CRM 2011 - Redeploying an existing organization - Part II

Next I selected the Microsoft SQL Server database that was restored earlier, and then select the organization database in the Organization database list - following the Organization Name step.

Next step is to provide the Reporting Server url, in my case SQL Server instance was another physical machine - so I provided the url accordingly. At this stage the setup denied continuing further (failed) and it turned out that CRM Reporting Extensions were not installed on SQL Server instance.

Installing CRM Reporting Extensions was another challenge - the setup splash screen was showing an option to simply install extensions but failed to proceed. Later I thought to to run it directly but what? I didn't find any installer inside setup media related to extensions. Upon further investigation I've come to know that earlier CRM Reporting Extensions came as "SrsDataConnector", and upon searching the media folders I found "SrsDataConnector" folder - this way I was able to install.

Next I switched back to CRM instance and continued till "Mapping Users" screen.

Still writing...

CRM 2011 - Redeploying an existing organization - Part I

Indeed importing organization is a pain in CRM 2011, not a kids work though.

Situation:
Few days ago I've dealt with a situation where CRM 2011 "Full" database backup was taken and the installation completely wiped off.

Mission:
Importing/Restoring organization on a fresh CRM 2011 installation, without loosing existing functionality and customization.

I won't go through the process of preparing instances for SQL Server 2008 and CRM 2011 as it was another challenge prior moving towards the subject of this post and with only discuss what had happened and how did I resolve those.

So to accomplish the mission I logged in to the CRM 2011 instance and launched the "CRM Deployment Manager". Next I clicked on "Import Organization Wizard".

Still writing...

Why am I not able to proceed after accepting License Agreement - CRM 2011

No wonder I had wasted a great span of time to figure out on why my CRM 2011 installation didn't proceed further after accepting License Agreement :(

No wonder if I wouldn't ignored the warning message on "...see the log C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\MSCRM\Logs for further details - would have solved ages ago.

Further reading it revealed CRM 2011 comes with minor version of Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 x64 Redistributable - 10.0.30319 whereas there was already a higher version installed.

So I removed the already installed version and continue with the installer and voila! it worked.

A piece of advise - the installer should have prompted instead sitting quietly and letting administrator read the log :)

CRM 2011: Issue Installing Windows Identity Foundation

While installing Windows Identity Foundation as a Pre-Requisite for CRM 2011 on Windows Server 2012, I was getting this strange error:

"The certificate for the signer of the message is invalid or not found."

Since Windows Server 2012 already contains "Windows Identity Foundation" as a Feature that's the reason it failed to installed.

So pause where you are are, first add "Windows Identity Foundation" as a Feature via Server Manager, once installed then continue and you can easily move on to the next screens...

Get a 40% discount on Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online

As a limited time offer (expiring March 31, 2014) subscribed customers to Office 365 E3 and E4 plans in the 42 markets where Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online service is available are eligible for a 40% discount on Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Professional User licenses.

Take advantage link

How Much Does Microsoft Dynamics CRM Cost?

http://www.infostrat.com/crmcalculator/general