Master the Unified Developer and Admin Journey in Dynamics 365 FinOps
You can now learn the unified developer and admin journey in Dynamics 365 FinOps. The new experience brings big changes to your daily work with finance and operations apps. The joining with Power Platform, Dataverse, and the One Dynamics One Platform idea changes how you use tools and build solutions.
Administrators make platform management easier with one environment.
Developers build business solutions faster using low-code tools.
End users get smooth operations across Dynamics 365 apps.
Data analysts get real-time access for better finance choices.
Use these new features to help teamwork and get better results.
Key Takeaways
Use local development to test and fix apps fast. This way, you get more control and can change things easily.
Try AI-driven tools like Microsoft Copilot to help you work better. These tools make coding easier and save you time.
Make a clear plan for your environment to manage finance and operations apps well. This helps lower risks and keeps your data safe.
Set up automatic deployment with CI/CD pipelines for quicker and safer app updates.
Learn about new features and training to keep your skills sharp. This helps you get better and handle changes in Dynamics 365 FinOps.
Unified Developer Experience
The unified developer experience in Dynamics 365 FinOps changes how you build, test, and deliver solutions. You now use a modern development environment. It supports local development. You can manage projects for many customers. This helps you work faster. It also helps you work better with your team.
Local Development Setup
You can set up your development environment on your own computer. This makes it easier to test and fix finance and operations apps before you go live. Local development gives you more control. You get more flexibility. You can switch between projects for different customers quickly. You do not need to wait for shared servers.
Tip: Local development helps you find problems early. It makes your work faster.
Many companies have seen big improvements with this setup:
L&M made invoice processing much faster. They also made POS training shorter. Inventory management got easier. Customers were happier. The company grew.
Vera Bradley brought together finance, commerce, supply chain, and customer service. They saved a lot of money. They worked better. They needed fewer live agent escalations.
You can see how a unified developer experience helps you get results faster. It helps your team work together better. You spend less time waiting. You spend more time building value for your business.
Visual Studio and X++ Integration
Visual Studio and X++ integration are the main parts of your development environment. You use tools you know to write, test, and fix code for finance and operations apps. This setup makes your work easier. It helps you get more done.
You can use AI-driven tools like Microsoft Copilot to make your work faster. SQL-like features in X++ help you get and manage data in finance and operations apps. This means you solve problems quickly. You deliver better solutions.
Power Platform and Dataverse Integration
The journey to One Dynamics One Platform (ODOP) brings Power Platform and Dataverse into your daily work. You get new features in finance and operations apps. Your solutions become smarter and more flexible.
You can automate tasks. You can use AI to study data. You keep your information safe. Power Platform and Dataverse help you connect finance and operations apps with other Dynamics 365 apps. This unified developer experience lets you build solutions that grow with your business.
Unified Admin Experience
The unified admin experience in Dynamics 365 FinOps gives you one place to manage finance and operations apps. You can do all your admin tasks with more control. There is less confusion now. This journey helps you keep your apps working well. You use new tools that bring management for all your Dynamics 365 apps together.
Environment Strategy
A strong environment strategy helps you support your apps. You need to plan each environment for a clear job. For example, set up one for development. Use another for testing. Make a third for user acceptance. Each environment has its own role.
Decide the job for each environment, like development or testing.
Pick the right environment type. Use Tier-1 for development. Use Tier-2 for testing.
Find which project tasks need an environment, like customizing apps or keeping golden finance data safe.
Choose how long you need each environment and when to use it.
List all needed environments in a matrix to keep your plan clear.
This way helps you manage apps with less risk. You keep your data safe. Your apps stay ready for any challenge.
LCS to PPAC Transition
You now move from Lifecycle Services (LCS) to Power Platform Admin Center (PPAC) for managing environments. This change puts all your admin tools in one place. You get a single experience for finance and operations apps and other Dynamics 365 apps.
LCS is going away, so you must use PPAC for admin tasks.
PPAC gives you one dashboard for managing environments, security, and updates.
You can handle finance, operations, and other apps together with Power Platform tools.
This change makes admin work easier. You keep your apps safe and up to date. You also get ready for new features as Microsoft adds them to Power Platform.
Dynamics 365 FinOps ALM
Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) helps you handle finance and operations apps from start to finish. You get control over your code, your environments, and how you release updates. This part shows you the best ways and tools to make your developer work easy and steady.
Azure DevOps Integration
Azure DevOps gives you strong tools for source control, branching, and merging. You use Git-based source control to work with your team. This system supports agile and DevOps workflows. You track changes, review code, and keep your finance and operations apps stable.
You use Git for version control. This method helps you work together and keep your code organized.
You set up CI/CD pipelines. These pipelines automate builds and deployments. You save time and reduce errors.
You follow a structured process. You write code, test it, and merge changes. This keeps your finance and operations apps high quality.
