When interfacing Dynamics CRM through Outlook, you have three options. The first option is Using Server Side Synchronization and Folder-Level Tracking to Enable Email Tracking from Any Device. The second option, and probably the most popular one, is downloading the CRM for Outlook Add-in to your Microsoft Outlook. The last option is the CRM App for Outlook, and in today's blog, we'll show you how to get started using it!

The CRM App for Outlook is an excellent solution for end users that want a better CRM interface through Outlook that is fast and allows them to do more than just track email. The CRM App for Outlook does not require you to download any software, it is an app for Outlook that lets you track emails, find records in Dynamics CRM, see related entities, and open records in a web browser view.

The CRM App for Outlook was first unveiled for Dynamics CRM 2015 in a preview only mode but has been fully released in Dynamics CRM 2016. Here are instructions to set up the CRM App for Outlook.

Step 1: Login to the Microsoft Portal and navigate to the Office 365 Admin Portal. You must be a Global Admin in the Microsoft Office 365 Admin Portal to complete.

Step 2: From the Office 365 Admin Portal home screen, click on Exchange in the Admin Center.

Step 3: Next, click Add-ins. From this screen you will see a few Microsoft Office 365 Add-ins preinstalled already, but we need to find and add the Dynamics CRM Add-in, so click the + icon then click Add from the Office Store.

Step 4: In the Office Store, use the search bar and type "Dynamics CRM" and search. The Microsoft Dynamics CRM App will be at the top of your search. Select this app and then click Add to download.

Step 5: Once the App is downloaded, go back the Add-ins page in the Exchange Admin Center. By default, the Dynamics CRM App will be disabled, so you'll need to enable it for your whole team. To do this, select the Dynamics CRM App and then click on the Pencil icon button to edit.

Step 6: You have three options to specify the user defaults. Both "Optional, enabled by default users" and "Mandatory" will enable this add-in. If you want to make this add-in available for all users with a Dynamics CRM license assigned, make sure the box that says, "Make this add-in available to users in your organization" is checked.

Once you have enabled the application you can jump to your Outlook. If you navigate to your email conversations, the Dynamics CRM tab can be found just below where Outlook displays sender information. When you click on the CRM tab, the app will begin the initial connection to your Dynamics CRM account. Please note that this may take a little while the first time connecting. Once the connection is completed, you can begin to use the CRM App for Outlook!

That's all for the blog today! To see a demonstration of the CRM App for Outlook in action, check out our Webinar on Demand, Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Office 365: Introduction to Out-of-the-Box Integrations.

Happy CRM'ing!