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Optimizing CRM Performance...

Post Author: Joe D365 |

Optimizing the overall performance of CRM is an important factor in providing your users the best CRM experience. Many times CRM users will complain that "CRM is Slow" or attribute CRM or Outlook performance issues to the CRM Application, when in reality the CRM application is actually functioning just fine. Since Microsoft Dynamics CRM is basically a Web based application, there are other factors that must be taken into consideration when trying to determine the root cause of the CRM Slowness. Local workstation specifications, Installed Applications, Internet Security and Network Infrastructure can all play a part in the overall performance of the CRM application. Here are some items to check, that will assist in making sure that your users are achieving Maximum Performance from CRM.

 

  • RAM – Microsoft recommends a minimum of 1GB of RAM when utilizing the CRM for Outlook Client. However, most users are not JUST using Outlook and CRM, which means that 1GB is probably not going to be enough. Especially for someone who likes to multi-task. 2GB or more if possible, should show a notable improvement, not only in CRM performance but in overall PC performance. **NOTE: Using the "Offline" version of the CRM for Outlook client installs SQL Express to accommodate the Offline Database used to store CRM data when the local PC is not connected to the CRM network. If the Offline CRM client is installed, a PC with less than 2GB of RAM may suffer significant performance hits when going online or offline.
  • Outlook Inbox is to large – The CRM Add-in scans the users inbox and sent items to see if there are emails that need to be tracked in CRM. The larger the inbox, the more data that must be scanned and the slower the performance. CRM Update Rollup 7 offered some changes to this process, but he overall system performance may still be effected by the size of the users inbox. (Details HERE) NOTE: Archiving email folders will allow users to still have access to emails, but the CRM Add-in will ignore the Archived folders, reducing the size of the scanned folders.
  • Keeping up with CRM Update Rollups – Microsoft has committed to rolling out CRM Update Rollups (Like small service packs) on an 8 week interval. These Update Rollups include all hotfixes that Microsoft has marked as Recommended. CRM Update Rollups are cumulative, meaning they include all previous Update Rollups (i.e. Update Rollup 10 includes 9, 8, 7…etc..) Check with your Microsoft Partner for the Latest Recommend Update Rollup.
    • To find out which Update Rollup you have installed:
      • In Windows XP - – Click Add/Remove Programs, then check the box that says "Show Updates", scroll until you see Microsoft Dynamics CRM. All installed updates will be listed under the CRM Application.
      • In Windows Vista or Windows 7 - Click Programs and Features, in the left Navigation pane, click "View Installed Updates" All installed updates will be listed under the CRM Application.
  • Keep up to date with Windows Updates – (This one may be taken care of by your IT Department) To check for Updates click here: http://www.update.microsoft.com
  • Run the CRM Diagnostic Tool – Microsoft included a Tool with the CRM for Outlook Client to assist with troubleshooting and diagnostic evaluation of the CRM for Outlook Client. This tool can be run on the local machine and is found here: Start > All Programs > Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 > Diagnostics
    • Click Run Diagnostics – This will begin the diagnostics process. This tool does provide experienced administrators some additional advanced troubleshooting capabilities, but the initial "Wizard" can also point out some common issues after a quick diagnostic.
  • Pop-Up Blockers and 3rd Party Toolbars – Since CRM is Web-based, each new record in CRM is launched in a separate Internet Explorer (IE) window. Later versions of the Internet Explorer web browser include a pop-up blocker and most 3rd Party Toolbars (Google, Yahoo..etc..) also include pop-up blockers. Adding the CRM website to the list of "Allowed" sites will insure that the popup blocker ignores the new windows launched from the CRM site.
    • In Internet Explorer – Navigate to: Tools > Pop-up Blocker Settings – add the CRM URL to the list of allowed sites. If you are using a host header, include the computer name URL and the IP address of the server. (Check with your CRM Administrator for the Server information)
    • For 3rd Party Toolbars, you may need to access the help menu to get assistance with adding CRM to the trusted sites. (Toolbar versions vary in instructions) – For Google Toolbar, navigate to the CRM website in Internet Explorer and click the pop-up icon on the toolbar. This will automatically add the CRM Web address to the "Allowed" sites.
  • Add the CRM Website to the "Local Intranet"
    sites: In Internet Explorer click – Tools > Internet Options > Security Tab, clicking on Local Intranet
    > Sites and clicking Advanced. Enter the URLs and click Add.
  • Optimize the settings for the Local Intranet
    Zone: In Internet Explorer click – Tools > Internet Options > Security Tab, clicking on Local Intranet > Custom Level
    • Under "ActiveX controls and plug-ins"
      • Click "Enable" on "Download unsigned ActiveX controls"
      • Click "Enable" on "Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe for scripting"
      • Click "Enable" on "Run ActiveX controls and Plug-ins"
    • Under "Miscellaneous"
      • Click "Enable" on Access data sources across domains
      • If using host header and drill-through capability in SQL Reporting Services, click Enable on Navigate sub-frames across different domains
    • Under "User Authentication"
      • Click "Automatic Login only in Intranet Zone"
  • Increase Internet Explorer Browser Cache - Client-side browser settings can greatly affect user experience over slower connections. Increasing the disk space reserved for temporary Internet files can help to optimize performance by ensuring adequate room for the cache to take advantage of improved load times when making subsequent visits to the same page for the same files.
    • Click – Tools > Internet Options > General Tab – Under Browser History, click "Settings". Increase the Disk Space to 200-300mb.
  • Configure Internet Explorer to download more than two files at one time – Click Here for more information: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/282402
  • Add the CRM Website to the white list or bypass script and URL scanning in your Anti-Virus applications - Instructions for this will vary based on the Anti-Virus software used. Check with your CRM Administrator for more information.
Joe CRM
By Joe D365
Joe D365 is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 superhero who runs on pure Dynamics adrenaline. As the face of PowerObjects, Joe D365’s mission is to reveal innovative ways to use Dynamics 365 and bring the application to more businesses and organizations around the world.

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