Introducing Microsoft Dataverse. It's CDS, But Not as You Know It.
No, you haven’t entered another dimension. Common Data Service (CDS) — the data storage system that intensifies Dynamics 365 and Power Platform — has changed its name to Dataverse, part of a bigger rebrand at Microsoft. Dataverse does the same thing as CDS — but with a different name.
What this means for you:
- You’ll see the new Dataverse name on services across the Microsoft ecosystem…
- …But not a new logo. (Dataverse branding is identical to CDS.)
- You’ll still be able to store and manage data used by business apps in Dataverse, just like you did in Common Data Service.
- But Microsoft has changed some terminology. (More on this later.)
- Expect further name changes from Microsoft in 2021.
Doesn’t this feel like deja vu? Last summer, Microsoft announced that Common Data Service would change its name to Dataflex. But that never worked out. So here we are with Dataverse.
Why the change? Microsoft wants to make Power Apps and Power Virtual Agents the core of application development for Microsoft Teams. And this brings us to Dataverse for Teams, a spin-off from Dataverse that securely stores and manages specific data for Teams.
So, to recap:
- Dataverse (formerly Common Data Service): The same tool you know and love but with a new name. Integrate data from Dynamics 365 apps and other sources into a centralized data store for Power Apps, Power BI, Power Virtual Agents, Power Automate, and more. Create and run apps, flows, and intelligent agents.
- Dataverse for Teams: Like Dataverse but specific for Microsoft Teams, with targeted features for apps, flows, and more.
(Pro-tip: You can upgrade Dataverse for Teams to Dataverse, but not the other way around.)
In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into these changes, showcase the benefits of both Dataverse and Dataverse for Teams, and explain why you need an experienced partner to get the most from these tools.
Are you confused by these name changes? Think you would benefit from the new Dataverse for Teams? Working with a partner like Dynamic Consultants Group helps forward-thinking businesses get more value from Dataverse, PowerApps, the wider Power Platform, and other Microsoft products. Schedule a Teams meeting to learn more.
In This Guide
- What’s Going on at Microsoft?
- What is Microsoft Dataverse for Teams?
- What Else You Need to Know About Microsoft Dataverse
- Let’s Remind You of the Benefits of Microsoft Dataverse
- Why You Need a Microsoft Dataverse Partner
- Final Word
What's Going on at Microsoft?
Once upon a time, Microsoft announced a product called Common Data Service. It was a data service that added data storage and modeling capabilities to PowerApps.
CDS was the foundation of Power Apps for five years, providing users with a centralized platform to keep all their data in one secure location. Also, Microsoft built most of its products, including Power Platform, on Dataverse. So there was a seamless integration between platforms in the Microsoft ecosystem. Users could even connect third-party apps to Dataverse and store data in one database, making life so much easier. Best of all, CDS required little code, perfect for small businesses without a data engineering team.
None of this will change with Microsoft Dataverse.
Despite the new name, announced in November 2020, things will stay the same. Dataverse will do all the things CDS did. It will still provide data storage and modeling capabilities to PowerApps. It will be low-code.
“A fresh name is just one part of a broader effort to introduce the power of what Dataverse can do to individuals and organizations around the world,” says Microsoft.
And that’s all there is to it.
Or is it?
What is Microsoft Dataverse for Teams?
When Microsoft announced the CDS rebrand, it launched a spin-off from Dataverse called Dataverse for Teams — “the essential subset of Dataverse capabilities included as a powerful, built-in data platform for millions of Teams users at no additional cost.”
(Note: Standalone Power Automate or Power Apps usage and Dataverse API access on Dataverse for Teams requires an upgrade to Dataverse, which does come at an additional cost.)
Dataverse for Teams lets users store and manage data in a secure database without leaving Teams, which is a brilliant idea. So it’s no wonder that big multinational brands like T-Mobile have already incorporated this platform into their tech stacks.
Here are some benefits of Dataverse for Teams:
- Keep everything in Teams, one of the most popular digital tools for businesses right now.
- Access Dynamics 365 data much quicker.
- Embed Power Apps Studio in Teams so users can create and share custom business apps.
- Connect data from Dataverse and third-party data sources.
- Create IT, HR, and sales bots in Teams with Power Virtual Agents.
- Build flows in Teams with Power Automate.
