Integrating data validation into Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform offers several different pathways to extend its functionality. Data manipulation, standardization, and verification can be done by linking this CRM system to one of the Service Objects web services. The method of integration will depend on the version of Microsoft Dynamics your company uses.

Cloud-based instances

For the cloud-based instance a custom connector can be created using Power Automate.

• This solution makes use of the tools built into the CRM system. This allows for an easy integration with limited technical knowledge.
• HTTPS requests to the Service Objects web services can be made over the GET protocol.
• The CRM’s tooling will automatically generate the response fields. These response fields can be leveraged in any of your workflows. Conditional logic can be applied to the fields to make better business decisions.

Figure 1: Custom connector for DOTS Address Insight

 

Figure 2: Example workflow using Address Insight Connector

On-premise instances

There are two primary ways to integrate Service Objects products with an on-premise CRM installation. Each have their own pros and cons, but their primary functionality can be written in either method.

Standalone Application

Pros: Can easily run validation on large batches. Using the SDK allows you to pull collections of records for server side validations.

Cons: Requires code development/deployment/maintenance outside of the CRM system itself.

The standalone implementation leverages the Xrm library for authentication and data manipulation.

Authentication – Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.Client – OrganizationServiceProxy

Authentication can be done through the OrganizationServiceProxy by passing in the proper credentials for your CRM system.

using (_serviceProxy = new OrganizationServiceProxy(serverConfig.OrganizationUri, serverConfig.HomeRealmUri, serverConfig.Credentials, serverConfig.DeviceCredentials))

Pulling records from CRM

There are multiple ways to form a query. Below are the different styles along with their respective advantages. With a query formed the Retrieve and RetrieveMultiple methods will allow you to execute your query and retrieve an Entity or EntityCollection.  Here is a link to a developer guide with more information about these queries:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/developer/common-data-service/org-service/entity-operations-query-data

Running validation – Service Objects web service dependent

Calling the Service Objects web service is straightforward, but each call requires their own endpoints and input/output parameters. For detailed sample code that highlights our recommended best practices please see: https://www.serviceobjects.com/developers/sample-code

Pushing records to CRM

Here is a link to Microsoft’s documentation on how to update CRM records:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/developer/common-data-service/org-service/entity-operations-update-delete

To update records after performing a validation you can leverage the Entity class along with the IOrganizationService.Update method.

Javascript form library

Pros: Can be triggered directly on form events (OnLoad, OnChange, and OnSave)

Cons: License key obfuscation isn’t possible with a client side script

To get up and running as quickly as possible I would recommend reading through Microsoft’s developer guide:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/developer/model-driven-apps/clientapi/walkthrough-write-your-first-client-script

A basic integration with Microsoft Dynamics via JavaScript can be broken down into its component parts, with links to Microsoft’s documentation:

Steps to integration

Step 1: Write your custom JavaScript code

Step 2: Add your JavaScript code in a Script web resource

Step 3: Associate Script web resource to a form

 There are three events that you can piggyback into:

OnLoad – Below is an example showing a notification on page load

OnChange – Using the OnChange event can allow you to perform an action when a field is updated

OnSave – The example below shows a basic dialog box when the form is saved. This is a great place to insert code to perform validations on your form data.

Recommended workflow

Here is a recommended sequence of operations: Pull data using getAttribute à use data as input to Service Objects’ validation à use Service Objects response to make informed business decision à push data back into form or follow established workflow

Need more assistance integrating our products with your Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform? Contact our knowledgeable technical support team anytime. We’re happy to help.