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Method Integration Outlook Plug-In 2.0 Beta – Now Open

Last year, I was super excited when we released version 1.0 of our Outlook plug-in tool.   Now, less than a year later, I am thrilled to announce version 2.0 is officially open for public beta.  

Caution – please sit down if you’re not already, as you may experience higher than normal levels of excitement when reading through the list of new features this plug-in has to offer.  Wink  Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

New features for our Outlook Plug-In 2.0 

  • Create new QuickBooks customers, vendors, leads and contacts directly from Outlook and have it instantly appear in Method and QuickBooks.   This means you will be able to create new contacts on the fly without flipping screens to QuickBooks or Method.
    Add New Customer/Vendor/Contact/Lead 
  • Bi-directional sync of calendar appointments from Method CRM to Outlook or Outlook to Method CRM.  Choose the amount of days you would like to sync, or a specific day and your activities/appointments will appear in both calendars. 
    Sync toolbar in Outlook 
  • Categories in Outlook can be linked with Method CRM’s Activity Type and Activity Status fields.   Why is this useful?  Say for example, I set my green category in Outlook to match my Method Activity Status “Completed”.   Now when I finish an appointment, in Outlook I can assign the category like I normally would and the next time I sync, that activity would be marked as completed in Method CRM.  
    Setup for Outlook Categories 
  • Priority levels can now be assigned to follow-up appointments.  This way your most important activities get the attention they need.  
    Set priority levels for follow-up appointments 
  • All email screens now support the ability to send emails directly to Method in a single click!
  • Lookup email addresses from Method CRM on any email screen using the “Address” button.  Once the address is located, it is automatically inserted into the To, CC and BCC fields.  No need to switch windows to lookup an email address!  Can’t find the address you’re looking for?  Add it directly from the Address window.  How sweet is that?
  • Turn your Outlook Contact into a new QuickBooks customer/vendor/lead/contact in less than two clicks.
  • Step-by-step activity submission allows you to quickly see if the activity being added from Outlook to Method CRM has any open Cases or Opportunities that the activity might be associated with or require updating.  
    See open Cases and Opportunities in one view! 

The new plug-in packs a lot of punch and a ton of value since its free for all Method users.  A few things to keep in mind though: 

  1. During the beta, all questions need to be posted on the forum.  Here is the link for your reference:
    http://www.methodintegration.com/cs/forums/19.aspx 
  2. This plug-in only works with Outlook 2007 and higher.  But if you’re using an older version of Outlook, you can still use our older version of the plug-in.  
  3. Unfortunately, the plug-in is a desktop app, so it doesn’t have the same flexibility you’re used to with Method to customize it as your heart desires.   See what happens when you get spoiled with the Method mentality?

Now that we are done with all the official business of what it can do and how to get help, click the link below to be taken to the forum post with instructions on getting setup.

http://www.methodintegration.com/cs/forums/p/628/2096.aspx#2096

Once you get the plug-in working for you, please comment on your favorite new features!  

Cheers,

Danny Do Couto
Method Integration

View Danny Do Couto's profile on LinkedIn

Comments

 

fran said:

Danny,

I am having a challenge getting  the plug-in to recognize open cases.   Any secrets?

Fran

March 24, 2010 11:22 AM
 

Method_Danny said:

Fran -

No secrets here.  Step 1 of adding an activity against a case prompts you to select the customer.  Step 2 will list any Cases that are currently opened for the customer in Step 1.  If the Case is already closed, you will need to un-check the box to display "Closed Cases".  The rest is business as usual.  

If you're having trouble though, be sure to post on the Outlook Plug-In forum so we can look into it.  =)

www.methodintegration.com/.../19.aspx

March 24, 2010 1:45 PM
 

pdirect said:

I downloaded the 2.0 Outlook plugin, but I only see the "add to method" and "setup" buttons in the toolbar (outlook 2007).  I do not see the new "synchronize" and "send selected appointments to Method" buttons.  I have verified that I'm running v. 2.1.37.  Any ideas why these buttons are missing?

February 7, 2011 11:49 AM
 

Method_Danny said:

pdirect - if you are in Outlook viewing your "Mail" window, you should only see the "Add to Method" and "Setup" buttons.  However, if you switch to the "Calendar" window, you'll see the additional options for "Synchronize" and "Send Selected Appointments to Method".  The syncing is only for appointments in the Outlook calendar and brings over the activities that you have setup in Method to Outlook.  

When working with emails, it is a one-way push from Outlook into Method.  I hope this helps.  If you're still stuck, please post on the Outlook plug-in forum for assistance.  

www.methodintegration.com/.../19.aspx

Cool

February 8, 2011 8:19 AM

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