MSCRM: upgrade 32-bit MSCRM 3.0 to 64-bit MSCRM 4.0

Below are our notes from recently upgrading a clients 32-bit Small Business Server 2003 (SBS2003) with SQL Server 2000 to 64-bit Windows Server 2008 with SQL Server 2008. We hope that you find them useful.




As you may probably be aware - in the above situation, it is not possible to upgrade directly. MSCRM 3.0 is not supported on 64-bit Windows Server 2008 and MSCRM 4.0 is not supported on SQL Server 2000. So a transitional interim server is required. We set up a Virtual Machine with Windows Server 2003 and SQL Server 2005 to act as the transitional server. Both MSCRM 3.0 and 4.0 are supported in a Windows Server 2003 and SQL Server 2005 environment.




Before starting, you'll need to make sure that all prerequisites have been installed on the interim Windows Server 2003 and the new Windows Server 2008 machines. For details of the prerequisites, refer to the Microsoft CRM 3.0 Implementation Guide and Microsoft CRM 4.0 IG Planning document.


Also, please note that if the interim server has had MSCRM 4.0 installed on it previously (perhaps it was used for testing purposes?) then we recommend that you manually remove the Microsoft Dynamic CRM 4.0 server before starting. Just using Add/Remove programs does not remove all files and/or registry entries which can cause anomalous errors when upgrading.

In summary, these are the steps which we went through:


* Install the Microsoft CRM 3.0 Redeployment Wizard on the transitional server

* Redeploy the Microsoft CRM 3.0 installation from the SBSSVR 2003 box to the Windows Server 2003 - see Microsoft CRM 3.0 Redeployment guide

>> See this article if get the error "you cannot mix small business edition and professional edition license keys"

>> See this article if you get a warning "the specified database has a later version"


* Thoroughly test the new MSCRM 3.0 installation!

* Install MSCRM 4.0 as according to the Microsoft Dynamics CRM IG Installing document section 2-16

>> For more details on warnings and errors that you might get during the installation wizards final checks, then review the installation log here: C:\Documents and Settings\(user)\Application Data\Microsoft\Mscrm\Logs\Crm40svrsetup.log

>> See the article here is you get warning messages about "word breaker for language 9999 is not installed"

>> See the article here if you get an error that "The full-text indexes on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM database are not consistent with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 full-text indexes"

>> See the here article if you have been using the unsupported currentUserHasRole to control field access.

* Thoroughly test the interim MSCRM 4.0 installation!

>> See the article here if "custom ISV Config menu options do not show".

* Redeploy MSCRM 4.0 to the 64-bit Windows Server 2008 / SQL Server 2008 environment as according to the Microsoft "How to move the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 deployment" Knowledgebase article.

>> See the article here if, when installing MSCRM 4.0, you get the error "the instance name must be the same as the computer name" from the Microsoft SQL Server System Requirements check.
>> Note that the final step to change the Organization in the Deployment Manager does take a while to execute at the stage where you can "Auto-map users" (or at least it did for us!). To speed up the process, then assuming that the old and new servers are on the same domain, then you can just "Keep existing" which is significantly quicker.


* Thoroughly test the final MSCRM 4.0 installation!

>> See the article here if "custom ISV Config menu options do not show".



We hope that this article has helped! Please comment to add any further tips and links that might be useful to people upgrading to MSCRM 4.0.



For more Microsoft Dynamics CRM resources and more including applications such as QuoteWerks, ACT! by Sage, plus software and website development tips, then please see the Hilltops IT website.

MSCRM: CRM 4.0 install starts then crashes, Managed Setup exited with code -532459699

When running the ServerSetup.exe a screen appears initially, but then the installation crashes fata error.

In the C:\Documents and Settings\(user)\Application Data\Microsoft\Mscrm\Logs\Crm40svrsetup.log installation log file is the message:
"Managed Setup exited with code -532459699"

In the C:\Documents and Settings\(user)\Application Data\Microsoft\Mscrm\Logs\crm40setup.log installation log file is the message:
"Microsoft Dynamics CRM is already installed."