Tip: Use code reviews and automated testing to catch issues early. This practice improves your finance and operations apps before they reach users.
Unified Deployable Package
The Unified Deployable Package changes how you deliver updates and customizations. You package your changes and deploy them quickly. You do not need to manage separate virtual machines. Microsoft handles the environment for you.
You spend less time waiting for deployments. You focus on building better finance and operations apps. You also avoid extra costs and maintenance tasks.
DataALM and CI/CD
DataALM and CI/CD help you automate your deployment process. You move your finance and operations apps through development, testing, and production with confidence. You validate packages in sandbox environments before going live.
You use automated deployment to ensure each release is tested and ready.
You minimize branching in your version control strategy. This keeps your codebase clean.
You rely on reviews and testing to maintain code quality.
Note: Automated deployment and CI/CD pipelines make your release process faster and safer. You deliver updates to your finance and operations apps without downtime.
You connect your finance and operations apps with other Dynamics 365 apps and power platform tools. This integration supports your business growth and keeps your environment secure.
Finance and Operations App Development Tips
Collaboration Best Practices
You can make teamwork better in finance and operations app development by using good methods. First, learn about integration templates. These templates help you connect finance and operations apps with other systems. Next, look at the global address book to keep contacts neat. Set up both environments so data moves easily. Install dual-write apps to link finance and operations data with other Dynamics 365 FinOps solutions.
Get ready to change forms for business needs. Check business rules to keep things clear. Sometimes, you might turn off dual-write plugins for testing. Set up autonumbering to track records. If dual-write apps do not sync with finance and operations, check them. Use extra resources to fix problems and learn new things.
Best practices for collaboration:
Learn about integration templates.
Look at the global address book.
Set up both environments.
Install dual-write apps.
Get ready for form changes.
Check business rules.
Turn off dual-write plugins if needed.
Set up autonumbering.
Fix dual-write apps that do not sync.
Use extra resources.
Tip: You help your team by sharing what you know and using the right tools for finance and operations app development.
Troubleshooting Essentials
You may face problems as a developer or admin working with finance and operations apps. You might see slow performance, errors when syncing, or setup problems. You fix these by checking settings and handling data carefully. Use Microsoft support to find answers and fix issues fast.
Common troubleshooting challenges:
Slow performance
Errors when syncing
Setup problems
Recommended solutions:
Check settings
Handle data well
Use Microsoft support
Note: You keep finance and operations apps working well by watching for problems and using good troubleshooting steps.
You feel sure about finance and operations app development by following these tips. You help your team do better and keep your apps ready for anything.
Next Steps for Mastery
Training and Resources
You can learn more about the unified developer and admin journey by taking special training. These classes teach you how to handle finance and operations apps. You get skills you can use right away.
Dynamics 365 FinOps Apps Training teaches about planning and customer management.
Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Training shows how to connect business tasks.
Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Business Events Training helps you send notifications to other systems.
You can also join groups with other finance and operations professionals. These groups give help, tips, and news. The table below shows two great resources:
Tip: Join these groups to fix problems faster and share your stories.
Staying Updated
You should keep learning about new changes in finance and operations apps. Microsoft updates features and tools often. You need a plan to stay up to date.
Microsoft gives eight updates each year for finance and operations apps. You only need to use two updates every year. This gives you more choices. You can test updates in a sandbox before using them for real work. Always do automated, end-user, and integration tests in the sandbox. The Regression Suite Automation Tool (RSAT) helps you test.
New updates make cash and bank management better. There are new choices for the general ledger. Electronic invoicing features are improved. These changes help you follow rules and work better with finance and operations apps.
Note: Test updates often. This keeps your finance and operations apps working well and lowers risk.
You learned about the unified developer and admin journey in Dynamics 365 FinOps. Using unified tools and workflows helps you manage finance and operations apps better. The table below shows how companies got better results:
You can learn more by joining user groups. You can also use training resources to keep your skills strong.
Tip: Keep asking questions and learning as Dynamics 365 FinOps changes. You will help your team do well and help your business grow.
FAQ
What is the unified developer experience in Dynamics 365 FinOps?
You use local development tools, Visual Studio, and X++. You can work on many customer projects at once. Power Platform and Dataverse help you connect things better. This setup lets you build, test, and deliver solutions faster.
How do you manage environments after moving from LCS to PPAC?
You use Power Platform Admin Center (PPAC) to manage all your finance and operations environments. You can check security, updates, and resources in one place. This change makes admin work easier and saves time.
What benefits do CI/CD pipelines bring to your deployment process?
You use Azure DevOps to automate builds and deployments. This helps you make fewer mistakes and finish faster. You check packages before they go live. This keeps your finance and operations apps safe and steady.
Where can you find training and community support for Dynamics 365 FinOps?
You can join the Dynamics User Group or Microsoft Dynamics 365 Community. You get access to forums, blogs, and events. You learn new skills and share ideas with other people.