Podcast
CRM Audio
Hosted by George Doubinski · EN
CRM Audio is a network of podcasts about Dynamics 365, Dynamics CRM, personal productivity, and Power BI hosted by Microsoft Business Solutions MVP's Joel Lindstrom, George Doubinski, Shawn Tabor, Mark Smith, and Scott Sewell and productivity expert Matthew C. Anderson. We are the original CRM MVP Podcast. Podcasts in the feed:
CRM Audio - a roundtable discussion of all things CRM, including what's new, best practices, and answers to your CRM questions and Power BI.
Power BI and More - Microsoft Business Solutions MVP Scott Sewell teaches you how to learn Power BI and effectively use it with Dynamics 365.
Prodcast - All about personal productivity. We get deep into productivity and cut through the hype around productivity tools, and tell you what's not productive.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
jQuery or Not, Client-Side API Will Always Start with a $
Apr 400:22:07Tap to summarizePower Pages is having a surprisingly good run. In this episode we dig into server-side logic debugging, the new client-side API, and why both feel about 15 years late yet still genuinely useful. We also look at Omar Zaarour's business-rules tool, Danish Naglekar's cross-platform Power Platform Toolbox, and George's Entra ID auto-clicker for making one of the most annoying prompts quietly disappear. References Power Pages Server Logic Debugging Guide | Microsoft Learn Code-only connectors Power Pages Client APIs Overview (preview) | Microsoft Learn Omar Zaarour's T365 Power Pages Business Rules Danish Naglikar's Power Platform ToolBox | Modern desktop companion - PPTB Entra ID Auto Confirm browser extension Get in touch voice@crm.audio Nick Hayduk @Engineered_Code George Doubinski @georgedude
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Hide your dirty laundry on the server-side
Jan 2200:27:49Tap to summarize15 years too late but it's finally here: server-side logic in Power Pages. What does it change in practice? Unlike Azure Functions, it's just another Power Pages asset that can be added to Power Platform ALM. Perfect for anything that is logic-lite/secret-heavy. Think payments and integrations that need secrets. Server-side logic avoids awkward workarounds using plugins, Power Automate, etc. just to keep keys safe. Re-use your Javascript skills though it's not lift-n-shift from the client-side exercise. Just couple new objects to learn: HTTP client for external calls and a Dataverse object for CRUD operations. There are plenty of scenarios where client-side Web API is better, like interaction with external services requiring callbacks, for example. As Nick succulently summed it up: It doesn't make anything possible we couldn't do before. It just makes doing a lot of things we did do before a lot easier. References Power Pages server logic overview (preview) | Microsoft Learn Get in touch voice@crm.audio Nick Hayduk @Engineered_Code George Doubinski @georgedude
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Contacts Are Users Too - Now with Dataverse Privileges
Oct 600:18:40Tap to summarizeIt's one of the biggest Power Pages updates we've seen in years, and we're excited about what it means for the future. We talk about the newest Power Platform release and its biggest change — bringing Power Pages security together with Dataverse roles. We explain how web roles and contact records now work with system users, making Power Pages security act more like Dataverse. We share what we learned from testing the private preview, including how permissions, ownership, and auditing work now, and what the new "C2" users are. We also wonder what this means for performance, licensing, and people building their own portals. References Overview of Power Pages 2025 release wave 2 | Microsoft Learn Unify Power Pages authorization by merging web role with Dataverse security role | Microsoft Learn Get in touch voice@crm.audio Nick Hayduk @Engineered_Code George Doubinski @georgedude
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End Of The World As We Know It: Security Leaks In Power Pages
Aug 1700:34:25Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we take a close look at the history of security issues in Power Pages. We start with the early days — when simple misconfigurations like unchecked table permissions and enabled OData feeds led to major data exposures. These weren't bugs, but they showed how easy it was to set things up the wrong way. We talk about how Microsoft responded and what lessons we've learned about secure defaults and clear documentation. We then move on to more serious vulnerabilities introduced by newer features like the Web API. We explain how some of these flaws allowed access to restricted data using filters and sort clauses, and how those issues were eventually patched. These were real product-level bugs, and some were even exploited in the wild. We also share our thoughts on external authentication providers like Google, and the risks that come with delegating authentication — including phishing techniques that can bypass protections. Finally, we reflect on how Power Pages compares to platforms like WordPress, especially when it comes to architecture and the potential for plugin-related vulnerabilities. Despite recent issues, we think the original design of Power Pages deserves credit for holding up well over time. References Power Pages security | Microsoft Learn Tip #1407: How to secure Power Apps portal from making the news - Power Platform & Dynamics CRM Tip Of The Day Engineered Code - Blog - Power Pages: Another "Leak" https://thehackernews.com/2025/01/severe-security-flaws-patched-in.html https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-fixes-power-pages-zero-day-bug-exploited-in-attacks/ https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/24/tech/data-leak-microsoft-upguard/index.html https://www.upguard.com/breaches/power-apps Get in touch voice@crm.audio Nick Hayduk @Engineered_Code George Doubinski @georgedude
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Hidden In Plain Site: Underused Features in Power Pages
Jul 17, 202500:49:36Tap to summarizeContinuing from the wishlist, in this episode we focus on underused features in Power Pages - capabilities that are built into the platform but often overlooked during development. We discuss features such as redirects, shortcuts, site markers, and web link sets, highlighting where they fit and why they're still relevant, especially for structured navigation and content management. We also cover content snippets, explaining how they support multilingual content, reduce duplication, and allow non-developers to manage content without modifying code. Additional topics: Leveraging form and list metadata instead of custom JavaScript Choosing fetchXML in liquid over Web API for secure, server-side queries The challenges and potential of conditional multistep forms The role of site settings in fine-tuning authentication and behavior A lot of Power Pages features are often overlooked. Hopefully you get some extra ammunition to improve structure, usability, and long-term maintainability across projects. Get in touch voice@crm.audio Nick Hayduk @Engineered_Code George Doubinski @georgedude
