Server-side Synchronization in Dynamics CRM
What is Server-side Synchronization in Dynamics CRM?
Server-side Synchronization is an alternate to the email router or the Outlook client for dealing with Microsoft Dynamics CRM email (and in the case of the Outlook client: contacts, tasks and appointments).
Server-side synchronization provides direct Microsoft Dynamics CRM-to-email server synchronization. When you use Exchange, this includes bi-directional synchronization of email, contacts, tasks, and appointments. The data synchronized for each user can be controlled by using synchronization filters that are available from the Synchronization tab in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM user options dialog. Server-side synchronization is the preferred option for organizations with users who run Microsoft Dynamics CRM in a web browser or on a mobile device, such as a tablet or smartphone.
Why is Server-side Synchronization Great?
Server-side Synchronization does not require the installation of any additional software and is fairly straight forward to configure. It also allows for synchronizing of Email, Contacts, Tasks and Appointments – which is something the email router fell short on. It sends from mail-enabled queues (Something Outlook fell short on) and Outlook does not have to be Open for email to send. And finally: no more roll-outs of the Outlook client to all your PCs! Although Server-side Synchronization can be used in combination with the Outlook client if users still like to click and choose the associated CRM record.
History of Server-side Synchronization:
Introduced in Dynamics CRM 2013, you were limited to syncing from:
CRM on premise only to Exchange on premise
– or –
CRM online only to Exchange online.
In CRM 2015, Microsoft added the ability to sync from:
CRM online to Exchange on premise.
Now (drum roll please) – for your syncing enjoyment, Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 introduces synchronization from any Dynamics CRM 2016 deployment to any Exchange deployment (supported version of exchange 2010 SP3-2016).
You can use this grid for reviewing the supported technologies as of the date of this post:
| CRM deployment | Email system | Email synchronization | Appointments, contacts, and tasks synchronization | Protocol |
| CRM (on-premises) |
|
Yes | Yes | Exchange Web Services |
| CRM (on-premises) |
|
Yes | No | POP3/SMTP |
| Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online |
|
Yes | Yes | Exchange Web Services |
| Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online |
|
Yes | No | POP3/SMTP |
1 May be unsupported for FIPS-compliancy.
This feature will be available soon after the initial public release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 Service Pack 1. Server-side synchronization is required for the Dynamics CRM App for Outlook (lightweight app) or for Exchange folder tracking. It’s not required for Dynamics CRM for Outlook (full app), but you can use it as the synchronization method for Dynamics CRM for Outlook.
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