"Migrate" CRM 5.0 PCUI --> CRM 2007 IC - possible?

[Former Member]

We actually run a (heavily) customized version of CRM 5.0 with PCUI and business packages in a portal as frontend for the users.

We did a test upgrade to CRM 2007 with a copy from our production and we found out that we would need to re-do all our customizing for IC webclient.

Is there really no possiblity whatsoever to migrate that?

If no, then it would be the fourth reimplementation:

CRM 2.0B - Mobile Sales

CRM 3.0 - Mobile Sales complete new implementation (no migration path from older versions)

CRM 5.0 - PCUI (technology switch to "online" scenario)

CRM 2007 IC ???

If that is true, we wonder about what comes next. CRM 7.0 is apparently IC based too (what I heard till now).We are wondering, what will happen if CRM will jump at one point onto the ABAP-Webdynpro bandwagon (as all other applications apparently do), if we would need to again re-do everything.

Markus

[gregorw]

Hi Markus,

it's really a shame that you're company has gone through all this hassles. CRM 7.0 is also based on the CRM WebClient UI. But for further version we don't know yet. It might happen again that SAP synchronizes also on the GUI side and switches to WebDynpro. In 2 years when the next release should be shipped the WebDynpro Floor Plan Manager should be stable enough.

But back to present. I've just finished the CR580 training on the new UI. Except from some enhancements we've done on the Opportunity via EEWB it should be smoothly. But we haven't tried a test upgrade yet. Perhaps reality will prove me wrong. In the moment I'm installing a SAP CRM 2007 IDES system to practice what I've learned on the training and also get familiar with the Transaction Launcher which we use heavily in PC-UI (Object Links) to integrate back to our ERP system. Especially I want to find out how to pass parameters from a non IC scenario to a ERP transaction.

For the features I'm missing in CRM 2007 I've started a [CRM WebClient UI Wish List |https://wiki.sdn.sap.com/wiki/x/eAIPB] on the SDN Wiki. Perhaps you like to add your thoughts too. We as SAP Mentors should be able to find the right persons / words to express our position.

Best regards

Gregor

[markus_doehr2]

Hi Gregor,

thank you for taking the time to state your comment.

As of now we decided to stay on CRM 5.0 although the new CRM 2007 looks MUCH nicer than this portal BSP UI (and it appears a lot faster).

It would take us, according to our internal calculations, some hundred mandays internally plus external consultants to rebuilt all on CRM 2007 (as it did before with the other upgrades).

Markus

[Former Member]

Hi Markus,

we use also CRM5.0 and the IC-Webclient in our productive environment.

But we decided to start a ramp-up project to CRM 7.0. Now we are in this ramp-up project since 6 weeks. The technical upgrade is done and we are now in the UI configuration.

Two points:

1. We still use our customizing under CRM 7.0. There are some changes which has to be in mind, but customizing can be used also under CRM 7.0.

2. Customized User Interfaces have to be changed once again. In our case there a lot of user interface in the IC-Webclient we have to rework. There is a new BSP Workbench included in CRM 7.0 which makes it a bit easier to change screens - but it´s still work which has to be done.

If you are interessted we can exchange contact data and arrange a phone call.

Best regards

Manfred

[markus_doehr2]

Hi Manfred,

2. Customized User Interfaces have to be changed once again. In our case there a lot of user interface in the IC-Webclient we have to rework. There is a new BSP Workbench included in CRM 7.0 which makes it a bit easier to change screens - but it´s still work which has to be done.

If you are interessted we can exchange contact data and arrange a phone call.

thank you very much for the offer - maybe at later time.

Of course, the customizing is still there and can be used but the UI is what concerns us. As said, this would be then the fourth "frontend"-implementation we would need to do.

We won't upgrade until there's a clear strategy where the train is going. We don't want to start now with CRM 7.0 adoption and then find out that the successor version(s) use(s) again something different (e. g. WD-ABAP or Flex or whatever).

Apparently the CRM development only thinks in "new implementations" and not in "upgrade". It has been in the past a too frustrating experience to see, that with every upgrade almost everything needs to be repeated in a different manner.

Markus

[Former Member]

Hello Markus,

Reading this thread, I'm really happy that we started CRM directly with CRM 2007 (6.0)

SAP has already announced CRM 7.0 (2009 ??). I will keep in mind your problems if I begin to hear about an upgrade...

Regards,

Olivier

[markus_doehr2]

Reading this thread, I'm really happy that we started CRM directly with CRM 2007 (6.0)

You can be

SAP has already announced CRM 7.0 (2009 ??). I will keep in mind your problems if I begin to hear about an upgrade...

Yes:

http://service.sap.com/crm

It´s in the Business Suite Rampup (https://service.sap.com/~form/sapnet?_SHORTKEY=01100035870000716134&), target completion is Q2/2009.

Markus