Update Rollup 8 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

Update Rollup 8 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is now available. The KB article page is not loading up as I write this post, so the details are from a blog post by Dynamics CRM in the field folks.

UPDATE: The KB article page is working now!

Some salient points from the announcement are listed below:

Update Rollup 8 Build number:
5.0.9690.2243

Note: Update Rollup 8 can be uninstalled, unlike Update Rollups 4-6, which could not be uninstalled.  However, you should always back up your databases and application servers before you install an Update Rollup.

Update Rollup 6 established a new servicing baseline. This will enable uninstalls of some future CRM 2011 Update Rollups, but this also means that Update Rollup 6 is prerequisite for installation of future Update Rollups, starting with Update Rollup 7.

A database created with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Update Rollup 6 or a higher version cannot be imported to a deployment of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Update Rollup 5 or an earlier version. This scenario is not supported.

Note: As Update Rollup 8 is cumulative, containing all changes released in earlier Update Rollup releases, it also contains the Dynamics CRM Q4 Service Update features released via Update Rollup 5.  Some of these features include:

1. Outlook Client Updates:
• Enhancements to the Reading Pane
• Asynchronous promotion for tracked emails
2. Dialog Enhancements
3. Data Visualization Enhancements: 
• Chart Designer Enhancements
• New Chart Types
4. Data Management Enhancements to:
• Auditing
• Duplicate Detection
5. Activity Feeds
• Listening in on important activities in Social Media that take place around the people, accounts, contacts, leads or opportunities that you care about, including a Windows 7.5 phone application: "Business Hub"
• Update Rollup 5 does not install Activity Feeds:
• New organizations on CRM Online will have this Solution automatically provisioned
• Existing Online or On Premise organizations must download and import the solution from the Dynamics Marketplace

For more information about the Dynamics CRM Q4 Service Update features, consult:

Microsoft Dynamics CRM: The Road Ahead

Please refer to the blog post from Dynamics CRM in the field folks for a detailed description.