Microsoft Dataverse, formerly known as Common Data Service (CDS), is a system from Microsoft that allows business data to be stored and structured on the Microsoft Power Platform. This concerns data about business processes, which are collected by linked applications. For example, all Microsoft applications have a central point to consult data, making double data entry unnecessary. From this collection point, reports can also be prepared using Business Intelligence (BI) or workflows can be set up.
MS Dataverse works as a data warehouse. The system is made up of what Microsoft calls tables (formerly entities). These tables can be compared with the tables of an SQL database and Excel tables. Microsoft has made sure that a large amount of standard tables are included in MS Dataverse however users can also create new tables if it is better for the business. The tables in MS Dataverse store the data in rows and columns and add metadata. This also simplifies the search for data. MS Dataverse supports different types of business data.
MS Dataverse has been developed with ease of use in mind. The system is already fully equipped by Microsoft, so the user does not need any knowledge of SQL. A disadvantage of this is that MS Dataverse is less customisable than a traditional database.
What is MS Dataverse used for?
MS Dataverse is mainly used to prevent data having to be entered twice. By having a central storage point for company data, all Microsoft applications can use the same data. For example a company has one application for payroll management and one for time registration. Both systems will be linked to MS Dataverse so both systems can use the same data. Real data can be retrieved immediately during salary processing about the number of hours worked. Applications outside the Microsoft ecosystem can also be linked to MS Dataverse. This can be done via an API or Power Query.
What role does MS Dataverse play in the creation of applications?
The Power Platform is used to create Microsoft applications. The following programs exist within this platform: Power BI, Power Apps, Power Virtual Agents and Power Automate (formerly Flow). Power Apps can be used to create low-code and no-code applications for Dynamics 365, Office 365 and Azure. Power Apps is provided with data from MS Dataverse, so that the applications created immediately use all necessary business data.
How does the integration between new Dynamics applications, Power Apps and Dataverse work?
By using Power Apps and MS Dataverse, the new Dynamics applications can be filled with business data immediately during creation. If all data for Product Information Management (PIM) is in the Dataverse, this product information is immediately included in the new application. No new data migration is required, and the application can be put into use immediately after creation. The new application will now also store all data it collects in MS Dataverse. As a result new applications can take advantage of the data again.
How does the integration between new Office 365 applications, Power Apps and Dataverse work?
As with Dynamics, companies can also rely on MS Dataverse to expand the Microsoft Office functionalities. Applications can be made to extend Outlook. Communication with a customer can also have taken place over the phone, and the report can be in the CRM system. If this CRM system is linked to MS Dataverse, the information is stored in MS Dataverse and the requested information can be searched via the new Outlook functionality.
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