Salesforce Mobile Blog

Salesforce Mobile Blog

Salesforce Mobile Blog - September 2008

  • Salesforce Mobile for Windows Mobile client v9.1.1 is available for download!

    Pierpaolo Bergamo Sep 11, 2008

     

    Salesforce Mobile now supports the Samsung BlackJack II

    BlackJack II is now a supported device! It is the second officially supported Windows Mobile device of the 'no touchscreen' kind.

    What are the performance improvements in Windows Mobile v9.1.1?

    • Home Tab - Dramatically reduced the time for displaying the Recent Items.
    • Large Text Areas - Made the time for displaying the Large Text Areas much more consistent.
    • Detail Screen - Drastically decreased the display time for the Detail Screen.

    What are the bug fixes included Windows Mobile v9.1.1?

    • Duplicated Records - In specific conditions, the device showed two copies of the same record. This is now fixed.
    • Custom Views and Date Filters - The Filters in Custom Views built on date tokens weren't working properly.  This latest version fixes the problem.
    • Product / PriceBook and Currency - When a Product is being associated with an Opportunity, now the list of PriceBook entries displays only those records for which the currency matches the currency of the Opportunity.
    • Events, Time Zone and Edit - There was some erroneous behavior when editing an Event in a different Time Zone.  This is now fixed.
    • Inactive and Active Users - In the previous version, the list of users displayed for re-assigning records ("Change Owner", etc) included all the users available on the device.  This version displays only the active users.
    • Records Rejected from the Server - The "Retry/Cancel" window (displayed when a record is rejected, e.g., when the record cannot be saved because of the validation rules) has been re-implemented in a more user-friendly fashion.

    How do I get the new client for my phone?

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  • Formula Field Tricks for Mobile Data Sets & Views

    Joshua Schneyer Sep 10, 2008

    Sometimes we would like to create a mobile configuration data set or mobile view using an approach or criteria that isn't currently supported.  Fortunately the cross-object formula fields released in Summer 08 allow us to build some creative workarounds.

    The basic idea is to build a text formula field which contains the value we'd like to leverage in our criteria.  Our mobile data set or mobile view can then leverage this formula field instead of the original value which was otherwise unavailable.

    Let's take a look at a couple examples

    1)  Mobilize Opportunities resulting from a given Campaign

    Because Salesforce Mobile does not currently support the Campaign object, we are unable to add Campaign to our mobile data set and then nest Opportunity to get the related records.

    Instead, we can create a text formula field on the Opportunity object that is equal to the name of the parent Campaign.  This field needs to be visible, but does not need to be included on your page layouts 

    Oppycampaignnameformula
    (click to enlarge)

    Then we simply need to add the Opportunity object to our mobile data set and use our new formula field to specify the Campaign(s) whose Opportunities we'd like to see.

    Oppycampaignnamedataset_2
    (click to enlarge)

    2)  Build a mobile view for Contacts releated to Accounts in given State

    Normally we can only reference fields on the object for which we are building a mobile view.  In this case, cross-object formula fields would allow us to place a "copy" of a Contact's Account's State on the Contact itself.  This will enable us to build a mobile view based on that value.

    First we create the necessary formula on the Contact object.  This field will need to be both visible and included in your page layouts so that it will be available on the mobile device.

    Contactaccountstateformula
    (click to enlarge)

    Next we can create the mobile view using the formula field

    Contactaccountstateview
    (click to enlarge)

    There are many other uses for the cross-object formula fields in relation to Salesforce Mobile.  Please keep them in mind whenever you find yourself needing more flexibility.

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  • Start using Salesforce Mobile TODAY with QuickStart!

    Joshua Schneyer Sep 9, 2008

    Salesforce Mobile’s new QuickStart functionality allows you to get up and running with minimal admin support. All you need is a supported device and a Salesforce Mobile license (free with Unlimited Edition) and you’re ready to go. 

    Simply follow the steps below to get the Salesforce Mobile client installed on your device.

    STEP 1 – Verify you have a supported device by checking here .

    STEP 2 – Ensure your ‘Mobile User’ permission is enabled on your Salesforce user account.  You may need to confirm with your Administrator that Salesforce Mobile licenses are available. Or, click to enlarge the image below for instructions on how to see if your salesforce user is already licensed for Mobile usage.

    Mobileuserperm_6

    STEP 3 – Install & activate the Salesforce Mobile client.

    BlackBerry and Windows Mobile users: Download the Salesforce Mobile cilent from http://mobile.salesforce.com/setup.

    iPhone users will need to install Salesforce Mobile from Apple’s App Store.

    After installing, simply follow the the on-screen instructions and enter your Salesforce username & password when prompted.  You’ll automatically download our standard tabs and records from your Recent Items list. Of course, you’ll be able to search for other items as needed.

    BlackBerry Users can watch demos here:

    Salesforce Mobile BlackBerry Installation
    Using Salesforce Mobile on a BlackBerry

    ADMINISTRATORS

    If you would like to deploy Salesforce Mobile using QuickStart, simply follow steps 1 & 2 above and send the email below to your users.  For more info check out the Mobile QuickStart Guide .

    _________________________________________________________



    EMAIL SUBJECT: Sign Up for Salesforce Mobile

    Dear Salesforce User,

     

    Did you know you could be using Salesforce Mobile right now? It’s included in our Unlimited Edition subscription (I don’t think we need this last sentence as end user don’t really know what an ‘Edition’ is).

     

    Here’s how to get started:

    1) Verify you have a supported device by checking here

    2) Click this link from your device:  http://mobile.salesforce.com/setup

    (iPhone users can get Salesforce Mobile from Apple’s App Store.)

    3) Follow the on-screen instructions and enter your Salesforce username and password in the fields provided

     

    BlackBerry users can watch demos here:

    Salesforce Mobile BlackBerry Installation

    Using Salesforce Mobile on a BlackBerry

     

    Installation & User Guides:

    BlackBerry

    Windows Mobile

    iPhone

     

    Going mobile is a great way to travel light and still have access to the information you need.

    _________________________________________________________


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