Complete log file entries look like this:

crm40svrsetup.log

18:02:39 Info === Setup bootstrap logging started 13/06/2009 18:02:39 ===
18:02:39 Info Bootstrap version: 4.0.7333.3.
18:02:39 Info User: administrator.
18:02:39 Info === Setup bootstrap logging ended 13/06/2009 18:02:39 ===
18:02:40 Info === Setup bootstrap logging started 13/06/2009 18:02:40 ===
18:02:40 Info Bootstrap version: 4.0.7333.3.
18:02:40 Info User: administrator.
18:02:41 Info .NET version found is 3.0.30618.0
18:02:41 Info IsDotNetInstalled=1
18:02:41 Info IsDrWatsonInstalled=1
18:02:41 Info MSXML found is 6.20.1099
18:02:41 Info IsMsXmlInstalled=1
18:02:41 Info Installer path for Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime set to D:\Redist\amd64\VcRedist\vcredist_x64.exe
18:02:41 Info IsReportViewerControlInstalled=1
18:02:41 Info Sql Native Client version found is 9.0.3042
18:02:41 Info IsSqlNativeClientInstalled=1
18:02:41 Info Installing Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime
18:02:43 Info Installation of Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime has completed. Exit code: 0. Result: Version installed: 8.0
18:02:43 Info === Setup bootstrap logging ended 13/06/2009 18:02:43 ===
18:02:46 Info === Setup bootstrap logging started 13/06/2009 18:02:46 ===
18:02:46 Info Bootstrap version: 4.0.7333.3.
18:02:46 Info User: administrator.
18:02:46 Info Managed Setup exited with code -532459699.
18:02:46 Info === Setup bootstrap logging ended 13/06/2009 18:02:46 ===



crm40setup.log

18:02:38 Info === Setup bootstrap logging started 13/06/2009 18:02:38 ===
18:02:38 Info Bootstrap version: 4.0.7333.3.
18:02:38 Info User: administrator.
18:02:38 Info Invoked with command line: setupserver /InstallAlways
18:02:39 Info Running D:\Server\amd64\SetupServer.exe
18:02:39 Info Loading bootstrap library D:\Server\amd64\ServerSetup.dll
18:02:39 Info Microsoft Dynamics CRM is already installed.
18:02:39 Info Closing bootstrap library D:\Server\amd64\ServerSetup.dll
18:02:39 Info Copying installer files to local directory:
18:02:39 Info Package: D:\Server\amd64\Server.msi, Options: REINSTALL="Installer" REINSTALLMODE=vo INSTALLDIR="C:\Users\ADMINI~1.DYN\AppData\Local\Temp\2\MSCRM_{03A7A017-659A-4914-8400-3EC097D33A22}" TARGETDIR="C:\Users\ADMINI~1.DYN\AppData\Local\Temp\2\MSCRM_{03A7A017-659A-4914-8400-3EC097D33A22}" ALLOWRUN=1
18:02:40 Info Loading bootstrap library C:\Users\ADMINI~1.DYN\AppData\Local\Temp\2\MSCRM_{03A7A017-659A-4914-8400-3EC097D33A22}\ServerSetup.dll
18:02:46 Info Closing bootstrap library C:\Users\ADMINI~1.DYN\AppData\Local\Temp\2\MSCRM_{03A7A017-659A-4914-8400-3EC097D33A22}\ServerSetup.dll
18:02:46 Info === Setup bootstrap logging ended 13/06/2009 18:02:46 ===



Even though Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 may not appear on the Add/Remove Programs list, some files or registry entries may have been completely removed. We recommend that you go the setps in the How to anually remove the Microsoft Dynamic CRM 4.0 Microsoft Knowledgebase article to ensure that a previous installation has been completely removed.

