Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations – How to Drive Successful Implementation

Many users may not be aware of the out-of-the-box tools that Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, or D365FO in short, comes with. They, along with Azure DevOps’ cross-application capabilities such as Remote Server Administration Tools, or RSAT, and Lifecycle Services, or LCS, can be used to successfully implement D365FO. Read on to know more about the same.

Configuration migration across environments was the biggest hurdle in the implementation of any Dynamics suite until Microsoft introduced Dynamics AX 2009. In the past, long spreadsheets had to be maintained for tracking each configuration and manually making sure to mark them in the golden environment. Users were also required to either highlight the same through a SQL restore or create custom scripts to help production import them.

Though Microsoft invested in DIXF when launching Dynamics AX 2012, users continued to face packaging and importing challenges. However, DIX represented a major improvement over the out-of-the-box tools offered along with Dynamics AX 2009. Now, D365FO comes with an all-encompassing data entity list to enable configuration migration. The two features that are readily available to users to make the process of configuration migration less painful are data templates and data task automation.

These tools definitely do not do away with the need to ensure a pristine environment. However, it is best that users ensure a golden environment when performing configuration migration. Besides, it is also highly recommended that users make configuration changes in the golden environment first, even if they have to fix a few issues later on. These tools help migrate the configuration between different environments.

Companies implementing D365FO should pay close attention when using data templates. Furthermore, it is important that they have a clear idea as to what data templates are and what purpose they serve. They are predetermined entities lists for each module used in data projects. Default data templates that users can access out-of-the-box will always show an entity’s latest version. Users can create, view, and change the templates by accessing the Template page available in the data management workspace. Besides, templates may be created from existing data projects as per the needs of users. The Template page closely resembles the configuration page and to make use of the new features, users have to opt for the Enhanced view.

Data task automation allows you to easily repeat different types of tasks and validate outcomes. This tool is very helpful for projects that are being implemented. For example, users can automate the process of data project creation and configuration. They can also trigger and configure as well as execute import/export operations. They include setting up of demo as well as golden configuration data, and other tasks related to the migration of data. Besides, users can automate the process of testing data entities with the help of task outcome validation.

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