Is it possible to link BCM contacts to each other in BCM Outlook 2

[Linking contacts in BCM]

Is it possible to link one or more contacts to another contact in Business
Contact Manager in Outlook 2007?

 

[mrtimpeterson via OfficeKB.com]

The simple answer is no. This is yet another one of those stupid, built-in
design limitations that restricts a BCM data item (the Business Contact
Record) to be even less functional than the native Outlook Contact record
that it is supposed to replace as an "upgrade." The only work around that I
can think of for this UNNECESSARY LIMITATION is to use the "Initiated By"
field which will allow you to connect at least 1 other Business Contact
Record. You can forget about linking multiple Contact records like you can
with native Outlook.

-THP

 

[Linking contacts in BCM]

The simple answer is no. This is yet another one of those stupid, built-in
design limitations that restricts a BCM data item (the Business Contact
Record) to be even less functional than the native Outlook Contact record
that it is supposed to replace as an "upgrade." The only work around that I
can think of for this UNNECESSARY LIMITATION is to use the "Initiated By"
field which will allow you to connect at least 1 other Business Contact
Record. You can forget about linking multiple Contact records like you can
with native Outlook.

-THP

 

[Linking contacts in BCM]

The simple answer is no. This is yet another one of those stupid, built-in
design limitations that restricts a BCM data item (the Business Contact
Record) to be even less functional than the native Outlook Contact record
that it is supposed to replace as an "upgrade." The only work around that I
can think of for this UNNECESSARY LIMITATION is to use the "Initiated By"
field which will allow you to connect at least 1 other Business Contact
Record. You can forget about linking multiple Contact records like you can
with native Outlook.

-THP

 

[whkratz]

I can think of a couple of possible approaches to this. However, before I go
off on the wrong tangent, can you (or someone) outline for me the purpose of
this linking and how it might be used in your workflow. Thanks.

Regards.....Bill Kratz

 

[Linking contacts in BCM]

The purpose of the linking would be direct access to contacts that are
associated regarding a project. For example, a building project that
incorporates multiple yet related subcontractors, suppliers, etc.

 

[whkratz]

Maybe I'm missing something, but in your example below, wouldn't a Business
Project with its Related Accounts and Business Contacts section take care of
things?

Regards.....Bill Kratz

 

[mrtimpeterson via OfficeKB.com]

Bill,

My thoughts are that linking Business Contacts to each other enable greater
ease of Navigation. When you happen to be view one individual Contact record
it is helpful sometimes to just be able to quick click upon a handy link to
another related Contact without having to first navigate up into a Project
record. It is not the end of the world to have to do so. It is just more
convenient sometimes.

-THP

 

[ocbizlaw]

I have clients with multiple accounts. In my case, I have a client who owns
multiple real estate ventures. Each venture is a distinct legal entity,
receives its own billing statement, etc. So work done for one venture must
be kept entirely separate yet all of my communications, etc., are with a
single business contact so I'd like to be able to associate him with all of
his accounts.

 

[mrtimpeterson via OfficeKB.com]

MS please take note:

Scenarios like ocbizlaw presents are extremely common among SMALL BUSINESS
USERS OF BCM. Please consider this with more empathy in the design
functionality of future BCM releases. Design the software to be more
adaptable to the user vs. forcing the user to always have to adapt to this
software!

-THP

I have clients with multiple accounts. In my case, I have a client who owns
multiple real estate ventures. Each venture is a distinct legal entity,
receives its own billing statement, etc. So work done for one venture must
be kept entirely separate yet all of my communications, etc., are with a
single business contact so I'd like to be able to associate him with all of
his accounts.

Bill,

[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]