Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Lane Swenka
Andreea Bunduc
Corina Balan
Saurabh Kuchhal
1
Dynamics 365 Product
guidance
Implementation Guide General Case
guidance studies
Collective experience gained through
thousands of Dynamics 365 implementations
Highlights Recommended
deliverables
Conceptual
graphic
support
3
Challenges |
Bridging the gap for admins
4
Not just a single gap…
• F&O admins are increasingly needing to connect to Dataverse and Power
Platform, but this was not managed by LCS where F&O admins live and breathe
5
One Admin – Vision & Roadmap
6
The convergence stack
Plugins
X++ forms
Relational embedding in UCI
databases
Visual Studio
Files and
blobs Log files
Authentication
Business events
One Admin Center
Semi-structured
(LCS + PPAC)
data
Dual write Authorization
8
Roadmap – Capabilities by milestone
LINK
TRY
OPERATE
MIGRATE
Microsoft Confidential: Content is shared under NDA with Microsoft CAB members 9
Power Platform Integration
10
Features that are enabled via Power Platform Integration
Dual-write
Virtual tables
Business events
Add-ins
• Export to Data Lake
• Finance Insights
• Inventory visibility service
• Etc.
11
Power Platform linking concepts
Power Platform Integration (PPI) Linked Dual-write (DW) Linked
• Integrate finance and operations apps data with the Dataverse • PPI linking will shortly become a prerequisite for dual-write
platform by using virtual tables, business events, and dual-write linking
features. • Link/Un-link will be replaced by a new feature “Reset”
• Install add-ins and connect them with your finance and
operations apps
• Link to a new Dataverse or to an existing Dataverse instance
12
Dual Write : Link/Unlink becomes Reset
• Prevent linking F&O to a different Dataverse than used by Power Platform Integration
• Single connection string between F&O and Dataverse for VE/BE/DW/Add-ins
• Simplified reset capability will clear configuration tables after Database Refresh/Environment
copy
• Reset button will be available starting Feb 2023 (unless you reach out to support team)
• In case of mis-match, please fix connection with Power Platform Integration by Jan 2023
• Raise support ticket if you need help (mention “ICM349669515”)
• After Jan 2023, need to delete and re-deploy the environment
13
Environment Lifecycle Operations (ELOs) Concepts – LCS & PPAC
Microsoft Confidential: Content is shared under NDA with Microsoft CAB members 14
Enable Power Platform
Integration when F&O
apps environment is
being deployed – to be
removed soon*
• If we choose Yes to configuring the Power
Platform integration, a new Dataverse
environment with database is provisioned
with solutions as per selected template. 3
templates are available:
• Dynamics 365 Standard
• Dynamics 365 Standard with dual-write
• Project Operations
16
Demo –
Setup Power Platform Integration
One Admin – Demo
18
Implementation scenarios
19
SCENARIO: Customer wants to create a new f&o apps environment, and will not use features such as Export to
Data Lake, integration with Dataverse via Dual-Write, Virtual Tables.
Action: While creating a new f&o apps environment, do not select Configure Power Platform environment.
PP environment is still created with linking in place, but cannot use Dataverse capabilities and features such as Export
to Data Lake Add-In, dual-write, virtual tables.
Tip: You can always enable the Dataverse capabilities as a post-deployment action (for
Microsoft managed environments).
20
SCENARIO: Customer wants to create a new f&o apps environment, and use any of the available Add-ins,
integration with Dataverse, or Project Operations. Let's call it as “linked” environment.
Action: Patterns:
a) While creating a new finance and operations apps (f&o apps) • Use the post-deployment
environment, do not use Configure Power Platform environment. After option a) as the default one,
deployment, use the Lifecycle Services (LCS) Setup button as it is valid for both new PP
environments, as well as
existing ones.
Anti-patterns:
• Use option b) if there is
b) While creating a new f&o apps environment, use Configure Power already a PP environment to
Platform environment link with the new f&o apps
environment.
and
Select the appropriate template per your
requirements.
Tip: Think of f&o apps and Power Platform (PP) as one environment. Maintain 1:1
mapping between f&o apps and PP environment.