MSCRM: Installing - the instance name must be the same as the computer name

When installing Microsoft Dynamics CRM MSCRM 4.0 you get the error "the instance name must be the same as the computer name" from the installation wizard Microsoft SQL Server System Requirements check.

This may be because 1) the server name has been changed since SQL Server was installed, or 2) you are running a 64-bit or Windows Server 2008 environment.

Note that in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 "Help", it may state that only SQL Server 2005 is supported. This is not the case; for more information please see the Microsoft Knowledgebase article "Support for running Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 together with Microsoft SQL Server 2008".

To check if the server name has been changed since SQL Server was installed, open Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio and run the following query:
SELECT * FROM sys.servers

If the current server name is not listed, then use the following procedures to correct the issue:
Execute sp_dropserver <OldServerName>
Execute sp_addserver <NewServerName>, local

If you are running a 64-bit or Windows Server 2008 environment, then check that Named Pipes have been enabled in the SQL Server Network Configuration (Start menu All Programs Microsoft SQL Server Configuration Tools SQL Server Configuration Manager expand SQL Server Network Configuration highlight Protocols for <SQLInstanceName> Enable Named Pipes.

MSCRM: the specified database has a later version

Upgrading or redeploying your Microsoft Dynamics CRM (MSCRM) 3.0 installation, you get the error: "the specified database has a later version" in the final checks of the installation wizard.

This is a warning only, so the wizard will allow you to continue. To remove the error though, you can update the Build Number field in the MSCRM Build Version table:

UPDATE BuildVersion SET Revision = 0 WHERE BuildNumber = 5300

MSCRM: you cannot mix small business edition and professional edition license keys

Upgrading or redeploying your Microsoft Dynamics CRM (MSCRM) 3.0 installation, you get the error: "you cannot mix small business edition and professional edition license keys" in the final checks of the installation wizard.

Try deleting all the rows from the MSCRM License table:

DELETE FROM MY_Organisation_MSCRM.dbo.License

MSCRM: testing a User's Role (CRM 4.0 only)

Code required to test whether the logged in user to Microsoft CRM has a particular role:

function currentUserHasRole(roleName)
{
//get Current User Roles
var oXml = GetCurrentUserRoles();

if(oXml != null)
{
//get list of role names
var roles = oXml.selectNodes("//BusinessEntity/q1:name");

if(roles != null)
{
for( i = 0; i < roles.length; i++)
{
if(roles[i].text == roleName)
{
//return true if user has this role
return true;
}
}
}

}
//not found, return false
return false;

}

function GetCurrentUserRoles()
{
var xml = "<?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\"?>" +
"<soap:Envelope xmlns:soap=\"http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/\" xmlns:xsi=\"http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance\" xmlns:xsd=\"http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema\">" +
GenerateAuthenticationHeader() +
" <soap:Body>" +
" <RetrieveMultiple xmlns=\"http://schemas.microsoft.com/crm/2007/WebServices\">" +
" <query xmlns:q1=\"http://schemas.microsoft.com/crm/2006/Query\" xsi:type=\"q1:QueryExpression\">" +
" <q1:EntityName>role</q1:EntityName>" +
" <q1:ColumnSet xsi:type=\"q1:ColumnSet\">" +
" <q1:Attributes>" +
" <q1:Attribute>name</q1:Attribute>" +
" </q1:Attributes>" +
" </q1:ColumnSet>" +
" <q1:Distinct>false</q1:Distinct>" +
" <q1:LinkEntities>" +
" <q1:LinkEntity>" +
" <q1:LinkFromAttributeName>roleid</q1:LinkFromAttributeName>" +
" <q1:LinkFromEntityName>role</q1:LinkFromEntityName>" +
" <q1:LinkToEntityName>systemuserroles</q1:LinkToEntityName>" +
" <q1:LinkToAttributeName>roleid</q1:LinkToAttributeName>" +
" <q1:JoinOperator>Inner</q1:JoinOperator>" +
" <q1:LinkEntities>" +
" <q1:LinkEntity>" +
" <q1:LinkFromAttributeName>systemuserid</q1:LinkFromAttributeName>" +
" <q1:LinkFromEntityName>systemuserroles</q1:LinkFromEntityName>" +
" <q1:LinkToEntityName>systemuser</q1:LinkToEntityName>" +
" <q1:LinkToAttributeName>systemuserid</q1:LinkToAttributeName>" +
" <q1:JoinOperator>Inner</q1:JoinOperator>" +
" <q1:LinkCriteria>" +
" <q1:FilterOperator>And</q1:FilterOperator>" +
" <q1:Conditions>" +
" <q1:Condition>" +
" <q1:AttributeName>systemuserid</q1:AttributeName>" +
" <q1:Operator>EqualUserId</q1:Operator>" +
" </q1:Condition>" +
" </q1:Conditions>" +
" </q1:LinkCriteria>" +
" </q1:LinkEntity>" +
" </q1:LinkEntities>" +
" </q1:LinkEntity>" +
" </q1:LinkEntities>" +
" </query>" +
" </RetrieveMultiple>" +
" </soap:Body>" +
"</soap:Envelope>";

