router and Rule Deployment Wizard on any computer that is running one of the following operating systems, and that has network access to both Microsoft Dynamics CRM and the email server:

• Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 (64-bit and 32-bit versions)
  
• Windows 7 (64-bit and 32-bit versions)
  
• Windows Server 2012
  

The Email Router supports the following versions of Exchange Server:

• Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Standard and Enterprise editions
  
• Exchange Server 2013 Standard and Enterprise editions
  
• Microsoft Exchange Online
  

NOTE: It is important to be aware that the email router only synchronizes email. (There is a clue in the name!) It cannot synchronize appointments, contacts and tasks. (The Outlook client can be sued for these.)

Server-side Synchronization

Like the email router server-side synchronization provides a centrally managed solution, however it is part of the CRM application and is therefore managed in the web browser. (With the need to install any additional software.)

Like the email router server-sdie sync is centrally managed but it is managed in the web application.

Server-side sync is easier to configure, it can synchronize with Exchange online with minimal configuration. There are also ongoing maintenance advantages as it provides error reporting directly in the CRM application through alerts.

Unlike the email router, server-side sync is not limited to emails. It can also synchronize appointments, contacts and tasks.

Server-side sync cannot be used between Microsoft Dynamics CRM On-Premise and Exchange online. Two configurations are supported for server-side sync. Those being CRM on premise to Exchange 2010/2013. Or CRM online to Exchange online

Server-side synchronization (with CRM online / Microsoft Dynamics 365) supports the following additional features;

1. Email folder tracking
2. Removes the need for Outlook add-in to synchronize records. Although you can still use the outlook client to track records manually.
3. App for Outlook, server-side sync allows the use of the app for outlook. In which you can track emails via Outlook web access.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Outlook

The final option to use for email synchronization is the Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Outlook client.

In this option there is noting to install centrally, you just install the Microsoft Dynamics CRM to Outlook client locally.

CRM for Outlook can synchronize emails, contacts, appointment and tasks. But cannot be used for email queues.

As the client runs locally, it is important to appreciate that synchronization only happens when Outlook is running. Incoming emails are not automatically tracked unless Outlook is running.

Only one organization can be designated as the synchronizing organization.

Only on Exchange or POP3 mailbox per CRM user.

It is possible to use the CRM for Outlook client to go off line. The go offline features uses Microsoft SQL Server Express as a local data store.

One of the following operating systems is required:

• Windows 10 (64-bit and 32-bit versions)
  
• Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 (64-bit and 32-bit versions)
  
• Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (64-bit and 32-bit versions)
  
• Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 when running as a Remote Desktop Services application
  

Microsoft Office. One of the following:

• Microsoft Office 2016
  
• Microsoft Office 2013
  
• Microsoft Office 2010
  

Web Browser. One of the following:

• Internet Explorer 11
  
• Internet Explorer 10
  

You can find full details of system requirements for the CRM for Outlook client, here.

In a previous post I expanded on the capabilities of the CRM for Outlook client. You can find that post here.

At the start of this post I set out to address the skills measured statement for email processing options in the MB2-710 exam. Hopefully I have done that.
J