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D365 Finance and Operations Data in the Common Data Service

Blake Crowley

Feb 13 2020

2 min read

The Common Data Service (CDS) provides a secure and cloud-based storage option for your Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365FO) data. Similar to a database, the CDS organizes records into entities that can be easily queried. These entities are organized out of the box to capture numerous standard business scenarios. Further, any business logic or business process flows built into the CDS will carry its usage across other applications. For example, a PowerApp connecting directly to CDS will inherit any business rules or logic implemented at the Finance and Operations level. This means whether you are viewing Finance and Operations data in the native web client, or an extended application (PowerApps or Flow), the interchange will be current, secure, and fast.

D365FO entities will be rolled out to the CDS in two phases. The first phase which entered preview in June 2019 and was made public in October 2019 releases entities related to customers, vendors, and products. These entities provide multi-mastering capabilities so that data can be updated easily by a user with adequate permissions from an application or directly in the web client. Data sync bi-directionally allowing any updates in CDS to permeate to D365FO, and vice versa.

The second phase was released in public preview in October 2019 and will be made generally available near April 2020. This phase goes beyond master data administration to support end-to-end scenarios in the project, inventory, sales, procurement, and financial modules. A specific list of entities exposed during phase 2 will be made available at a later date.

D365FO data in the CDS is easily managed, secured, and validated. CDS data safely stored in the cloud is controlled via role-based security defined with D365FO. Calculated fields and business rules are also represented in the CDS and are inherited by any applications extending the data service such as PowerApps. Further, PowerApps and Power BI utilize the predefined entities allowing you to create apps leveraging your D365FO data faster and more effectively.

Have questions about Common Data Service? Please reach out to our team at any time!

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About the Author

Blake Crowley

Blake Crowley is an associate consultant on Sikich’s technology team, specializing in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations. Blake provides ERP implementation services to manufacturing businesses and clients in other industries. His areas of expertise include experience with Power BI and PowerApps. Blake is passionate about helping his clients reach their goals.