The image below demonstrates a sample page that we would want to use for contacting the company.

With the availability of Microsoft Power Automate flows, this process can be greatly simplified. Instead of having to build backend code to connect and authenticate with the Common Data Service, we simply provide a url for the flow that we are going to connect and get the data from.

The image below shows the Power Automate flow that is used to receive data from a web page and process it in our Flow.

The flow contains a trigger for when an HTTP request is received, 2 actions for parsing the JSON from the HTTP request and creating a new record in CDS, and finally a parallel branch with two HTTP responses (configured after run) for a successful or failed response.

Let’s start with the trigger for when a HTTP request is received. The trigger does not contain any parameters or code, but is only used to provide us with the HTTP Post Url. The image below shows the trigger:

Next, we need add a Parse JSON action. We provide the Body of the HTTP request as the Content parameter, as provide the Schema (as shown below):
 

{
  “type”: “object”,
  “properties”: {
    “Subject”: {
      “type”: “string”
    },
    “FirstName”: {
      “type”: “string”
    },
    “LastName”: {
      “type”: “string”
    }, 
    “EmailAddress”: {
      “type”: “string”
    },
    “MobilePhone”: {
      “type”: “string”
    }
  }
}

The next step would be to create a new record in our Common Data Service or Dynamics 365 environment. In our case, I used the Dynamics 365 environment, so this record was saved as a lead. The image below shows our Create a new record action from CDS.

Once we created a new record, when want to provide a response to the calling application whether this was successful or not. We do this by adding a parallel branch that will contain a Successful Response and a Failed Response.

For the response failure, we set it to run after the Create a new record action when the action has failed, is skipped or has timed out, and for the successful response we set it to run after the Create a new record action when the action is successful, as shown below:

Within the HTTP Responses, we provide the status code (200), a header if required and the Body of the message. The image below shows the Responses back to the application.

Once the flow is published, you can create a new record on the web page, and see the flow being executed record being created in CDS.

The source code for the Web application is available in Github. The same source code will be available for a future post which is being used for using Azure functions.

https://github.com/ariclevin/Web2CDS

The post Connecting to MS Power Automate Flow from a Web Application appeared first on Aric Levin's Digital Transformation Blog.

The Options tab on the Entity List form contains a custom JavaScript section, which we can control what happens when the document is loaded or when the grid refreshes/loads. We can use the $(“.entitylist.entity-grid”).on(“loaded”, function () { }) to process anytime the grid is reloaded, sorted or paged through. The image and code snippet below provide us with an example on how this can be accomplished.

When the grid is loaded, we retrieve the existing query string and place it into a variable. We then loop through all the results of the table (entity list), by using the jquery each function. We get the current url that is in the anchor attribute, and append the existing query string to it. We finally write back to the anchor attribute the new url. The code below shows everything withing the document ready function.

$(document).ready(function () {
  $(".entitylist.entity-grid").on("loaded", function () { 
    var url = window.location.href;
    var queryStrings = url.substring(url.indexOf("?") +1);
    $("[href^='/business-info']").each(function(){
        var currentUrl = ($(this).attr('href'));
        var targetUrl = currentUrl + "&" + queryStrings;
        $(this).attr("href", targetUrl);
    });  
  });  
});  

If your page was start-business?id=999, when you click on the link the page you will be redirected to would be business-info?slid=12345678-1234-1234-1234-1234567890AB&id=999. The querystring from the previous page is now appended to the new page.

The post Changing the details page link url for Entity Lists appeared first on Aric Levin's Digital Transformation Blog.

Microsoft Dynamics Portals does not provide a way to implement this out of the box, but the path to implement this is simple and straight forward. The first thing that we need to do in order to get this working is get a jQuery mask plugin. The most common plugin that I have seen is the jQuery Mask Plugin created by Igor Escobar. It is available for download from github in the following link:

http://igorescobar.github.io/jQuery-Mask-Plugin/

Next we need to add that plugin to our Dynamics Portals application. In order to do this, I would refer you to a previously published article that I wrote called JavaScript Web Files in CRM Portals. You can read it on the Dynamics Community or my business web site using one of the links below:

https://community.dynamics.com/crm/b/briteglobalsolutions/archive/2018/05/02/javascript-web-files-in-crm-portals or https://www.briteglobal.com/blogs/community/portals-web-files/

Add the script file to the Tracking Code Content Snippet and upload it as a Web file so that it can be accessed across the application. At this point, the hard part is done. In the sample below, on the On my Entity Form Custom JavaScript, I will add the following code to mask my Tax Id and Social Security Numbers.

jQuery(function($){   
   $("#new_ein").mask("99-9999999");      
   $("#new_ssn").mask("999-99-9999"); 
});

The github site above contains plenty of examples for masking. The above was just a simple example. Finally, in the form that I would like to open, what I will see when I click on the control is the masking of the Tax Id number.

Next as I fill it out, it will only allow me to fill the numbers that I have specified in my jQuery function.

