Salesforce Mobile Blog
Salesforce Mobile Blog - October 2008
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End of Life for Legacy Mobile Console
Oct 30, 2008With the release of Winter '09, we have delivered a very significant upgrade to Salesforce Mobile. At the core of this release is the latest version of the Mobile Administration Console (MAC) which now offers significant ease of use and functional improvements over the orginal Sendia Console and significant infrastructure upgrades that set up the next wave of innovation - the ability to deploy Web and Visualforce tabs to the mobile device. Please review the full list of exciting features in Winter '09.
A very important part of the new Salesforce Mobile release is the upgraded security infrastructure that provides the foundation for Mobile Web Tabs and allows Salesforce Mobile to interoperate with advanced security schemes which customers are adopting. This new security infrastructure will be part of the recently released BlackBerry client version 11. As a consequence, Mobile Clients version 11 and later will not work with the old legacy console and will require customers to be deployed on the MAC.
End of Life
Future Mobile Client releases, from version 11 onwards will expect the new security infrastructure only available to customers who are deployed on the Mobile Admin Console. This new security infrastructure is invisible to customers and requires no action on your part, the Winter '09 Server and Mobile Client Version 11 onwards will automatically negotiate the security protocols.
We are therefore announcing End-of-Life for the legacy console. We will continue to support our customers on the legacy console through Summer '09 (Middle of 2009). After the release of Summer '09, the legacy console will be disabled.
What does this mean to me?
If you have users on the legacy console we have sent you an email alerting you to this fact. We want you to successfully migrate to the new MAC so that you can take advantage of the many benefits available on the new infrastructure, better support, enhanced options for data set management, enhanced features to deploy Visualforce applications, better user and device management and adoption management.
How many customers are affected?
With each new release of the MAC over the past 2 years, more and more customers have already chosen to migrate to the new functionality and take advantage of the easier, integrated administration for Salesforce Mobile. In fact over 90% of our Salesforce Mobile customers have already migrated to the new MAC.
Do I have to migrate to the new MAC right now?
No, you don't. But you do need to make sure your users do not upgrade to Version 11 of the Salesforce Mobile client, since this client requires the new security infrastructure that is only supported on the new MAC. Users on the legacy console who upgrade to Version 11 of the Salesforce Mobile Client will receive an error when they try to activate and be presented with a link to re-install the Version 10 release.
We will continue to support Salesforce Mobile version 10 and the Legacy Console through the Summer '09 release in the middle of 2009.
Ok, I am convinced its time to move to the new MAC, how do I do it?
You may begin to migrate your users at any time and you may do so gradually, one team at a time or all at once. There are a few easy steps to migrate a user from the legacy console to the MAC.
1. Enable the user for Mobile by checking the 'Mobile User' checkbox on the user record.
2. Create a Mobile Configuration to define the data set and mobile properties for a group of users.
3. Assign the users to Mobile Configurations.
4. Issue a 'Delete Device' and then 'Delete User' from the legacy console have the user re-activate their Mobile Client. When they do so, they will automatically be activated on the MAC.
Yes, its that easy. You can migrate one or many users in this way.A migration guide is now available online!
How can I get help?
Please review the Salesforce Mobile Blog for best practices and the latest Salesforce Mobile information.
Please review the getting started information and demos online.
Please file a case with our support organization, we have fully briefed our internal customer support and Customer Success organizations to help advise you on how to make a smooth and easy transition to the enhanced MAC. -
The Revolution of Mobile. Visualforce Mobile and Dashboards! Download Salesforce Mobile for BlackBerry v11.0!
Oct 29, 2008Winter Release '09 ushers in a revolution in the Mobile Enterprise world. The hybrid client! Salesforce lets you work with Visualforce pages inside the mobile client application. The power of offline access to your Salesforce data and the customizability of Visualforce pages are finally together in the Salesforce Mobile client!
Is it true? Can I really have Dashboards on my BlackBerry?
Three letters: Y-E-S! Just ask your administrator to mobilize the Dashboards tab! Using a technology called Visualforce Mobile, you will be able to see the dashboards by directly browsing the Salesforce Web application from the mobile client. Once the Dashboards tab is mobilized, you just have to click the Dashboards tab for access to your key metrics and performance indicators.
Tell me more about Visualforce Mobile! What is the Hybrid Client?
Visualforce Mobile is the possibility to have access to Visualforce pages. Users will be able to take advantage of the power of the BlackBerry browser, from retrieving the GPS location to uploading pictures using a Visualforce page that the administrator can easily create in Salesforce. This is by far the best feature ever released in the Mobile market! OK, maybe the second only to mobile email... :-)
Version 11 is called 'the hybrid client' because it's the first release that combines the performance and the user experience of offline/online data access and the power and flexibility of the browser.
What else is in the BlackBerry v11 client? Device Pairing!
Salesforce Mobile now works on your BlackBerry like your corporate email!Salesforce Mobile no longer uses the Salesforce password. Even though Salesforce Mobile did not store the password on the device in the past, the system is now even more secure by completely eliminating the password, except for the first activation. Even when the password has expired or it is changed on Salesforce, Salesforce Mobile will keep synchronizing data, just like corporate email always synchronizes on the BlackBerry even when the password of your corporate email has changed.
To protect the mobile data, the user creates a passcode after activating the client. The user unlocks the mobile application with the passcode after a period of inactivity. By default, the session timeout is 10 minutes, but the administrator can change the value or disable the timeout.I can't believe it! There is more? Support for the Bold device!
Salesforce Mobile now supports the Bold (BlackBerry 9000 Series).
With this release, the supported devices are:
- Bold (90xx)
- 88xx
- Curve (83xx)
- Pearl (81xx)
- 87xx (support will be deprecated next year)
How do I install it?
