Dynamics Fortnight Fridays Episode for 2020-07-31


Show Notes

What’s New in Power Platform:

* Monitoring Portals with Application Insights – https://community.dynamics.com/crm/b/crminthefield/posts/monitoring-the-power-platform-power-apps-portal—implementing-application-insights
* Microsoft Dataflex for Teams, a new low-code data platform (think Common Data Service Lite) for Microsoft Teams (should be available in preview in early August) – https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/introducing-microsoft-dataflex-a-new-low-code-data-platform-for-microsoft-teams/ with more details here – https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/a-closer-look-at-data-platform-capabilities-in-dataflex-for-teams/
* Updated Teams Connector that allows selected messages to be the trigger for an automation and now natively create new Teams – https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/automate-the-digital-workspace-with-microsoft-power-automate-and-microsoft-teams/
* Putting Power BI in Power Apps Portals got WAY easier – https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/power-apps-portals-simplified-power-bi-integration-using-power-bi-component/
* We now support OAuth credentials in the Data Gateway, so you can pass AAD user creds through to on-premises SQL Servers through the gateway now – https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/on-premises-data-gateway-july-2020-update-is-now-available/
* Return to the Workplace solution – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/sample-apps/return-to-workplace/overview and https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/powerplatform/2020/07/21/return-to-the-workplace-with-confidence-with-the-power-platform/ with an event you can register for coming up August 6 at 11:00am CDT at https://events1.social27.com/microsoft-return-to-the-workplace/page/pre-signup
* New AI model that lets you straightaway grab data from receipts using AI Builder – https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/process-receipts-with-ai-builder/
* Today is the last day you will be able to use the Power Apps, Power Automate, or Dynamics 365 Admin Centers. Moving forward, all of that functionality will be served through only the Power Platform Admin Center.

What’s New in CE:

* Forms Pro is now Dynamics 365 Customer Voice – https://community.dynamics.com/365/b/365teamblog/posts/democratizing-customer-feedback-with-the-new-dynamics-365-customer-voice

What’s New in HR/Retail/BC:

* New Connected Store Features – https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/dynamics365/bdm/2020/07/22/introducing-new-functionalities-to-dynamics-365-connected-store/
* Nice Overview of Fraud Protection – https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/dynamics365/bdm/2020/07/22/protect-revenue-and-reputation-with-dynamics-365-fraud-protection/
* What’s new in Human Resources – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/human-resources/hr-whats-new-2020-07-23

What’s New in F&SCM:

* All in One deployable packages – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/fin-ops-core/dev-itpro/dev-tools/aio-deployable-packages
* Good Power Platform documentation – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/fin-ops-core/dev-itpro/power-platform/overview
* Asset Leasing in F&SCM – https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/dynamics365/it/2020/07/28/simplify-and-automate-compliance-with-asset-leasing-in-dynamics-365-finance/ and https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365-release-plan/2020wave2/finance-operations/dynamics365-finance/asset-leasing
* Nice read on setting up Dual Write – https://daxture.blogspot.com/2020/07/the-dual-write-implementation-part-1.html
* Second part discussing the prerequisites – https://community.dynamics.com/365/financeandoperations/b/faisalfareedaxlibrary/posts/the-dual-write-implementation—part-2—understand-pre-requisites
* APAC India Updates for 10.1.12 – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/finance/localizations/apac-ind-news-letter-10-0-12
* Wave 2 2020 Updates – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365-release-plan/2020wave2/finance-operations/dynamics365-finance/planned-features

What’s New in Solution Updates:

