Customer Engagement & Dynamics CRM Forum

​Hello,

We are in the middle of a re-launch project and have been wondering how others handle testing changes as other user roles within Dynamics.  We are an EA company and do not want to ask for login information from our users. How do you do proper testing without manipulating data and using test users?

On a separate note who can help us gain another environment in CRM. Our Microsoft contacts are giving us the run around.

Thank you!
Megan Douglas

------------------------------
Megan Douglas
CRM Admin/Business Analyst
AtriCure, Inc.
Mason OH
------------------------------

You'll need a test environment if you want to test without messing with your users.  However, backing up and restoring your live data to a new environment is fairly straightforward.  from there, if you don't want to create all-new test users, my recommended practice is to take your admins (except for one to manage security) and assign them normal users roles for the purposes of testing in the test environment.  That way, you have your proper security role tests without dealing with extra users.

As for adding a sandbox environment, I don't know if you're online or on-prem, so here's both.

For Online:, you should just be able to buy a sandbox license from the Office 365 Admin licensing screen.  Then you're good to add one from the Dynamics 365 management screen.  It really should be that simple.

for On-premises: If you stand up another server and install your current Dynamics software on it, Microsoft won't complain, as long as it's not production, which it isn't.  However, you can also just add another org to test in from your Deployment manager if you don't want to roll new servers.

------------------------------
Wayne Walton
CRM Practice Lead
eBECS
Atlanta GA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-03-2017 11:05 AM
From: Megan Douglas
Subject: Testing within Dynamics 365

​Hello,

We are in the middle of a re-launch project and have been wondering how others handle testing changes as other user roles within Dynamics.  We are an EA company and do not want to ask for login information from our users. How do you do proper testing without manipulating data and using test users?

On a separate note who can help us gain another environment in CRM. Our Microsoft contacts are giving us the run around.

Thank you!
Megan Douglas

------------------------------
Megan Douglas
CRM Admin/Business Analyst
AtriCure, Inc.
Mason OH
------------------------------

​Thank you Wayne! As for using admins and assigning roles, how do you handle the data attached to a specific user? That would have to be manipulated so that admin is the owner of the data correct?

For the environment if we purchase the new sandbox (we are online by the way) how does the production data feed to the sandbox environment?

thank you so much for feedback!


------------------------------
Megan Douglas
CRM Admin/Business Analyst
AtriCure, Inc.
Mason OH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-03-2017 11:39 AM
From: Wayne Walton
Subject: Testing within Dynamics 365

You'll need a test environment if you want to test without messing with your users.  However, backing up and restoring your live data to a new environment is fairly straightforward.  from there, if you don't want to create all-new test users, my recommended practice is to take your admins (except for one to manage security) and assign them normal users roles for the purposes of testing in the test environment.  That way, you have your proper security role tests without dealing with extra users.

As for adding a sandbox environment, I don't know if you're online or on-prem, so here's both.

For Online:, you should just be able to buy a sandbox license from the Office 365 Admin licensing screen.  Then you're good to add one from the Dynamics 365 management screen.  It really should be that simple.

for On-premises: If you stand up another server and install your current Dynamics software on it, Microsoft won't complain, as long as it's not production, which it isn't.  However, you can also just add another org to test in from your Deployment manager if you don't want to roll new servers.

------------------------------
Wayne Walton
CRM Practice Lead
eBECS
Atlanta GA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-03-2017 11:05 AM
From: Megan Douglas
Subject: Testing within Dynamics 365

​Hello,

We are in the middle of a re-launch project and have been wondering how others handle testing changes as other user roles within Dynamics.  We are an EA company and do not want to ask for login information from our users. How do you do proper testing without manipulating data and using test users?

On a separate note who can help us gain another environment in CRM. Our Microsoft contacts are giving us the run around.

Thank you!
Megan Douglas

------------------------------
Megan Douglas
CRM Admin/Business Analyst
AtriCure, Inc.
Mason OH
------------------------------

Hi Megan,

There is a function in the Dynamics 365 admin portal where you can copy your production instance to your sandbox instance, with or without data.
Then in the sandbox instance you should possibly provision a testing user with which you can assign different security roles and test functionality.
If you want to talk it through, reach out directly to me and I'd be happy to help out.

Best,

------------------------------
Rocky Pavicevic
President
Slickdata - www.slickdata.com
Princeton, NJ
rocky@slickdata.com
917-251-1283
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-03-2017 01:48 PM
From: Megan Douglas
Subject: Testing within Dynamics 365

​Thank you Wayne! As for using admins and assigning roles, how do you handle the data attached to a specific user? That would have to be manipulated so that admin is the owner of the data correct?

For the environment if we purchase the new sandbox (we are online by the way) how does the production data feed to the sandbox environment?

thank you so much for feedback!


------------------------------
Megan Douglas
CRM Admin/Business Analyst
AtriCure, Inc.
Mason OH

Original Message:
Sent: 11-03-2017 11:39 AM
From: Wayne Walton
Subject: Testing within Dynamics 365

You'll need a test environment if you want to test without messing with your users.  However, backing up and restoring your live data to a new environment is fairly straightforward.  from there, if you don't want to create all-new test users, my recommended practice is to take your admins (except for one to manage security) and assign them normal users roles for the purposes of testing in the test environment.  That way, you have your proper security role tests without dealing with extra users.