var xmlHttpRequest = new ActiveXObject("Msxml2.XMLHTTP");
xmlHttpRequest.Open("POST", "/mscrmservices/2007/CrmService.asmx", false);
xmlHttpRequest.setRequestHeader("SOAPAction"," http://schemas.microsoft.com/crm/2007/WebServices/RetrieveMultiple");
xmlHttpRequest.setRequestHeader("Content-Type", "text/xml; charset=utf-8");
xmlHttpRequest.setRequestHeader("Content-Length", xml.length);
xmlHttpRequest.send(xml);

var resultXml = xmlHttpRequest.responseXML;
return(resultXml);

}



The code need to be placed at the top of any Form Event where you want to use the function. the function can then simply be called as follows:

if(currentUserHasRole(‘Salesperson')){
//do this stuff
}else{
//do other stuff
}



We hope this helps anyone getting to grips with java script coding in MSCRM 4.0!

Please post any thoughts or improvements that you have to this.

Thanks, Hilltops IT

MSCRM: testing a User's Role (CRM 3.0 only)

This is quite an old tip now, on several blogs and forums, but we'd thought we'd repeat it here to keep it with the updated code for MSCRM 4.0 (see next post). The code below needs to be put in either the global.js file (by default located here C:\Program Files\Microsoft CRM\CRMWeb\_common\scripts\) of in the top of each Form event where you need to call the function. It's then just a case of calling the following in the Form Event:

if(currentUserHasRole(‘System Administrator’)){
//do this stuff
}else{
//do other stuff
}

Note that putting the code in the global.js is a risky strategy as if a patch or update is installed, then the changes may be lost. It does save copy/pasting into each and every Event; the choice is yours!

Java script code to test whether a User has a particular Role:

function getUserId()
{
try
{
var command = new RemoteCommand("SystemUser", "WhoAmI", "/MSCRMServices/");
var oResult = command.Execute();

if (oResult.Success)
{
return oResult.ReturnValue.UserId;
}
}
catch(e)
{
alert("Error while retrieving userid.");
}
return null;
}

function getUserRoles(userId)
{
try
{
var command = new RemoteCommand("UserManager", "GetUserRoles");
command.SetParameter("userIds", "<guid>" + userId + "</guid>");

var oResult = command.Execute();

if (oResult.Success)
{
return oResult.ReturnValue;
}
}
catch(e)
{
alert("Error while retrieving roles.");
}
return null;
}

function userHasRole(userId, roleName)
{
result = getUserRoles(userId);
if (result != null)
{
var oXml = new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLDOM");
oXml.resolveExternals = false;
oXml.async = false;
oXml.loadXML(result);

roleNode = oXml.selectSingleNode("/roles/role[name='" + roleName + "']");
if (roleNode != null)
{
if (roleNode.selectSingleNode("roleid[@checked='true']") != null)
return true;
}
}
return false;
}

function currentUserHasRole(roleName)
{
userId = getUserId();
return userHasRole(userId, roleName);
}

MSCRM: custom ISV Config menu options do not show

Custom ISV Config menu options do not appear in Microsoft Dynamics CRM MSCRM 4.0.

