Presenting Microsoft Dataverse- It is CDS, but not as you may know it
No, you have not stepped into a different dimension. The data storage technology known as Common Data Service (CDS), which supports Dynamics 365 and Power Platform, has changed its name to Dataverse as part of a larger rebranding effort at Microsoft. Dataverse performs the same function as CDS, albeit under a different name.
What it signifies is that:
- The new Dataverse name will be present on services throughout the Microsoft ecosystem.
- There will not be a fresh logo, though. (CDS and Dataverse both use the same branding.)
- In Dataverse, you can manage, and store business apps’ data just like in Common Data Service.
- However, Microsoft has modified some terminology; you can expect more soon.
Why the transformation?
Microsoft plans to centralize application development for Microsoft Teams around Power Apps and Power Virtual Agents. This brings us to Dataverse for Teams, a division of Dataverse that stores and manages particular data for Teams in a secure manner.
Thus, to summarise:
- Dataverse: The same technology you already know and appreciate as Common Data Service now goes by the name Dataverse. It provides a consolidated data store for Power Apps, Power BI, Power Virtual Agents, Power Automate, and other applications by integrating data from Dynamics 365 apps and other sources. You can build and manoeuvre apps, flows, and intelligent agents.
- Teams using Dataverse: Similar to Dataverse but tailored for Microsoft Teams, with focussed elements for apps, flows, and other things.
(Pro-tip: You can scale up Dataverse for Teams to Dataverse, but not vice versa.)
In this blog, we will take you through these developments, highlight the advantages of Dataverse and Dataverse for Teams, and discuss why you need a seasoned partner to make the most of these technologies.
What is up at Microsoft?
Microsoft once unveiled a product termed Common Data Service. It was a data service that boosted PowerApps with data storage and data modelling capabilities.
For five years, CDS served as the cornerstone of Power Apps, giving consumers a consolidated platform to save all their data in one secure area. Also, Microsoft used CDS to build the majority of its products, including Power Platform. Thus, the platforms are seamlessly integrated in the Microsoft ecosystem. Users could even link outside applications to CDS to store data in a single database, highly simplifying their lives. The best part was that CDS needed little programming, making it ideal for small enterprises without a data engineering team.
With the advent of Microsoft Dataverse, everything will stay the same. Dataverse will carry out all of CDS’s activities, including equipping data storage and modelling capabilities to PowerApps along with low-code feature.
According to Microsoft, a new name is only a tiny component of a larger initiative to make Dataverse’s potential known to people and organisations everywhere.
Microsoft Dataverse for Teams
When Microsoft declared the rebranding of CDS, it also introduced a subset of Dataverse called Dataverse for Teams. It is effectively the fundamental subset of Dataverse capabilities integrated as a robust, built-in data platform for millions of Teams customers at no additional price.
The idea is ingenious because Dataverse for Teams allows users to handle and store data in a safe database without leaving Teams. So, it should be no surprise that major global corporations like T-Mobile have already integrated this platform into their tech stacks.
Benefits of Dataverse for Teams
Listed below are some benefits of Dataverse for Teams:
- Save everything in Teams, one of the most well-liked digital tools available to organisations today.
- Much faster access to Dynamics 365 data.
- Users can create and share custom business apps by integrating Power Apps Studio into Teams.
- You can connect data from Dataverse and outside data sources as well.
- With Power Virtual Agents, create sales, IT, and HR bots in Teams.
- Using Power Automate, create flows in Teams.
Naturally, Dataverse offers many of these functions as well, but Dataverse for Teams offers additional capabilities for Teams, which is advantageous to hundreds of millions of enterprises worldwide.
Some more pointers on Microsoft Dataverse
In addition to the name change, CDS and Dataverse differ in one more way. There may be some misunderstanding as a result of terminology changes made by Microsoft:
- ‘Tables’ and ‘Tables’ on Dataverse have replaced “Entity” and “Entities” on CDS.
- ‘Column’ and ‘columns’ on Dataverse have replaced “field” and “fields” on CDS.
- “Attribute” and “attribute” are equivalent to “column” and “columns”.
- ‘Record’ and ‘records’ are changed to ‘rows’ and ‘rows’.
- ‘Option set’ is changed to “choice.”
- ‘Picklists’ and “multiple select option sets” both turn into “choices.”
According to Microsoft, the terminology used for Dataverse should now be less ambiguous than for CDS, but we will let you decide for yourselves.
Benefits of Microsoft Dataverse
It would be a good idea to remind you of CDS/Dataverse’s benefits given its recent name change. Microsoft Dataverse is the data platform that enables you to develop and use apps, processes, and intelligent agents. It is a component of the prominent Power Platform. With Dataverse, one can:
- Create apps for your business to increase performance, productivity, and profitability.
- Automate workflows using apps and intelligent agents.
- Develop low-code apps to expand the scope of your company.
Insights
Using data reports and analytics, you may also produce unmatched insights into your firm. By connecting power BI to Dataverse, you can create interactive metrics and dashboards to help you make quicker, more informed decisions to help your organisation flourish.
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence
Another option is the Power Platform’s AI Builder, which integrates with Power Apps and Power Automate and assesses data from Dataverse. According to Microsoft, organisations can leverage AI to analyse their data using AI Builder, which everyone in an organisation, regardless of their tech- experience, can use.
Thus, all the PowerApps, the unique apps that your company needs to succeed, are built on the Dataverse architecture. Without PowerApps, Dataverse cannot succeed, and vice versa.
Why you need a partner for Microsoft Dataverse
Although Microsoft Dataverse offers numerous advantages to organisations, it also has specific challenges. Dataverse still requires some coding, which some smaller organisations might not be familiar with even if the platform is built in a low-code environment. The abundance of functionality is another factor that some users may find frightening. All companies using Dataverse benefit from working with a reputable Microsoft Dataverse partner.
Takeaway
Microsoft invites CDS users to embark on a journey with them into the Dataverse, which is the Common Data Service’s new name. There are certain modifications, such as new names for features within the platform, even though much of Dataverse remains the same as CDS. Even so, Dataverse is the most potent data platform available, enabling seamless connection with other Microsoft ecosystem products.
Do you want to maximize Power Platform and Dataverse? Want to use Dataverse for Teams within your organisation? Saxon AI is the go-to partner for assisting in maximizing these potent technologies’ potential.
Learn more by setting up a meeting here.