Extensibility Architecture

Extensibility Architecture

You can customize Microsoft Dynamics CRM in different areas as shown in the following diagram. These customization points are shown in the color orange in the diagram.

The previous diagram illustrates the following features:

Customization Tools: Customize, add, and rename entities.

ISV Script/Form Customization: Customize forms by using the client-side scripting.

ISV Code: Add your own features to the application by using the application configuration file and the SDK.

Custom Reports: Use filtered views to create custom reports within Microsoft Dynamics CRM and directly in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and more.

Import/Export: Export your customization for installation into a production environment.

Plug-ins: Augment the Microsoft Dynamics CRM business logic with your own plug-ins, for both online and offline applications. These extensions can also be used for integration to external systems. In the previous version, this feature was known as callouts.

Workflow Custom Activities: Call out to external systems from your workflow rules. Create custom workflow activities that can be used by your workflow rules. In the previous version, this feature was known as workflow .NET assemblies.

In addition, the following capabilities are also available:

Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Microsoft Office Outlook Customization: Customize your offline client by using the configuration file and custom code that uses the SDK.