The post Adding masking to form controls in Dynamics Portals appeared first on Aric Levin's Digital Transformation Blog.

The error that we get when we attempt to do this is:

Attachment blocked: The attachment is not a valid file type.

How do we resolve this? The standard Dynamics 365 System Settings is configured to block a large set of extensions for uploading attachments for both email and notes, and this includes of course the .js attachment. The reasoning behind this is that JavaScript extensions could be used to execute unsafe code. Since the JS files that we want to add was created by us, and most likely will not cause any harm, we can modify this System Setting to allow us to upload js files.

If we navigate to Settings -> Administration, and click on System Settings, the System Settings dialog will pop up. On the General tab, under the section Set blocked file extensions for attachments, there is a long list of file extensions that are blocked from being uploaded to notes (annotations).

Find the js extension and remove it (include the semicolon that follows it – js;). Remember that it appears after the jar extension. Press OK to Save your changes.

Once you have made the change, you should be able to upload your JavaScript file again to the Web Files entity. If you created the Web File record previously simple update it and add the new attachments. You should keep only a single attachment per web file to simplify things.

After the Web File has been added, you can add the files to your code, by modifying the Tracking Code Content Snippet. Navigate to Content Snippets entity, and Find Tracking Code record. Open the record, and in the Value enter the following code:

<script src="/folder/filename.js"></script>

At this point, the js file should be accessible on the portal, and the functions of the js file can be accessed from within web templates or web pages.

The post JavaScript Web Files in CRM Portals appeared first on Aric Levin's Digital Transformation Blog.

CRM to Web Form provides the ability for uses to design forms in CRM and publish them to an asp.net or SharePoint web site.

Our CRM to Web Form 2011 is not Microsoft Platform Ready for Windows 2008 R2 and Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

CRM to Web Form provides the ability for uses to design forms in CRM and publish them to an asp.net or SharePoint web site.
The application provides customization capabilities of different areas of the page.

CRM to Web Form 2011 is available for On-Premise deployment or CRM Online.

Features include:

• Use of CRM Form Designer
• Unlimited number of Forms Per Entity
• Unlimited number of Entities
• Support for System and Custom Entities
• Support for ASP.NET Web Forms
• Support for SharePoint 2010 and SharePoint 2013
• Custom Page Layout
• Support for default field values and field Validation
• Support for multiple types of fields
• Customizable Css Classes
• No Code Required

The post CRM to Web Form (Internet Lead Capture) is Microsoft Platform Ready appeared first on Aric Levin's Digital Transformation Blog.

Internet Lead capture enables customer to easily and quickly design forms within CRM and publish them on their web site.    

The post CRM to Web Form (Internet Lead Capture) version 1.0 released appeared first on Aric Levin's Digital Transformation Blog.

Prior to this data, customers will need to cease the usage of the Internet Lead Capture functionality. All landing pages that have been creating will need to be turned off. After the discontinued date, customers will not be able to import any leads that they have accumulated. Any leads that have accumulated from active landing pages will need to be imported in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online environment.

The free Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online service called Internet Lead Capture will be discontinued effective February 15^th, 2013.

Prior to this data, customers will need to cease the usage of the Internet Lead Capture functionality. All landing pages that have been creating will need to be turned off. After the discontinued date, customers will not be able to import any leads that they have accumulated. Any leads that have accumulated from active landing pages will need to be imported in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online environment.

As an alternative, if you are using SharePoint Server or need a solution to integrate between your company web site and your CRM environment, you can contact us by using our registration form. This is an integrated form that creates a lead record in CRM. Click here to fill out the form and receive more information

The post Internet Lead Capture being dropped from CRM Online appeared first on Aric Levin's Digital Transformation Blog.

This issue sometimes happens when you deploy a web application that contains report files on IIS7. 
The reports work fine in the development environment, but once published nothing appears in the results.
The report window will either complete and show zero pages or the “Report is being generated” message will show up:

The problem is that the web browser is unable to locate Reserved.ReportViewerWebControl.axd, even though the http handler might be included in the web.config file.

To verify that this is the problem, open fiddler web debugger in your Internet Explorer session and check for any 404 errors with the Reserved.ReportViewerWebControl.axd url.

To resolve this issue we have to manually add the http handler to the web site in IIS. Report Viewer 2008 Redistributable with SP1 should be installed of course.

1. Open IIS.
2. Click on the web site that you want to add the Handler Mapping to
3. Double Click on the Handler Mappings
   
4. From the actions Task Menu click on Add Managed Handler
   
5. Enter the following information in the Add Managed Handler Window:
   Request Path: Reserved.ReportViewerWebControl.axd
   Type: Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms.HttpHandler, Microsoft.ReportViewer.WebForms, Version=9.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a
   Name: Reserved-ReportViewerWebControl-axd
   
6. Click OK and you’re done.

The post Report Viewer Control not displaying data when deployed IIS7 appeared first on Aric Levin's Digital Transformation Blog.

