Streamline Data Management with Microsoft Dataverse
Many data and computer services operate with data and logic capabilities that are often disjointed, forcing organizations to build unique data and logic stacks for each application. This fragmentation makes it challenging to create integrated experiences or analyze data across multiple apps. Microsoft Dataverse, formerly known as the Common Data Service (CDS), addresses this challenge by providing a cloud-scale database that securely stores data, allowing your apps and processes to interact with a unified set of data shapes and business logic.
What is Microsoft Dataverse?
Microsoft Dataverse is a data storage and retrieval service that serves as the foundation for commonly used and stored data within your organization. Similar to a database, it stores data in tables known as entities, making it easier to share information across applications. It enables users to gain valuable insights from their data and build custom apps tailored to specific business processes. Running on Microsoft Azure, Dataverse understands the structure of your data and optimizes storage for different data types, automatically storing images, assets, and blobs as text strings in tabular data, while aggregating values and associated activities.
1. Breaking Down Data Silos
In legacy applications, data is often stored in silos, making it difficult to share information without extensive customizations. Communication between different apps is typically done on an app-by-app basis, leading to expensive, complex, and difficult-to-maintain integrations. Even when applications appear to classify data similarly, they often record, label, and structure data differently. For example, Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics 365 Finance both use international currencies, but each records this data differently. Dataverse eliminates these silos by centralizing data and enabling seamless communication between apps.
2. Real-Time Data Sharing
Microsoft Dataverse offers a connected, centralized approach to data management. It enables Dynamics 365 users to share information across their apps, syncing all areas of their operations for smarter, real-time decision-making. Dataverse can merge and integrate data from various Dynamics 365 apps, Microsoft 365, and third-party sources, acting as a secure database where business information is stored and standardized. This allows for effortless synchronization of information across multiple applications in a unified way.
3. Centralized Data Management
The Microsoft Dynamics 365 suite of specialized products can be seamlessly connected through Dataverse, ensuring that each application operates from a single, accurate source of data. This simplified integration provides users with confidence that their data is always synchronized. Dataverse makes it easy to transfer and synchronize data between applications, such as moving customer and contact information from Dynamics 365 Sales to Dynamics 365 Finance. Additionally, if new applications are required, Dataverse ensures a smooth and secure transfer of data, leading to a more reliable user experience.
4. Easy Integration with Other Services
Microsoft Dataverse not only connects previously isolated Microsoft apps but also allows users to integrate third-party apps right out of the box. Popular applications like Salesforce, MailChimp, Facebook, Google Drive, and Zendesk can be quickly connected to Microsoft apps. Dynamics 365 users can create workflows that span across all their cloud services, with the option to create connectors and flows without the need for complex and expensive integrations.
5. Access to Advanced Analytical Services
Dynamics 365 users frequently utilize Power BI tools to monitor their business and gain insights for better decision-making. Dataverse provides access to all necessary data for direct integration with Power BI, simplifying the process of creating a comprehensive overview from various data sources. With pre-built connectors, Dataverse automatically gathers and merges data, transforming it into actionable insights. Power BI then uses these insights to suggest recommended next steps, empowering users across the organization to build reports and customize apps without coding, thus meeting specific business requirements.
6. Two-Way Communication
Dataverse acts as a centralized hub where systems can connect and interact, bridging the gap between different apps and their respective data. It facilitates two-way communication, enabling Microsoft business applications to seamlessly communicate with each other as well as with third-party apps and services. Whether working within Dynamics 365 or a custom application, Dataverse simplifies data management between applications with overlapping entities. Any changes made in your ERP system are automatically synced with other applications. With over 120 pre-set standard entities and the ability to create new entities as needed, Dataverse ensures that pre-existing connections with other apps remain intact.
7. Full Control Over Your Data
By default, data from different business apps is not automatically uploaded to Dataverse, giving organizations full control over what data is shared with other apps and services. When importing data into Dataverse, the incoming information is mapped to align with standard entities, or new entities can be created and mapped as needed. Dataverse also provides mapping templates for popular third-party sources like Salesforce, which can be customized and extended as necessary.
8. Always Secure
The Dataverse platform adheres to the same stringent security frameworks as Microsoft’s other cloud-based platforms. It offers entity-level authorization and role-based security, with field- and row-level security to be added in future releases. These security measures apply to any apps or services using Dataverse, ensuring that your data remains protected and compliant with applicable regulations.
Are You Ready to Get Started?
Pipol can help you adapt specific Dynamics 365 applications and services to fit your organization’s needs. Take advantage of our extensive services, centralized project management, and expert consultants to simplify your business transformation. We will guide you in choosing the right business solutions, developing the processes that best support your goals, and ensuring a smooth rollout across your entire organization.
Get in touch today to learn more about how we can support your journey.
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