Web Service or API - Which one to use?

[francism]

Hello,

I would like to find the simplest method to call the CRM API to insert rows into the database. Is it possible to call the API's directly (via SQL for instance) or do we have to write a Java or C++ program?

Thanks,

Francis.

 

[jymm]

what kind of records are you trying to insert? I have always had good luck using tools->Import for Accounts and Contact (I think you can do Leads there too), but we bought Scribe since from what I hear - if you try to do the work through SQL and something goes wrong - Microsoft will not support you --- Personally --- I think if you are careful with the GUIDS you are ok, but you did not hear that here.

 

[francism]

I need to add Marketing Lists and Marketing List Members. The data is gathered in another application, I then want to run something to add the info to the CRM DB. At the moment, in our test environment, I have everything working wonderfully using SQL (with new GUID's getting created correctly). I am now trying to find the easiest method to do this using the supported way.

Thanks,

Francis.

 

[jodonnell]

You really need to either use the built in import wizard or write code using the SDK.

Direct updates to the database are not supported.

====================================
John O'Donnell
Microsoft CRM MVP

http://www.crowechizek.com/microsoft