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Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 list web part for SharePoint is now working!
Yesterday, I posted my woes about trying to get the Microsoft CRM list web part working for SharePoint. We received an email from a program manager on the Microsoft CRM product team with the following advice:
If you are using a configuration other than a single server (SBS) you will need to setup some level of trust for delegation. In the readme.doc file located in the same folders as the MSI there is a section that tries to describe setting up ‘trust for delegation’ between the SharePoint server and the different servers that might be in your CRM installation. Due to the need to impersonate the connecting user when talking to the CRM web services and CRM SQL server this extra configuration becomes necessary.
What a novel concept, reading the directions! Jim went back through the directions for our setup (CRM, SQL and SharePoint each on their own server) and eventually we got the list web part working. It is a little embarrasing that the readme.doc file included the steps we needed, but I think we got thrown off because the error message we received "You must specify a valid Microsoft CRM server" did not indicate the REAL problem...setting up the trust for delegation properly. In addition, the readme.doc was a little difficult to follow in some sections. In summary, Jim followed these steps to get the Microsoft CRM list web part working:
- Ran the following script on the SharePoint Web server
cscript adsutil.vbs set w3svc/1/NTAuthenticationProviders "Negotiate,NTLM" - Configured the SharePoint server to allow trust for delegation through AD. I wasn't able to follow the readme.doc steps exactly as the MSSQL service wasn't showing. I am assuming it is because that was running under an AD account, but not sure. I instead just trusted the entire SharePoint Web server computer as shown below.
- Ran an iisreset on the SharePoint web server.
- Waited 30 minutes for everything to propagate and then it started working.
So now that we have the install and configuration notes out of the way, let's talk about how cool this web part is! Conceptually, you can plug this list web part into a SharePoint site and use it to expose data from your Microsoft CRM deployment. This screenshot shows a simple Microsoft CRM "My Active Cases" view from within SharePoint.
You can see from the screenshot that the list web part includes a lot of the native Microsoft CRM functionality such as:
- Column sorting
- Creating new records
- Editing existing records
- Pagination (multiple pages)
- Record search/quick find
- Multiple view access
- It respects Microsoft CRM security settings so users can only access data they have permissions for
- Double-clicking a row will launch the appropriate Microsoft CRM record
If you click the "Modify Shared Part" link, you can access the Microsoft CRM list web part admin screen where you can specify how the list web part should appear in SharePoint, such as specifying the entity and default view.
This web part is very slick, and you can easily imagine how you might customize it for your own business. And of course this Microsoft CRM list web part is free for you to download and use immediately. Way to go Microsoft!
Posted by Mike Snyder on March 14, 2006 in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 | Permalink
Comments
Hi all!
I did not have the problem with connecting to the CRM server. But I come across another issue, has anyone tried to search for a record? Putting some search string in the "Look for" field and use the "find" button for searching?
When I try this I get the following error in the webpart in which I try to search:
"An error has occurred. This Web part could not be displayed.
Some of the parameters that are required to connect these Web Parts are missing or have unexpected values. The columns this connection depends on may have been deleted or renamed."
Changing Views, sorting columns all works fine.
Posted by: Sander Daudey | Mar 15, 2006 2:30:23 AM
I tested the Look For/Find and it works fine for me on our install.
Posted by: Mike Snyder | Mar 15, 2006 11:11:47 AM
Do you have a link to download the released version of the new GP 9.0 to CRM 3.0 bi-directional integration tool? We're attending Convergence and have signed up for the "GP31" session. If you read the description it states that the new integration tool "HAS BEEN RELEASED". Where is it, any ideas, have you been using it already?
GP31 Better Together: Microsoft Dynamics GP 9.0 and Microsoft CRM 3.0
Tuesday, March 28 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM, Theater
Speaker(s): Manisha Powar
Products Supported(s): Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains)
Session Type(s): Concurrent Session
Track(s): Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains)
Did you know that a new integration connector has been released for Microsoft Great Plains and Microsoft CRM? This bi-directional integration tool is tighter and richer than ever before. Join us to discuss the many facets of this integration including: BizTalk 2004 and eConnect utilization, integration customization, data mapping utility, monitoring and failure diagnostics, and improved sales order processing and reporting capabilities.
Posted by: Mark Kennedy | Mar 20, 2006 1:04:13 PM
I can assure you the CRM-GP 9.0 integration has NOT been released yet. I was on a partner conference call last Thursday and they said they're targeting April...so I would plan on seeing it in late April.