21
SCENARIO: Customer wants to create a new f&o apps environment, but to link it to an existing Power Platform
environment.*
Action: Anti-patterns:
• Enable the Power Platform
While creating a new f&o apps environment, integration during the
do not use Configure Power Platform deployment of the f&o apps
environment. environment.
Tip: Tip: Do not forget to delete the Power Platform environment which was used by the
LCS – PPAC link. It is not deleted automatically.
22
SCENARIO: Dual-write initial setup from LCS
Customer created linked environment with the “dual-write template”. Next the dual-write setup needs to be triggered.
In this slide, let’s see linking from “LCS”.
Action: Go to LCS -> Power Platform integration section and select Link to Power Platform environment.
This will enable all* Legal Entities for sync between f&o apps and Dataverse.
Apply solution(s) in the dual-write workspace. *Initial/Live sync LE limits still apply
Tip: In case of live sync more than 250 LEs, reach out to support team.
Linking via LCS is the recommendation!
23
SCENARIO: Dual-write initial setup from f&o apps
Customer created linked environment with the “dual-write template”. Next the dual-write setup needs to be triggered.
In this slide, let’s see linking from f&o apps (Data management workspace).
Action: Choose the same environment as defined in the LCS -> Power Anti-Patterns:
Platform integration section.
• Selecting a different PP
environment than the one
defined in LCS.
24
SCENARIO: Delete linked f&o apps environment
Action: Anti-Patterns:
• Delete f&o apps environment from LCS
• Only deleting the f&o
apps environment
from LCS.
Tip: If looking to re-deploy the f&o apps environment with same name, unlink from
dual-write workspace first.
25
SCENARIO: Delete linked Power Platform/Dataverse environment.
Action: This is not possible, the f&o apps environment needs to be deleted Anti-Patterns:
first.
• Only deleting the f&o
Note: PPAC -> environment -> Delete will result in an error.
apps environment
from LCS
26
SCENARIO: Customer realized that one of the f&o apps sandbox environments is linked with a different Power
Platform environment in LCS than the one used for dual-write.
Action: If the Setup button is enabled, leverage it and specify a different PP Anti-Patterns:
environment.
• Ignore the LCS warning.
Otherwise, consider that the link is irreversible; the f&o apps environment
needs to be redeployed (deleted and recreated).
When the f&o apps environment is redeployed, do not enable the Power
Platform integration at creation.
Leverage the Setup button to specify the Power Platform environment used
for dual-write.
Note: LCS will show the status as below
Tip: If the Power Platform integration has been leveraged already (e.g. for Data Events),
manual reconfiguration might be required to bring them into the dual-write
environment.
27
SCENARIO: After being live for a while, customer realized that the f&o apps production environment is linked with
a different Power Platform environment than dual-write and needs to be corrected.
Action: Anti-Patterns:
If the Power Platform integration is not setup (Setup button is available), • Not checking the linking
proceed with the self-service setup and use an already existing Power between f&o apps and PP
Platform environment. environment.
If the Power Platform integration is setup, reach out to the Support team with • Keep using with wrong/non-
all details such as: production PP environment.
• What is the ask
• What are the environment details
• Why is the ask
Tip: It is critical to ensure that the mismatch is resolved as soon as possible. Please be
aware that the support path is available for a limited period and it is valid for existing
customers only, new customers should follow the best practices.
28
SCENARIO: Customer realized that the f&o apps environment is linked with the correct Power Platform
environment in LCS, but dual-write linking is wrong.
Action: Go to f&o apps -> Data Management workspace -> Dual-write -> Anti-Patterns:
Unlink environment.
Delete the data from key tables: • Keep using with wrong
• DualWriteProjectConfiguration Dataverse environment.
• DualWriteProjectFieldConfiguration
• BusinessEventsDefinition
In the same workspace, leverage New link to environment and choose the
Power Platform environment used in the LCS – PPAC linking.
Tip: Once the dual-write PP environment is changed, additional steps will be necessary to
ensure data alignment (initial sync or data migration).