This may be following a new installation or following an upgrade from Microsoft Dynamics CRM MSCRM 3.0.

First check that the ISVIntegration key has been added to the <appsettings> group in the web.config file. the web.config file can be found in the Microsoft CRM www root folder. The details should read as follows:

<!--
ISV Integration
========================================================================================
Using /_resources/isv.config.xml, it is possible to customize certain Menus and Tool Bars
throughout the application. This setting is provided as a performance optimization, when
there are no customizations to be rendered this setting should be "Off".
Recommended Setting: "None" (Unless you have customized the isv.config.xml file)
Values:
"All" - ISV Integration is turned on for both Outlook and web client
"Outlook" - ISV Integration is turned on for just Outlook client
"OutlookLaptopClient" - Turned on just for the Outlook laptop client
"OutlookWorkstationClient" - Turned on just for the Outlook work station client
"Web" - ISV Integration is turned on for just the web client
"None" - Not turned on.
Multiple values can be used as long as they are separated by a comma and do not contain spaces. e.g: "Web,OutlookLight"
-->

<add value="Web" key="ISVIntegration">


Next make sure that the ISV Extensions option is selected for the appropriate User roles: see MSCRM 4.0 Settings Administration Security Roles open the appropriate Role Customization tab Miscellaneous Privileges group ISV Extensions option should be coloured green.

Finally make sure that the appropriate Clients have been selected in the System Settings Custom menus and toolbars option: see MSCRM 4.0 Settings Administration System Settings Customization tab Custom menus and toolbars option.


For more information on our Microsoft Dynamics CRM and software development services, please contact us on +44(0) 1782 564252 or email development@hilltopsit.co.uk

MSCRM: full-text indexes on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM database are not consistent

Problem upgrading from Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 to 4.0: when Microsoft Dynamics the setup wizard System Requirements runs the checks, the error "The full-text indexes on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM database are not consistent with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 full-text indexes" appears. This is a fatal error which does not allow you to continue with the installation.

Checking in the setup log file here provided the following additional information.

C:\Documents and Settings\(user)\Application Data\Microsoft\Mscrm\Logs\Crm40svrsetup.log

06:12:42 Info The following full-text indexes are not consistent with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 full-text indexes:
06:12:42 Info tableowner: dbo
06:12:42 Info tablename: productbase
06:12:42 Info fulltextkeyindexname: cndx_primarykey_product
06:12:42 Error remark: modified full-text index
06:12:42 Error
06:12:42 Error The full-text indexes on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM database are not consistent with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 full-text indexes.
06:12:42 Error Check SqlFullTextIndexValidator : Failure: The full-text indexes on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM database are not consistent with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 full-text indexes.



WARNING
Several blog and forum postings will take you to this article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927226

Do not be tempted to remove the index!!! The error is stating that the full-text index has been modified, not added. Removing the index would not only remove the index and relationships from the Product table, but also makes changes to several other tables. Trying to run the installation check generates even more errors!!!

The cause of the error was found to be because a full-text catalog had been added to the ProductBase table. Removing the full-text catalog resolved the problem and re-running the setup wizard System Requirements checks run ok allowing you to continue with the upgrade.

For more information on our Microsoft Dynamics CRM and software development services, please contact us on +44(0) 1782 564252 or email development@hilltopsit.co.uk

MSCRM: Microsoft CRM Authentication Error 0x80040204

It's been a challenging afternoon today, following one of our clients introducing a new server to their network domain. Users trying to log into the Microsoft CRM system (hosted on another server) got the error: "Authentication Failed" with code 0x80040204.