- For users on v10.0.0 or greater, open the System Info page and select Upgrade from the menu.
- All users can download the new client by navigating to the following URL from a mobile device: http://mobile.salesforce.com/setup.
Where do I go to learn more?
To learn how to set up and use the new features, see the "Mobile Enhancements" chapter of the Winter '09 Release Notes.
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Salesforce Mobile for Windows Mobile Client v9.1.3 is Available for download
Oct 29, 2008What bug fixes are included in Windows Mobile v9.1.3?
- Custom Views and Event Date Fields - Custom views displaying the date of an event did not work properly. Version 9.1.3 shows the view properly.
- Dates, Times, and Device Settings - Dates and times did not respect the display format of the mobile device. Now the application obeys the display settings configured by the user.
- Opportunities and Dependent Picklists - Dependent picklists created with the Stage field as the controller field in an opportunity prevented the record from being saved. This works properly on the latest version of the client.
How do I get the new client for my phone?
- Everyone can point his or her Windows Mobile browser to: http://mobile.salesforce.com/setup.
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It's Finally Here... Salesforce Mobile v2.0 for iPhone with Edit Capability!
Oct 28, 2008The second major release of the iPhone client brings the Edit, New and Delete functionality to your device! You can now update the status of your opportunities, create new contacts and leads, or edit any record!
Tap the + button on the top of a list view to create a new record, or tap the Edit button to edit a record. The navigation and the UI are completely aligned with other iPhone applications. Creating or editing any record is as easy as creating or editing a contact in the native iPhone phone application.
Does it work on my iPod touch?
Yes! iPod touch has been supported since the first release of the client.
I want to install it! How do I download it?
REQUIREMENTS
- You need a Salesforce Mobile license in order to activate the iPhone client! Contact your Salesforce administrator to find out if you are enabled for mobile. You can also sign up for a trial by following the installation instructions on the client.
- You also need the latest version of the iPhone Operating System on your device. Connect your device to iTunes in order to upgrade to the latest version of the OS.
NEW INSTALLATION (and Upgrade from a previous version)
On your iPhone:
- Tap the App Store icon
- Tap the Search tab
- Search for Salesforce Mobile
- Tap Salesforce Mobile
- Tap Free
- Tap Install
QUICK WAY TO UPGRADE FROM A PREVIOUS VERSIONOn your iPhone:
- Tap the App Store icon
- Tap the Updates tab
- Search for Salesforce Mobile
- Tap Salesforce Mobile
- Tap Free
- Tap Install
What will the future bring?
A quick peek at the roadmap....
Available with future versions: convert lead, change owner of a record, views, and automatic logging of emails and calls (although logging can be accomplished manually by creating a task related to any record). The last feature will be implemented when more functions will be become available on the iPhone operating system.
Where do I go to learn more?
To learn how to set up and use the new features, see the "Mobile Enhancements" chapter of the Winter '09 Release Notes.
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October Salesforce Mobile Events
Oct 14, 2008A bit of delay in posting this month's calendar, but we've got a new Mobile blog category you can bookmark that will bring you directly to our list of calendar posts.
http://blogs.salesforce.com/mobile/events/
Here's what we have planned for October...
Thursday Oct 30th - Featured Webinar (Winter 09 Mobile Features)
We're going to review the features & functionality added to Salesforce Mobile with our Winter 09 release. There are some great things to see such as dashboards, visualforce tabs, SSO support and enhanced create/edit/delete permissions for mobile devices.
- 11:00 AM Pacific / 2:00 PM Eastern - 1hr.
- Dial In: United Sates (866) 342-2541 International +1 (706) 643-5414
- Conference Code: 086-610-2274#
- Web Session: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/join/345513739
Regularly Scheduled Events
Introductory Overview Webinars
We'll cover all the basics of Salesforce Mobile including key customer examples and top field uses. See live device demos with your use case examples. Get the latest on supported devices and platforms and see what the Mobile Administration Console looks like. We'll also have an open forum for questions and answers regarding your Mobile objectives.
Occurs EVERY WEDNESDAY (Sept 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th)
- 11:00 AM Pacific / 2:00 PM Eastern - 1hr.
- Dial In: United Sates (866) 342-2541 International +1 (706) 643-5414
- Conference Code: 415-536-4564#
- Web Session: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/join/729118097
Mobile Administrator Training Webinars
This session is focused on how mobile administrators will actually configure, deploy & manage Salesforce Mobile.
We'll cover best practices, system architecture, device & network requirements, building mobile configurations (data set criteria, mobile views & mobile layouts) and deploying users.
This is a GREAT session for customers who would like to migrate from our legacy mobile console.
Occurs 1ST & 3RD THURSDAYS (Sept 4th & 18th)
- 11:00 AM Pacific / 2:00 PM Eastern - 1hr.
- Dial In: United Sates (866) 342-2541 International +1 (706) 643-5414
- Conference Code: 086-610-2274#
- Web Session: https://www.gotomeeting.com/join/354466548
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Salesforce Mobile for Windows Mobile client v9.1.2 is available for download
Oct 9, 2008What are the bug fixes included Windows Mobile v9.1.2?
- Custom Views and Date/Time Fields - Custom Views were working incorrectly when a filter was applied on a Date/Time field. Version 9.1.2 applies the filter and renders the list properly.
- Record Types not Automatically Selected - In locales different from USA/UK and English in general, the user was forced to select a record type during record creation, even when only one record type was available for the user. Version 9.1.2 fixes this issue.
- Unexpected De-activation - In rare conditions and only during updates, Salesforce Mobile de-activated the device, requiring another activation. No un-synchronized data loss occurred. Version 9.1.2 prevents this from happening.
How do I get the new client for my phone?
- Everyone can point his or her Windows Mobile browser to: http://mobile.salesforce.com/setup.
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