29
SCENARIO: Customer wants to link an existing PP environment which is linked to another f&o apps environment.
This might happen when converting PP linked sandbox to production.
Action: Since the link is irreversible and cannot be changed from either
PPAC or LCS, the f&o apps environment already linked needs to be deleted.
Once the f&o apps environment is deleted, the link will disappear from PPAC
and the existing PP environment can be linked to another f&o apps
environment.
Note: attempting to link the existing PP environment without unlinking will result in an error:
Tip: If during cutover, you do not want to delete the previously linked f&o apps
environment, consider creating a new PP environment, instead of converting the existing
linked sandbox to production.
Further activities might need to be performed to ensure that the linking is finalized.
Consider also the impact on data that needs to be synched via dual-write.
30
SCENARIO: Customer is already live with Dynamics 365 Finance and plans to go live with Dynamics 365 Sales, with
dual-write in scope. For the Finance implementation, Add-Ins, Data events have been leveraged.
Action: Anti-Patterns:
Since Power Platform integration capabilities have been • Not leveraging the
leveraged, there is already a PP environment used by the LCS existing PP
– PPAC link. environment while
planning to integrate
Pay attention to use that environment instead of creating a the Dynamics 365
new one in PPAC, as you will not be able to use the new apps.
environment.
31
SCENARIO: Customer is already live with Dynamics 365 Sales and plans to go live with Dynamics 365 Finance. There
is no plan to integrate the Dynamics 365 apps via dual-write, but Data events are in scope.
Action: Anti-Patterns:
Tip: Think about the linked PP and f&o apps environments as one environment with
multiple apps.
32
SCENARIO: Customer wants to refresh the f&o apps database and copy the Power Platform environment, when
both source and target environments are linked:
Action: Use Refresh database to do a database copy of f&o apps; Use Copy Patterns:
in PPAC to do the PP environment copy. • Environment actions
such as copy or restore
After the two operations are completed:
• In Dataverse, the entire codebase will be replaced – the solutions that should be done in
were removed need to be re-installed. Consider dependencies carefully. paralel for both Power
• Dual-write workspace (the experience will be updated soon with a Reset Platform and f&o apps
option)
- Stop all table maps
- Unlink (the link will come from the source) Anti-patterns:
- Delete the data from tables: DualWriteProjectConfiguration, • Copying only the PP
DualWriteProjectFieldConfiguration, BusinessEventsDefinition environment
- Relink with the correct environments
- Start the maps without initial synch
Tip: The PPAC-LCS link is not affected by environment copy, that will be preserved.
33
SCENARIO: Customer wants to refresh the f&o apps database and copy the Power Platform/Dataverse
environment, when both source and target environments are linked – continuation:
Action: Patterns:
• Virtual entities: • Environment actions
• If they were not present in the source environment, they need to be
enabled
such as copy or restore
• If they were present, but a schema changed occurred, they need to should be done in
be refreshed paralel for both Power
• Business events: Platform and f&o apps
• Consider rebuilding the Business events catalog
• Active business events are not copied, they need to be recreated
• Data events: Anti-patterns:
• Ensure that the Virtual entities are present in Dataverse • Copying only the PP
• Active data events need to be recreated environment
Tip: If you decide to copy only PP (not recommended), the same steps apply;
additionally, a dual-write initial synch or data migration might be necessary.
34
SCENARIO: Customer wants to restore the database from an unlinked f&o apps environment to a linked f&o apps
environment. For example, bringing unlinked Gold environment to linked Test environment.
Action:
• The dual-write, Business events, Virtual entities steps highlighted in the previous scenario need to be applied
• Additionally, steps such as initial synch or data migration are necessary to align back the environment.
Tip: Try to work in pairs of environments (f&o apps and PP) and avoid copying from
unlinked PP or unlinked f&o apps environments.
35
SCENARIO: Customer wants to copy an unlinked Power Platform environment to a linked Power Platform
environment. For example, copying an unlinked Data migration environment to a linked Test environment.
