Upgrade to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0
Not only do we consult on CRM for our clients, we are also users of the system. EHTC Technology Solutions is part of Echelbarger, Himebaugh, Tamm & Co., P.C. (EHTC), a professional corporation that was established in 1977 by Dennis M. Echelbarger. Since that time, our firm has grown to become one of the largest, most successful, local accounting firms in the Greater Grand Rapids area of Michigan, and we are a recognized leader in the business community. Our success is based on building partnering relationships with our customers. We are large enough to serve a wide diversity of customers but small enough to maintain personalized attention.
We have highly customized CRM. It was installed in 2004 so we have had the system for 4 years. So when CRM 4.0 came out we took a more formal approach to the upgrade. Here is a copy of the punchlist we used.
On the day we went live with new system we went around to all the desktops and babysat the install. All the issues we had were related to workstation problems. Not CRM issues but problems with low RAM, users installing popup blockers, and the like. We have only 1 machine that refuses to run the CRM installer because it thinks it has the wrong version of office. Overall a pretty good install by all accounts, which for our internal systems comes down to a measure of user interruptions. To them, CRM was down for a Friday afternoon in July. Little did they realize the energy and effort that went into a successful upgrade.
This is what it took. This process took us 60 days to complete as it contended with other projects.
Issue ID |
Due Date |
Title |
Assigned To |
Issue Status |
Priority |
Estimated Hours |
Item Type |
|
1 |
Build VPC (CRMTEST1) w/SQL 2005 / Server 2003 SP2 |
Active |
(2) Normal |
4 |
Item | ||
|
2 |
Connect VPC to EHTC network |
Active |
(2) Normal |
1 |
Item | ||
|
3 |
Migrate CRM DB from Production to CRMTest1 |
Active |
(2) Normal |
1 |
Item | ||
|
4 |
Install CRM 3.0 |
Active |
(2) Normal |
2 |
Item | ||
|
5 |
Connect Test Outlook Client to CRM 3.0 |
Active |
(2) Normal |
2 |
Item | ||
|
6 |
Connect Browser to CRM 3.0 |
Active |
(2) Normal |
3 |
Item | ||
|
7 |
Baseline Image |
Active |
(2) Normal |
1 |
Item | ||
|
9 |
Upgrade CRM to 4.0 |
Active |
(2) Normal |
8 |
Item | ||
|
10 |
Install C360 Apps |
Active |
(2) Normal |
4 |
Item | ||
|
11 |
Test Connectivity via Browser to system |
Active |
(2) Normal |
1 |
Item | ||
|
12 |
Test Connectivity via Outlook Clients |
Active |
(2) Normal |
8 |
Item | ||
|
13 |
Build test Outlook network deployment File |
Active |
(2) Normal |
4 |
Item | ||
|
14 |
Build and Test IE Group Policy |
Active |
(2) Normal |
2 |
Item | ||
|
15 |
Review Enhancement Request with team |
Active |
(2) Normal |
2 |
Item | ||
|
16 |
Add enhancements to Test Image |
Active |
(2) Normal |
2 |
Item | ||
|
17 |
Test Workflows - See test list |
Active |
(2) Normal |
2 |
Item | ||
|
18 |
Compile Pilot Team |
Active |
(2) Normal |
4 |
Item | ||
|
19 |
Complete Pilot Group Training |
Active |
(2) Normal |
4 |
Item | ||
|
20 |
Revise Training Guides |
Active |
(2) Normal |
16 |
Item | ||
|
21 |
Schedule Cutover Weekend |
Active |
(2) Normal |
2 |
Item | ||
|
22 |
Schedule Training Dates for Entire Team |
Active |
(2) Normal |
2 |
Item | ||
|
23 |
Deliver Training to Organization |
Active |
(2) Normal |
30 |
Item | ||
|
24 |
Upgrade CRM 3.0 Production |
Active |
(2) Normal |
16 |
Item | ||
|
25 |
Export Customizations from Test to Production |
Active |
(2) Normal |
10 |
Item | ||
|
26 |
Upgrade all workstations outlook client |
Active |
(2) Normal |
24 |
Item | ||
|
27 |
Install C360 Apps on Production environment |
Active |
(2) Normal |
16 |
Item | ||
|
28 |
Install \ configure E-mail routing |
Active |
(2) Normal |
16 |
Item | ||
|
29 |
Missing Info in Contact view |
Active |
(2) Normal |
2 |
Item | ||
|
30 |
Need Formal, Documented Process for Changes to our CRM system |
Active |
(2) Normal |
16 |
Item |
In another post, I will share with you our test plans.
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