Of course, many of these features are also available in Dataverse, but Dataverse for Teams provides extra functionality for Teams, benefiting hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide.
(Pro-tip: Working with a partner will help you incorporate the best Dataverse for Teams features in your organization.)
What Else You Need to Know About Microsoft Dataverse
There’s one other difference between CDS and Dataverse, aside from the name change. Microsoft has updated some terminology, which might cause a little confusion:
- “Entity” and “entities” on CDS are now “tables” and “tables” on Dataverse.
- “Field” and “fields” are now “column” and “columns.”
- “Attribute” and “attribute” are also now “column” and “columns.”
- “Record” and “records” become “row” and “rows.”
- “Option set” becomes “choice.”
- “Multiple select option sets” and “picklists” both become “choices.”
Microsoft says these upgrades should make the terms used for Dataverse less confusing than for CDS, but we’ll let you be the judge of that.
While these new terms might seem insignificant to some organizations, other businesses might struggle with the changes. Working with a partner like Dynamic Consultants Group will help prepare your team members for CDS to Dataverse differences. Schedule a Teams meeting here.
Let's Remind You of the Benefits of Microsoft Dataverse
With its recent name change, we thought we’d remind you of the benefits of CDS/Dataverse. Part of the wider Power Platform, Microsoft Dataverse is the data platform that lets you create and run apps, flows, and intelligent agents. You can:
- Develop apps that boost productivity, performance, and profitability in your organization.
- Automate workflows with apps and intelligent agents.
- Increase the scale of your business with low-code app development.
You can also generate unparalleled insights into your organization with data reports and analytics. Connect Power BI to Dataverse to create interactive metrics and dashboards that help you make quicker, smarter decisions that grow your business.
Then there’s AI Builder, part of Power Platform, which connects with Power Apps and Power Automate and evaluates data from Dataverse:
“For organizations that are interested in employing AI to analyze their data, AI Builder can give everyone in the organization — regardless of their technical expertise — the ability to add AI capabilities to the business process flows they create and use,” says Microsoft.
Dataverse is the framework used by your favorite PowerApps — the custom apps that your business needs to survive. Dataverse can’t thrive without PowerApps and vice versa.
Why You Need a Microsoft Dataverse Partner
Microsoft Dataverse provides businesses like yours with multiple benefits, but it presents challenges too. Although the platform exists in a low-code environment, Dataverse still requires some code, which some smaller businesses might not understand. Then there are the wealth of features, which some users might find intimidating.
A reliable Microsoft Dataverse partner proves useful for all businesses that use Dataverse. Dynamic Consultants Group provides consulting and support for a wide range of Microsoft products, including Dataverse and the wider Power Platform, solving complex issues up to 50 percent quicker than Microsoft Premier Support.
Here are some benefits of working with a partner like Dynamic Consultants Group:
- Collaborate with a Technical Account Manager who can help you and your team optimize Dataverse and PowerApps. You can access support engineers whenever you need them, speeding up response times considerably.
- Dataverse support that’s up to 60 percent cheaper than Microsoft Premier (Unified) Support. Invest these savings back into your business.
- Access a Technical Account Manager and support engineers in the United States.
- Global Dataverse support, wherever you are in the world.
- You can also access support for Microsoft products like Dynamics 365, Azure, and more.
- Over 15 Microsoft certifications that cover cloud, hybrid, and on-premises technologies.
- Customized support based on your business requirements. You only pay for the support you need, with no hidden fees or extra costs.
- Help your team understand the complexities of Dataverse and provide valuable training solutions.
With over 10,000 tickets resolved, Dynamic Consultants Group is the No.1 partner of choice for many organizations that use Dataverse and the Power Platform.
Final Word
It’s out with the old and in with the new. Microsoft is encouraging CDS users to join them as they travel into the Dataverse — the new name for Common Data Service. While much of Dataverse stays the same as CDS, there are some changes, such as new terms for features inside the platform. Still, Dataverse remains the most powerful data platform on the market, providing seamless integration between other products in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Want to optimize Dataverse and Power Platform? Want to incorporate Dataverse for Teams into your organization? Dynamic Consultants Group is the partner of choice for Dataverse users, helping them get value from these powerful technologies. Schedule a meeting here and learn more.
