Methods to sync data between Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales (CRM) and Business Central (BC).

Multiple ways exist to sync data between Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales (CRM) and Business Central (BC). The choice depends on real-time requirements, complexity, and customization needs. Below are the common methods:

1. Standard Dataverse Integration (Default)

• Business Central provides out-of-the-box integration with D365 Sales using Dataverse.
• Uses the CDS (Common Data Service) Setup in Business Central.
• Synchronization happens via Integration Table Mappings.
• You can customize mappings for specific fields.

2. Custom Power Automate Flows

• Power Automate (Flow) can be used to move data between CRM and BC.
• It allows automation based on triggers like record creation or modification.
• Can be extended with custom connectors and APIs.

3. API-Based Integration

• Business Central has OData and SOAP Web Services that allow real-time communication.
• Dynamics 365 Sales also provides a Web API (OData/REST) to push/pull data.
• You can create a custom middleware to sync the data between CRM and BC.

4. Azure Logic Apps

• Similar to Power Automate but more advanced and suited for enterprise-level integrations.
• Can be used with Azure Functions and Event Grid for event-driven sync.
• Supports batch processing for bulk synchronization.

5. Third-Party Integration Tools (iPaaS)

• Tools like KingswaySoft, Scribe, or Celigo provide connectors for CRM and BC.
• These tools allow drag-and-drop integration with mapping functionalities.
• Useful for organizations that need minimal coding but powerful sync capabilities.

6. Custom ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) Solution

• Using Azure Data Factory, SSIS, or other ETL tools, you can extract data from CRM and load it into BC.
• Best suited for large-scale batch data movement.

7. SQL-Based Integration (Limited Use Case)

• If both CRM and BC are on-premise, a direct SQL database connection may be an option.
• Not recommended for cloud setups due to security and architectural limitations.