madEG - Friday, July 20, 2018 12:56 PM

Hello,

First, I apologize, I don't speak cloud.  But I'll do my best 🙂

In short, I have a sql server 2012 view that I need to get to a cloud based MS Dynamics CRM system, so this system can this data as reference data.

In early talks with the developers of this system (consultants) I thought that we agreed that I would export the view's data to a csv, and put (ftp) the file somewhere, and then the CRM folks would wave a magic wand over it, and it would get inserted/update the appropriate data in this new system.  (I thought they would give me credentials and an IP address, I would schedule a put of the datafile and walk away...)

Now it seems, per them, that I can't merely ftp the file to somewhere where it can be acted upon, but instead I need to run some sort of a process on my sql server system (or something here on-prem) that will push and insert the data into the cloud based CRM system.  

The folks I'm working with say that CRM can't be taught to "look to an area on a schedule and see that a new data file is available, and update/insert the contained records" and I must have a client (of some sorts) present the inserts to the CRM system.

It's almost like they are saying, I can't place the package of M&M candy in the CRM system's pocket for it to eat when it gets hungry, but I must place each piece of candy individually in the system's mouth one at a time - since CRM has no hands.

Ok - that analogy is a bit silly, but that is is my best takeaway.

Can someone help me make heads or tails of this?  I'll be happy to read anything I can, but I'm not sure if what I am being told is true, or only true partly...  or what.  To make it worse, I have effectively zero experience with anything not in my own server room - so cloud based challenges have not been on my radar.  I'm pretty ignorant to this challenge.

Thanks so much for a push in the right direction!

-Matt G.