Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Upgrade Paths to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

Mark Smith, 17 April 2011

On my previous post, I talked about how to Upgrade Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 On-Premise to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Online. Let me discuss to you other upgrade scenarios that might be applicable to you.

As I've discussed before, Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 requires a 64-bit architecture. And we all know that some of the companies that are running Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 are still on a 32-bit architecture which makes it hard for them to decide on upgrading to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. Here are three potential upgrade paths that you can apply depending on your setup. 

In-Place Upgrade - This is a straightforward process. In a scenario like this, you have an existing CRM 4.0 system that is running on hardware and software that is supported for CRM 2011. It means that it's already running in a 64-bit architecture. All you have to do is run setup.exe for CRM 2011 and it automatically detects that CRM 4.0 is in place and asks if you want to proceed with an upgrade.

PROS: Straightforward, No additional cost since there is no need to lay out money for new hardware.

CONS: Risky - if the upgrade fails, you need to be knowledgeable on how to roll back to your back-ups. Disruptive - production is stopped since your users won't be able to access your CRM system.

Upgrade Database During Install - In this scenario, you install CRM 2011 to a new 64-bit application server and connect to a SQL server with an existing CRM 4.0 database. The 4.0 database will be upgraded during the install. This is a decent option if you’ve already got your SQL database on support hardware and SQL versions. It’s a little easier to recover from in case of failure than an in-place upgrade, since all you need to do is restore your databases.

PROS: Leverages your investment in 64-bit SQL hardware/software; once-and-done installation if you succeed.

CONS: Similar risks to the in-place upgrade though perhaps slightly less disruptive to end users.

Upgrade via Import - In this scenario, you essentially build a new 64-bit environment for a clean install of CRM 2011 - the application servers and database servers are brand new and without remnants of CRM 4.0. Once you are satisfied with your new CRM 2011 environment, you simply restore a back-up of your CRM 4.0 database to the CRM 2011 SQL Server, and then using the CRM 2011 Deployment Manager, import the CRM 4.0 original database into your new deployment.

PROS: Nice, new, bug-free 2011 environment; opportunity to perform upgrade tests multiple times before your “go-live” upgrade; no disruption to users.

CONS: This is the most expensive scenario, requiring new hardware (or at least separate hardware) for the 2011 deployment. Also, you need to manually copy over things like supporting ISV files and applications that you may have had in place in your 4.0 environment.

Another upgrade path to consider is by using Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Online and use Microsoft Cloud Service. Check out my last post about Upgrading Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 0n-Premise to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Online in New Zealand to learn more about it. Feel free to contact us for any questions regarding Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011.