mSketch: Dynamics CRM 2011 Designer's Tool - Using Microsoft Expression Blend with Sketchflow

I have been asked to test the Magnetism mSketch application - a mockup tool for Microsoft Dynamics CRM using Microsoft Expression Blend with Sketchflow.

That is something I were looking for - to have a "CRM template" on Sketchflow, I'm so pleased to see it - well done Magnetism guys!

Imagine how quickly a CRM designer can draw a CRM screen quickly without doing the CRM form customisations, collect feedbacks from team/customer and get the design signed off quickly:

The designer opens the Microsoft Expression Blend 4 with Sketchflow, create a new Silverlight Sketchflow Application project , then drag-and-drop CRM elements on several screens, publish the design on to SharePoint site for the team/customer review, team/customer write comments/feedbacks directly onto the design, designer make changes accordingly, export the design into Microsoft Word document directly, email customer and get it signed off.

The Microsoft Expression Blend 4 with Sketchflow can do all above except the "CRM elements" - but where to get it? The mSketch helps here!

The current version of mSketch provides a Microsoft Expression project, you need to open the project first and then create your Silverlight Sketchflow Application project, and then copy/paste the CRM elements from 7 screens that comes with mSketch.

Here is the mSketch user guideline.

I hope in the next version, it can provide a installation package. Once installed, create a CRM mockup library in the Assets list of the Microsoft Expression Blend. The CRM mockup library provide the following elements for designers to allow quickly drag-and-drop, i.e.:

• Global Icon Elements

• Top Ribbon Bar Elements

• Left Navigation Panel Elements

• Entity Left Navigation Panel Elements

• Entity Form Elements

• Entity View Elements
• Field Control Elements(textbox, lookup, picklist etc.)

mSketch is a handy tool for CRM designer and architectures.

Moving forward, I also hope the tool can provide more interactive actions with developers, i.e.: perform more CRM Form functions in Sketchflow.