Welcome back to the series! Now that we’ve covered D365 modules and the difference between Partner and End User experience (and a bonus blog about BI); it’s time to tackle another key area of expertise in the D365 world: integrations.
Integrations are the backbone of a connected enterprise, enabling D365 to work with other systems and share data seamlessly. In this blog, we’ll break down what recruiters need to know about integrations and what kinds of experience to look for in candidates.
So, What Are Integrations?
Simply put, integrations are the connections that link D365 with other software systems, allowing data to flow between them. For example, a D365 Finance module might need to share data with a third-party payroll system, or a CRM module may integrate with a marketing automation tool. Integrations allow businesses to have a single source of truth while leveraging the strengths of various specialized systems.
Types of Integrations in D365
Integrations are like highways that connect various systems in your tech ecosystem, enabling data to travel smoothly and efficiently. Depending on the business needs, these highways can be pre-built expressways, custom-built roads, or API-driven pathways. Let’s explore each type of integration in detail, with recruiter-friendly analogies:
Native Integrations
Think of native integrations like plug-and-play chargers for your phone: they’re built by the same manufacturer, perfectly designed to work without adjustments.
These integrations are developed directly by Microsoft and are built into the Dynamics 365 ecosystem. They’re seamless, easy to configure, and require minimal maintenance because they’ve been optimized to work within the D365 environment.
Example - Dynamics 365 integrates effortlessly with other Microsoft tools like Power BI (for analytics), Teams (for collaboration. Note, not all version of D365 natively connect to Teams as of today), and SharePoint (for document storage).
Why Recruiters Should Care
Candidates with experience in native integrations often have a solid understanding of how D365 works within the larger Microsoft ecosystem. They’re skilled at configuring these connections to enhance productivity without needing extensive custom development.
Custom Integrations
Custom integrations are like renovating a room in your house to fit specific furniture. It takes planning, building, and tweaking to get everything just right.
These are designed to meet unique business needs, typically connecting D365 to third-party software that Microsoft doesn’t natively support. Custom integrations often involve advanced tools like Azure Logic Apps, Power Automate, or even custom code to ensure data flows smoothly between systems.
Example - A company may want to integrate their D365 CRM with a niche marketing automation platform that isn’t natively supported. A developer might use Azure Logic Apps to create workflows that synchronize customer data between the two systems.
Why Recruiters Should Care
Candidates with experience in custom integrations bring a higher level of expertise, as they’ve dealt with the complexities of building from scratch. These candidates understand how to manage tools, troubleshoot, and tailor solutions to a client’s needs.
API-Based Integrations
Think of APIs as translators in a multilingual meeting: they ensure everyone speaks the same language and understands each other.
API integrations rely on Application Programming Interfaces, which allow D365 to communicate with other software systems. APIs define how data can be requested, sent, or received, enabling real-time data exchanges and synchronization.
Example - When a customer places an order on an e-commerce platform, an API integration can instantly update the order information in D365 Finance and Operations, ensuring inventory and financial data stay up-to-date.
Why Recruiters Should Care
Look for candidates familiar with REST or SOAP APIs, as well as tools like Postman or Swagger. These candidates can create and maintain integrations that enable critical, real-time data flow between systems.
Data Integrator Tools
Data integrator tools are like moving companies: they help you transport your belongings (data) from one location to another safely and efficiently.
These tools are designed for migrating, transforming, and synchronizing data between systems. For example, Azure Data Factory or D365’s Data Integrator are often used to transfer large volumes of data during implementation or to maintain regular updates between systems.
Example - A company implementing D365 Finance may need to migrate historical financial data from their legacy ERP system. Using a data integrator tool, they can map the fields from the old system to the new one and ensure a smooth migration.
Why Recruiters Should Care
Candidates with experience in data integrator tools are valuable for organizations transitioning to or maintaining D365. They ensure data quality and consistency during migrations and ongoing synchronizations.
Why the Type of Integration Matters
Each type of integration is suited to different business needs. For recruiters, understanding these differences can help you assess whether a candidate’s experience matches the role requirements:
Native Integrations: Ideal for businesses that rely heavily on Microsoft tools. Candidates with experience here can maximize the out-of-the-box features.
Custom Integrations: Essential for companies using niche software or requiring tailored solutions. These candidates bring problem-solving and development skills.
API-Based Integrations: Best for businesses needing real-time data sharing. Candidates with API experience are critical for high-speed, dynamic systems.
Data Integrator Tools: Perfect for organizations with complex data migration needs. Candidates here excel in ensuring data accuracy and minimizing disruptions.
