Microsoft's Silverlight 5 Could Be The Last Version

Despite the fact that Microsoft Silverlight has been one of the most sought after cross platform browser plug-in and is being widely used for writing and running rich Internet applications, reports reveal that the latest version 5 of Silverlight could actually be the last one.

There are also some reports, which claim that Microsoft may not even release any service packs for Silverlight 5 once it has been released. Also, some sources claim that Microsoft’s support for Silverlight 5 after its release in last week of November 2011 may not last long.

Another noteworthy information is that - The current versions of Silverlight run on both Windows and Mac OS, as well as on Google Chrome and Safari. However sources seem to convey that this may not be the case with Silverlight 5. It is quite probable that Silverlight 5 will run only on Microsoft Windows and Internet Explorer.

This news of Silverlight’s end of life has not been confirmed by Microsoft yet. But the Silverlight site has announced the final release of Silverlight 5 in 2011.

For those of you who are interested to know what’s new with Silverlight 5, here is a glimpse:

• Enhanced media support including support for HD video
• Rich user interface features including video playing at different speeds
• Some performance enhancements such as support for 64 bit OS
• Graphics upgrades including 3D API

On her blog, ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley clearly states that, “Silverlight is no longer Microsoft’s cross-platform runtime solution. Instead, Microsoft currently positions Silverlight as a tool for creating rich media, line-of-business and smartphone apps.” She has also said that despite her continuous questioning about the Silverlight’s future to Microsoft officials, she has not got any proper response from them.

This apparent silence could also be attributed to Microsoft’s reluctance to share information regarding its roadmaps and future plans. Following these reports, the future of XBOX 360 and Windows Phone that rely on Silverlight is under wild speculation.

To summarize - neither is the news confirmed, nor is it denied. But for all we know, Silverlight has probably reached the end of its journey!

Cygnet Infotech is a specialist service provider of IT services in Microsoft platforms. It has several projects experience in developing applications using Silverlight. Know more about Cygnet’s Silverlight expertise.

Integration of SharePoint Online with Dynamics CRM is Here

Several new and enhanced features are being introduced to SharePoint Online service by the SharePoint team in order to provide its customers with more useful functionalities. These features of SharePoint online service are expected to be rolled out to all the data centers by end of November.

One of the most notable features in this release is the integration of SharePoint online with Dynamics CRM application. With introduction of this feature, creating, editing and managing documents with Microsoft Dynamics CRM has just been made easy. SharePoint Online document management facility is accessible from the Dynamics CRM application that enables quick creation of document libraries as and when needed by the Dynamics CRM users.

The document management capabilities can be added to all the entities including the following (the below list is not exhaustive) within the Dynamics CRM application:

• Accounts
• Opportunities
• Cases
• Custom entities

However, before one can take full advantage of this functionality, the below steps need to be taken:

1. Login to the SharePoint server as SharePoint site collection administrator.
2. Install Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 List Component. Click on the below links for the detailed steps and more information. 
1. http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=5283
2. http://blogs.msdn.com/b/crm/
3. Open an account as the Microsoft Dynamics CRM user.
4. On the left hand side panel, click on Documents.
5. A document library is automatically created in SharePoint Online, if there is none. Click Ok on the dialog box displayed.
6. Once the SharePoint Online document library is created, it is directly rendered with Dynamics CRM.
7. User can then start uploading of contents to the SharePoint online library from within the Dynamics CRM application.

While configuring data management system in Microsoft Dynamics Online, the user can select the entities that need to have document management capabilities. The user can also specify either Account - B2B or Contact – B2C mode of organizing document libraries in SharePoint Online.

Learn more about configuring data management in Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online 

Thus, with the aid of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 List Component for SharePoint, all your documents that are stored on SharePoint can now be accessed from Dynamics CRM in a format that is consistent with Dynamics CRM display properties. Dynamic creation of document libraries or folders is possible from the Dynamics CRM application as well.

Cygnet Infotech is a specialist services provider on Dynamics CRM and SharePoint Implementations. Read more about our Dynamics CRM services and SharePoint services

Windows 8 Will Include Push Notification Services

Windows 8 has been touted by Microsoft as the next generation OS for tablet computers. No wonder Microsoft has been taking tips from mobile technology for building Windows 8 services.

The Windows 8 interface which comprises of tiles includes various updates like news, weather, sports, etc. To get such updates, traditionally the client application was supposed to be in constant touch with the server. For a PC, this is not a problem but for a mobile, this will be a big drain on the battery. Therefore, mobile devices have implemented a push notification service on the server so that updates are sent when available.

Windows 8 Tile Interface

Microsoft is now introducing the same push notification service for its Windows 8 operating system. The earlier power consuming Windows Gadgets will be eliminated. In addition, Microsoft has been able to separate the text from images for notifications so as to save on bandwidth usage.

With the data driven model used for the push notification services, application developers need not bother about writing complex code for connecting to the server, retry the connection during failures, authenticating the user, caching the information etc. This will bring about better user experience and device performance.

This seems to be good news for those who are waiting for Windows 8 and those who are developing applications for Windows 8. Read more on Building Windows 8 Blog

On a larger scale, this seems to be the signs of the things to come. More and more features of applications and computing will be driven by the user experience on the mobile devices.

“Your App Here” Microsoft’s Invitation to Windows Phone App Developers

Here is your chance to promote your Windows Phone application development skills. Microsoft has announced a new campaign called “Your App Here” to encourage application development on the Windows Phone.

Microsoft will select maximum of seven best phone apps for each of the months of December 2011, January 2012 and February 2012.

