In today’s fast-paced environment, businesses constantly seek new and creative ways to improve efficiency, streamline processes, and optimize their overall data management workspace.
The all-inclusive Microsoft Dynamics 365 business application package has become a powerful tool for companies looking to streamline and combine critical operations across business units. Dynamics Bring Your Own Database (BYOD) functionality is a crucial characteristic of Dynamics 365 that enables companies to utilize their data and optimize core business processes fully.
Read on to learn more about D365 BYOD and where our senior-level Dynamics consultants can fit in your organization.
What is Dynamics 365 BYOD?
With Dynamics 365 BYOD, system administrators can export data entities from an existing application onto a Microsoft Azure SQL database. By configuring their individual databases, administrators or company executives can push data into or out of an on-premise or Microsoft Azure database through BYOD functionality.
This enables users to export composite entities in their Microsoft Dynamics 365 ecosystem into an external database and extract data from Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management (F&SCM).
Released in August 2016, BYOD allows users to have total control over how they manage their data, utilize it to its fullest potential, and transform it into the insights they need. Users can also access and compare data metrics from their own Dynamics system and other external systems, which is only conceivable with a BYOD arrangement. This enables reduced overhead compliance and decreased reliance on internal IT teams.
CriticalMicrosoft D365 BYOD Features
With intelligent Microsoft Dynamics BYOD functionality, users can:
- Establish an SQL database or other databases that enable administrators to import D365 F&O entity data quickly and efficiently.
- Leverage full push capabilities to export every record or incremental push capabilities to export just the records that have been updated or removed.
- Use the batch framework’s extensive scheduling features to enable periodic data exports.
- Utilize Transact-SQL (T-SQL) to access the entity database and expand functionality by adding new tables.
- Configure entity export to each database and define a connection string for each data entity.
When Should You Use The BYOD Feature?
Common use cases of the BYOD feature include:
- Exporting each data entity into its own data warehouse
- Performing batch integrations across various systems
- Using analytical tools aside that require T-SQL access to data within the Power BI platform
Create an SQL Database
Users must establish an SQL database using the Azure portal before utilizing the BYOD feature and configuring the entity export option.
With Microsoft D365 BYOD, users can create a custom database for one-box development environments in the local Microsoft SQL Server. However, users should only use this database for testing and development, so they must establish an Azure SQL database for production scenarios.
Additionally, users must make an SQL account to access the database, including noting the SQL user ID, password, server name, and database name.
Top Benefits of Dynamics 365 BYOD
Customization Capabilities
Organizations often possess distinct data needs that off-the-shelf solutions may not entirely satisfy.
With BYOD, businesses can expand and modify their Dynamics 365 data models to better fit their unique business requirements, maintain a competitive advantage, and adjust to evolving market trends.
Unified Data Platform
By connecting external databases to a unified Dynamics 365 platform, BYOD removes data silos and gives users a single source of truth for all their business processes.
This cohesiveness improves data visibility, facilitating the extraction of useful insights and promoting well-informed decision-making.
Optimized Performance
BYOD offers considerable performance optimization benefits, especially for large businesses handling large datasets.
Organizations can reduce the overall manual effect of completing tasks on the Dynamics 365 platform and guarantee quicker, more responsive performance for end users by allowing data to reside in external databases and enabling users to delete previously published entities to reduce database size.
Compliance and Security
For every organization handling sensitive data, effective security guidelines are paramount. Dynamics 365 BYOD makes it easier to maintain security by using Azure Data Factory for data synchronization and movement.
Businesses in heavily regulated industries can feel secure knowing their data transfers are protected and adhere to industry best practices.
Integrations with Power Platform
Users can easily connect their Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 BYOD database, creating new opportunities for business process automation, intelligent analytics, and efficient application development.
Through this synergy, businesses can create bespoke finance and operations apps, automate critical processes, and use Power BI functionality to acquire deeper insights, creating an extensive and interconnected business ecosystem.
Cost Effectiveness
By enabling businesses to extend their data storage independently of their Dynamics 365 environment, BYOD improves scalability across teams and business units. This is especially helpful for companies growing rapidly or whose data volume fluctuates depending on customer demand or market trends.
Decoupling data storage from Dynamics 365 can also result in financial savings, allowing businesses to select affordable storage options that fit their spending limits.
What’s Going on in the BYOD Environment?
Here’s a look at the main processes taking place within the BYOD environment:
Exporting Data
During this procedure, raw data is located and transferred to the database, including the relevant tables and data types.
Consider the following scenario: you have a table with customers and another with sales orders, and inputs are required for both data types. Once the necessary data is collected and organized, it is transferred to BYOD, enabling users to leverage the export page to transform data into the target data format.
Transforming and Modifying Data
After the required data has been transferred to the database, it is modified and transformed into actionable insights.
Keeping with the previous example, users can attach further details to the existing sales order line after moving the data to the database, such as the account name and customer’s name. With independent data bits that have no value or purpose, each piece gets converted into usable information and insights.
Enhancing Data
There are situations when a user may have data from sources other than F&SCM, such as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
Using the same example, you might already have the budget data in Excel rather than F&SCM but still need the rest of the data to achieve the goal. In this case, you can improve data quality across your database by combining Excel and F&SCM capabilities and transforming it into the correct format.
These processes aim to transform extracted data into relevant reports that can be leveraged to make better, data-based decisions.
Most of the transactional data that results from F&SCM is not good for reporting, but BYOD converts it into data that can be comprehended through intelligent visualizations, like reports and dashboards.
How We Can Help
Surety Systems can assist you whether you’re searching for a solution to export data, improve data management, or just an extra hand as you start your Microsoft Dynamics journey.
No matter how complicated your deployment plans are, our senior-level Microsoft Dynamics consultants have the practical knowledge and expertise to lead you through it successfully. We also provide support after your initial Go-Live date to guarantee seamless data transfer and ensure uninterrupted operations for your software lifespan.
Contact Us
Are you interested in learning more about the D365 BYOD platform and how our senior Dynamics consultants can help your organization?
Contact us today!