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Cache Me If You Can: The Power Pages Wishlist
May 31, 202500:31:04Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we deliver on their promise from the previous show — a wishlist of features they'd love to see in Power Pages (and none of them are AI). It's a mix of practical frustrations from real-world projects and some wild ideas for future innovation. What did we talk about? George's standing desk automation project — powered by Python, Bluetooth, and (eventually) Power Platform. Imagine your desk going up automatically before every meeting! Top Power Pages wishlist items: API to clear the cache — long-requested, simple sounding, yet still missing. Modern Forms — it's time to modernize the end-user experience beyond Bootstrap upgrades. Support for Quick View and Quick Create forms — why only Main forms? Multi-step form improvements — allow skipping between steps, especially when there are no conditions. Bring back Front-Side Editing — content editing without admin rights is a must for real CMS scenarios. Power Automate integration in forms and lists — run flows like classic workflows directly from UI. Framework agnostic design — let's dream big: support Tailwind, Foundation, or other CSS frameworks beyond Bootstrap. What's next? How about a tour of Power Pages features that already exist — but almost nobody uses. Credits Cover image by chatGPT (inspired by terrible prompts) References rhyst/linak-controller: A Python script to control Linak standing desks Get in touch voice@crm.audio Nick Hayduk @Engineered_Code George Doubinski @georgedude
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What's Really Coming in Release Wave 1 2025: AI Hype And A New Security Threat
Mar 10, 202500:36:44Tap to summarizeIn the first episode of 2025, Nick and George break down Release Wave 1 2025 for Power Pages, separating real improvements from underwhelming updates. AI features take center stage, but do they actually add value? Discussion covers AI-assisted forms, web agents, and natural language queries, questioning their usefulness in real-world applications. Modern lists get long-awaited updates, including JavaScript event support and metadata filters, finally closing gaps with classic lists. The ongoing file upload saga resurfaces, and the new virus scanning feature raises questions about effectiveness. A streamlined Microsoft Entra ID setup wizard promises easier authentication setup, but handling failed logins remains tricky. A surprising security threat in social logins also comes up — cross-IdP impersonation —where external authenticator can let attackers register an account with someone else's corporate email. With event portals moving from outbound marketing to Power Pages, the clock ticks toward a July 2025 deadline for migration. Anyone still using the old Angular-based event sites needs to start planning now. Want to know what's missing from this release? A wishlist of features Power Pages actually needs is coming next time. Don't miss it! Credits Cover image by chatGPT (inspired by terrible prompts) References Overview of Power Pages 2025 release wave 1 | Microsoft Learn Transition events from outbound marketing to real-time journeys - Dynamics 365 Customer Insights | Microsoft Learn Combining Verification Phishing and Cross-IdP Impersonation Get in touch voice@crm.audio Nick Hayduk @Engineered_Code George Doubinski @georgedude
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Solid Liquid with Web Templates
Dec 23, 202400:26:45Tap to summarizeIn this somewhat warm episode, George and Nicholas explore web templates in Power Pages, breaking down how they work, their history from ADX Studio to modern-day template blocks, the regrets along the way, and practical ways to use them effectively. They discuss features like include and extend, share tips for simplifying your development process, and highlight why templates are a powerful tool for creating reusable components. Whether you're new to web templates or looking to refine your skills, this conversation has something for everyone. As a bonus, they debate what's better as an income stream: Shopify shares or podcasts. Credits Cover image by chatGPT (inspired by terrible prompts) References Web templates | Microsoft Learn Liquid overview | Microsoft Learn Shopify Liquid reference Shopify Stock Quote Get in touch voice@crm.audio Nick Hayduk @Engineered_Code George Doubinski @georgedude
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Wave 2 2024: Release Notes Don't Make Sense Anymore
Sep 30, 202400:38:29Tap to summarizeIn this [delayed] episode of Refresh the Cache, George and Nick dive into the latest Wave 2 2024 release notes for Power Pages. They discuss the evolving landscape of agile development, where new features roll out continuously, and release notes serve as checkpoints rather than game-changers. The conversation touches on deprecations, governance updates, and intriguing AI-driven community template features, like thread summarization and AI moderation. They also debate the future of web templates and Power Fx integration. They even make a bet on how Microsoft's event management solution will be implemented. Credits Cover image by chatGPT (inspired by terrible prompts) References Overview of Power Pages 2024 release wave 2 Create an event portal allowing access to event details, registration Important upcoming changes and deprecations in Power Pages Get in touch voice@crm.audio Nick Hayduk @Engineered_Code George Doubinski @georgedude
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Wave 1 2024: Deprecation is not a reason for depression
May 17, 202400:44:46Tap to summarizeCRM Audio: Wave 1 2024: Deprecation not depressionIn this episode, George and Nick dive into the latest updates for Power Pages in the first half of 2024. They discuss new features, enhancements, and important deprecations, providing insights into how these changes impact users and developers. From generative AI integrations and improved file upload capabilities to crucial security updates and professional developer tools, this episode covers everything you need to know about the upcoming Power Pages release. Plus, they share their thoughts on the future of Power Pages and what they hope to see next. Tune in for an informative and engaging discussion on the evolving landscape of Power Pages. Credits Cover image by DALL-E (inspired by terrible prompts) References Overview of Power Pages 2024 release wave 1 Perspectives on Power Platform Important upcoming changes and deprecations in Power Pages Get in touch voice@crm.audio Nick Hayduk @Engineered_Code George Doubinski @georgedude
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