The introduction of the new Microsoft Windows Server 2008 machine somehow affected the existing Microsoft Windows SBS 2003 domain controller, and changed (or recreated) the Active Directory groups which Microsoft CRM relies on: PrivUserGroup, ReportingGroup, SQLAccessGroup and UserGroup.

In the Application Event Log, errors were reported from the SCRMDeploymentManagerSnapin: "IsCRMSysAdmin : WhoAmI failed".

Checking the Microsoft CRM database, we could see that all System Users and Roles were still there, so the problem seemed to point towards Windows security and / or Active Directory.

We've found in the past that the best way to tackle these types of issue is to roll your sleeves up and get straight into the Microsoft CRM error tracing feature. Details of how to set this up are here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/907490

Setting TraceCategories to "*:Verbose" will give you absolutely everything that's going on to understand the problem, but we strongly recommend only enabling this temporarily.

The Trace output file showed the SQL statements for the login; copy/pasting these into a query editor showed record being returned, so no problem there. the problem was found about 20 lines down in the Trace: "Invalid code for CRM error", "ADsGetObject() failed". Looking more and more like Active Directory.

Microsoft CRM relies on the PrivUserGroup, ReportingGroup, SQLAccessGroup and UserGroup Security Groups, so we checked the details of the GUIDs in Active Directory against those registered in the Microsoft CRM database.

Viewing the Microsoft CRM values can be done by running the following in a query editor:
SELECT UserGroupID , PrivilegeUserGroupID, ReportingGroupID, SQLAccessGroupID
FROM OrganisationBase

To view those in Active Directory, you'll need to use adsiedit.msc (part of the Windows Support Tools on the Windows Server installation CD-ROM or download it from http://download.microsoft.com, search for "adsiedit.msc") and view the objectGUID value for each of these groups in hex.

The values from Active Directory need to be manipulated slightly, but they should match those in the Microsoft CRM database: first reverse the first four groups of characters, reverse the next two groups of characters, reverse the third group of two and copy and paste the fourth group of two and the final group of six (the last two groups are not reversed). Note that you do not reverse each pair of characters individually, but treat each pair as a group and reverse the groups as shown below.

So, for example:
objectGUID=0x 1x 2x 3x 4x 5x 6x 7x 8x 9x Ax Bx Cx Dx Ex Fx

Becomes:
GUID in database={3x2x1x0x-5x4x-7x6x-8x9x-AxBxCxDxExFx}

The values we found didn't match, so it was just a simple SQL UPDATE statement to set them right:
UPDATE OrganizationBase
SET UserGroupID='GUID', PrivilegeUserGroupID='GUID', ReportingGroupID='GUID', SQLAccessGroupID='GUID'

Where 'GUID' is the appropriate manipulated Active Directory objectGUID.


As an example, the specific values we had in Active Directory for the four groups were:
A7 7D FB B8 8B 85 8C 47 81 F0 36 D6 F0 89 8A F7
CB F5 E6 71 58 B6 19 4A BA 56 CC 49 67 0C 58 FF
C5 CC DE B9 8A 72 DD 48 A6 4E 5E 4D D4 64 DD 0E
18 F7 97 EF 41 B9 C8 4E AA F8 3B 2D CE 02 EC A2

So manipulated as above they became:
B8FB7DA7-858B-478C-81F0-36D6F0898AF7
71E6F5CB-B658-4A19-BA56-CC49670C58FF
B9DECCC5-728A-48DD-A64E-5E4DD464DD0E
EF97F718-B941-4EC8-AAF8-3B2DCE02ECA2

Our SQL statement looked like this:
UPDATE OrganizationBase
SET UserGroupID = 'B8FB7DA7-858B-478C-81F0-36D6F0898AF7'
, PrivilegeUserGroupID = '71E6F5CB-B658-4A19-BA56-CC49670C58FF'
, ReportingGroupID = 'B9DECCC5-728A-48DD-A64E-5E4DD464DD0E'
, SQLAccessGroupID = 'EF97F718-B941-4EC8-AAF8-3B2DCE02ECA2'

Many thanks to Brian Reid for his blog post here - http://www.c7solutions.com/blog/2008/04/crm-30-disaster-recovery.aspx which was really helpful in getting us through this issue.

