Understanding terminologies related to Business - Part 2

Workflow Vs. Plug-in - MSCRM

Workflow Defined:
A workflow can be defined as sets of logical rules that define the steps necessary to automate specific business processes, tasks or sets of actions to be performed on Microsoft Dynamics CRM records.

Main characteristics of workflows are:

• Workflows can be created via CRM user interface without using any code
• Workflows can be run manually or automatically. The automatic running of workflows is based on several data modification events.
• They always run asynchronously.
• Workflow rules are entity specific.
• The state and stage of a workflow instance can be viewed within the CRM user interface by any CRM user with appropriate permissions.
• Workflows are meant to orchestrate a "long" running process that consists of several steps.
• Workflows can be imported and exported from one system to another.

Plug-in Defined
A plug-in is .Net code that is registered on the CRM server. A plug-in assembly can be registered for one or more steps – these steps correspond to the combination of the message (event), entity and stage.An example of a step would be creating message for the account entity on the pre-event stage. Registration of the assembly and steps is part of the plug-in deployment process and there is no direct user interaction with plug-in. 

Main characteristics of plug-ins are: 

• Plug-ins have to be written as .Net code.  
• They have to be registered in CRM via tools in the SDK.(Software Develpment Kit) 
• They cannot run manually. 
• Plug-in can run on more events than can workflow rules. An example is that a plug-in can run on data retrieval and not just modification events. 
• They can run either synchronously or asynchronously. 
• Plug-ins are meant for more granular operations. 
• Plug-ins can neither be imported nor exported.

The Awesome Duo :)

Expressions/Thoughts

In the abyss of darkness, I see streaks of light flickering at a distance from my window. Right now, sleep seems to have taken a back seat from my eyes. I have somehow noticed – rain and particularly silence around me gives me a motivation to analyze and think about the intricacy of life. They are some how stimulants for my writing. Air in the room is fresh and there is a relief from the scorching heat of the sun. I can hear a melancholy of silence being fused with the rattling of wheels of the train passing through tracks at a far of place. I see absolute blackness in the sky and when I look at it from my window I get mesmerized with the stars and moon. Far in the sky, I can see a solitary star twinkling by itself in the limitless sky - secluded, speechless and I some how know that star belongs to me and is talking to me.

It’s trying to prove its essence in the world. But it cannot articulate or express its thoughts like us. Its sheer presence in itself is its expression. Whereas we can express but we don't use our faculties when we really should. Many a times it so happens that what we think we fail to articulate the thought to other person(s). I can understand how important expressions/thoughts are for human beings only if they are/were understood well by people. - Life would have been much easier. :)

This one is for you daddy.....Happy Father's Day :)

He's rough and lacks in etiquette,

Society would say.

He has no classy attributes,
To help him on his way.

He's not a fancy dresser,
And he's not so trimmed and neat.
With simple clothes and simple shoes,
He wears upon his feet.

He doesn't belong to a club,
Or drive a shiny car.
And when he takes vacations,
He does not go very far.

He doesn't dine on fine cuisine,
To him home made food is a big treat.
And he may use his small hands,
When it is time to eat.

He has a modest little house,
But has all that he needs.
He keeps his garden cut nice and short,
He even trims his weeds.

He's well versed in poetry,
Theater and the arts.
And speech is something,
That he constantly imparts.

He loves the simple things in life,
For riches doesn't thirst.
He knows what is important,
And his family is put first.

The wealth that God has given him,
To treasure in his life.
Loving daughters,
And a very special wife.

He never has much money,
And his life is not a show.
But he is still the richest man,
That I will ever know.

To others he's a complex, ruthless and straight forward man,
And fame he's never had.
But he's the greatest man I know,
He also is my Dad

Author - Unknown

Understanding terminologies related to Business Part -1

TECH TALK : Difference between Functional Consultant and Business Analyst

It appears that one uses the term 'Functional Consultant' when one needs to customize existing applications/products that are large such as an ERP or a CRM. And a Business Analyst would be required when one designs and develops a module/system/application from scratch by understanding the business and its systems.

A Business Analyst is typically a 'sector expert' - someone who has spent time in the industry vertical before getting into the IT domain to do Business Analysis. For example, if some one moves from Financial Services/Banking into IT, he/she could be a Business Analyst focused on the Banking and Financial Services (BFS) domain. Similarly, if someone has spent a lot of time in the Automobile industry or in general the Manufacturing Industry, he could fit into the role of a Business Analyst for that domain quite easily. While one may not always find Business Analysts who are specialists from that industry/domain, one would expect to.

However, a Functional Consultant is expected to have a very good understanding of the product - an ERP system such as SAP or a Customer Relationship Management system such as MS CRM. Their understanding of the product and its modules help them in customizing it to companies in various domains.

Role of a Functional Consultant in an End To End Implementation:

1. A functional consultant is expected to generate knowledge about the current business process, design current business flows, study current business processes and its complication - in all we can say that this is getting through with the current business setup. Flow diagrams are prepared- all this forms the part of the AS IS document.

2. Everything configured has to be documented according to their categories in the form of predefined templates; these then have to be approved by the team leads or who ever the consultant is reporting to.

3. Mapping and GAP analysis is done for each module.

4. Before starting configuring future business processes in SAP, the DFDs/ERDs are prepared, this documentation is called TO BE, which can be also said as the result of mapping and gap analysis.

5. Sometimes Functional consultants are also expected to prepare test scripts for testing the configured scenarios. Testing may also include Unit testing, System Integration Testing, Performance Testing, User Acceptance Testing, Regression Testing or any client specific software testing.

6. A configuration document showing all the setting done by the consultant is also comes under the area of role & responsibilities of consultant.

7. End user manual and user training is also expected from Functional Consultants.

8. Updation of project status to Project Manager & other concerned persons.

9. Interaction with core team members, end users & other team members.

10. A Functional consultant has to be a good communicator he has to communicate with Customer ERP core team, implementing team, Technical consultant and his project leader.

The Fallacy of Togetherness - Osh

Make friends with them who is on the path at least as much as you are. If they do not take you forward, at least they do not become a reason to move you backward on your quest. If this is not possible, just walk alone. The companionship of fools is not good. Remember one thing, you have come alone in this world and will leave this world alone. The togetherness ideal is just a way to make you feel better. That is why it is important to learn the art of solitude. In the company of a person who has gone deeper into themselves, you will feel their company as well as solitude.

Crowds are formed by people who are focused on the external. It’s a miracle to see that there are no crowds to be seen when you are with people who are focused in and within themselves. If ten internally focused individuals are sitting in a room, it is not that there are ten internally focused individuals sitting. It is each individual sitting by themselves, thereby not forming a crowd.

Internally focused people don’t make bridges to the outside. If there are ten externally focused people sitting, there not a crowd of ten people – it is a crowd of ten thousand. This is because each individual is connecting with the other ten and so on. Thousands of relationships are been forged. Even if internally focused people are together, they leave each other alone. The best company is offered from people who allow you to be alone even while you are with them. The people worth developing company with are people who let your solitude retain its purity.

The naturalness and nakedness of your solitude maintains its pristine state. Your aloneness, your silence remains untouched and pure. They respect your boundaries and do not become a reason for disturbing your solitude. They provide company, one which does not invade your space. When you call them, they come near to you. Only as near, as you call them and no more.

They leave you alone when you want to go inside of yourself.

OM !

I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Integrity, of Wisdom and of Peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One Peace Love!