I often get asked by clients as they embark on a development project with Microsoft Dynamics CRM about the software, tools and utilities they should use. So here is a list (thanks to colleagues past and present).
- MSCRM SDK (download here). This includes a couple of important tools:
- Developer Toolkit – for creating MSCRM projects (e.g. plugins/custom workflows/etc)
- Plugin Registration Tool – you can register and publish plugins via Developer Toolkit now, but the plugin registration tool is a little more advanced
- Help files for local use, and other stuff/samples that are quite useful
- Dynamics CRM 2011 Developer Training Kit (download here)
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Implementation Guide (download here)
- Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step 2012 and Sure Step Online - (details on partnersource or customersource)
- Ribbon Workbench by Develop 1 (download here) - Solution you import into Dynamics CRM
- SiteMap Editor by Tanguy (download here)
- Formula Manager by North52 (download here) – Solution you import into Dynamics CRM
- XRM Developer Framework by Wael Hamze and Ramon Tebar (download here)
- OData Query Designer -(download here) Another MSCRM solution. Or you can download the OData Query Designer as part of Dynamics Toolshere
- Resharper – For super speedy development
- Microsoft Hyper V – for running local images (this works realty well on Windows 8)
Other Useful Links
- Best Practices for Developing with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 (article here)
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM Developer Center on MSDN (article here)
- List of Tools and Utilities by Everything CRM (article here)
Other Tools to think about:
Source Control
- If TFS you’ll need this installed. Install the Power Tools as well.
- If it’s Git/GitHub/BitBucket you’ll need either a windows Gui or Git Bash for command prompt.
Testing
- Mocking Library. Loot at Rhino Mocks, Moq, etc.Although a lot of these libraries can be stored in source control.
- Performance Toolkit for Microsoft Dynamics CRM (Solution on Marketplace. Download here)
- MICROSOFT FAKES and xRM Dev Framework (Download here)
- Visual Studio Ultimate edition for load testing
This posting is provided “AS IS” with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Next week: Great books for software and product development
