What is Dual-write for Dynamics 365?

The ability to effortlessly synchronize data across several applications transforms the always-changing terrain of corporate technology. Leading this change with an out-of-the-box infrastructure that allows near-real-time interaction between Finance and Operations apps and consumer engagement apps is Dual-write for Dynamics 365.

This write-up will examine the mechanics of Dual-write and investigate its bidirectional data flow that breaks down application silos, thereby empowering departments throughout an organization.

A Brief Description of Dual-write for Dynamics 365

Within Dynamics 365, Dual-write is an infrastructure feature that offers bidirectional, near-real-time interaction between Finance and Operations apps (like Dynamics 365 Finance, Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, etc.) and Customer Engagement apps (like Dynamics 365 Sales, Customer Service, etc.).

Here’s a breakdown of what Dual-write offers:

• Synchronous Data Flow: It guarantees data consistency across applications by reflecting changes in one app right away in the other.
• Bidirectional Integration: Data can flow in both directions between finance and operation apps and Dataverse.
• Extensible Infrastructure: Designed to be dependable and scalable, it supports both standard and custom tables and maps.
• Integrated User Experience: Empowers every department in a company by offering a consistent perspective of data including customers, products, and operations.
• Application Lifecycle Management: Guarantees that the integration is kept all through the application lifecycle.

By automating data flow, Dual-write seeks to simplify processes, hence improving productivity and offering a flawless user experience over the Dynamics 365 suite of applications.

How Does the Dual-write Feature for Dynamics 365 Work?

Designed to offer near-real-time, bidirectional interaction between customer engagement apps and financial and operations apps inside the Dynamics 365 ecosystem, the Dual-Write feature for Dynamics 365 offers a strong infrastructure. Here is a high-level of how it operates:

(Source: Microsoft)

• Bidirectional Data Flow: Dual-write allows for synchronous data flow between Dynamics 365 applications. Any changes in finance and operations apps cause writes to Dataverse; any changes in Dataverse cause writes to finance and operations applications.
• Infrastructure and Application Aspects: Dual-write's versatile and dependable infrastructure supports online and offline modes, initial data syncing, activity and error logs, custom alerts, and more. From the application standpoint, it supports integrated experiences across many business situations by mapping ideas in finance and operations apps and customer engagement apps.
• Integrated User Experience: Dual-write allows data on customers, products, people, and operations to flow outside of application lines, so enabling any department in an organization to have a consistent view and data access.

For a detailed understanding and to get started with Dual-write, you can refer to the official Microsoft documentation. It provides comprehensive guidance on setting up Dual-write, system requirements, troubleshooting, and more.

Which Dynamics 365 Products Does Dual-write Work With?

Dual-write in Dynamics 365 is designed to provide near-real-time interaction between customer engagement apps and finance and operations apps. It supports integration with various Microsoft Dynamics 365 applications, such as Finance, Supply Chain Management, and Sales. The Dual-write infrastructure allows for bidirectional data flow, meaning any data change in finance and operations apps causes writes to Dataverse, and vice versa.

Dual-write in Dynamics 365 is meant to offer almost real-time interaction between apps for customer engagement and finance and operations. It facilitates connectivity with several Dynamics 365 solutions like Sales, Supply Chain Management, and Finance. The dual-write architecture permits bidirectional data flow, therefore any data update in finance and operational apps writes to Dataverse, and vice-versa.

Here’s a brief overview of how Dual-write works with Dynamics 365 products:

• All Products: Syncs all products available in finance and operations apps to Dataverse.
• CDS Released Distinct Products: Syncs individual products and product variants from finance and operations apps to Dataverse.
• Colors, Configurations, Default Order Settings: These related information are also synchronized from finance and operations apps to Dataverse.

It’s important to note that while the product infrastructure is open to customization, Microsoft does not recommend making the data flow bidirectional due to potential risks. Additionally, the creation of product families from Dynamics 365 Sales is not supported with the Dual-write synchronization of products.

For a more detailed understanding, you can refer to the official Microsoft documentation on the unified product experience and Dual-write overview.

What are the Reasons to Use Dual-write?

Within the Microsoft Dynamics 365 ecosystem, dual-write is an infrastructure capability allowing near-real-time interaction between consumer engagement apps and finance and operational apps. Here are some of the top reasons to use Dual-write:

• Tightly Coupled Integration: Dual-write offers a tightly coupled, bidirectional integration between finance and operations apps and customer engagement apps.
• Real-time Data Flow: It ensures synchronous and bidirectional data flow between applications, which is essential for maintaining data consistency and integrity.
• Integrated User Experience: The automated data flow allows for an integrated user experience across different business applications.
• Extensibility: The infrastructure is extensible and reliable, supporting both standard and custom tables and maps.
• Data Synchronization: It includes synchronization modes to support the system during online and offline/asynchronous modes.
• Error Handling: Dual-write provides a combined view of activity and error logs for data admins.
• User Interface: It offers an intuitive UI for filtering and transformations.

These features create a strong foundation that connects environments and lets several business applications work in tandem, thereby improving overall operational efficiency.

What are the Limitations of Dual-write?

Dual-write is a feature in Microsoft Dynamics 365 that enables live synchronization between Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations apps and Microsoft Dataverse. However, there are several limitations to be aware of:

• Transaction Volume and Time: Dual-write has limits on the number of transactions, the number of records per transaction, and transaction time. For instance, transactions with more than 1,000 records may affect consistency and performance.
• Legal Entities: During live synchronization, up to 250 legal entities per transaction are supported, which differs from initial synchronization that supports only 40 due to larger data volumes.
• Transaction Patterns: Dual-write can handle data in single or multiple transactions. In a single transaction, if a failure occurs, the entire transaction is rolled back. In multiple transactions, each transaction is independently rolled back or committed if a failure occurs.
• Initial Sync Limitations: Dual-write supports only 10 lookups for a table from the Dataverse side during the initial sync of the Master data for bi-directional flow between Dynamics 365 CRM and Finance & Operations (F&O). If more than 10 lookups are needed, the sync must be completed in batches.
• Regional Availability: The installation of Dual-write core and Dual-write application orchestration solution isn’t compatible with certain regions.
• Solution Availability: Sometimes, the corresponding solutions are not available in the instance when Dual-write is enabled between Project Operations & Dynamics F&O.
• Billing Rule Error: There can be errors indicating that the billing rule is either missing or has not been updated in the contract line.
• Table Version Mismatch: Errors with version mismatches for tables like quotes and sales orders can disrupt bidirectional data flow.

These limitations highlight the importance of understanding Dual-write’s capabilities and constraints to ensure smooth integration and synchronization between Dynamics 365 applications.

In summary, Microsoft's Dual-write technology represents a major breakthrough in data integration for Dynamics 365. Dual-write not only closes the gap between different data sources but also promotes a more dynamic and responsive corporate environment by deftly linking Dynamics 365 apps with outside systems. This creative technology guarantees almost real-time data synchronizing, allowing companies to run with unheard-of agility and make informed decisions on a single data model. Dual-write is especially important as companies negotiate the complexity of digital transformation since it can help boost efficiency, lower manual labor, and finally contribute to a more coherent and simplified operating environment.

Want to Learn More About Streamlining and Optimizing Dynamics 365 Processes?

Well, we at Dynamics Square are a Microsoft Dynamics partner with a team of more than 150 professionals. We have delivered Dynamics 365 implementation services to some top businesses across the United States. Our team offers 24/7 support and guidance to ensure you get the most out of your systems.

Should you need any help, please contact us at arish.siddiqui@dynamicssquare.com or give us a call at +1 281 899 0865. 

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