The Power of Dual Write in Dynamics 365

Introduction

Organizations frequently use Dynamics 365 Finance for financial operations and Dynamics 365 Sales for customer relationship management. Data silos can lead to incorrect information, redundant records, manual labor, and slower decision-making when systems operate independently.

Microsoft developed Dual Write, a real-time, bidirectional connectivity feature that synchronizes data between Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations and Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement applications (Sales, Customer Service, and Marketing) to address these issues. This enables smooth data exchange, greater precision, and more effective business processes throughout the company.

Dual Write

Organizations synchronize data across D365 FinOps apps and D365 Customer Engagement apps in near real time with Microsoft’s Dual Write connectivity technology.

Dual Write guarantees that changes made in one application are immediately reflected in the connected application, enabling a unified business process across departments, in contrast to traditional integrations that depend on scheduled batch processes.

Important traits

1. Bidirectional synchronization in real time
2. No need to design a custom integration
3. Microsoft provides predefined data maps.
4. Allows for custom entities and extensibility.
5. Runs using Microsoft Dataverse
6. Ensures uniformity across the ERP and CRM platform

Understanding the Architecture

Microsoft Dataverse is used by Dual Write as a shared data platform enabling synchronization.

Whenever a record is added, changed, or removed within a single application:

1. The event is set off.
2. Dual Write identifies the configured mapping.
3. Data is verified.
4. The other application is synchronized with the changes.
5. In almost real time, both systems stay in alignment.

In many situations, this architecture avoids the need for complicated middleware solutions.

Why Organizations Need Dual Write?

Scenario:

In D365 Sales, sales teams build client accounts. In Dynamics 365 Finance, finance teams keep track of client payment conditions. Teams that provide customer support need up-to-date financial data.

Without Correct Integration:

• There are duplicate customer records.
• Data starts to show inconsistencies.
• Reconciliation must be done manually.
• The customer experience deteriorates.

By guaranteeing that all departments use the same data, Dual Write resolves these problems.

Advantages of Dual Write

• Data Synchronization in Real Time
• Removing redundant data entry
• unifying the customer view
• enhancing decision-making
• simplifying integration
• Improved Client Experience

Real-Time Business Scenarios

Scenario 1: Customer Account Creation

Challenge:

In Dynamics 365 Sales, a sales representative adds a new client

1. The customer is manually created in ERP by the finance staff.
2. There are delays.
3. Data mismatch risk rises

Dual Write Solution

1. Customer created in Sales.
2. Dual Write synchronizes the customer to Finance.
3. Finance team can immediately use the customer record.

Business Impact

1. Faster onboarding: Dynamics 365 Finance instantly accesses customer information generated in Dynamics 365 Sales, significantly reducing the time required to onboard new clients and initiate commercial transactions.
2. Reduced duplication: Teams no longer have to enter the same data repeatedly because client information is automatically synchronized across systems, reducing duplicate records & data entry errors.
3. Improved customer experience: Organizations may respond to client requests more quickly, provide accurate information, and deliver a smoother client experience when their finance and sales teams work with the same up-to-date customer data.

Scenario 2: Contact Management

Challenge:

The sales team members update customer contacts, but finance keeps using out-of-date contact information.

Dual Write Solution

Updates to contacts are automatically synchronized.

Business Impact

1. Precise communication: All teams have access to the most recent client information because D365 Sales and Finance automatically synchronize contact information. This guarantees that messages, including invoices, alerts, and follow-ups, are accurately delivered to the right people.
2. Enhanced interaction with customers: Teams in charge of sales, finance, and customer service communicate with clients to provide accurate and up-to-date information, which leads to faster replies, tailored exchanges, and improved client relationships.
3. Regular documentation: To minimize inconsistencies and ensure that all departments use the same version of customer data, reporting, compliance, and routine operations, automatic synchronization maintains consistent contact records across platforms.

Common Entities That Dual Write Supports

1. Customer Management

• Accounts
• Customers
• Contacts
• Addresses

2. Product Management

• Products
• Product Categories
• Units of Measure

3. Sales Management

• Sales Orders
• Quotes
• Opportunities (supported through related integrations)

4. Financial Data

• Customer payment terms
• Customer groups
• Currency information

Organizations can also extend mappings for custom entities.

Limitations & Considerations

Although Dual Write has many advantages, companies should be mindful of the following:

• Aligning Data Models

For synchronization to be successful, the data structures in Sales and Finance must be compatible.

• Personalizations

Additional mapping and testing can be necessary for complex custom entities.

• Planning Performance

During the first synchronization, large data volumes should be carefully evaluated.

• Government

To control ownership and data quality, appropriate data governance procedures should be put in place.

Conclusion

One of the primary barriers to business expansion and operational effectiveness is still data silos. Productivity declines and company risks rise when sales, finance, and customer service divisions operate with disjointed information.

This problem is solved by D365’s Dual Write feature, which enables bi-directional, real-time synchronization between Finance & Operations and Customer Engagement apps.

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