Salesforce Mobile Blog
Salesforce Mobile Blog - Implementation
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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. -
Formula Field Tricks for Mobile Data Sets & Views
Sep 10, 2008Sometimes 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 CampaignBecause 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
(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.
(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.
(click to enlarge)Next we can create the mobile view using the formula field
(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!
Sep 9, 2008Salesforce 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.
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 BlackBerryADMINISTRATORS
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 .
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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:
Going mobile is a great way to travel light and still have access to the information you need.
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Can you just show me real quick?
Mar 25, 2008A FREE Salesforce Mobile admin training webinar is now available!
Are you ready to get started with Salesforce Mobile, but don't know where to start?
Are you currently deployed on the Salesforce Mobile legacy console and want to see what the MAC is all about?
If so, let one of our Mobile experts show you the ropes in a free one hour online training session offered on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 11:00 PST (2:00 EST).
The session will cover:
- Mobile Architecture Overview
- Device & Network Requirements
- Using the Mobile Administration Console (MAC)
- Building Mobile Configurations
- Defining Mobile Datasets
- Custom Mobile Views
- Streamlining Mobile Page Layouts
- Deploying Users
- HOW TO MIGRATE FROM THE LEGACY MOBILE CONSOLE
To attend, just login 5 minutes prior to the start time using the instructions below.
Salesforce Mobile Admin Webinar
1st & 3rd Thursday each month
11:00 a.m. Pacific / 2:00 p.m. EasternINSTRUCTIONS (dial-in & webinar):
- Go to: https://www.gotomeeting.com/join/354466548
- If prompted, enter meeting ID number: 354-466-548
- Call: 866-342-2541 or International 706-643-5414
- Meeting number: 086-610-2274#
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