For all ERP systems, the management and export of data to other applications requires specific governance. In Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365 FinOps), data can be quickly exported and stored in a DataLake before being enhanced. Export to Azure Datalake is one of the recommended steps in the implementation of a BI architecture.

In this article you will learn:

• What is D365 FinOps
• How to export data from FinOps to a DataLake

      I. What is D365 FinOps

Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365 FinOps) is a cloud service from Microsoft. It offers the possibility to manage and monitor all activities of an organisation. Depending on your area of expertise, you have several options:

Each Dynamics module can be a data source in a BI architecture. As a reminder, a BI architecture represents a set of processes that enable data to be stored, enriched and visualised.

Depending on the source of your data, several types of architecture are available. Among the most practical and modern are a combination of the three parts below:

• Storage of data from different sources (ERP, CRM, etc.): Azure Data Lake Storage
• Data transformation and enrichment : Azure Synapse Analytics
• Data analysis and visualization : Power BI

Some advantages of a Modern BI architecture :

• Periodic updating of the data to be analysed
• Anticipation of business process changes
• Simplification of decision making

Let's take an example to see how to export data from D365 FinOps to a Data Lake.

      II. How to export data from D365 FinOps to a DataLake

While an ERP system can manage all of an organisation's processes, it should not remain isolated from other systems. D365 FinOps acts as a management centre for activities and operations such as Finance, Human Resources or Supply Chain.

This service has the advantage of not being isolated and can communicate with all existing applications (CRM, Azure Data Lake, Dataverse, etc.). The ability to extract data from the ERP to then transform it and set up a BI project is essential for users.

This is the homepage of Finance and Operations:

Case study: Our objective is to export data from Dynamics 365 FinOps to a DataLake. This DataLake serves as a storage before the data is transformed and enriched.

For this case, we will take the example of an export of some tables from the ERP:

Here are the steps to follow to create a :

1.       In FinOps :

1.1. To begin, log on to Finance and Operations :

1.2 In the search bar, search for "Export to DataLake":

1.3. After this search, all tables and entities are displayed:

1.4.  To find a specific table or entity, there are two options:

• Choosing tables
• Select entities  

1.5. After choosing the target table, each table will be "activated".

1.6. For monitoring, the status changes from "empty" to "Initialised" and then "Running":

1.7 Next, the set of activated FinOps tables is the result in D365 FinOps:

1.8. Finally, with all FinOps tables enabled, this is the result in Azure DataLake:

1.       The data container :

2.       The files containing the exported tables :

3.       Exported tables - Example of the "DimensionAttributeValue" table:

Conclusion:

In conclusion, exporting data from D365 to a datalake is based on a mode of activation and deactivation of the tables concerned. The case study covers all the steps for implementation in your organisation.

See more :

• Data visualization : Link 01
• Data governance : Link 02
• Data modelling : Link 03

Thank you for reading,

Fodé DIABY

---

#dynamics365

#finops

#datalake

#azure

#bi-architecture

#storage