What is Common Data Model?

With the launch of Microsoft Dynamics 365 in 2016, Microsoft took it’s applications to a new level and further enforced its presence as a true leader in cloud technologies through the introduction of the Common Data Model.

The most difficult challenge in any (CRM or ERP) project is integration between the applications which takes a lot of development time. The Common Data Model compromises of a set of standard business entities which allow data to be synchronised across multiple applications.

As shown in the below diagram, each application has its own database but read and write to a centralised shared data model. The Shared Data Model is the adopter for integrations between applications and makes it easier for information to flow.

For instance, take D365 for Sales and D365 for Finance and Operations. These applications store and process data in a similar way but not identical. Currency data is recorded differently on each transaction, but both apps support and use many different currencies. When integrating these applications, data is easily matched up through the common data model and easily communicated on both sides of CRM/ERP.

The below table illustrates the table structure of the Common Data Model.