Recently a customer requested that we apply a calculation to opportunities within Dynamics CRM 2011 and since some of the terminology has changed from CRM 4.0 to CRM 2011 I thought it may be helpful to layout the process. “Processes” in CRM 2011, previously referred to as “workflows” in CRM 4.0, can be used to perform simple calculations rather than writing a java script code. While jscript is commonly used to perform calculations on a form, there are advantages to using processes. Jscript calculations only trigger when the form is open whereas processes can be used to perform background calculations.

Let’s use the example below of a process performing a simple calculation. In this process, we calculate the weighted revenue of an opportunity by

Weighted Revenue = Est. Revenue * (Probability * 0.01)

1. Add an attribute on the Opportunity form called Weighted Revenue of type currency.

2. Create a process that calculates the weighted revenue value of the opportunity from Est. Revenue and Probability. Since we are capturing probability as a whole number, so Weighted Revenue = Est. Revenue * (Probability * 0.01).

3. Set Weighted Revenue to Probability

4. Multiply the value in Weighted Revenue field by 0.01. This is done by setting Operator to “Multiply by” 0.01.

5. Multiply the Weighted Revenue by Est. Revenue.

As you are doing your own calculations in CRM 2011 let me know if you run into any issues.

By Shah Moin, Systematica Inc. – Microsoft Dynamics CRM California Partner