Action:
• After copy, the solutions that enable the Power Platform integration need to be re-installed (according to the
template)
• The dual-write, Business events, Virtual entities steps highlighted in the paired scenario need to be applied
• Additionally, steps such as initial synch or data migration are necessary to align back the environment.
Tip: Try to work in pairs of environments (f&o apps and PP) and avoid copying from
unlinked Power Platform or unlinked f&o apps environments.
36
SCENARIO: Customer wants to restore the database from a linked f&o apps environment to an unlinked f&o apps
environment. For example, to a troubleshooting environment which is not linked.
Action:
• Since the target is not linked with an PP environment, dual-write, f&o apps virtual entities and data events concepts
are not applicable
37
SCENARIO: Customer wants to copy a linked Power Platform environment to an unlinked Power Platform
environment. For example, when the customer wants to test a specific customer engagement apps case in an isolated
environment.
Action:
• Since the target is not linked with an f&o apps environment, dual-write, f&o apps virtual entities, etc. concepts are
not applicable
Tip: You might consider removing the solutions specific to the Power Platform
integration
38
SCENARIO: Point in time restore in linked f&o apps environment and restore backup in linked Power Platform
environment
Action: Use the Point in time restore (PITR) option for f&o apps in LCS and Pattern:
Restore backup option for Dataverse in PPAC. Please note that for f&o apps a • Environment actions
PITR applies only to the database. such as copy or restore
After the two operations are completed and the code is aligned, the should be done in
environments should be ready for use. paralel for both PP
and f&o apps
Dual-write and virtual entity setup will revert to the status at the time of the
restore.
Anti-Patterns:
Business events and data events are also supported.* • Restoring the
environment only on
f&o apps (PITR for
*There are some pending items to be resolved for full support, please test carefully your scenario. database) or PP
(Restore backup)
Tip: Ensure that the PITR for f&o apps and restore for PPAC point to the same
timestamp.
If the restore is done separately, run all the steps from the database refresh/copy
scenario. Consider data re-alignment as well if dual-write has been leveraged.
39
SCENARIO: Change URL or Name in linked Power Platform environment.
Tip: To avoid confusion, better to keep same name as in f&o apps and DV.
40
SCENARIO: A developer wants to work in a linked f&o apps environment (a Cloud Hosted environment) to test the
customizations done on dual-write, data events, etc.
Action: Anti-Patterns:
• At deployment of a
When creating the cloud-hosted Environment in LCS, choose Configure Power cloud-hosted
Platform integration.
environment, setting
Setting up the link with an existing PP environment as a post deployment the Configure Power
option is not possible for cloud-hosted environments. Platform integration
flag to No.
41
Scenario 1: New Finance and Operations & New Dataverse
implementation
1. Create f&o apps environment
• Create f&o apps environment and during deployment choose to not enable Power Platform Integration.
• Create Dataverse production environment and link with existing f&o apps env:
• via LCS using Setup button with the appropriate template
• via PPAC and then linked via LCS post f&o apps production environment. For this option, the Dataverse
environment created automatically without database at f&o apps environment deployment can be deleted if not
needed.
• In LCS, Click the ‘Link to Power Platform Integration’ button to enable dual-write for all legal entities or go to the
dual-write workspace and choose the legal entities.
• Install in Dataverse additional dual-write solutions that are required. In LCS, dual-write workspace, click on ‘Apply
solutions’ to bring in the table maps.
• If there is data from the f&o apps or Dataverse environment that needs to be synced, evaluate if initial sync can be
leveraged by consulting the initial sync guidance matrix. Consider alternative approach if data volumes are too high.
• Turn on table maps for live sync. here.
42
Scenario 2: New Finance and Operations & Existing Dataverse
implementation
1. Create f&o apps environment
• Create f&o apps environment and during deployment choose to not enable Power Platform Integration.
• Use Setup button in LCS to connect the newly created f&o apps environment with the existing Dataverse environment.
Platform solutions for dual-write and virtual entities will be installed in Dataverse.
• After setup is completed, the Dataverse environment created automatically without database at f&o apps environment
deployment can be deleted if not needed.
