Integrate Dynamics 365 CE and Finance: Best Practices

1. Introduction
2. Dual write integration
3. Virtual tables (virtual entities)
4. Data management framework
5. OData and Web API
6. Power platform connectors
7. Custom APIs and extensions
8. Azure integration services
9. Third-party middleware

Introduction

The integration of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (CE) and Finance & Operations (D365 Finance) has become a strategic priority. 

Seamless integration between these applications can dramatically improve operational efficiency, data accuracy, and customer experience. However, the most suitable integration method depends on your business needs, system environment and performance requirements.

In this article, we detail the different ways to integrate Microsoft Dynamics 365 CE and F&O, with practical examples and benefits.

Dual write integration

Dataverse is the low-code data platform from Microsoft that serves as a bridge between CE and D365 Finance.

Dual Write is the most common out-of-the-box integration solution that synchronizes data in near real time between the two applications.

Main features:

• Bidirectional synchronization in near real time.
• Predefined templates for common tables such as customers, products, vendors.
• Supports error tracking and sync monitoring.

Example:
when a new customer is created in D365 Finance, the dual write automatically creates the customer record in CE with all relevant details such as address, payment terms and tax codes.

Ideal for:

• A transparent data flow between CE and D365 Finance.
• A data flow using the standard Microsoft data model.
  

Virtual tables (virtual entities)

Dataverse’s virtual tables allow CE users to view D365 Finance data without physically storing it in CE.

Key features:

• Real-time access to external data.
• No duplication of data.

Example:
a seller can view D365 Finance’s live inventory directly in CE without data synchronization.

Ideal for:

• Read-only scenarios.
• Minimizing storage and synchronization costs.

Data management framework

D365 Finance’s Data Management Framework (DMF) is ideal for batch and scheduled data movements.

Main features:

• Supports Excel, CSV and XML file formats.
• Can process large volumes of data.

Example:
a company plans a nightly export of D365 Finance stock levels data to update the CE product catalog via DMF recurring tasks.

Ideal for:

• Non-real-time bulk data integrations.
• Data migration and master data management.

OData and Web API

CE and D365 Finance both provide REST APIs that support OData protocols for real-time data consumption.

Key features:

• API-based direct access to entity data.
• Supports creation, read, update and delete (CRUD) operations.
• Highly customizable.

Example:
A third-party e-commerce website can extract product availability data directly from D365 Finance using the OData endpoint, ensuring that stock levels are always up to date.

Ideal for:

• Real-time system integrations.
• Custom applications consuming Dynamics 365 data.

Power platform connectors

The Power platform (Power Automate, Power Apps, Power BI) offers hundreds of connectors to integrate Dynamics 365 CE and D365 Finance with each other and third-party services.

Key features:

• Low-code/ no-code.
• Quick deployment.
• Supports event-driven workflows.

Example:
when a sales order is confirmed in D365 Finance, a Power Automate flow sends an instant notification to the account manager in CE and updates the order status.

Ideal for:

• Automate simple business processes.
• Extend functionality to Microsoft Teams, SharePoint and Outlook.

Custom APIs and extensions

Developers can create custom APIs and extend the functionality of Dynamics 365 using X++ extensions (for D365 Finance), custom web APIs, plugins, and webhooks (for CE).

Example:
A logistics company develops a custom API that triggers the publication of invoices in D365 Finance from its shipping platform to automate financial operations.

Ideal for:

• Very specific business processes.
• Custom user experience requirements.

Azure integration services

Azure provides a robust set of services for enterprise-level integrations.

Main features:

• Azure Logic Apps
• Azure Service Bus
• Azure Event Grid
• Azure Functions

Example:
when an invoice is published in D365 Finance, a business event triggers an Azure logic apps that transmits the invoice details to a CRM system and sends email notifications.

Ideal for:

• Complex, scalable and secure integrations.
• Real-time and event-driven architecture.

Third-party middleware

Middleware platforms offer predefined connectors for Dynamics 365.

Main features:

• Visual mapping.
• Cross-system orchestration.
• Integrated error handling.

Example:
using Middleware Integration Toolkit, a company synchronizes customer and order data between D365 Finance and a legacy warehouse system.

Ideal for:

• Multi-system landscapes.
• Businesses without deep Azure expertise.