How to Use Dynamics 365 With Azure Blob Storage

Quick Answer

Azure Blob Storage integration allows Dynamics 365 to securely manage large files in the cloud, improving scalability and reducing overall storage expenses.

• Store Dynamics 365 attachments externally in Azure Blob Storage for secure, scalable file management.
• Reduce storage costs by moving large files from Dynamics 365 and using the appropriate Blob storage tier.
• Secure access with Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) or SAS tokens.
• Simplify file and attachment management across Dynamics 365.
• Configure the integration to securely connect Dynamics 365 with Azure Blob Storage and extend file storage capabilities.
• Plan for production by considering storage tiers, redundancy, backup, and Azure Blob pricing.

Want to learn the specifics? Read on!

What Is Azure Blob Storage?

Azure Storage Blob is cloud-based storage provided by Microsoft. It’s typically used by organizations needing to store and retrieve Binary Large Objects (BLOBs) or files. Users can allow customers to review unstructured data using Rest-based object storage. Dynamics365 now offers a way for users to store and retrieve attachments with Microsoft Azure Blob.

For Dynamics 365 organizations, Azure Blob Storage serves as an external repository for large files and attachments, helping reduce reliance on native application storage. By storing documents, notes, email attachments, and other binary files in Azure Blob Storage, businesses can reduce reliance on native Dynamics 365 storage while improving scalability and cost efficiency. It also supports scenarios such as attachment management, data exports, and custom integrations while maintaining secure access through Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) or Shared Access Signatures (SAS).

An Azure Blob Storage Dynamics 365 integration enables organizations to securely manage attachments, documents, and other business files in scalable cloud storage while optimizing storage resources as data volumes grow. 

While the capability is still officially in preview mode, making Azure Blob an alternative storage solution for Dynamics 365 solutions is currently part of Microsoft’s roadmap. Until it goes live, it’s best to use Azure Blob functions in a non-production mode on a trial basis. When planning for production, it’s important to understand Azure Blob storage pricing to manage costs effectively and avoid unexpected charges.

Key Azure Blob storage considerations include:

• How frequently you’ll read, write, and delete data from storage
• Which access tier (e.g., hot, cool, or archive) best aligns with your attachment usage patterns
• Data redundancy options (e.g., LRS, GRS) and how they impact both resilience and cost
• Network egress, API calls, and other “hidden” charges that can surprise unprepared teams

Azure Blob Storage Access Tiers at a Glance

Azure Blob Storage offers multiple access tiers designed to balance storage costs and retrieval costs based on how frequently data is accessed. Choosing the appropriate tier can help optimize costs while ensuring Dynamics 365 attachments and documents remain available when needed.

Dynamics 365 File Storage Options at a Glance

Benefits of Using Azure Storage Blob with Dynamics 365

Microsoft designed Azure Blob to handle organizational needs to handle modern data storage scenarios like setting up:

• A cloud file service system
• A cloud messaging store
• A NoSQL store

The inherent redundancy of Azure Blob keeps information safe in the case of hardware failure. Businesses can also replace data across various data centers or geographical regions for extra protection against a natural disaster or other catastrophes. That way, your organization can maintain uptime when an unexpected outage occurs.

Azure Blob scales to meet your Dynamics 365 application data storage and performance needs. Microsoft handles hardware maintenance and critical issues, relieving your IT team of that burden.

For Dynamics 365 environments that generate large volumes of attachments, Azure Blob Storage provides a scalable repository for documents, invoices, contracts, images, notes, email attachments, and other binary files. By offloading these files from the Dynamics 365 database, organizations can reduce Dataverse storage consumption, accommodate growing data volumes more efficiently, and maintain application performance as storage requirements increase.

A Dynamics 365 Blob Storage integration also provides a flexible foundation for managing business documents, application attachments, and exported data in a secure, scalable cloud environment.

Information stored in Azure Blob is accessible from anywhere you can access an HTTP or HTTPS connection. When evaluating your cloud strategy, it’s important to consider Microsoft Azure Blob storage cost, which varies based on storage tier, data redundancy, and access frequency. Optimizing your usage can significantly reduce expenses while still supporting performance.

Common Dynamics 365 Use Cases

• Storing customer documents, contracts, invoices, and other business files linked to Dynamics 365 records
• Managing notes and email attachments without significantly increasing Dataverse storage consumption
• Exporting Dynamics 365 data for reporting, analytics, backup, or long-term archival
• Supporting custom Dynamics 365 applications that generate or consume files through Azure Blob Storage
• Centralizing file storage across multiple Dynamics 365 environments for easier management

Key Benefits at a Glance

Developers can take advantage of Microsoft libraries to develop applications in popular languages like:

• Python
• C#
• Java
• PHP

Microsoft Azure Blob storage also supports scripting through Azure PowerShell or Azure CLI. You can also use the Azure Portal or Azure Storage Explorer to visualize your cloud data solutions. Azure Blob Storage Explorer provides a user-friendly interface to easily upload, download, and manage blob data across storage accounts. Azure Blob Storage backup capabilities allow you to safeguard important data by creating scheduled or on-demand copies in a secure cloud environment. Monitoring usage patterns can help you make informed decisions and manage Microsoft Azure Blob storage cost-effectively over time.

