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.
Microsoft designed Azure Blob to handle organizational needs to handle modern data storage scenarios like setting up:
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. 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. Developers can take advantage of Microsoft libraries to develop applications in popular languages like:
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.
Now that you better understand Azure Blob, let’s look at how you can get started with Dynamics 365 Azure Blob integration.
Configure Azure Blob Exports in 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.
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.
Once you have your credentials, you need to add them to Dynamics 365.
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. Learn how we can support your cloud transition needs by setting up a consultation with one of our experts.