The Townsend Report

Dynamics CRM 2013 was a much more significant upgrade than the jump from Dynamics CRM 4.0 to Dynamics CRM 2011.  It makes the user interface much more contemporary -- so much so that it is jarring to longtime Dynamics CRM users.  Once you are over the shock, though, you realize that Dynamics CRM 2013 helps you improve the user experience, and eliminates complaints about the "clickiness" of Dynamics CRM. Another benefit is that Dynamics CRM 2013 includes features in its user interface that required coding in earlier versions of the product.  Want multiple versions of forms? mobile forms? conditional fields?  All these are in there without the coding required in say Dynamics CRM 4.0. So when you upgrade to Dynamics CRM 2013, analyze before you convert your code -- you may not need it anymore.  If you end up making your 2013 version look and behave the same as it did in 4.0 or 2011, you're doing something wrong and not taking advantage of the features of the latest ver

The day has finally come.  You have been hearing about it for a long time. Windows XP served me longer than any other software product.  Sure, I've had all the others, but you have to admit it was there when you needed it. Anyone who finds it hard to let go may enjoy this: So turn off the wireless and shut down Windows XP.

Maryland may have earned an unwanted distinction for its failed Health Insurance Exchange website -- one of the costliest and highest profile failed information technology projects in state government.  The health exchanges were challenging from the beginning, and many states , including Maryland, Hawaii, Minnesota, and Oregon apparently chose teams that were not capable of overcoming the tight deadlines and high performance requirements, prompting a Congressional he ari ng last week.  The Washington Post reported that Maryland decided in March 2014 to scrap its work (at a cost of $125 million) and restart with the software used by Connecticut.  Fewer than 50,000 (out of the goal of 150,000) had signed up for coverage on the Maryland site, and most had ended up enrolling through manual processes such as on the phone. The prime contractor that failed on the Maryland Health Insurance Exchange was Noridian Healthcare Solutions of Fargo, ND, whose contract was valued at $193 millio