Installing Azure Storage Blob in Dynamics 365

Now that you better understand Azure Blob, let’s look at how you can get started with Dynamics 365 Azure Blob integration.

Set up an Azure Blob Account

1. From the Azure portal, click on Storage accounts to view a list of all available storage accounts, then select Create.  
2. Go to the Basics tab and fill in all essential storage account information. Use the Advanced tab to view additional options.
3. Review the Networking tab to configure your Azure Blob account's network and routing preferences.
4. Review the Data protection tab to configure data protections for your Azure Blob.
5. Review the Encryption tab to set up options on encrypting data persisted to Azure cloud.
6. Review the Tags tab to set up your Resource Manager tags to organize Azure resources.
7. Select Review + create to confirm your choices or to go with the default account options.
8. After Azure validates your storage accounts, you will see an image in the Review tab that shows all the options you picked.
9. Select Review + create to finalize your Azure Blob storage account.

Configure Azure Blob Storage in Dynamics 365

1. Open up Microsoft Dynamics 365 and go to the Admin console.
2. Navigate to Connections, go to Add connection, then select Azure Storage Blob to configure your new connection.
3. Add a recognizable name in the Display name field.
4. Select which users are allowed to use the connection. The default setting provides access to Administrators only.
5. Add the Account name, Key, and Container for an Azure Blob Storage Account.
6. Click Save to complete your Azure Blob Dynamics 365 connection setup.

Configure Azure Blob Exports in Dynamics 365

1. Navigate to Data àExports, then select Add destination to set up a new export.
2. Go to the Connection for export field and select your desired connection from Azure Blob storage.
3. Select the entities for destinations where you wish to export data.
4. Click Save.

Troubleshooting Common Azure Blob Storage Integration Issues

Even with a straightforward setup process, you may encounter configuration or connectivity issues when integrating Azure Blob Storage with Dynamics 365. The following table outlines some common problems and their potential solutions.

Additional Troubleshooting Tips

• Verify that the Azure Storage Account and Blob container have been created successfully before configuring the Dynamics 365 connection.
• Confirm that the required users or service accounts have appropriate permissions to access the storage account.
• Review Azure Storage diagnostic logs and Dynamics 365 error messages to identify authentication or connectivity issues.
• Test the Azure Blob connection before enabling exports or migrating production attachments.
• If you're using Shared Access Signatures (SAS), ensure the token has not expired and includes the required permissions.
• For production deployments, validate your networking, backup, and disaster recovery configuration before going live.

Best Practices for Using Azure Blob with Dynamics 365

Any requests made to your Azure storage accounts must receive authorizations. You can use Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) to handle your authorization requests to ensure they are secure. It’s possible to set up Windows VMs to use your Azure file shares with Azure Blob with the same credentials.

If you decide to delete an Azure Blob storage account, that will remove all data stored in that location. Make sure you’ve backed up any important data before deleting an Azure Blob from your Azure account. It’s not always possible to recover an Azure Blob storage account once it’s been deleted from the Azure portal. Before deletion, explore available Dynamics 365 file storage options to ensure your data is securely backed up and accessible.

Dynamics 365 Attachment Management with Azure Blob Storage

Microsoft AppSource contains an Attachment Management Add-in to help you work with attachments within Dynamics 365. With it, you can use Azure Blob to store attachments and optimize Dynamics 365 use of storage. This add-in allows you to easily store Dynamics 365 attachments in Azure, providing a secure and scalable solution for managing large volumes of files.

You can also configure optional upload and download control over multiple attachments. In addition, developers can enable forms with file drag and drop capabilities to make working with attachments easier for users.

After downloading the Attachment Management solution, you can log into your Azure portal and set up a new container.

1. Log in to Azure Portal, then navigate to your Azure Blob storage account.
2. Look for Containers, then select the Container button to add a new blob container. Make sure you set your access level to a Blob type.
3. Create two attachment containers, one for notes and one for emails.
4. After creating your containers, go to Storage Account, then navigate to Shared Access Signature.
5. Click Generate SAS and connection string to generate the credentials to use in Dynamics 365.

Once you have your credentials, you need to add them to Dynamics 365.

1. Go to Dynamics 365 and the Azure Attachments Storage settings, then select Azure Blob Storage Setup.
2. Add the following credentials:
1. Storage account name
2. SAS Token
3. Notes Attachment Container
4. Email Attachment Container
5. Organizational GUID (optional)
3. Go to Notes Attachment Entity Settings. Select the correct entity and container name to map your attachments to Azure Blob, then click Save.
   Each Azure Blob container acts as a logical grouping of your stored files, helping you organize attachments by type, entity, or business function for easier access and management.

Seamless Integrations Between Dynamics 365 and Azure Blob

Internet eBusiness Solutions provides support services to help organizations navigate the intricacies of integrating Dynamics 365 Azure Blob storage. Our team specializes in Dynamics 365 integration with Azure, ensuring seamless connectivity and enhanced functionality across your cloud applications. With IES’s expertise, businesses can maximize the efficiency and reliability of their Dynamics 365 and Azure Blob integrations, ensuring a smooth and fully optimized cloud experience. Learn how we can support your cloud transition needs by setting up a consultation with one of our experts.

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