Step-by-step guide to the Dynamics 365 FinOps Unified Developer Experience
You now use Dynamics 365 FinOps unified developer experience in one place. The unified way brings tools from Dynamics and Power Platform together. You do local development for faster tests and easy setup. The unified interface links Dataverse, Power Platform, and One Dynamics One Platform. You can start building solutions fast with a unified workflow. This unified plan changes how you manage, build, and deploy each day.
Key Takeaways
Use the Power Platform Admin Center to manage your Dynamics 365 FinOps environments. This makes setup, backup, and control easier for your workspaces.
Set up a local development environment for more control and faster testing. You can work without needing cloud resources.
The unified developer experience puts tools in one place. This makes it easier to manage, build, and deploy solutions quickly.
Use a tagging strategy for your projects to track costs and resources. This helps you manage budgets and keep projects on track.
Test your code often and use debugging tools to find problems early. This helps make sure your solutions work well and your projects stay on track.
Admin Strategy
Environment Setup
You now handle your Dynamics 365 FinOps environments in a new way. The switch from Lifecycle Services (LCS) to Power Platform Admin Center (PPAC) changes how you set up and control workspaces. You use PPAC to make, copy, and back up environments. This new way gives you more control and makes things smoother.
When you set up an environment, you start by making it in PPAC. You can copy an environment, and both data and code move together. This helps with testing and development. You can back up your environment in the cloud. You do not need to save files on your computer. You restore environments with just a few clicks. You can also delete environments when you do not need them anymore.
Tip: Always give your environments clear names. This helps you find and manage them fast.
Here is a table that shows the main differences between LCS and PPAC for managing environments:
PPAC Overview
PPAC gives you one place to manage all your environments. You see every workspace and control settings from one dashboard. You use PPAC to check health, set up backups, and handle user access. The platform links your Dynamics 365 FinOps with other tools, making your work easier.
You do not need to switch between different admin centers. You save time and make fewer mistakes. PPAC helps you keep your environments safe and neat. You can focus on building solutions and helping your team.
Dynamics 365 Setup
Local Installation
You can set up your own local development environment for Dynamics 365 FinOps. This way, you do not need a cloud hosted environment. You have more control and can test changes fast. Here are the steps to install your local environment:
Get certificates for secure connections.
Choose users and service accounts to use.
Make DNS zones and add A records for machines.
Join your virtual machines to the domain.
Download setup scripts from Lifecycle Services.
Describe your configuration for the environment.
Set up file storage for data and files.
Install SQL Server for your databases.
Set up certificates for security.
Set up SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS).
Set up SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).
Get your virtual machines ready to use.
Set up a Service Fabric cluster for services.
Connect Lifecycle Services to your tenant.
Set up the SQL Server certificate.
Set up databases for your model.
Encrypt your credentials to keep them safe.
Set up Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS).
Install a connector and set up a local agent.
Remove CredSSP if you used remoting.
Deploy your Finance + Operations environment from Lifecycle Services.
Connect to your Finance + Operations environment and start working.
Note: You do not need a cloud hosted environment for these steps. You can develop and test your model on your own computer.
Configuration
After you finish installing, you need to set up your environment. This step helps you get the full unified developer experience. The table below shows the main setup steps and what each one does:
You can now work with different model types in your local setup. You can make, test, and deploy your model without waiting for a cloud hosted environment. This setup supports the One Dynamics One Platform journey. You can use the same model for many customers and projects. You can also connect your model to Dataverse and Power Platform for more features.
Tip: Always check your model setup before you start development. This helps you avoid mistakes and saves time.
You now have a local environment that supports the full unified developer experience. You can build, test, and deploy your model easily. You do not need a cloud hosted environment. This change gives you more freedom and speed in your daily work with Dynamics 365.
Unified Developer Experience
Interface Overview
You now have a new way to use Dynamics 365. The unified developer experience puts all your tools together. You use one screen for admin jobs, building, and deploying. This screen links Dynamics, Power Platform, and Dataverse. You do not need to jump between apps or screens.
Here is a table that lists the main parts of the unified developer experience interface:
ou use the dashboard to see all your environments. You check health, set up backups, and control user access. Everything is in one spot. This helps you work faster and easier.
Tip: Look at each part of the screen. You will find shortcuts and tools that help you save time.
Key Features
You get many new features with the unified developer experience. These features help you work better and faster. You can develop on your own computer, manage assets, and deploy in new ways. The table below compares the unified developer experience with the old cloud hosted environment:
You now deploy your solutions with Power Platform Admin Center. You work on your own computer, not a cloud virtual machine. You download assets straight to your computer. You pay for storage, not for hours on a virtual machine.