Posted by: Mike Snyder | Mar 20, 2006 1:11:25 PM
Thanks for the info, this guide has been really useful, alos managed to get a copy of the book sent over to the UK and so far it's been worth it's weight in gold.
One question, I have been playing around with the CRM Web Part and it doesn't seem to include CRM Annoucements in there?
Kind Regards,
David Pape
Posted by: David Pape (Innov8 Solutions) | Apr 12, 2006 4:38:12 AM
I am trying to implement this and was successful with the instructions. However, when I get to the step of connecting to the CRM Server after adding the web part to the page, I receive the following (very generic) error:
An unknown error has occurred
Any ideas??
By the way, I followed the instructions for Configuration 1. (SharePoint & CRM on separate servers)
Posted by: Cayla | May 3, 2006 3:14:00 PM
I followed the instruction and thanks it did connected to my CRM server, the problem is that even if I'm connected successfully to the CRM server, the CRM list web part still showing the following error in its display area
"An error has occurred. This Web part could not be displayed.
Method not found: Void System.Xml.XmlTextReader.set_ProhibitDtd(Boolean)."
the CRM and the sharepoint servers both have .NET rel 2.0 installed.
Any ideas??
Posted by: Mohamed | May 27, 2006 12:51:12 AM
Does anyone know if this can be implemented in a scenario where the CRM server and the Sharepoint server are on 2 different AD domains neither of which has a trust set-up with the other?
Thanks.
Posted by: Robert Wuhrman | Jul 25, 2006 2:17:05 AM
I have not personally tested it, but I think I can say pretty confidently this won't work if CRM and Sharepoint are in two different domains, and there is no trust setup between those domains.
Posted by: Mike Snyder | Jul 25, 2006 7:09:08 AM
Hi
I've got the webpart installed (SQL, CRM and SPS all on one SBS server), but, my Web Part CRM server URL is empty.
I've re-installed but no joy.
I get the message that the URL has been pre-configured but it's always empty and I can't enter anything in the dialog box.
Any ideas gratefully received... including a path\filename of where the URL is stored for the webppart and I'll manually edit it...
thanks in advance
Posted by: JamieB | Sep 5, 2006 8:25:16 AM
I am having the same problem. I have installed the webpart and added it to my sharepoint page but when I try to configure it I get a message saying the CRM URL has been defaulted and I cant enter anything. The URL entry form stays empty and I can't update the webpart because a URL has to be entered to save. Has anyone encountered this and found a fix?
Posted by: JerryC | Oct 8, 2006 8:16:55 AM
Did anybody find a solution for the Look For in the List Web Part? I get the same issue when I try to search for an Account using the List Web Part I get an error.
Thanks.
Posted by: | Mar 5, 2007 4:11:06 PM
We have also had difficulties getting our list web part working even after making sure we have setup trust for delegation in line with the readme.doc file provided with the web part and using the SetSPN.exe tool. Some of the difficulties we have come across are as follows:
1/ We can't find SHAREPOINT properties under Active Directory Users and Computers.
2/ We are not sure which 'User' to allow trust for delegation.
3/ We are not 100% sure what the server URL will be once the above is working.
Can anybody help further, your assitance will be greatly appreciated.
Posted by: Jonathan Liddell | Mar 6, 2007 3:53:26 AM
Hi all,
I tried to install this web part on my WSS 3.0 site after extracting the cab file (Note: this web part is meant for wss 2.0). After following all the instructions as per the documentation provided. i still have the ERROR: You must specify a valid Microsoft CRM server. does any one got it working on wss 3.0? If yes please share your experience with me! Thank you in advance.
Jag
Posted by: JAG | May 8, 2007 12:36:14 AM
You can download the "Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 List Web Part" which supports Microsoft Windows SharePoint Service 2007 and Microsoft Office Service System 2007 here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=bc9b3526-decf-4057-a530-91840c0d5401&DisplayLang=en
Posted by: Mike Snyder | May 8, 2007 7:04:27 AM
Hi!
Trying to install the List Web Part for the Dynamics CRM 3.0.
I'm using: MOSS 2007 on server A, CRM 3.0 and SQL 2005 on server B.
