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Difference between Dynamics instance and a Common Data Service environment

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Posted on by pawin

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We currently have three CDS environments:

Default

Sales CRM (prod)

Sales CRM (sandbox)

We are now looking to create CRM systems for other departments in the company, let's call them 'Department 2' and 'Department 3'. The data and customisations should be entirely separate, so I do not just want these two be new apps within our current environments. I would have done this by creating four new CDS environments:

Department 2 (prod)

Department 2 (sandbox)

Department 3 (prod)

Department 3 (sandbox)

This agrees with the documentation on creating CDS environments: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/multiple-online-environments-tenants.

I also found this though on adding Dynamics instances: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/admin/add-instance-subscription

So my question is, what is the difference between adding a Dynamics instance to a subscription and creating new CDS environments? Ideally I want each department to have their own Sales Team Member app that can be customised.

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Chris Haley on at

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RE: Difference between Dynamics instance and a Common Data Service environment

For completeness for future readers, I feel like I need to add to that last 'Note' included in Lennon's post about Finance & Operations apps that Data Integrator is no longer the only option for making data available in CDS:

docs.microsoft.com/.../dual-write-home-page
Lennon Soeiro on at

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RE: Difference between Dynamics instance and a Common Data Service environment

What is Common Data Service?

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/common-data-service/data-platform-intro

Dynamics 365 and Common Data Service

Dynamics 365 applications, such as Dynamics 365 Sales, Dynamics 365 Customer Service or Dynamics 365 Talent, also use the Common Data Service to store and secure data used by the applications. This enables you to build apps using Power Apps and the Common Data Service directly against your core business data already used within Dynamics 365 without the need for integration.

Build Apps against your Dynamics 365 Data – Build apps quickly against your business data within Power Apps or using the Pro Developer SDK.

Manage reusable Business logic and rules – Business Rules and logic already defined in your Dynamics 365 entities are applied to your Power Apps to ensure data consistency regardless of how your users are accessing the data or through which app.

Reusable skills across Dynamics 365 and Power Apps – Users with skills previously in Power Apps or Dynamics 365 can now leverage those skills across the Common Data Service platform. Creating entities, forms, charts, etc are now common across your applications.

Note

Finance and Operations apps currently requires the configuration of the Data Integrator to make your business data from Finance and Operations apps available in Common Data Service.
StefanS365 3,575 Most Valuable Professional on at

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RE: Difference between Dynamics instance and a Common Data Service environment

OK, then you've create an Dynamics 365 instance/environment. I still believe if you didn't use the top option, it would not be possible to activate/add Dynamics 365 apps afterwards. Good choice ;-)
pawin 249 on at

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RE: Difference between Dynamics instance and a Common Data Service environment

I used the top option and it worked as expected. MS leave all their legacy documentation online which makes it really difficult. Thanks.
StefanS365 3,575 Most Valuable Professional on at

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RE: Difference between Dynamics instance and a Common Data Service environment

OK, I didn't know that. That might be a new option in the dialog to create a new environment. What options did you use?

My source: https://crmtipoftheday.com/1300/cds-vs-dynamics-365-instances/

I guess instances are the legacy name for Dynamics 365 environments.
pawin 249 on at

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RE: Difference between Dynamics instance and a Common Data Service environment

When creating a CDS environment, I was given the option to 'deploy sample apps' and now I can see the Sales Team Member app in my environment.
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StefanS365 3,575 Most Valuable Professional on at

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RE: Difference between Dynamics instance and a Common Data Service environment

Hi there,

You can't add Dynamics 365 apps like Sales to an standard CDS environment. So if you want to be able to use the first party apps like Sales, CS, you should add Dynamics instances instead of standard CDS environments.