You test faster and set up things more easily. You manage projects with less waiting. You use the same tools for different customers and projects. You connect your work with Dataverse and Power Platform for more choices.
Note: Try working on your own computer for your next project. You will see how much time you save.
You now have a unified developer experience that changes how you build and manage solutions in Dynamics 365. You use one platform for admin, development, and deployment. You work faster and smarter every day.
FinOps Projects
Create Project
You start a new FinOps project in the unified developer experience by choosing your environment in the dashboard. Select the option to create a project. Give your project a clear name and description. This helps your team know the purpose of the project. You can pick a template if you want to use a standard setup.
When you create a project, set up roles for each team member. Assign tasks so everyone knows what to do. Define goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) that match your business needs. This makes it easy to track progress and measure success.
Tip: Use a tagging strategy from the start. Tags help you track costs and resources for each project.
Here is a simple checklist for creating a FinOps project:
Name your project and add a description.
Choose a template if needed.
Assign roles and responsibilities.
Set goals and KPIs.
Apply tags for cost tracking.
Manage Project
After you create your project, you need to manage it well. Good management keeps your project on track and helps you reach your goals. Use the dashboard in dynamics 365 to see all your projects and their status.
Follow these best practices to manage your FinOps projects:
Review tagging often to keep cost tracking accurate.
Use tools to see cloud usage and costs.
Hold regular team meetings to check progress.
Make sure each team owns its cloud spending.
Encourage learning about new cloud features.
You can use the project dashboard to check health, costs, and team activity. If you see a problem, act quickly to fix it. Regular audits of your tagging structure help you stay accountable. When you manage your FinOps projects well, you get better results and save money.
Note: Foster a culture of accountability. Assign ownership of cloud spend to each team to keep everyone responsible.
Development
X++ Coding
You write business logic in X++ when you work with Dynamics 365. This language helps you build features that match your company’s needs. You use common coding patterns to keep your code clean and easy to manage. The table below shows patterns you will use often:
Tip: Use clear names for your classes and methods. This makes your code easier to read and maintain.
Debugging
You need strong tools to find and fix problems in your code. The unified developer experience gives you several options. You can use Visual Studio to write and debug X++ code. Set breakpoints to pause your code and watch how it runs. You can also attach the Debugger to the AOS process for real-time checks. Application Insights helps you track how your app performs and spot issues quickly.
Note: Always test your fixes in a safe environment before you move them to production.
Testing
Testing makes sure your code works as expected. You can write unit tests for your X++ code. These tests check small parts of your code to catch errors early. Use the built-in test framework in Visual Studio to run your tests. You can also automate tests to save time. Good testing helps you deliver reliable solutions and keeps your projects on track.
Write unit tests for each method.
Run tests after every change.
Review test results and fix any failures.
Automate tests for faster feedback.
Tip: Test often during development. This helps you find problems before they reach your users.
ALM and DataALM
Deployment
You handle app lifecycle tasks in Dynamics 365 FinOps by linking your work to Azure DevOps. This connection helps you track changes and automate builds. It also helps you control releases. You start in your own development environment. You write code and put it into Azure DevOps. You sync code with your team. You merge changes using a branching plan. The build pipeline takes your code and makes a package. It pushes the package to the asset library. You use release pipelines to move packages to user testing. After testing, you mark the package as ready. You then deploy it to production.
Here is a simple way to deploy models online:
Write code in your local environment.
Put your code into Azure DevOps.
Sync and merge code with your team.
Build a package using the pipeline.
Push the package to the asset library.
Deploy model to ude instance for user testing.
Mark the package as a release candidate.
Deploy model to ude instance for production.
Pick the best method for your project. Many teams use a mix of Agile steps. You can use planning tools in Lifecycle Services to organize work. Azure DevOps helps you manage tasks and automate deployment. Plan your environment by setting up development, test, UAT, and production spaces. This makes moving code and settings easier.
Tip: Always back up your environment before you deploy. This lets you restore your work if something goes wrong.
Integration
You can connect Dynamics 365 FinOps with other Microsoft Power Platform services to make your solution better. You link finance and operations apps with a new or old Microsoft Dataverse instance. You can use patterns like Power Platform integration, OData, Batch data API, custom services, and Excel integration. These choices help you move data and automate tasks between systems.
When you handle data during deployment, follow these tips:
Keep the same GUIDs across environments to avoid broken links.
Import many files at once using .zip to save time.
Only include needed fields in import files to make things faster.
Turn off plugins and workflows before big updates.
Turn on admin mode during deployment to keep data safe.
Give clear messages to users during admin mode.
Back up your environment before you deploy models online.
