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Introduction to the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Instance Adapter

Post Author: Joe D365 | October 26th, 2012

The Connector for Microsoft Dynamics

Acknowledging a need for a tool that would allow for simple yet powerful data transfer among Dynamics packages, Microsoft released a utility called the Connector for Microsoft Dynamics.  With it, partners and users are able to maintain common data across different Dynamics packages without the need for writing custom code, creating SSIS packages or purchasing third party migration tools.

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Instance Adapter

Up to this point, migrating data between two CRM instances has not been supported by the Connector, but that has changed with the release of the new CRM 2011 Instance Adapter.  This adapter was built specifically with the purpose of transferring data between CRM 2011 instances in any hosting environment.  Maintaining consistent data across multiple organizations or migrating entire datasets across hosting environments has never been more efficient or economical.

How to Use the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Instance Adapter

PowerObjects has created the following blogs in order to make the process of downloading, installing, configuring and using the new CRM Instance Adapter as painless as possible. You can either follow the blogs in the order we’ve provided below or skip to the specific topic you need.

Happy CRM'ing!

Joe CRM
By Joe D365
Joe D365 is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 superhero who runs on pure Dynamics adrenaline. As the face of PowerObjects, Joe D365’s mission is to reveal innovative ways to use Dynamics 365 and bring the application to more businesses and organizations around the world.

14 comments on “Introduction to the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Instance Adapter”

  2. We have a CRM 2011 onsite.. And we like to move data between organisations. I know you nee a ms crm connector for this, but is this something you have to buy or should this be a integrated in crm2011? I my think we have to buy it, but I am not sure yet.. Do you know a easy way to move data between organisations?

      1. I still have some problem to get this connector. I am new in CRM.. on the pdf instruction, it says I have to have this version of the connector:

        System Requirements
         Connector for Microsoft Dynamics version 2.1.317.1 or greater, which can be obtained from Customer Source at the following URL: https://mbs.microsoft.com/customersource/productinformation/relatedproducts/MSDYN_ConnectorforMicrosoftDynamics.

        When I go to that link, I have to log in with my microsoft account. I have on that we use for all ms thing. Then I get this message:

        The Windows Live™ ID you used has not been associated with an existing Microsoft Dynamics profile yet. If this is your first time accessing PartnerSource or CustomerSource with your Windows Live ID please enter your email address below.

        Here I am not sure what to use. For if I try to type in my ms mail account, I just get this message:

        The email address you entered was not found in our records. Please check the email address and try again. If you have never accessed the system before, please use the following link for additional instructions: FAQ. There I can't get any further.... Do I have to register that account somewhere?

        1. and just one more thing.. We do not use any ERP solutions. I just need to move data between organisation in CRM.

          2. Hi, I have the same problem as Kenneth has.
            I can not find a Connector Download for only MS CRM.
            I do have access to the downloading page of MS Connector ( Customer and even PartnerSource Account ) but there is no version "just for CRM".
            Our approach is also to move data across different MS CRM organizations regularly. So there is no ERP or other solution in place. Only MS CRM 2011.
            Does it really matter for the instance adapter what kind of MS Connector I will install ?
            Thanks.

          3. Hi Florian - You can download any of the instance dapaters, but we recomend the SL instance as it has the smallers foot print.

          4. Hello Alex

            I have downloaded the SL adapter, but apparently it requires SQL server. Do you have any workarounds? I have to sync data between two CRM online instances.

            Many thanks
            Sandeep

      2. Getting the connector tool is quite a challenge. Is there no place that it can be downloaded without having to link your live ID to ms voice?

  3. I'm wondering how can I move data between CRM environments. I have really simple account mapping, service running. But only new or updated accounts appear in the destination CRM, not all existing accounts. How can I move the rest of data? Is there any tutorial for this tool except .chm for API and Installation pdf?

  4. Thanks for posting on Instance Adapter nice post,
    In my case i am creating some add-on kind of things so i will not be knowing where it is going to import in this case how i can export the entity data along with the entity in managed add-on solution package.

    Please help me to solve this.

    Thanks,
    Veeresh

  5. Hi,

    We are trying to use Instance Adapter to bring data from Production Environment to QA environment. We are able to bring Business Units, Teams and Users successfully. When we tried to bring Leads from Prod to QA. Instance started to give us error "The given key was not present in dictionary". For 38,000 leads, Adapter threw same error on more than 15,000 leads and it took more than 12 hrs to process almost 15,000 leads. Any suggestion?? Is this adapter that slow or are we missing something?? Any help will be highly appreciated!!

    Danish

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