Microsoft Dataverse – Supporting your single version of the truth! 

Microsoft Dataverse (formerly the Common Data Service) is a cloud-based storage space. Dataverse allows you to securely store and manage data that’s used by your business applications such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. Data within Dataverse is stored within a set of tables. A table is a set of rows (formerly referred to as records) and columns (formerly referred to as fields/attributes). Each column in the table is designed to store a certain type of data, for example, name, age, salary, and so on. It includes a base set of standard tables that cover typical scenarios, but you can also create custom tables specific to your organisation and populate them with data.  

Why would you need Dataverse? 

Data is all over the place in spreadsheets, on shared drives, etc which makes getting a single version of the truth very tricky. This increases risk as regulators complete more checks on associations and more data is surfaced online to our customers as digital transformations continue to gather pace within the sector. Dataverse 

• Is a straightforward platform that you can use to begin designing your data structures, it is cloud-based storage space. 
• Dataverse uses Azure Active Directory to identity and access management mechanisms to help ensure that only authorised users can access the environment, data, and reports. 
• It provides opportunity. With Data in a central, secure space you can let other key users in the organisation build PowerApps to improve the way they work.
• Links to other apps within the Power Platform – See graphic above 
• It helps future proof (as much as you can) your organisation – As Microsoft introduces and shelves applications and functionality you are able to plug in and unplug those applications but retain the core data

How could it impact Housing? 

Easy to manage 

Both the metadata and data are stored in the cloud bringing your business data in one place. This helps prevent the old age problem of having multiple sources of data all being managed differently often within silo’s. Changes made within the Dataverse are surfaced within any connected app.

Works with any type of data 

Dataverse works with any type of data relational or non-relational data, it can work with files, images, or data lake, and connecting to other services that contain the data for your business. This means that colleagues at the front line are using the same information as those in support or central services 

Works with any type of apps 

Dataverse provides multiple ways to integrate with any type of apps (mobile, web, desktop, device, system, or service). This opens up the possibility of letting others create powerapps etc, easing the strain on the Technology team. 

Dataverse integrations 

Microsoft Dataverse is integrated into popular tools such as Excel, Outlook, Dynamics 365 customer engagement apps, Power BI Desktop, Power Query, Azure Data Factory, Data Export Service, and SQL Server Management Studio. Enabling you to find a way to hook into legacy systems that are preventing many Associations from moving to modern technology and ways of working. 

Analytics and reporting 

Dataverse has the ability to create charts and paginated reports and be used with Power BI to create rich, interactive reports and dashboards. It also enables Associations to become more proactive as they view and work with live data from across the Micrsooft Stack. 

How do I get started? 

1. Sort your data, its the foundation of everything we do. The last thing you want to do is surface rubbish data to colleagues and customers. Here’s a useful blog on the Data Maturity Roadmap that would help with this.
2. Developers: Get started with Microsoft Dataverse – Power Apps | Microsoft Docs 

Sources:  

What Is Microsoft Dataverse? | Power Apps (devoworx.net) (accessed 25/5/21) 

Developers: Get started with Microsoft Dataverse – Power Apps | Microsoft Docs (accessed 25/5/21) 

What is Microsoft Dataverse? – Power Apps | Microsoft Docs 

Original Post https://deliveringcrm.net/2021/11/02/dataverse-data-that-supports-your-single-version-of-the-truth/