INTRODUCTION MICROSOFT DATAVERSE

Microsoft Dataverse is a cloud-based, low-code data service and app platform, which allows you to leverage the security and connectivity of Microsoft services. Dataverse connects easily to all aspects of Microsoft Power Platform so that you can fully control, automate, and strengthen your business. With standard tables and columns, as well as the ability to easily define relationships between your data, Dataverse was built for powerful, scalable solutions.

Dataverse is designed to be your central data repository for business data, and you might even be using it already. Behind the scenes, it powers many Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions such as Field Service, Marketing, Customer Service, and Sales. It is also available as part of Power Apps and Power Automate with native connectivity built right in. The AI Builder and Portals features of Microsoft Power Platform also utilize Dataverse.

Below is a visualization that brings together the many offerings of Microsoft Dataverse.

Types of tables

·         Standard - The base set of tables that are created for every instance of a Microsoft Dataverse database. You can add more columns to any table, but you can only delete columns from a custom table.

·         Complex - Tables that contain complex, server-side business logic, including real-time workflows or plug-ins. Some of the tables that are used in Dynamics 365 applications are complex. Care must be taken if you add server-side logic to ensure that users have the proper license to use the complex table. Additional information about complex tables can be accessed by following the link within the summary unit of this module.

Microsoft Dataverse defined

A Dataverse database is a single instance of Microsoft Dataverse which stores data in a set of standard and custom data structures called tables. A table is a logical set of rows that is used to store data. Rows within a table contain many columns to manage individual pieces of information about a single row.

You can create one or many database instances in Microsoft Dataverse to host data behind your business solutions. Each instance of a Microsoft Dataverse will start with the same set of tables to store data, but you can always extend and customize a Microsoft Dataverse database to meet specific business needs. This means that you can share business solutions that reference standard tables in Microsoft Dataverse across your organization or with any other organization by using it anywhere in the world.

Scalability

A Dataverse database supports large data sets and complex data models. Tables can hold millions of items, and you can extend the storage in each instance of a Microsoft Dataverse database to four (4) terabytes per instance. The amount of data that is available in your instance of Microsoft Dataverse is based upon the number and type of licenses that are associated with it. Data storage is pooled between all licensed users, so you can allocate storage as needed for each solution that you build. Additional storage can be purchased if you need more storage than what is offered within standard licensing.