In today’s business world, organizations are increasingly relying on advanced tools to streamline their operations and improve customer experiences. Microsoft Dynamics 365 has proven to be a powerful platform that offers various robust applications and covers everything from supply chain management to human resources, finance and operations, marketing, and more. But, without functional application programming interfaces (APIs), these applications don’t mean much…
Microsoft Dynamics API is a crucial element of the complete Dynamics landscape that allows companies to facilitate seamless integrations, data exchanges, and customizations between their most important systems and applications.
Keep reading to learn more about Dynamics 365 APIs and where our senior-level Dynamics consultants can come in to help.
What is Microsoft Dynamics 365?
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) application platform. It comes equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) features and productivity applications to enable customers to improve functionality and enhance process efficiency.
Dynamics 365 offers a comprehensive suite of business management software that allows businesses to share incoming data across teams, evaluate company and customer data in one centralized location, and adopt a proactive strategy to accelerate business results.
Microsoft Dynamics Web API
The Web API delivers data based on HTTP requests that gather data from the CRM software, allowing developers to integrate core business systems. RESTful APIs in the Dynamics 365 Suite utilize this Web API. And, regardless of the platform or language used, businesses can connect to any libraries using the Web API
This API is compatible with a range of devices, operating systems, and programming languages to enable greater functionality and connectivity between systems. It follows the Open Data Protocol (OData), the same standard Restful APIs use. With Web APIs, companies can make information requests from external data libraries.
Microsoft Dynamics REST API
Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface (REST APIs) allows users to add, retrieve, update, and delete data items from their existing Dynamics landscape. REST APIs serve as the front end of a data source, typically used as an entryway to the outside world by application developers.
With Dynamics 365 REST APIs, companies can manage all business operations and enhance customer-related functionalities to improve customer engagement and enhance the productivity of their business applications. REST APIs for Microsoft Dynamics 365 make it easier for developers to access and alter data from their existing CRM program. Businesses can consolidate their core business applications and solutions, such as BI resources, ERP software, customer apps, and portal systems, to enhance user experiences and improve functionality. It is also compatible with web-based APIs, SOAP APIs, and other REST-based APIs.
The Data Management Rest API can be used with an on-premise setup or through the cloud. It’s suitable for external Finance and Operations apps and outside transformations, as it allows users to facilitate Dynamics integrations with pre-built data packages.
REST-based APIs are more versatile and modern than traditional APIs, and pre-configured implementations are also included in the REST-based API environment. Developers must leverage application architecture and coding languages, like XML and JSON programming languages, to integrate all business apps with the existing API.
Benefits of Dynamics 365 API Integration
Microsoft Dynamics API integration delivers more scalability, faster deployments, and lower development costs for business users across industries. Some other benefits of the Dynamics APIs apply to business activities for both internal staff and customers.
Here are some of the main benefits of API integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365:
- Streamlined Management: Integration of the Dynamics 365 REST API reduces the need for manual data entry, increases cost savings, provides real-time inventory information, and enables more informed business decisions.
- Powerful Third-Party Resources Connection: Dynamic 365 REST APIs can be used to access suppliers, supply chain participants, shipments, BI services, and more. The integration of the Dynamics 365 API makes it easier to add and update tools and technologies across your technical landscape, monitor key business activities, and enhance organizational efficiency.
- Dynamic Web and Mobile Applications: Businesses can use the Microsoft Dynamics Integration REST API to maintain two-way communication, foster loyalty, hone in on their target customers, and enhance customer service.
- Access to Microsoft Platform: Businesses can connect and swap information with Microsoft resources including Outlook, Office 365, Windows Server, SharePoint, Skype for Business, PowerApps, Exchange Server, and more.
- Improved Social Engagement: To create in-depth profiles of clients and their buying patterns, customers can leverage Dynamics 365 user interfaces to easily access centralized data and information from third-party applications. Businesses can utilize Dynamics APIs to track their clients’ online activity, connect with them, and research nearby market trends.
Manage Data Packages using REST API with Microsoft Dynamics
Data Management Framework (DMF) is a comprehensive solution for Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations. It supports all essential data management functions, enabling the insertion and extraction of asynchronous data with top-tier performance.
The Data Management Framework REST API lets users alter data packages to interact with Finance and Operations apps.
Use REST API to complete tasks, such as:
- Exporting data packages
- Importing data packages
- Monitoring and tracking the status of the above tasks
Before beginning to import and export the data packages, you first have to understand the following:
- Support for on-premise deployments of the Data Management package REST API is available, allowing Microsoft to continue to use the same set of APIs for both on-premise and cloud-hosted solutions.
- Active Directory Federation Services manages authorization for on-premise Microsoft Dynamics deployments.
- OAuth 2.0 gives authorization and allows access to the DMF REST API package.
- Data Package is a simple.zip file that contains importable or exportable source data. The data and manifest files provide the metadata for the Data Entity, along with the DMF processing instructions.
How Can We Help?
Whether you’re looking for comprehensive CRM software that can assist in making smarter business decisions, need to add new functionality to your current ecosystem of Microsoft Dynamics applications, or just looking for an extra hand getting started on your Microsoft Dynamics journey, Surety Systems can help.
Our senior-level Microsoft Dynamics consultants have the functional skills and experience needed to help you successfully implement, integrate, or upgrade all your most critical Microsoft Dynamics solutions.
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