1. These applications will be promoted using online banners on MSN sites network
2. Each application will be featured exclusively for a day on Windows phone marketplace
3. The application can be considered for other PR and publicity campaigns

Windows Phone application developers, gear up for this golden opportunity!

You can develop applications in any category such as casual games, kids and family, health and fitness, shopping, social, travel and utilities. However, your app must be published in windows phone marketplace before you can apply, it must be made for Windows Phone 7.5 and must include Fast App Switching and some innovative use of tiles.

Read more about the selection criteria and publishing your app for “Your App Here”

Innovation and distinctiveness of idea, attractive and user-friendly user interface, appropriate display properties and ease of app integration (as and when necessary) will play an important role.

In order to build and publish the app on Windows Marketplace, follow these steps

1. Install Windows Phone SDK 7.1
2. Register on App Hub to publish the app
3. Develop the App using the available resources/tools

Once the application is ready-for-use, you will need to publish it on the Windows Marketplace. An online form needs to be submitted after the publication in order for the app to be considered for the ‘Your App here’ contest. It is mandatory to fill up the form and complete the necessary formalities before the declared deadline for each month’s campaign consideration, failing which the app will go unnoticed.

Sadly, this contest is open for developers in the United States only. Although Microsoft assures that steps are being taken to extend ‘Your App Here’ to worldwide app developers, no program has been defined as of yet to make it happen.

Read more about Cygnet's Services for Mobility

Nov Release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Introduces Social Collaboration

A good news to all the organizations which rely on Microsoft Dynamics CRM to carry out their customer relationship management activities - Microsoft has announced the release of its latest November 2011 Microsoft Dynamics CRM service update, the main feature of which is social productivity.

The two most important functionalities that have been incorporated into this release are:

1. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Activity Feeds solution
2. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile

The Dynamics Activity Feed aims to provide real time updates in form of notifications to its customers about people, accounts, contacts, leads and opportunities. The activity feeds include:

1. Facebook status updates
2. Twitter micro blogs
3. The New Facebook Ticker

These updates can either be displayed manually or can be automated based on pre-defined rules. The already available API of Microsoft Dynamics CRM enables posting of these status feeds to external applications as well.

As another add-on - this Dynamics activity feed support is also being incorporated into the Windows 7 phones thus promising a better and continuous collaboration amongst the customers and sales executives. However, the Microsoft Dynamics CRM mobile application needs to be installed on a per phone basis to enjoy the benefits of this new functionality.

Apart from these two major add-ons, several valuable enhancements have also been provisioned into this latest service update:

1. Multiple data series is supported in charts
2. Sub grids and notes have been included to the reading pane in Outlook
3. Dialogs and workflows support hyperlinks
4. Additional CRM data types have been included

Also, improved disaster recovery mechanism has been offered as a part of this service update to help protect data and ensure uninterrupted business flow during a disaster.

Through these enhancements, the ability of Microsoft Dynamics CRM to help agents satisfy the customers has been taken to the next level. The lack of a proper technical document or an implementation guide may come across as a downside to some users of Dynamics CRM. Despite this drawback, the November 2011 Microsoft Dynamics CRM service update promises some exciting and extremely useful functionalities.

This update has been made available through Microsoft Download Center from October 25, 2011 onwards and as a separate Microsoft Update from November 8, 2011 onwards. All the CRM online data centers have already been updated with this latest version.

Read more about the professional services on Dynamics CRM offered by Cygnet

Review of Cygnet's Participation in GITEX 2011

Cygnet had a great event at GITEX Technology Week 2011 at DUbai. The 5 day event attracted thousands of visitors from the ICT sector. Profiles included CEOs, CTOs, IT administrators, programmers and business development managers from various countries in UAE including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, RAK and also from nearby countries like Egypt, Iran and Oman.

Cygnet collected a significant number of inquiries for its SharePoint and Dynamics CRM service offerings. Since Cygnet was participating for the first time in this premier Middle East event, the response was very encouraging. Representing Cygnet at GITEX were Mr. Niraj, Mr. Oberoi and Mr. Yogesh.

Cygnet's stand decorated with balloons attracted many visitors. Our banner talking about SharePoint, CRM and other Microsoft related services also pulled in a lot of prospects. The Gulf region has many companies running projects in SharePoint and CRM, which formed the bulk of the inquiries. We also received interest in mobile programming and our lms-portal offering.

Dubai Calling - Cygnet @ GITEX Technology Week 2011

Cygnet Infotech is participating in the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX 2011), one of the world’s premier ICT exhibitions.  

Stand No. SME-1 in SME Pavillion at Sheikh Saeed Hall

The GITEX Technology Week is going to be held between 9^th and 13^th October 2011 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. GITEX 2011 is expected to attract over 136,000 ICT professionals. Cygnet Infotech is one of the 3500 exhibitors at GITEX this year.

Cygnet Infotech is a Microsoft Partner with several Gold and Silver competencies providing offshore services to clients in over 20 countries and 5 continents. At GITEX 2011, Cygnet will showcase its vast expertise and experience in Microsoft Technologies including .NET, SharePoint, Dynamics, CRM, Windows Mobile, BizTalk and SilverLight.

Cygnet Infotech is an ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and CMMi Level 3 certified company which has always delivered high quality development and testing services via a mature and proven global delivery model.

Cygnet invites professionals from IT Companies and ISVs in the Middle East who are visiting GITEX Technology Week to visit our stall at SME-1 Stand in the SME Pavillion in Sheikh Saeed Hall and meet our senior representatives to know more about our services and how we can assist you.

Please write to us at inquiry@cygnet-infotech.com to schedule an appointment during 9^th and 13^th October at GITEX, Dubai.