* Core CDS Platform update to 9.1.0.19865 – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/business-applications-release-notes/dynamics/released-versions/weekly-releases/update198
* Core CDS Platform update expected this weekend to 9.1.0.20158 (or greater) (October Preview Build available in this release) – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/business-applications-release-notes/dynamics/released-versions/weekly-releases/update201
* Forms Pro to 2.0.0.5
* Customer Care Intelligence BOTs to 1.0.0.75
* AI Builder to 2.6.3.4 then 2.6.4.2
* Marketing to 1.35.10063.2012
* Knowledge Management to 9.0.1.1196
* Healthcare Accelerator to 2.2.3.3
* HCM Talent to 6.2.0
* Marketing to 1.35.10063.2012
* Application Common to 9.0.2006.5018
* Core Sales to 9.0.2006.5014
* Lead Management to 9.0.2006.5011
* Product Management to 9.0.2006.5005
* Sales Integration and Add-ons to 9.0.2006.5000
* Sales Embedded to 9.0.2006.5004
* Core Service Scheduling to 9.0.20065.1001

Dynamics Fortnight Fridays Episode for 2020-07-17


Show Notes

What’s New in Power Platform:

* WinAutomation action has made it to the UI flows UI – https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/new-winautomation-connector-in-ui-flows-is-now-available/
* UI Flow configuration for Retry and Timeout – https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/power-automate-ui-flows-june-2020-update/
* Higher Education COVID Impact Tracker Solution – https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/tracking-financial-impact-for-higher-education-a-power-platform-template/
* Try out writing formulas with dynamic schema in Power Apps – https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/authoring-formulas-with-dynamic-schema-in-power-apps/
* Helpful updates to canvas Power Apps Monitor debugging tool – https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/use-monitor-to-debug-your-published-app/
* PVA gets bot-level variables that can cross topics and allows you to set them from outside the BOT – https://powervirtualagents.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/reusing-variables-across-topics-and-setting-variable-values-from-external-sources/
* In CDS, you can now change existing text fields to be autonumber ones – https://www.inogic.com/blog/2020/06/option-to-change-data-type-to-autonumber-for-existing-text-fields-now-available-with-the-new-maker-experience-for-power-platform/
* Monitoring and doing detailed analytics on Power Automate – https://community.dynamics.com/crm/b/crminthefield/posts/monitoring-the-power-platform-power-automate—run-time-part-3-implementing-a-monitoring-strategy
* Do more with Excel now in Power Automate – https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/announcing-support-for-office-scripts-in-the-excel-online-business-connector/
* UI Flow configuration for Loops and Arrays – https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/announcing-support-for-loops-and-array-inputs-in-ui-flows/
* Letting more users do more UI Flows on single servers – https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/run-multiple-concurrent-ui-flows-on-a-single-windows-server-device-high-density/
* Updated release of all components of Power Platform CoE Starter Kit – https://github.com/microsoft/powerapps-tools/tree/master/Administration/CoEStarterKit/Individual%20Components
* Ten New Connectors Released in June – https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/ten-new-connectors-released-in-june-2020/
* Important differences between similar Canvas App expressions – https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/News-Announcements/What-s-The-Difference-Between-These-Power-Apps-Functions/ba-p/615235
* Common Data Service will now let you do Column Comparison through FetchXML, the SDK, and OData – https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/announcing-column-comparison-through-fetchxml-sdk-and-odata/
* UI Flows now support Citrix remote apps – https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/automate-citrix-remote-apps-and-remote-desktops-with-the-july-2020-update-to-ui-flows-in-power-automate/
* Monitor for telemetry and analysis of app performance adds support for model-driven apps – https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/monitor-now-supports-model-driven-apps/
* New addition to CoE Starter Kit – Theming Tools and Shared Component Library – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/guidance/coe/theming-components
* Release wave 2 plans – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform-release-plan/2020wave2/

What’s New in CE:

* Dynamics 365 Project Operations preview is now available – consider joining the preview! – https://community.dynamics.com/365/b/365teamblog/posts/dynamics-365-project-operations-preview-is-now-available
* Release wave 2 plans – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365-release-plan/2020wave2/

What’s New in HR/Retail/BC:

