Great Changes.. However,  I DO use the Activity Type WORK ORDER to denote work I need to do.   Actual work for a client.   I don't necessarily go to the field services screen to manage.  But its an Activity that I want to associate with Client work.  

I would think WorkORders in the true sense should show up in the CRM so that you have a record of the last time someone was out at site or did work...

I have a field service client where we will be using WORK ORDER and would expect CRM to pick up that activity....  

I would rather have option of not using than have you take out....

Fran

I use WORKORDER to denote work that I am doing for a client.  I may not go to field service screen to manage, but the activity type lets me know that I had actual work to do and I want to see it by client. I also have a customer that will be using field services and would like Work Order to show up in the CRM as a an indicator of work done at client.

I would rather we had option of taking out if we don't lose.....

So what happens to activites that have WorkOrder assisnged?  

Fran

Fran,

I posted a comment about this on LinkedIn since the question was also posted there as well.  The Field Services app uses the same activity table used by the CRM.  However, it heavily users the activity type "Work Order" to display Field Service activities vs. CRM activities.  In fact this is how it identifies which services need to be invoiced.  What happens is Field Service users would see scheduled work from the Field Services app in the CRM activity list.  They would then select and complete activities through the CRM vs. the Field Services app but this would also mean data that Field Services required was not entered because it was done through the CRM.  Yikes!  

By filtering out this activity type, we are able to make sure that "Work Orders" are completed properly through Field Services and not through the CRM.

In your case, I would just create a new Activity Type since you are not using the Field Services application.  This way you won't have any problem with it showing up in the CRM.

I hope this helps.  Ideally we would have done this before the CRM release but this only came up recently based on feedback from the CRM and Field Services users.  

Danny,

Thanks for posting the Linked in comment here.. I had gotten an error on first attempt at posting but I guess it went through....argh!

I would still argue that the option to include WorkOrders as Activities should be given to the user.  The field services worker will often times not be filling in invoice type or other data but "completing " just might be enough for company. If they need more info than take if off Activity Type list. I love the field services app.

As a company, I would still like to see my Work Orders somewhere in my CRM.  It is a huge piece of Activity work that would be missing.   I have worked and looked at WorkOrder lists and have a client that wants to use that app.    I do understand your concerns about completing  a Workorder from an Activity.    So now if clients have  CRM and Field Services, they have to go to two places to see all of the activity for a client... Have you considered a WorkOrder Tab link to CRM if Field Services is added?..    

This has been an issue before the new CRM, why is it so hot now...

As for my stuff, Since I have using Work Orders, I now have to query two Activity types to view my actual work, the old Work Orders which showed up nicely on calendar and WorkOrder List and ???whatever I now name my new activity type.    

And Yes, I would like some cheese with my whine!

Fran

Good Morning Fran,

I hear you loud and clear so here is a solution that would satisfy both of our needs and ensure that Field Services users aren't stuck in a rut.  

1. We'll add a field to the Activity Type table called "IsAppSpecific" that is a Yes/No checkbox.  This would be checked only for types that are used for filtering out app specific types like “Work Order”.  We then filter by this field on the CRM screens.  Users that want to turn it on can by going to the Activity Type screen.
2. We add a second field called “Description”.  Here we can give a brief description of the type and which apps it is likely used in.

In your case, if you wanted to turn on the ability to see the Work Order in your Activities List, all you have to do is edit this in your Activity Type screen and ta-da, it now shows the Activity Type.

Hopefully we'll have the update for you shortly.  Stay tuned!

Danny

You are awesome!  Thanks....

Fran

Danny,

Thanks for the update on this.  I thought i broke method when i could not find work orders in my new opps screen.  The last message about your new changes would be great.  That why i can keep track of all the work orders for all my different workers.   I love the ability of having a screen and seeing everything and if i need to filter it down then i just enter filter on the grid, Helps me out so much.

Thanks!

Danny,

Thanks for the update.  Your changes will help me alot in keeping track of work orders in the activity screen.

John,

Glad you like the changes we have in mind.  We should get these pushed out shortly and we'll update the release notes too.

John & Fran,

Phase one of the updates has been pushed out.  You can see the release notes by clicking the link below.

www.methodintegration.com/.../method-crm-updates-august-23-august-24-2011.aspx

Have a great morning!

Fran & John,

The last set of updates have been pushed out now.  You can read more about the details of the update in the release notes.  Keep in mind that under the Activity Type screen you'll need to uncheck the "App Specific?" checkbox for Work Order if you want this to appear in the CRM screens.

www.methodintegration.com/.../method-crm-updates-august-26-august-28-2011.aspx