Test your changes in a copy of production before going live.
A good set of best practices for data migration, integration, and reporting helps you do well with Dynamics 365 FinOps. You keep your data safe and your deployments smooth.
Tips
Productivity
You can get more done by using smart habits. Start your day by checking your tasks. Set clear goals for what you want to finish. Use the dashboard in Dynamics 365 FinOps to see your progress. This helps you stay focused and work faster.
Try keyboard shortcuts in Visual Studio. Shortcuts help you write and fix code quickly. You can make templates for tasks you do a lot. Templates save you from repeating steps.
Share updates with your team often. Use tags and notes in your projects. This keeps everyone informed. You can use scripts to automate simple jobs. Automation cuts down mistakes and gives you more time.
Tip: Take short breaks during your workday. Breaks help you stay fresh and think better.
Use the search tool in Power Platform Admin Center. Search helps you find things fast. Keep your workspace neat. Clean up old files and things you do not use. This makes it easier to find what you need.
Pitfalls
You might run into some problems with the unified developer experience. Knowing these risks helps you avoid trouble and keep your project moving.
Not planning well can slow your project down. Work with others to list all needs. Split your project into clear steps.
Bad communication causes confusion. Meet with your team often and update your plan.
Scope creep makes projects hard to control. Set your project scope early. Use a process for changes.
Not testing enough can cause mistakes. Make a strong testing plan. Use tools to check your work.
Ignoring user experience can hurt your project. Do research and test with users to meet their needs.
Rigid project management can stop progress. Use flexible ways and ask for feedback.
Forgetting security puts data in danger. Follow security rules and check for problems often.
Note: Watch out for these problems. Good planning and teamwork help you avoid most issues.
You can do well with Dynamics 365 FinOps by staying organized, talking with your team, and testing your work often. Focus on what users need and keep security in mind. These habits help you get better results every time.
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
You might run into problems when using Dynamics 365 FinOps unified developer experience. Knowing about these problems helps you fix them fast. Many developers have trouble with metadata downloads. Some see missing configuration choices. Others find package extractions do not finish. Sometimes, messages stay on the screen and will not go away. You may also get errors with database checks.
Here is a table that lists common problems and ways to fix them:
Tip: Always look at your environment status before you start working. This helps you avoid many problems.
Most problems can be fixed by following the steps in the table. If you see an error, read the message closely. Try the solution that is suggested first. You might need to change your settings or check your permissions.
Support
There are many ways to get help if you have trouble. Start by using the built-in help in Dynamics 365 FinOps. You can search for answers in the documentation. The Power Platform Admin Center has tools to check your environment health.
If you cannot fix the problem, ask your team or look in community forums. Many users share tips and solutions. You can also contact Microsoft Support for help with errors like missing licenses or environment problems. Give them your environment details so they can help you faster.
Note: Write down the steps you try. This helps support teams understand your problem and find a solution quickly.
You can fix most problems by staying calm and following the right steps. Use the resources you have. Ask for help when you need it. This keeps your projects working well.
You now have tools to help you work better with Dynamics 365. You set up your own local environment. You manage your projects and use the unified developer experience for quicker results. You connect your work to the platform and use cloud resources well. You can join groups like the Dynamics F/SCM community to share ideas and learn new tips.
Try these steps to grow your skills as a developer:
Download FinOps assets with Power Platform Tools for Visual Studio 2022.
Unpack the .zip metadata file to make the PackagesLocalDirectory folder.
Delete the .zip file after you unpack it.
Install the D365FO extension for Visual Studio.
Make a new configuration with the cross-reference database.
You can learn more by joining talks and asking questions. Keep learning and try new features to make your work better each day.
FAQ
How do you start local development with Dynamics 365 FinOps?
First, put the right tools on your computer. Next, set up your environment in Power Platform Admin Center. Download assets to your computer. Open Visual Studio to start coding. You do not need a cloud virtual machine for this.
Can you use the same environment for multiple projects?
Yes, you can use one environment for many projects. Make a new project inside your local environment for each one. Manage every project by itself. This lets you work on different customer solutions at once.
What tools do you need for the unified developer experience?
You need Visual Studio 2022 and Power Platform Tools. Add the D365FO extension too. Use Power Platform Admin Center to manage your environment. These tools help you code, test, and deploy your work.
How do you back up your environment?
Use the backup tool in Power Platform Admin Center. Pick your environment and click "Backup." Your data is saved in the cloud. You can restore it when you need to.
Where can you get help if you have issues?
Check the built-in help in Dynamics 365 FinOps. Look in the documentation or ask your team for help. You can also visit community forums or contact Microsoft Support if you need more help.