SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin v4

The new SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin will be released in three consecutive phases in order to promote and implement customer feedback in an agile way to each subsequent phase.

With this announcement of SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin v4, we are also therefore announcing the retirement of SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin v3. We want to thank all our customers who have worked with us and helped to develop and support the previous versions of the SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin. However, we feel that it has reached a point that in order for us to continue releasing a stable and robust solution, it is necessary to develop upon a newer code base, using better technology and following latest best practices.

Now that the SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin v4.0 has been launched, customers will no longer be able to download the then deprecated v3 via the store. Any licenses purchased for v3 will subsequently be transferred and applied to v4.

Roadmap

SuiteCRM Plugin v4 is the next generation of feature rich and easy to use Office add-ins for SuiteCRM that are fast, robust and continuously evolving:

• Moving onto a new technology away from the current COM & VSTO framework. Ensuring the new SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin will provide better cross-platform support i.e. utilising the Office Add-ins platform
• More centralised and not dependant on individual installation. Giving more control over your organisation configurations.
• Built using easily sourced and readily available web languages i.e. Angular & HTML
• Moving onto V8 API
• Keeping the cost low and affordable – by keeping development in-house we can maintain the current price
• Always Open Source

Phase 1 Complete The 1st phase was the initial launch of the SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin v4. This release introduces the user to the new SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin, providing them with the ability to configure, connect and synchronise all their customer email history and correspondence to their SuiteCRM instance so they will never lose an important conversation again.

Phase 2 Under development The roll-out of the second phase will bring bi-directional calendar synchronisation. This will allow users to always keep their activities such as meetings, calls and tasks scheduled and updated within SuiteCRM, from their own private Outlook calendars, allowing all updates to be made from one place.

Phase 3 Under development In the final phase, we will complement the launch of SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin v4 with both manual and automatic synchronisation of all the users’ important Contacts, between their Outlook Contact lists and SuiteCRM. This will benefit the user as it will enable them to further develop their business relationships within SuiteCRM.

FAQs

Q. What does v4 contain?

The SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin v4 package acts as a standalone web application that is hosted alongside your SuiteCRM instance (or elsewhere). This web application allows your users or automated processes to install via their Outlook Profile. The Plugin v4 is built using Angular and links into the SuiteCRM instance itself to provide centralised configuration.

Q. Will v4 implement all the same features from v3?

As we are building from the ground up and developing with an agile release cycle we have taken the key concepts from each area (Archiving, Activities and Contacts) and re-evaluated the value that each section provides. We aim to achieve all the CRUD operations of v3 by development phase 3. Supplementary features will be added in the following v4 releases based on the users’ feedback.

Q. What versions of SuiteCRM does SuiteCRM Outlook Add-on v4 support?

The Add-on uses the V8 API which is only available from 7.10.10 through to the latest release of SuiteCRM8.

As of June 2019 SuiteCRM LTS 7.8 is not supported or maintained.

Q. What versions of Outlook does SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin v4 support?

The Add-on utilises the Microsoft Office Add-on’s framework which allows us to support Outlook 2016 and later.

Q. Will SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin v4 support other mail accounts (non Microsoft based IMAP)?

Unfortunately no, the SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin v4 will only support mail accounts that exist on the Microsoft platform - Exchange, Office 365, or Outlook.com account type. This is due to restrictions in place in the outlook application. To enable Add-on's Microsoft require a connection to an exchange server.

Q. Will the level of support change?

With the improvement of the SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin, we will be able to respond more quickly and troubleshoot much more efficiently due to the codebase. After making your purchase through the store you can raise tickets via the SuiteCRM Store ticketing system where our team will be able to assist you with your issues and queries.

Q. If I already have v3 will I have to repurchase v4?

No, your licence keys for v3 will be converted to use with the new v4 Plugin version.

Q. Will I be able to continue using the v3 Plugin?

Yes, but the v3 Plugin will no longer be supported by the SalesAgility team as of the launch of v4. The compiled v3 Plugin will be removed from the store for all new store purchases. The v3 codebase and documentation will still be available for download via our public GitHub repo.

Q. Will the SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin v4 use an open source license?

Yes, the SuiteCRM Outlook Plugin v4 will use the same LGPLv3 license as v3. You can view the LGPLv3 via the GitHub repo

Q. I want to cancel/refund my purchased licenses, how do I do this?

It's unfortunate to see you go, however if you're set on leaving you can cancel your subscription by navigating to the SuiteCRM Store purchases page pressing on Purchase history on the Outlook Plugin and pressing “Quit Subscription” at any point.

Q. Can I try out v4?

Yes, when you sign up for a trial or if you have already purchased v3 you can try out v4 with your existing licence keys.