43
Scenario 3: Existing Finance and Operations & New Dataverse
implementation
1. Create Dataverse environment & Connect with f&o apps
• The Assumption is that Setup button is available (which means we choose No to enabling Power Platform Integration at F&O
apps env deployment). If setup button is not available, then an environment has already been created and it must be used
since the linking is irreversible.
• With Setup button available, we can create new Dataverse production environment and link with existing f&o apps env:
• via LCS using Setup button with the appropriate template
• via PPAC and then link the Dataverse environment via LCS using Setup button post f&o apps production environment. For
this option, the Dataverse environment created automatically without database at f&o apps environment deployment can be
deleted if not needed.
• In LCS, click the ‘Link to Power Platform Integration’ button to enable dual-write for all legal entities or go to the dual-write
workspace and choose the legal entities.
• Install in Dataverse additional dual-write solutions that are required. In LCS, dual-write workspace, click on ‘Apply solutions’ to
bring in the table maps.
• If data from f&o apps environment needs to be synced to Dataverse, evaluate if initial sync can be leveraged by consulting the
initial sync guidance matrix. Consider alternative approach if data volumes are too high.
• Turn on table maps for live sync
44
Deployment considerations for linked environments –Initial
Deployment from Pre-Prod to Prod
1. Prepare linked production Dataverse and f&o apps environments
• During, f&o apps prod deployment, choose to not enable Power Platform Integration.
• Dataverse production environment can be created:
• via LCS using Setup button with the appropriate template
• via PPAC and then linked via LCS post f&o apps production environment
• For f&o apps prod environment, install the marked release candidate from Pre-Prod environment. Refresh Production database from Pre-
Prod environment. Dataverse environments must rely on deploying solutions from source control to get to be the accurate source of truth.
• Prod should always be a representation of what was deployed based on your source control system.
• In LCS, click the ‘Link to Power Platform Integration’ button to enable dual-write for all legal entities. Afterwards, go to the dual-write
workspace and update the legal entities required. Install in Dataverse additional dual-write solutions that are required. In LCS, dual-write
workspace, click on ‘Apply solutions’ to bring in the table maps.
• If data needs to be synced between Dataverse and f&o apps, evaluate how initial sync can be leveraged by consulting the initial sync
guidance matrix. Consider alternative approach if data volumes are too high.
• Turn on table maps for live sync
• Virtual entities from source environment will be copied over from the source.
• Business events and data events would need to be rebuilt
45
Deployment considerations for linked environments - Restore
Prod to Pre-Prod for testing new release
1. Prepare linked Pre-Prod Dataverse and f&o apps environments.
• If pre-prod environments don’t exist already, create and link environments as described in Scenario 1 (without needing initial
sync/data import)
• Deploy the code version for the new release that needs to be tested.
• Post restore, ensure that table maps are stopped in dual-write workspace.
• Reset the Dual-Write link. If new solutions with table maps are installed, in LCS, dual-write workspace, click on ‘Apply solutions’
to bring in the table maps. Turn on table table maps without initial sync.
4. Post restore, if business events or data events are in scope they need to be rebuilt.
• Virtual entities from source environment will be copied over from the source.
• Business events and data events would need to be rebuilt
46
Resources
ODOP TechTalk Series https://aka.ms/odopTechTalks
Microsoft Power Platform integration with finance and operations apps - Finance & Operations
Yammer : Dual-Write
48
Vocabulary / Terminology for PPAC and synonyms with LCS
Power Platform Admin Center (PPAC) Store, manage, and share your organization's business data, apps, chatbots, and flows
Finance and operations apps are a virtual data source in Dataverse, and enable
Virtual entities (VE) (CRUD) operations from Dataverse. By definition, the data for virtual entities doesn't
reside in Dataverse. Instead, it continues to reside in the app where it belongs
Data events are events that are based on changes to data in finance and operations
Data event (DE) apps. Create, update, and delete (CUD) events can be enabled for each entity.
database
Business events provide a mechanism that lets external systems receive notifications
Business Events (BE) from finance and operations applications
49