QUOTEWERKS: new Microsoft CRM integration demo available

QuoteWerks has released a new demo video demonstrating the integration between QuoteWerks and MS CRM. The new video highlights all the major functions including:

• Pulling in customer information into the quote
• Adding additional customer information into the quote and layout
• Scheduling follow up calls
• Creating/Updating MS CRM Opportunities
• Closing MS CRM Opportunities as Won

The new video can be viewed by clicking here.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about QuoteWerks contact manager integration, then please give us a call on +44(0)1782 564252 or see our website here: http://www.hilltopsit.co.uk/quotewerks/index.aspx

For even tighter integration, then there is also the ConnectIT-MSCRM product which allows the QuoteWerks user to link their document to an existing Microsoft CRM Opportunity.

BLOG: Happy New Year from Everyone at Hilltops IT!

A very Happy New Year to all our blog readers and welcome to 2009!!!

We're all very excited here for the new year - we have got several projects going on which will help serve our clients and software partner resellers even better!

Starting with the imminent update of our website which will offer a much more visual and more easily navigable menu for visitors to find what it is they are looking for. Let's be honest - the old site was looking pretty tired! We thought it was about time our site reflected the standard of site we have been producing for our clients!!! Written using the latest technologies and development techniques, the rewrite offers up some interesting opportunities for future expansion, but more on that when the time comes...

We're also significantly expanding the ConnectIT website Knowledgebase to publish a number of useful articles which have only previously been available internally or by contacting the support desk. Putting this information into the public domain should help end users and partner resellers alike in better understanding what the software can do to help their productivity and their businesses efficiency.

Also there's a whole bunch of innovations we have got in mind to expand the ConnectIT product range over and above the QuoteWerks, Sage 50 Accounts, Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200 and Microsoft Dynamics CRM links - look out for more on these later on in the year.

With the global recession, like most businesses we're expecting 2009 to be "interesting". What we're really looking forward to is turning businesses around with better use of their software systems. Introducing software solutions that not only organise people and improve the way the business works, but saves the users so much more time. Valuable time that they can spend looking to close more deals adding value to the business' bottom line.

We have seen it over and over again with clients how better contact management, quoting, ordering and invoicing systems which truly "talk" to one another properly can save sales people loads of time. Time they can then use to make another cold call, send another quote or follow-up another order.

The business intelligence reporting solutions which really help managers analyse where the business is performing well (and not so well), creating unique insights that can help in forward planning.

Website development (which we are increasingly getting involved in following the recruitment of a designer). Your "shop window" - which is becoming an increasingly important sales tool.

What to know more about how Hilltops IT can help you and your business? Then contact us now on +44(0)844 357 7360 or +44(0) 1782 564252 or email info@hilltopsit.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you!

VLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081123.01

Gate A37 at Denver International airport, Steve gets ready for the flight back home.

Part of the series of videos encompassing Steve Siggs (Hilltops IT) video diary of trip to the Sage Summit 2008 trade show at the Colorado Convention Centre in Denver Colorado to promote QuoteWerks sales quotation tool and ConnectIT integration of QuoteWerks to Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200, Sage (Line) 50 Accounts and Microsoft CRM contact manager along side Aspire Technologies Inc.

For more information, please see www.hilltopsit.co.uk and www.connectit-online.co.uk

VLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081120.01

The final day of the Sage Summit 2008 trade show and tearing down the stand – no sooner has it started (it seems) and it’s time to go home!

