Dynamics 365 is a suite of enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) applications offered by Microsoft. Dynamics 365 API is a powerful tool that allows developers to create custom integrations with Dynamics 365 applications.
In this article, we’ll explore the basics of Dynamics 365 API, its functionalities, and how it can be leveraged to enhance your business.
What is Dynamics 365 API?
Dynamics 365 API is a set of web services that allow developers to interact with Dynamics 365 applications. It provides a simple and secure way to access data stored in Dynamics 365 and execute operations against the data.
The API is built using the REST (Representational State Transfer) architectural style, which is a widely adopted standard for building web services. This means that developers can use HTTP requests to interact with the API and receive responses in a standard format such as JSON or XML.
The Dynamics 365 API is also secured using OAuth 2.0, which is a widely adopted authentication and authorization protocol. This means that developers can securely access data in Dynamics 365 without having to store any login credentials.
Functionality of Dynamics 365 API
The Dynamics 365 API provides a wide range of functionalities that can be used to interact with data in Dynamics 365 applications. Some of the key functionalities include:
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Read operations: This allows developers to retrieve data from Dynamics 365 applications. For example, you can retrieve a list of accounts, contacts, or leads using the API.
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Write operations: This allows developers to create, update or delete data in Dynamics 365 applications. For example, you can create a new account or update an existing contact using the API.
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Metadata operations: This allows developers to retrieve metadata about entities and attributes in Dynamics 365 applications. For example, you can retrieve the schema for an account entity using the API.
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Search operations: This allows developers to perform a full-text search across multiple entities in Dynamics 365 applications.
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Batch operations: This allows developers to execute multiple operations in a single HTTP request. This can help to reduce the number of requests required to perform a task.
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Custom actions: This allows developers to define custom business logic and expose it as a web service. For example, you can define a custom action that calculates the total revenue for an account and returns the result using the API.
How to use Dynamics 365 API
To use the Dynamics 365 API, developers need to register an application with Azure Active Directory (AAD). AAD is Microsoft’s cloud-based identity and access management service that provides a single sign-on experience for users and applications.
Once an application is registered with AAD, developers can obtain an access token by authenticating with AAD. The access token is used to authorize access to Dynamics 365 data and operations.
Developers can use any programming language that supports HTTP requests to interact with the Dynamics 365 API. Microsoft also provides SDKs for popular programming languages such as .NET, Java, and JavaScript.
Conclusion
Dynamics 365 API is a powerful tool that provides developers with the ability to interact with data in Dynamics 365 applications. It allows developers to build custom integrations that can enhance the functionality of Dynamics 365 applications and provide a more tailored experience for users.
By leveraging the functionality of the Dynamics 365 API, developers can build custom solutions that meet the unique needs of their business. Whether you need to retrieve data from Dynamics 365 or perform complex business logic, the Dynamics 365 API provides a robust set of tools to help you achieve your goals.
Krish Raj is a young Dynamics 365 Champion and Lead AI Developer
Krish Raj is a young Dynamics 365 Champion and Lead AI Developer
