There are many new features and enhancements with exciting capabilities for Microsoft Dynamics users and developers. CRM Administrators however, haven't been forgotten. Here is an introduction to the new Best Practices Analyzer tool for your CRM implementation.

Best Practices Analyzer (BPA) - Defined

Leveraging the Microsoft Baseline Configuration Analyzer, the new CRM 2013 Best Practices Analyzer captures and examines information about configuration settings, security, and CRM server roles that are installed on the server.

The configuration analysis results are presented as compliant or non-compliant according to CRM 2013 best practices. The BPA will recommend solutions to addresses and resolve potential problems.

System Requirements

• Install the Microsoft Baseline Configuration Analyzer 2.0
• Download and install the Best Practices Analyzer (BPA) on the CRM Server.
• Locate from Programs, right-click and run as a local administrator.

If you have the Microsoft Baseline Configuration Analyzer 2.0 and run before installing the CRM BP, you will not see CRM as an option:

Download the Best Practices Analyzer (BPA) for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 and install on a CRM server in your implementation.

Click through the install to finish:

Next, locate the newly installed BPA from Programs, right-click and run as a local administrator and now you will see your CRM server:

Select your server and click Start Scan:

The scan runs:

When the scan completes it will display the report of your configuration and settings grouped by Error, Warning, and Compliant.

Select an error and review the explanation of the issue describing the impact and recommendations for resolution.
The more information link will provide additional articles and description of the issue.

A good practice would be to save and archive the results report for baseline of your CRM server infrastructure.

Future troubleshooting could use the historical reports to assist in locating potential changes and differences that may have occurred subsequently.

Enjoy using the new Best Practices Analyzer for Dynamics CRM 2013! Other CRM administration information can be located here:

Using the Legacy Feature Check Tool to Prepare for CRM 2013

Preparing for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013

CRM 2013 Training Opportunities

CRM Academy 2013 Infrastructure Training

Of course, keep checking our blog for more!

Happy CRM'ing!