* If you are a retailer, this is big news to pay attention to – https://community.dynamics.com/365/b/365teamblog/posts/microsoft-acquires-orions-systems-to-expand-dynamics-365-capabilities
* What’s New in Human Resources – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/human-resources/hr-whats-new-2020-06-23 and https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/human-resources/hr-whats-new-2020-07-08
* Managing VAT tax changes in BC – https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/dynamics365/it/2020/06/24/how-to-manage-vat-rate-changes-in-dynamics-365-business-central/
* Really good retail perspectives blogs – https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/dynamics365/bdm/2020/06/22/retail-perspectives-pt-1-chart-a-course-to-restart-and-grow/
* https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/dynamics365/bdm/2020/06/25/retail-perspectives-pt-2-rethink-customer-experiences/
* https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/dynamics365/bdm/2020/06/30/retail-perspectives-pt-3-reduce-supply-chain-disruptions/
* https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/dynamics365/bdm/2020/07/02/retail-perspectives-pt-4-protect-your-business-against-fraud/
* https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/dynamics365/bdm/2020/07/16/retail-perspectives-pt-5-transition-to-agile-commerce-solutions/

What’s New in F&SCM:

* What’s new in LCS – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/fin-ops-core/dev-itpro/lifecycle-services/whats-new-lcs
* F&SC 10.1.12 update delayed until July 22nd

What’s New in Solution Updates:

* Core CDS Platform update to 9.1.0.18647 – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/business-applications-release-notes/dynamics/released-versions/weekly-releases/update186
* Core CDS Platform update to 9.1.0.18950 – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/business-applications-release-notes/dynamics/released-versions/weekly-releases/update189
* Core CDS Platform update to 9.1.0.19251 – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/business-applications-release-notes/dynamics/released-versions/weekly-releases/update192
* Core CDS Platform update expected this weekend to 9.1.0.19562 (or greater) – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/business-applications-release-notes/dynamics/released-versions/weekly-releases/update195
* Sales App to 9.0.2005.3007
* AI Builder to 2.5.3.7 then 2.5.4.2 then 2.6.1.4 then to 2.6.2.5
* Forms Pro name change to Dynamics 365 Customer Voice and update to 2.0.0.3
* SLA to 9.0.20053.1005
* Core Service Scheduling to 9.0.20053.1012 then 9.0.20061.1005 then 9.0.20063.1001
* Sales Insights to 9.0.2006.1005 then 9.0.2006.3006
* CDS Management to 1.0.2.0
* Field Service to 8.8.24.17
* Project Service to 3.10.32.40 then 3.10.32.50
* Flow Approvals to 2.0.1.0
* LinkedIn Sales Navigator to 3.0.1.0490
* Customer Insights Card Builder to 0.7.12, then to 0.7.13
* Omnichannel for Customer Service to 1.5.5.2659
* Knowledge Management Anchor to 9.0.1.1173
* Dynamics Marketing to 1.35.10063.1039
* Dynamics 365 Guides to 400.0.2.66
* Application Common to 9.0.2006.3008
* Core Sales to 9.0.2006.3013
* Core Service to 9.0.20063.1013
* Lead Management to 9.0.2006.3001
* Product Management to 9.0.2006.3002
* Sales Embedded to 9.0.2006.3002
* Channel Integration Framework to 9.1.0.412

How do I operationalize things:

* Tip to find the App ID in Power Automate when building URLs to Model-Driven Apps – https://saralagerquist.com/2020/06/16/get-app-id-with-list-records-in-power-automate
* Tip to set Owner and Customer fields when using Azure Data Factory with CDS – https://crmchap.co.uk/working-with-common-data-service-owner-customer-fields-in-azure-data-factory-v2
* Adding a PowerBI Dashboard for all users of Model-Driven App – https://mattwittemann.com/2020/06/26/using-dynamics-365-sales-and-wondering-where-to-start-with-power-bi/
* Use “Select” action in a Flow to manipulate JSON easily – https://debajmecrm.com/2020/07/05/add-remove-modify-json-elements-of-a-json-array-in-power-automate-microsoft-flow/
* Updated way to update solutions through PPAC (watch episode video to learn)