Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations offers various data integration methods, and recurring integration is one of the most effective ways to automate data imports and exports. This method is particularly useful for businesses dealing with large-scale data transfers that need to be processed on a scheduled basis without manual intervention.
This blog will explore the concept of recurring integration in D365FO, its key components, setup process, endpoints, and best practices to ensure smooth data automation.
What is recurring integration in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations?
D365 F&O recurring integration enables businesses to schedule and automate data imports and exports using the Data Management Framework (DMF). This integration method efficiently handles bulk data, reducing manual efforts and enhancing data accuracy.
How can recurring integration help?
Asynchronous data transfer: Processes data without impacting system performance.
Uses data entities: Ensures structured data import/export.
Seamless Azure integration: Communicates with external systems via Azure Blob Storage.
Error handling and logging: Tracks failures and generates logs for debugging.
Data integrity and consistency: Ensures accurate data transfer.
Components of recurring integration
To understand how Recurring Integration works, let’s break down its main components:
Data Management Framework (DMF): This core component handles data imports and exports.
Recurring integration API: Facilitates communication between external applications and D365 F&O for scheduled data transfers.
Execution pipeline: Processes data transformations and validations before final import/export.
Batch processing: Automates execution through batch jobs to ensure timely data processing.
Setting up recurring integration in D365 F&O
Setting up Recurring Integration in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365 F&O) allows you to schedule and automate data imports/exports between D365 and external systems using the Data Management framework and Azure services.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Create a data project
Open Data Management Workspace
On the main dashboard, click on the Data Management tile.
Step 2: Create a new data project
Click on Import or Export to start a new data project.
Step 3: Enter project details
Provide a valid job name.
Select the data source and entity name.
Step 4: Upload data file
Upload a file for one or more entities.
Ensure all entities are added without errors.
Step 5: Save the data project
Click Save to finalize the setup.
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Enter the Application ID generated for your application.
Mark it as enabled.
Step 4: Configure advanced options
File – Push individual files for processing, following the format specified in the data project.
Data package – Submit multiple data files as a single unit for integration.
Step 5: Set up recurrence
Click Set Processing Recurrence, then configure the frequency in the Define Recurrence dialog box.
Click Set Monitoring Recurrence to monitor the queue load (This is optional).
Step 6: Confirm and save
Click OK, then select Yes in the confirmation message box.
We have created Customer Import and Export Projects and the respective jobs for each.
Step 7: Import/export customer job
We have created import/export customer jobs. We are sharing the import customer job one for reference.
Here, the ID field is the activity ID field.
In Application ID, we need to add the app ID obtained from Azure.
The batch job can be seen under System Administration, Data Management, IT, Recurring data jobs.
Transferring data via REST APIs
Recurring payment integration uses secure REST application programming interfaces (APIs) and authorization mechanisms to receive data from and send data back to integration systems.
Securing API Authorization in D365 Finance and Operations
The Data Management Framework (DMF) API in Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations uses OAuth 2.0 for secure authentication and access control. You must have a valid OAuth access token to interact with the API.
Here are the steps to enable authentication:
Register an Azure App Service to enable secure API authentication.
Retrieve the following credentials from the registered Azure application:
Client ID (Application ID)
Client Secret
Tenant ID
Finance & Operations URL
These credentials are crucial for establishing a secure connection between D365 F&O and external applications, ensuring smooth data integration and API communication.
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These endpoints support OAuth authentication for secure access.
Recurring integration endpoints
D365 F&O provides specific endpoints to facilitate data exchange using the Recurring Integration API. These endpoints allow external systems to push and pull data efficiently.
Key endpoints
Enqueue Data Import API
This is a third-party API application that you can use to add data to the processing queue in D365 F&O and initiate the import process for a file or data package.
API endpoint
https:///api/connector/enqueue/?entity=
API details
Type: POST request
Format: Binary
Purpose: Add a file to the import queue for processing
Response: This will return the message ID, which we can use to get the status of the request that we have made.
API body
Binary (e.g., .xlsx file)
We have added four new customers to an Excel file and sent it via an API call. Since the job is set up, new records should be created. Verify that the records have been successfully created.
Export Data (Dequeue) API
This API allows a third-party application to retrieve a data package from D365 F&O. The package contains all the data entities defined in the data project, which the client application can download, unzip, and process.
API endpoint
https://{baseURL}/api/connector/dequeue/
API details
Type: GET request
Purpose: Retrieve exported data for processing
Get Status API
When a file or data package is added to the queue in D365 F&O, the system generates a message ID. You can use the Get Status API to check whether the message was processed successfully or failed. If it fails, your app can retry or take other actions.
Purpose: Check the processing status of an import message
API body
{
“messageId”:””
}
These endpoints ensure smooth interaction between D365 F&O and external applications, enabling real-time data synchronization.
Conclusion
Recurring Integration in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations is a powerful way to automate data transfers, minimize manual effort, and maintain data accuracy. Organizations can ensure smooth and reliable data synchronization across systems using the Data Management Framework (DMF), Azure integration, API endpoints, and best practices.
If you encounter challenges during setup or need support with enabling recurring integration in Dynamics 365, our experts are here to help. Contact us at marketing@confiz.com for guidance or any Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations queries.
Hamza's role as a .NET Developer at Confiz allow him building useful software and applications to solve different technical problems....
Hamza's role as a .NET Developer at Confiz allow him building useful software and applications to solve different technical problems. He uses the latest tools and methods to make sure his projects are strong and effective. When he's not working, he likes learning new programming languages and reading tech blogs.
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