 |
You can add custom entities into the navigation structure by using the Customize Entities area in the application by selecting the Areas that display this entity on the general tab for the entity. However, this does not let you control the precise placement within the area. For example, by using the customization tools, you cannot control the order that the new entity will appear under Sales. An example of the navigation structure is shown in the following diagrams.
The application navigation is created as an in-memory representation of the SiteMap by combining the three data sources shown in the following diagram.
The user interface for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM application is constructed from the following elements:
- The sitemapxml attribute of the organization entity.
- Client extension controls configured using ISV.Config.
- Custom entity information that is contained in the metadata database.
Note The additions to the application navigation structure described in the entity metadata is automatically appended to the end of the appropriate areas defined in the Sitemap XML Reference. These additions lack the precise control of placement.
You can access the sitemapxml attribute by exporting the SiteMap. After you configure this XML file, you must import it to apply the customizations.
The SiteMap defines the areas represented in the Web client's Navigation Pane as well as in Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Microsoft Office Outlook.
SiteMap also defines Workplace profiles. These are groups of subareas that end-users can add or remove from the Workplace area by using the User Settings for Workplace. The Go To menu and User Settings for the Start Page (Web client only) automatically reflect the navigation areas and subareas defined in the site map.
The site map does not provide configuration support for the entity form left navigation pane, nor does it make the functionality in ISV.Config obsolete. Continue to use ISV.Config to add such items as menus and buttons to the application and navigation areas to entity forms.
The site map can be exported and imported to move your customizations between development and production environments.
Workplace Profiles
The Workplace is a user-configurable area that lets the user select from a set of profiles defined in the site map. These profiles typically will be configured to contain the most frequently used areas of the application. This enables users to create a workspace that is customized for their job responsibilities.
There are two groups that are always shown in the Workplace: My Work and Customers. These contain the pages of the application that are typically used by all users of the system. Technically, these are not profiles. For more information, see Sitemap XML and SiteMap Schema.
The user can decide to add groups by selecting from a list of profiles in using the Personalize Workplace… area of the Workplace. The default profiles include the following:
- Sales
- Marketing
- Service
- Scheduling
These groups and profiles are customizable by using the site map. You can add, remove, modify, and rename profiles to best meet the needs of the users.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Outlook
The areas, Workplace Groups, and subareas defined in the site map are reflected in the Outlook folder hierarchy under the Microsoft Dynamics CRM folder. However, Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Microsoft Office Outlook represents the folders alphabetically. The order defined in the site map does not apply.
Example Scenarios
The following list contains examples of what you can do with the site map:
- Integrate other applications into the Microsoft Dynamics CRM application.
- Customize Workplace profiles to better match with user responsibilities.
- Add custom entities in the navigation where you want them.
- Remove an unused top level Area.
- Add a new top level Area.
See Also
Concepts
Reference
Other Resources
© 2010 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.