Meteorologists possess the uncanny ability to be almost right almost all of the time. Now that doesn’t always help when you’re planning the company picnic, but reports of a 70% chance of precipitation does, at the very least, encourage the party planner to rent a tent. What weather men and women are unable to do, however, is predict weather trends for the years ahead. (Global warming controversy notwithstanding. . .)

That’s where IT forecasters have a huge advantage over meteorologists. . . Their predictions are based upon hard numbers: sales, polls, and product development. Their odds for naming the trends accurately? Exponentially better. And the forecast for the year is in:

Today’s IT forecast calls for abundant and blanketing cloud computing.

Huh? Cloud computing? What’s that, you ask? Let’s break it down. Have you ever seen the Internet depicted in cartoonish computer network diagrams? Invariably, it is housed in and represented by a cloud. Think of that cloud as a metaphor; clouds are intangible, shape-shifting bunches of nothingness that actually house potential energy (manifested as rain, hail, sleet, or snow). The Internet is also something insubstantial that possesses immeasurable data and power. Both clouds and the Internet conceal their complicated and awesome infrastructures; get it?

OK; so what, then, is cloud computing? Simply, it is using computer technology within the cloud. Gone are the days when users were forced to own the servers on which their information technology was stored. Companies are now able to utilize computer resources as a service; they do not own the infrastructure, but rent usage. They tap into various business applications online, paying a monthly or yearly fee to use the software they need. It’s similar to paying the power company to heat your house, instead of chopping your own wood. It’s like a leasing a car instead of purchasing it.

Now many companies, especially those with vast and trained IT departments still choose to purchase their software. A knowledgeable IT department, one with expertise about and control over company-owned software is still an asset to any larger company, but cloud computing is gaining momentum around the world.

One of the fastest growing segments of the cloud computing industry is a model of software deployment known as SaaS (commonly pronounced sass in IT circles). We know—the acronym makes us smile, too. Software as a Service can provide a more cost-effective method to meet business objectives than the traditional company-owned software applications. But the pros and cons of such a decision need to be carefully measured. An expert Microsoft partner will be able to shed light on which would benefit your company.

(Remember the meteorologist? We’re just telling you the forecast; you’ll have to decide for yourself if you put on those stylish galoshes.)

So what now, you ask? You like to keep your finger on the pulse of industry trends. You listen to prognosticators. You even made sure your HR director rented that tent for the company picnic. Perhaps, then, it is time to talk with someone you trust about your IT company objectives. Microsoft Dynamics products can all be leased and deployed as SaaS. Sounds sassy, doesn’t it?

Is cloud computing right for you? Perhaps we should check with that meteorologist after all. . .

The post Today’s IT Forecast: Abundant Cloud Computing appeared first on Aric Levin's Digital Transformation Blog.

Microsoft’s Bing search engine is now publically available, allowing you to decide whether Microsoft’s latest efforts has the power to take on Google. Bing is available at www.bing.com and replaces Live Search. Bing is taking off in a big way in the United States. July market share averaged Bing at 16.28%, Yahoo at 10.22% and Google at 71.99% (statcounter.com). Bing will give Google some competition but, the verdict is still out on whether Bing will win over Google.

If you are still trying to decide for yourself which search engine to use, there is a great website that lets you type in your search and compares side by side Google Results to Bing Results. Visit http://www.google-vs-bing.com to compare.

The feedback from Bing users is positive. Read more on how Bing is different from Google.

How is Bing Different from Google?

1. Bing shows a preview of the web pages in the search results when you hover your mouse pointer at the right side of the search results.
2. Bing displays fewer results if it is certain that it has understood your intent. The search for “Facebook”, for example brings up just one result linking to the site itself.
3. Some search results are divided into categories. For example, if you search for popular musician “Brittney Spears”, you’ll get results in the categories news, images, songs, movies, biography, tickets and downloads. In addition, the search results show images, videos and popularity of the musician.
4. Wikipedia searches can be displayed inline in the search results without leaving the Bing site by clicking the “Enhanced view” link.
5. Bing features a different background image every day. The image contains special hidden hotspots that lead you to more information about the image. Maybe in the future this will be advertising?
6. Despite the background image, Bing’s homepage loads very quickly in your web browser because the search box and logo load first. You can turn off the background image.
7. Bing’s video search lets you watch videos without leaving the search engine
8. Bing offers specific health, shopping, and travel search engines, as well as instant answers to travel searches. For instance, the search “NYC hotels” displays a selection of hotels in New York City including hotel stars and prices.
9. Bing’s search history lets you return to your most recent searches of the last two days. This feature can be turned off to protect your privacy.
10. Some of Google’s features are missing, for example, Bing doesn’t seem to recognize misspellings and returns no results in these cases.

The post Will I Google It? Yahoo It? or Bing It? appeared first on Aric Levin's Digital Transformation Blog.