Accessing Dynamics CRM from a Mac (updated)

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Apple

6/4/2010 – updating a post that was originally published in June 2008.  This update includes the option to access CRM using Mobile Express.  - KW

While requests to use Microsoft Dynamics CRM and CRM Online from a Mac are not terribly frequent, it comes up every once in a while so it is definitely worth addressing.

Supported clients for Dynamics CRM include Internet Explorer 6 (SP2) and later, and Outlook 2003 (SP2) and later.  Unfortunately, Entourage is not a supported client.  And, supported operating systems are all of the Windows flavor.

So, while there's no direct method to do this, there's always a way, right?  Here's a compilation of ideas.

  1. Use Virtual PC, Parallels or Bootcamp software to run Windows on the Mac
  2. Utilize a Citrix/Terminal Server connection.
  3. You can access CRM from just about any web browser via CRM Mobile Express.  CRM Mobile Express doesn’t give you full CRM functionality, but you do get access to read and edit any record type.
  4. Read Sonoma Partners' blog on using Firefox for Windows with the View Page in IE Tab add-in.: blog.sonomapartners.com/2007/11/microsoft-crm-r.html
  5. Read John Straumann’s thoughts on a J2EE approach: <mscrmguy.blogspot.com/search/label/MSCRM%20on%20a%20MAC%3F>
  6. Read Ben Vollmer’s blog entry from a while back: blogs.msdn.com/midatlanticcrm/archive/2006/08/15/Using-Microsoft-CRM-with-a-Mac.aspx

Keep in mind that none of these methods are supported, but that's not to say they won't work.

HTH - Kevin

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