29 Apr 2010

Keeping historical data on Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Cascade Relationship Behavior is an important setting for Microsoft Dynamics CRM users, the platform's team blog notes.

That is because it can affect the way that data is modified if it is reassigned to a new owner.

More importantly, it affects the way that historical data is updated - giving the potential to either automatically modify existing records or keep them the same as when the task, job or contract was completed.

Guest blogger Frank Lee argues that, in many cases, it is preferable to keep the original record, as the old owner was associated with the task at the time it was carried out.

However, the default behaviour is to update ownership for historical records - with the alternative Cascade Active option on the Cascade Relationship Behavior pulldown list a better option to keep closed records static when ownership is changed.

The importance of consistent records was highlighted recently as Microsoft Dynamics CRM was named one of the Leaders in the CRM Customer Service Contact Centers market by analyst Gartner thanks to the efficiency with which customer data can be recalled through the platform.