New SparkleXRM solution brings Microsoft Dynamics CRM and xRM hierarchies to life

With the release of Dynamics CRM 2015, Microsoft has not exactly pushed xRM as a key selling point. But that doesn't mean the xRM platform, which supports the use of Dynamics CRM for custom entity relationships, has lost its relevance.

In fact, xRM may enjoy a resurgence at some point soon. Microsoft could release a separate xRM SKU in the not-so-distant future, which suggests some compelling new application development opportunities that blend Microsoft Azure, the robust Dynamics CRM/xRM API, and services like Power BI and Office 365.

For those already sold on the value of xRM - and there are many in the Dynamics CRM community - Microsoft MVP Scott Durow's SparkleXRM project has become a popular tool for building custom client-side extensions for Dynamics CRM. And a newly released sample solution, Network Visualizations (or NetworkView), offers a compelling visual reminder of just how well entity relationships drive business processes in the product.

"I have found that when some users see the cool looking Dynamics CRM Online logon page they will ask 'Can I do that?!' I thought I would answer that question with a new SparkleXRM sample solution," writes Durow.

And the results, as demonstrated in his demo video are impressive. They rely on CRM 2015's  SDK and its ability perform fetchXml queries on hierarchical relationships. As the video shows, with ...