As for adding a sandbox environment, I don't know if you're online or on-prem, so here's both.

For Online:, you should just be able to buy a sandbox license from the Office 365 Admin licensing screen.  Then you're good to add one from the Dynamics 365 management screen.  It really should be that simple.

for On-premises: If you stand up another server and install your current Dynamics software on it, Microsoft won't complain, as long as it's not production, which it isn't.  However, you can also just add another org to test in from your Deployment manager if you don't want to roll new servers.

------------------------------
Wayne Walton
CRM Practice Lead
eBECS
Atlanta GA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-03-2017 11:05 AM
From: Megan Douglas
Subject: Testing within Dynamics 365

​Hello,

We are in the middle of a re-launch project and have been wondering how others handle testing changes as other user roles within Dynamics.  We are an EA company and do not want to ask for login information from our users. How do you do proper testing without manipulating data and using test users?

On a separate note who can help us gain another environment in CRM. Our Microsoft contacts are giving us the run around.

Thank you!
Megan Douglas

------------------------------
Megan Douglas
CRM Admin/Business Analyst
AtriCure, Inc.
Mason OH
------------------------------

We use a plugin found in the XrmToolbox to switch user roles and business unit when we want to test something as a specific users roles.  The plugin to use is User Security Manager.  There are a few security plugins but we found this one to be the best of them especially the ability to change a business unit.  You may need to make use of a service account to run the XrmToolBox since if you use your own and change your own roles you will just lock yourself out.

XrmToolKit: https://www.xrmtoolbox.com/

------------------------------
Bill Ames
Sr. Application Specialist
Levi, Ray & Shoup, Inc.
Springfield IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Nov 03, 2017 11:05 AM
From: Megan Douglas
Subject: Testing within Dynamics 365

​Hello,

We are in the middle of a re-launch project and have been wondering how others handle testing changes as other user roles within Dynamics.  We are an EA company and do not want to ask for login information from our users. How do you do proper testing without manipulating data and using test users?

On a separate note who can help us gain another environment in CRM. Our Microsoft contacts are giving us the run around.

Thank you!
Megan Douglas

------------------------------
Megan Douglas
CRM Admin/Business Analyst
AtriCure, Inc.
Mason OH
------------------------------

We've created test users account for this purpose that mimic the various security roles for our user.   Sally Salesperson, Fred Salesmanager, etc. It will consume a license but has been very valuable to use to be able to do testing.

------------------------------
Mary Cunningham
Director - Service Technology
Comfort Systems USA
Ocala FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jul 30, 2019 09:07 AM
From: Bill Ames
Subject: Testing within Dynamics 365

We use a plugin found in the XrmToolbox to switch user roles and business unit when we want to test something as a specific users roles.  The plugin to use is User Security Manager.  There are a few security plugins but we found this one to be the best of them especially the ability to change a business unit.  You may need to make use of a service account to run the XrmToolBox since if you use your own and change your own roles you will just lock yourself out.

XrmToolKit: https://www.xrmtoolbox.com/

------------------------------
Bill Ames
Sr. Application Specialist
Levi, Ray & Shoup, Inc.
Springfield IL

Original Message:
Sent: Nov 03, 2017 11:05 AM
From: Megan Douglas
Subject: Testing within Dynamics 365

​Hello,

We are in the middle of a re-launch project and have been wondering how others handle testing changes as other user roles within Dynamics.  We are an EA company and do not want to ask for login information from our users. How do you do proper testing without manipulating data and using test users?

On a separate note who can help us gain another environment in CRM. Our Microsoft contacts are giving us the run around.

Thank you!
Megan Douglas

------------------------------
Megan Douglas
CRM Admin/Business Analyst
AtriCure, Inc.
Mason OH
------------------------------

Using a process recording mechanism, you should be able to address the issues of Dynamics testing without manipulating data and using test users.

Example - Consider a scenario where a system has multiple users with different roles and privileges except the Admin. The client now wants to use those users and their production specific data such as the user ID and Password etc, and other crucial information.

Solution: For the test automation, login as a user with Admin privileges. Now while recording the test automation, create a test user e.g., 'TestUser'. While continuing to record, the user with Admin privilege shall assign a specific role to the 'TestUser'. The test user will now login (with the username and password that is testing specific) and complete the testing process. Upon completion of the test automation, the Admin shall remove the specific role assigned to the 'TestUser'.

------------------------------
Anish Roy
Director - D365 Quality Assurance
Testhouse Ltd
London, UK
https://www.testhouse.net/dynamics365/
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Nov 03, 2017 11:05 AM
From: Megan Douglas
Subject: Testing within Dynamics 365

​Hello,

We are in the middle of a re-launch project and have been wondering how others handle testing changes as other user roles within Dynamics.  We are an EA company and do not want to ask for login information from our users. How do you do proper testing without manipulating data and using test users?

On a separate note who can help us gain another environment in CRM. Our Microsoft contacts are giving us the run around.

Thank you!
Megan Douglas

------------------------------
Megan Douglas
CRM Admin/Business Analyst
AtriCure, Inc.
Mason OH
------------------------------