Part of the series of videos encompassing Steve Siggs (Hilltops IT) video diary of trip to the Sage Summit 2008 trade show at the Colorado Convention Centre in Denver Colorado to promote QuoteWerks sales quotation tool and ConnectIT integration of QuoteWerks to Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200, Sage (Line) 50 Accounts and Microsoft CRM contact manager along side Aspire Technologies Inc.

For more information, please see www.hilltopsit.co.uk and www.connectit-online.co.uk

BLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081119.01

A better day today with some strong MAS90 and SalesLogix user leads. Plus I have also spoken to a couple of end users and trade stand holders about Hilltops IT’s wider service offerings in bespoke and website developments.

Things are looking up!!! :-)

VLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081118.01

Steve and Keith Carrington (Aspire Technologies Inc) make an early start to network with Sage representatives at the show, other Sage partners and media. Plus Steve identifies potential trade show stand exhibitors that might be worth talking to during the week.

Part of the series of videos encompassing Steve Siggs (Hilltops IT) video diary of trip to the Sage Summit 2008 trade show at the Colorado Convention Centre in Denver Colorado to promote QuoteWerks sales quotation tool and ConnectIT integration of QuoteWerks to Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200, Sage (Line) 50 Accounts and Microsoft CRM contact manager along side Aspire Technologies Inc.

For more information, please see www.hilltopsit.co.uk and www.connectit-online.co.uk

BLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081117.14

To be honest, the first day of the Sage Summit trade show was little bit disappointing in terms of the footfall.

Apparently the first day is typically relatively slow though, with some delegates not having yet arrived, delegates and Sage working on their own networking, etc. The latter days are expected to get busier in the trade show area.

On a more positive note: Keith, Brian, Brandon and I are getting to know each others ways of working and it’s encouraging to observe them using the kind of soft, consultative sell that Hilltops IT use. I am picking up tips from them!

We have had several interesting conversation about QuoteWerks key functionality and how it fits into various businesses internal ways of working. Plus possible futures for integration and feature enhancements to QuoteWerks already very rounded and rich functionality.

VLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081117.13

An overview of the Sage Summit 2008 Trade Show area.

Part of the series of videos encompassing Steve Siggs (Hilltops IT) video diary of trip to the Sage Summit 2008 trade show at the Colorado Convention Centre in Denver Colorado to promote QuoteWerks sales quotation tool and ConnectIT integration of QuoteWerks to Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200, Sage (Line) 50 Accounts and Microsoft CRM contact manager along side Aspire Technologies Inc.

For more information, please see http://www.hilltopsit.co.uk/ and www.connectit-online.co.uk

VLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081117.12

The huge delegates dining area at the Colorado Convention Centre; Steve considers the opportunities from a show of this scale.

Part of the series of videos encompassing Steve Siggs (Hilltops IT) video diary of trip to the Sage Summit 2008 trade show at the Colorado Convention Centre in Denver Colorado to promote QuoteWerks sales quotation tool and ConnectIT integration of QuoteWerks to Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200, Sage (Line) 50 Accounts and Microsoft CRM contact manager along side Aspire Technologies Inc.

For more information, please see http://www.hilltopsit.co.uk/ and http://www.connectit-online.co.uk/

BLOG: Steve's Sage Summit show trip video diary 20081117.11

Brandon (left) and Keith (right) on the Aspire Technologies QuoteWerks stand at the Sage Summit 2008 trade show.

Part of the series of videos encompassing Steve Siggs (Hilltops IT) video diary of trip to the Sage Summit 2008 trade show at the Colorado Convention Centre in Denver Colorado to promote QuoteWerks sales quotation tool and ConnectIT integration of QuoteWerks to Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200, Sage (Line) 50 Accounts and Microsoft CRM contact manager along side Aspire Technologies Inc.

For more information, please see http://www.hilltopsit.co.uk/ and http://www.connectit-online.co.uk