Why Integrations Matter
In today’s world, companies rarely use a single software solution. Integrations are essential to:
Eliminate Data Silos: Integrations break down barriers between systems, ensuring all departments work with the same information.
Improve Efficiency: Automated data flows reduce the need for manual entry, lowering the chance of errors.
Enable Better Decision-Making: Real-time data from various systems empowers leaders to make data-driven decisions faster.
What to Look for in Candidates with Integration Experience
When screening candidates for roles requiring integration expertise, it's important to go beyond technical buzzwords and uncover their hands-on experience, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of D365 integrations. Here are the key skills to evaluate, along with tailored questions to help assess them:
Familiarity with Integration Tools
Candidates should demonstrate practical experience with popular tools used for D365 integrations, such as Azure Logic Apps, Power Automate, Power Platform, or Data Integrator.
Questions to Ask:
“Can you describe a project where you used Azure Logic Apps or Power Automate for a D365 integration? What was the goal, and what challenges did you face?”
“Which integration tools have you worked with most frequently? How do you decide which tool to use for a specific requirement?”
“Have you worked with Data Integrator or Azure Data Factory for data synchronization? If so, how did you ensure accuracy and data integrity?”
Understanding of APIs
API expertise is crucial, especially for custom integrations. Candidates should be comfortable working with REST or SOAP APIs and managing authentication protocols like OAuth.
Questions to Ask:
“How have you used APIs to build or support a D365 integration? Can you walk me through the process?”
“What tools or libraries have you used to interact with APIs (e.g., Postman, Swagger)? Can you give an example?”
“How do you handle API versioning when the external system updates its interface?”
Experience in Data Mapping and Transformation
Understanding how to map and transform data between systems is critical. Candidates should be able to explain how they’ve managed field mapping, data normalization, or transformations in past projects.
Questions to Ask:
“Have you ever been involved in mapping data fields between D365 and a third-party system? How did you handle mismatched formats?”
“Can you provide an example of a complex data transformation you handled? What tools or methods did you use?”
“What steps do you take to ensure data accuracy and avoid duplicates during integration?”
Problem-Solving and Troubleshooting Skills
Integration projects rarely go smoothly. Strong candidates should demonstrate their ability to resolve issues, debug errors, and ensure minimal disruption to business operations.
Questions to Ask:
“What’s the most challenging integration issue you’ve faced? How did you identify and resolve the problem?”
“How do you approach troubleshooting an integration when data isn’t syncing correctly?”
“Can you share an example where a critical integration failed unexpectedly? What steps did you take to mitigate the impact and restore functionality?”
Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams
Since integrations touch multiple departments and systems, candidates need to communicate effectively with technical teams, business stakeholders, and sometimes external vendors.
Questions to Ask:
“How do you ensure that business requirements for integrations are clearly understood and met?”
“Can you describe a situation where you worked with a non-technical team to explain or manage an integration?”
“What’s your approach to documenting integrations for future maintenance or handoff to another team?”
Bonus: Scenario-Based Questions
Consider presenting a hypothetical scenario to assess how candidates think on their feet. For example:
Scenario Question: "Imagine you’re integrating D365 Finance with an external payroll system. During testing, you notice a 10% mismatch in employee salary data between the two systems. How would you approach investigating and resolving the issue?"
Look for responses that outline:
A logical problem-solving process
Clear communication strategies with stakeholders
An understanding of tools or techniques they’d use to debug the issue
Real-World Example: Integrating D365 Finance and Payroll Software
Imagine a large company that uses D365 Finance but relies on an external payroll provider. To ensure payroll data (e.g., employee salaries, deductions) is accurately reflected in financial reports, the company needs an integration between D365 and the payroll system.
A Partner would likely handle the initial setup, creating the data flow between the two systems, mapping data fields, and configuring automated syncs. Once live, the End User’s team might need to manage routine maintenance, update configurations, and troubleshoot issues.
In this case, candidates with Partner experience might be adept at building custom integrations and managing complex initial setups. End Users, on the other hand, might be skilled at managing and troubleshooting live integrations to keep data flows smooth over time.
Final Thoughts
Integrations are the unsung heroes of the D365 world, and understanding them can be a game-changer in recruiting. Knowing the types of integrations and what skills to look for in candidates will help you find talent that can connect the dots between D365 and other systems, making them invaluable to organizations looking to maximize their technology investments.
Dad Joke of the Day
What did one candle say to the other? Do you want to go out tonight?
Stay tuned for Part 4!
DynamicsDad
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