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ISV Support for Microsoft CRM 3: KnowledgeSync by Vineyard Software

  • Artikel

I have been using this tool for a bunch of years. (Since back in the GoldMine days.) This tool is great if you have workflow that you want to go between multiple systems, you want to do something that Microsoft CRM's workflow engine doesn't natively support and you don't want to write a .Net Assembly.

One of my favorite uses for this was for a client that made jets. We used Knowledge Sync to alert sales reps when the plane that they had an opportunity on was sold. So if you and I where both trying to sell the same plane, and I sold it first, you would get an email with the next available plane you could select from... Way cool...

Business Activity Monitoring.Abbreviated “BAM” by The Gartner Group, Business Activity Monitoring is a type of software that operates under the assumption that “what you don’t know can hurt you”. One of the first BAM solutions on the market is a product called “KnowledgeSync” by Vineyardsoft Corporation. A certified add-on to Microsoft CRM, KnowledgeSync’s purpose is to monitor business conditions based on the information that you store in Microsoft CRM and – based on those conditions – figure out what to do and who needs to do it.

For those of you know the importance of Workflow (hopefully that’s everyone), KnowledgeSync offers a type of workflow “analysis and response” that compliments the existing workflow in Microsoft CRM. KnowledgeSync can identify very sophisticated business conditions, such as clients who have altered their buying habits, or prospects who haven’t been followed up with in over ‘x’ days. KnowledgeSync can analyze business conditions from Microsoft CRM in combination with business conditions from other applications, and spot enterprise-level situations requiring attention. And KnowledgeSync can monitor the content of incoming email messages and web form submissions.

KnowledgeSync’s automated monitoring is good, but what’s really valuable it its automated responses. KnowledgeSync can notify anyone, anywhere – via any device – that their attention is required. Email, fax, pager, cell phone, screen pop, and web browser are the methods by which KnowledgeSync can deliver critical information. Documents and Forms can be auto-triggered and delivered, such as an invoice after an order is placed, or a product brochure after a lead is entered. And KnowledgeSync can trigger integration and updates, enabling key information to be moved to (or from) the Microsoft CRM database. KnowledgeSync runs under Microsoft SQL Server, is a server-based application, and costs between $1,799 and $8,695. For more information, contact Vineyardsoft Corporation at 800-850-8055 or visit www.vineyardsoft.com.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    December 07, 2006
    I suggest you take a look at a product called TaskCentre by Orbis Software if you like Knowledgesync.

  • Anonymous
    January 15, 2007
    It really all depends on what you want. KnowledgeSync's strength is monitoring business conditions and triggering alerts, reports, & workflow. TaskCentre (which we researched) is all about business process management, and lets you graphically design & manage relationships between business processes. Our need was in data monitoring and alerts, and for that KnowledgeSync is unquestionably better. Plus, it uses a SQL DB, offers more alert methods, supports native Exchange email (which TC does not) and is overall much more flexible. But I agree -- do as we did, research both, and then figure out which one is better for your own specific needs.

  • Anonymous
    February 02, 2007
    I see from the comments above that there appears to be some confusion as to whether knowledgesync or TaskCentre should be used in x or y situations. As an independent who has been exposed to both knowledgeSync and TaskCentre, I'd have to say that both products were produced with the same concept in mind but that the TaskCentre solution is much stronger. There are many reasons for this but like the last poster stated, research both of them and decide for yourself. JT

  • Anonymous
    February 02, 2007
    The fact that TaskCentre markets itself as a BPM technology and KnowledgeSync as a BAM solution showed us that they were not produced with the same concept in mind. Plus KnowledgeSync has one price and you own the software forever; TC has lots of "extras" that you end up paying for -- and even then you own the software for only a year. If you don't renew M&S, your license expires. (TCO was a big concern for us.)

  • Anonymous
    February 04, 2007
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    February 11, 2007
    If you are evaluating KnowledgeSync I suggest you look at TaskCentre. Visit: www.orbis-software.com

  • Anonymous
    April 15, 2007
    Stupore! Amo questo luogo!:)))))))

  • Anonymous
    August 21, 2007
    Did anyone of you ever tried the mailconnector from Knowledgesync? Better not if you want to parse information from email into a database. The Mail Connector of KnowledgeSync is far away from being compatible with any international standard. Countless "broken" E-Mails and attachments are reason enough for me to check out the Orbis Software.

  • Anonymous
    September 29, 2009
    KnowledgeSync  using a SQL DB.....     Well that would be nice if it used it natively.    It simply uses a linked table in MS Access.   MS Access 95!!! Other than that minor item.  Knowledge Sync is pretty rock solid as long as you don't have any user setup error. TaskCentre.... I don't like the pricing structure... so I do not mention it to my clients.