Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online 2016 Update and Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 provide a single development environment for cloud-based and on-premises deployments. Partners, including independent software vendors, global system integrators, and value-added resellers, can quickly create, package, and distribute CRM extensions and custom solutions.
In this release, developers will be able to leverage the following enhancements and new capabilities:
CRM Online features now available for on-premises organizations
New features that were added to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online 2015 Update 1 are now available for on-premises organizations. One exception is the integration with Parature which is only available for CRM Online.
Introducing the Web API
The Web API makes it easier to create applications across a wide variety of platforms, devices, and programming languages. The Web API will provide parity with the existing organization service (SOAP endpoint). You will be able to do anything using the Web API that you can do using the organization service, with a few differences. You won’t have to download any Microsoft Dynamics CRM SDK assemblies. You can perform all operations using HTTP requests with all new Web API. You can also use the Web API for integrations and modern applications. For code that will run in the context of a plug-in, you’ll continue to use the classes defined in the SDK assemblies to use the organization service.
Organization data service (OData v2 REST endpoint) deprecated
The new Web API provides better capabilities over the organization data service introduced with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. Microsoft recommends any new code for this version use the Web API instead of the organization data service, so they are deprecating the organization data service with this release.
CORS Support added
The Web API supports client-side cross-origin web resource requests when called using OAuth token authentication. This is accomplished by using a compatible implementation of cross-origin resource sharing (CORS). This Web API capability safely works around browser restrictions imposed to prevent cross-site scripting security issues.
Form script support for keypress events and auto-completion feature
When a user presses keys in a number or text control, use the new getValue method to retrieve the value of a control. You can use this value to configure interactive experiences, such as data validation when a user types in a field, by configuring function handlers for keypress events using the new Keypress methods. In addition, you can use the new Auto-completion methods to configure the auto-completion feature for text controls in forms
Web resources and IFRAMEs
The ability to create web resources and IFRAMEs for use with CRM for tablets is now fully supported in all CRM for tablets forms: iOS, Android, and Windows 10.
Open records in CRM mobile client with a URL
With the new application handler protocol in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016, you can use URLs to directly open records in CRM for phones and CRM for tablets. You can also open an empty form for creating an entity record.
Knowledge management edit and search enhancements
The CRM Service module gets a boost in this release with the addition of powerful knowledge management capabilities. In addition to rich text, the new KnowledgeArticle entity supports multimedia data like pictures and videos. Articles have a lifecycle where they proceed through a publishing workflow.
Solution enhancements
Previously, when an entity was added to a solution and that solution was exported, the entity and all of its assets were exported in that solution. This included attributes, forms, views, relationships, visualizations, and any other assets packaged with the entity.
Now, a developer or other application customizer can create and publish solution patches that contain subcomponents of entities, as compared to publishing the entire entity and all of its assets. The original solution and multiple released patches can be rolled-up at a later time into an updated version of the original solution, which then can replace the original solution.
Upload and manage document templates
You can now create document templates for Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Word to have a standardized representation of your CRM data. These templates can be used by your team members to generate Excel or Word documents with up-to-date CRM data for analysis and reporting purposes. Use the SDK to programmatically upload and manage document templates.
XRM Tooling controls now support OAuth authentication and connection strings
Microsoft.Xrm.Tooling.Connector is the primary interface to CRM for all tooling and Unified Service Desk operations. It is also provided as part of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM SDK to developers who want to build CRM connected Windows applications. Developers can use this updated API to allow the OAuth 2 protocol to be used to authenticate with CRM web services. Adding OAuth enables multi-factor authentication for improved security and access to CRM.
Along with these enhancements, Microsoft has also introduced New Entities, Messages and Privileges in CRM 2016. For more details about above mentioned features in CRM 2016, Click Here (redirect to https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-in/library/gg309589.aspx).
About Ambit: Ambit Software is a Microsoft Gold partner with extensive experience in implementing Microsoft CRM across diverse verticals. Know more about Ambit’s Microsoft CRM 2016 expertise here.
