D365 for Operations needs a simpler way to define and export groups of entities from a source environment, and transform and import data into a target environment.
Microsoft is building some brand new (and long needed) tools for importing and exporting configurations between companies, environments, and default/template data environments. Mike Falkner led the session demoing the new features.
Define and Export
The Data Management UI is getting a refresh to be more usable in a number of areas:
- Better overall organization of Workspace
- Lists instead of tiles
- Easier picking of entities into a group, including mass picking
- Manual and automatic sequencing improvements
Transform and Import
There weren’t demoable features ready on this side of the equation. The general approach is supposed to be hard coded rules that can transform specific entities. The import should be simplified by more quickly selecting and importing multiple Data Packages.
Summary
I’m very happy to see more features in this area. The current features are workable, but every step takes longer than ideal. Look for features to come out this spring, with a quick and iterative release cadence.
Joel Leichty 