| Posted by: DogMan - 06 March 2026 12:05:21 |
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| Can I sync a HiHi phone with CRM 2015 and Outlook etc.? I want to be able to add incoming calls as cases and phone numbers as contacts etc. |
| Posted by: sirclesadmin - 06 March 2026 12:06:13 | |||||||||||||||
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The short answer is yes, but the "how" depends on how deep you want that sync to go. Since you're using CRM 2015, you're working with a bit of a legacy system, which changes the setup slightly compared to the modern Dynamics 365. Here is how you bridge the gap between your HiHi phone, CRM 2015, and Outlook: 1. The CRM Integration (HiHi Vision)To get your phone and CRM 2015 talking, you need HiHi Vision (specifically the "Unite" license level). This is their CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) software that runs on your PC.
2. The Outlook SyncSince the HiHi phone (HiHi2, 3, or 4) is essentially a Google-certified Android tablet docked into a phone base, syncing with Outlook is actually the easiest part:
3. Syncing the "Triangle" (CRM Outlook Phone)The trickiest part is keeping CRM 2015 and Outlook in sync.
Summary Table
It can feel like a bit of a "transition" getting these three to play nice together, but once it's set up, it's a game-changer for productivity. |
| Posted by: sirclesadmin - 06 March 2026 12:07:00 |
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This is where the "Excel geek" in you will really enjoy the workflow. To do this with CRM 2015, you need to ensure you have the HiHi Vision "Unite" license, as the "Solo" version won't have the "writing" permissions needed to create records in your CRM. Here is how you handle those two specific tasks: 1. Adding Phone Numbers as ContactsWhen a call comes in from a number that isn't in your CRM, the HiHi Vision Preview Window will appear on your PC desktop as "Unknown."
2. Adding Incoming Calls as CasesIn CRM 2015, there isn't usually a single button on a phone to "Create Case," but HiHi Vision streamlines the "handoff" so it takes about two seconds:
The "Geek Corner" Tip: Custom Call EventsIf you want to get truly advanced, HiHi Vision has a "Call Events" tab in its configuration settings. This allows you to set "Rules."
This would force a New Case window to pop open the moment you pick up the phone. It's a bit more setup, but if your day is 90% support cases, it's a massive time-saver. A Quick Word on "CRM 2015" CompatibilitySince CRM 2015 is a legacy version, make sure your IT team has enabled Windows Authentication or OAuth correctly. If HiHi can't "handshake" with the server, you'll see the caller's number, but the "Add Contact" button will be greyed out. Does your current CRM setup have the "Quick Create" forms enabled, or do you usually have to load the full page to add a case? |
| Posted by: DogMan - 06 March 2026 12:08:20 |
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| Well even if it just makes a new contact or account with the number and I can add that as a case source and then making a case is pretty somple from there |
| Posted by: sirclesadmin - 06 March 2026 12:09:49 |
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That's a very practical way to look at it. You're essentially using the phone number as the "anchor" for the whole relationship. In the world of CRM 2015, keeping it simple is often the best way to avoid the system becoming a "binary mess." Since you have that "Excel geek" mindset, you'll appreciate that this workflow is basically just a series of clean data handoffs. Here is exactly how that "Simple Transition" works with HiHi and CRM 2015: 1. The "Unknown Caller" to Contact TransitionWhen a number calls that isn't in your CRM, the HiHi Vision Preview Window will pop up on your PC.
2. The "Call to Case" ConversionOnce the Contact is saved (or if they already existed), HiHi Vision can automatically create a Phone Call Activity for that session. This is your "Case Source."
3. The "Account First" StrategyIf you prefer to add it as an Account rather than a Contact (useful for B2B where the company is the main entity):
A Small 2015 "Trauma" WarningIn CRM 2015, if you don't see the "Convert To" button on the Phone Call ribbon, it might be hidden under the "..." (Ellipsis). Sometimes the screen resolution "squashes" the menu, and the most useful buttons end up in that "overflow" menu! Since you're managing these reports and calls, would you like me to help you set up a "Call Log" view in Excel that mirrors your CRM cases so you can track your daily stats? |