SharePoint integration with CRM 2011
Overview
SharePoint Server integration enables CRM users and non- CRM users to work together as a team to achieve common business goals through improved communication. It helps you to achieve a better flow of information inside and outside the Microsoft Dynamics CRM organization.
With no actual document records stored in CRM, you can view the documents that reside on the SharePoint site contextually from within CRM.
In addition, you can take advantage of the SharePoint capabilities, such as checking the document in and out, viewing version history, and changing the properties of the document.
SharePoint Document Management software requirements
SharePoint is not required to install CRM 2011. However, to use document management functionality with SharePoint one of the following SharePoint editions is required and must be installed, running, and at least one SharePoint site collection configured and available:
- Microsoft SharePoint 2010 (all editions)
- Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007
It is possible to combine CRM 2011 On-Premise or Online with SharePoint 2010 On-Premise or Online.
For SharePoint 2007 and SharePoint Online the data will appear in an IFrame, and folders cannot be automatically created on the server that is running SharePoint Server.
For SharePoint 2010 the data can be shown with rich integration features if the CRM List Component is installed. Data will be shown in an IFrame, if CRM List Component is not installed.
CRM for Outlook with Offline access does not offer document integration with SharePoint when in Offline mode. The same does apply to SharePoint 2010 workspace offline access.
CRM List Component
The CRM List Component can be downloaded from this location:
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 List Component for Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010
https://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=5283
The steps needed to install and activate the CRM List Component can be found on the same webpage.
Setting up SharePoint integration
During installation of CRM, the SharePoint integration is enabled by default.
You still have to finish the “Document Management Settings” under Settings -> System -> Document Management. Pre-selected entities will be account, article, lead, opportunity, product, quote and sales literature, but you can add or remove any entity, which can be customized. In addition you need to specify the target SharePoint server URL.
By default, CRM creates a folder for each record under the appropriate document library for the entity. If you want CRM to create folders in a different structure than the default structure, click the Based on entity check box (not recommended).
SharePoint Document Locations
If you specify a site that is on a SharePoint Server 2010 and if the site collection for the site has the CRM List Component installed, CRM enables the automatic creation of document libraries and folders in SharePoint.
These locations will automatically be created in “SharePoint Document Locations” in the “Document Management” area.
However, if you do not want Microsoft Dynamics CRM to automatically create document libraries and folders and you do not install the Microsoft Dynamics CRM List Component, you can choose to manually create these in SharePoint.
To activate or deactivate a document location, on the Document Locations page, select the document location record, and in the Records group, click Activate or Deactivate.
SDK Sample Code:
The following sample codes can be found in the CRM 2011 SDK:
Sample to demonstrate enablement of document management for entities in CRM:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg328187.aspxSample to demonstrate how to retrieve the absolute URL and Site Collection URL of a record:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg334702.aspxSample to demonstrate how to create, retrieve, update, and delete a SharePoint Server document location records: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg309548.aspx
Greetings from the CRM team