I follow these steps:
1/ Install the web part on server A
2/ Enabled Kerberos the web application were I'm going to show the web part. I did it in the SharePoint Central Administration > Application management > Authentication providers
3/ As I'm using a DOMAIN ACCOUNT as identity of the application pool of the SharePoint site, and at the same time the site uses a HOST HEADER, I need to configure SPN for the DOMAIN ACCOUNT (and not for the server). I execute these lines in C:\Program Files\Support tools:
Create SPNs For the domain account:
setspn -A HTTP/ServerA domain\user
setspn -A HTTP/serverA.domain.local domain\user
Create SPNs For the Host header:
setspn -A HTTP/portal domain\user
setspn -A HTTP/portal.domain.local domain\user
4/ As final step, I set up the TRUST FOR DELEGATION for domain\user in the "Active directory users and computers". In the user "properties", in the "delegation" tab, I choose "Trust this user for delegation to any service (Kerberos)".
5/ I wait more than 30 minutes to let the changes replicate in the machines.
6/ I go to the configuration panel of the web part and indicate the crm url: http://crm
7/ But I always ger the same error: "ERROR: You must specify a valid Microsoft CRM server"
I don't know which step I'm missing or doin g wrong (maybe step 3?), or were I can get more information about the error to try to solve it.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance!
/Guille
Posted by: Guille | Jul 31, 2007 8:23:46 AM
Hi again!
I got make the web part work. I hadn't added the portal host header to the DNS server... So I guees that the SPN for the host header wasn't working properlly. Now, it does work.
Anyway, here comes the nex problem: EVERYTIME I TRY TO CONNECT TO CRM LIST WEB PARTS I GET THIS ERROR MESSAGE:
"ERROR [42000] [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server]Conversion failed when converting from a character string to uniqueidentifier"
This doesn't happen if I connect a regular web part with a CRM list web part. It happens only between two CRM list web parts.
Any Ideas?
Thanks in advance!
/Guille
Posted by: Guille | Aug 2, 2007 4:11:38 AM
Hey guy, I think the problem that a couple of you are having is that you are trying to trust a particular user for delegation. You need to trust the "SharePoint Server" for delegation.
Basicly this setting allows the SharePoint server to essentially "pretend" to be the user that is currently looking at the site.
Jonothan you will only be able to find SHAREPOINT in Active Directory Users and Computers if the name of your sharepoint server is SHAREPOINT. Replace the name SHAREPOINT with the name of your sharepoint server.
Guille - you did the same thing at step 4
Thanks,
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon | Aug 15, 2007 3:58:37 AM
We updated the blog site with another posting on the Microsoft CRM list web part if you want to review that as well.
http://blog.sonomapartners.com/2007/08/microsoft-crm-w.html
Posted by: Mike Snyder | Aug 15, 2007 9:52:06 PM
I'm having the same problem as Guille. I can get the web-parts ot work fine, and have multiple web-parts on one page, but as soon as I try o connect them I get the same error in the second web-part:
"ERROR [42000] [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server]Conversion failed when converting from a character string to uniqueidentifier."
Anyone have any ideas about what may be causing this?
Posted by: jack childs | Sep 5, 2007 6:09:49 PM
Just as a couple of notes to add to this thread, based on work with my colleague Guille to try to resolve various issues with CRM integration.
1. with the "ERROR: You must specify a valid Microsoft CRM server" you should specify the SERVER name NOT the DNS name you might be using to browse the site. i.e. http://avensrv004 NOT http://crm
2. "An error has occurred. This Web part could not be displayed. ERROR [42000] [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server]Conversion failed when converting from a character string to uniqueidentifier"
As an additional part of this error, on refreshing the page or trying to redefine the filter, the target webpart for the filtering also returns the following:
"Web Part Error: Web Part Business Contacts did not implement the GetInitEventArgs method"
So far the various forum threads we've looked at have yielded no fixes for this so we have now opened an MS Support Case. As soon as we get the results I'll update here: http://www.sharepointblogs.com/agoodwin/archive/2007/10/11/error-connecting-two-crm-webparts-in-moss-wss-3-0.aspx
Posted by: Andrew Goodwin | Oct 11, 2007 7:21:52 AM
Can I have multiple colums sorting in MS CRM List Web part?
Posted by: Rajesh | Dec 6, 2007 1:06:07 AM
I still cannot get this working. I have 3 servers, 1 with CRM, 1 with SQL, and one with Sharepoint.
I have followed this to the T and I still get the same error that I must use a valid CRM Server. Kerberos is done, SPN's are done, Delegation is done. I am at a loss and would really like to get this working.
Anyone able to help?
Posted by: Nick | Jun 27, 2008 10:56:52 AM
