Creating a scaled down CRM

  • Thread starter Thread starter Steven Johnson
  • Start date Start date
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Steven Johnson

Hello, I am creating an Outlook 2003 based CRM for my organization and would
like to model the approach after Outlook BCM. Unlike BCM, this CRM will be
accessible throughout my company (20+ users).

First, I'll be creating a MSDE SQL Database on my SBS 2003 server and then
I'd like to customize an Exchange Public Folder (containing Contacts) to
pull extra data from the MSDE. I will create custom forms (public folder
wide) that link to this external datasource. The external datasource will
have to use the Contact's unique ID to perform lookups, I looked at the
accessible schema for outlook contacts but cannot figure out which field is
THE unique ID (maybe its a GUID) that the queries will reference. Can anyone
help?

Also, what tools (Visual Studio.Net?) do you suggest I use to create the new
outlook forms that can access a server based MSDE (with network listening
enabled) Has anyone done this? Any leads?

I've done research and found articles about "ado" ".net" and "com" kinda
stuff, what connection methods do you suggest.

Thanks,
Steven
 
1) Since you have SBS 2003, use SQL Server, not MSDE. My customer purchased
SBS 2003 and got SQL Server included. No limitations.

2) There are 2 billion integers (signed) available in the integer datatype
for .NET, so GUIDs are not necessary for unique IDs, unless you really want
them.

3) Use Visual Studio.NET and ADO.NET.

4) Make sure you use parameterized SQL.
 
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