Most companies rely on multiple software applications to handle various business tasks. Tying them to the Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform gives organizations additional agility and versatility. In addition, you can expand access to the Dynamics ecosystem using the Microsoft Dynamics API. As a result, your organization can streamline various processes and eliminate the inefficiencies that arise when your business functions get separated into silos.
What are Dynamics 365 REST APIs?
An application programming interface (API) is software designed to let two or more applications connect and interact with each other. It acts as a messenger that delivers a request to a provider, then brings back a response. By using Microsoft Dynamics APIs, your software developers have a pre-existing framework for building applications versus having to build something from scratch.
While your developers will need to recognize any Dynamics 365 API limits, you can still use it to automate business tasks and integrate with other business industrial applications. That way, you can enable continuous communication between applications. In addition, workers can experience the benefits of working with cloud-based apps and enhanced innovation.
Even more important, your company can save money using Microsoft Dynamics API. They give you the agility needed to launch new business initiatives efficiently. As a result, you cut down on development time and don’t have to spend as much money.
Benefits of Using Microsoft Dynamics APIs
Leveraging Dynamics API with your 365 instances, you can build more innovative solutions that give your customers a better experience. Below are some of the benefits gained by implementing Microsoft Dynamics API.
Easier and Smoother Integration
Microsoft APIs connect seamlessly with other Microsoft products like Office 365, Outlook, and Power BI. That means your developers don’t have to jump through hoops trying to integrate different applications from the Microsoft ecosystem. In addition, the Dynamics API comes with connectors that work with popular third-party industry software like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Sales Navigator.
Task Automation
Data task automation lets organizations get rid of a lot of manual work while validating the output of each completed task. It’s useful when dealing with import and export operations involving a lot of data. In addition, you can initiate effortless transitions when passing work back and forth between two or more linked applications.
Service Improvement
APIs make it easier for companies to implement new applications, products, and business models. You can complement your work by integrating other Microsoft and third-party products and services during the development process. Dynamics API makes it easier to introduce innovation into your standard work processes, boosting operational efficiency.
Useful Microsoft Dynamics APIs
Let’s look at some of the most valuable components of Microsoft Dynamics API.
Data Management REST API
The data management framework is a representational state transfer (REST) API that integrates with the Finance and Operations apps through data packages. You can use this API with a cloud-based or on-premises deployment of Dynamics 365. Developers create custom services using a service group deployed with two different types of endpoints.
- Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) — Uses an XML-based messaging protocol to exchange information. Calls get transported using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
- JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) — JSON is used to store and transport data. It’s typically used when sending information from servers to web pages.
Recurring Integrations
Recurring integrations are also made possible through the data management REST API. Recurring integrations let you build on any data entities and the data management framework. In addition, you can exchange documents and files from your Finance and Operations modules to other third-party services. The API supports several document formats and uses REST APIs to send and receive data back to different business systems.
Web API
The Microsoft Dynamics Web API is compatible with various programming languages, devices, and platforms. It relies on the Open Data Protocol (OData) to build and consume RESTful APIs from data sources. Developers can create HTTP requests directed at specific operations or rely on third-party libraries to build different applications.
Why Should I Use the Dynamics 365 API?
If your organization currently relies on more than one software application, you will likely need a way to integrate them all. Otherwise, your workers are stuck trying to manipulate data using spreadsheets and other manual tools. That can lead to disparate data sources that make it harder to verify the integrity of your information.
Dynamics 365 APIs help you get a complete picture of what’s happening throughout your organization. A customer service rep can look at their CRM and get the latest information about a customer’s bill payments based on data pulled from the finance department.
Executives can view dashboards that give them a 360-degree view of data piped in from all over the organization. As a result, they have information right at their fingertips that helps them make more informed business decisions. In addition, your company can automate your more tedious processes, freeing your workers up to address more critical strategic initiatives.
Use Cases for Dynamics 365 API
Below are a few ways to leverage the Dynamics 365 API to improve your business functions.
Integrate Salesforce with Dynamics 365
If you’re using your Dynamics 365 instance as an ERP, you can integrate the Salesforce CRM and allow them to work as a single system. That way, you can streamline business processes and ensure that staff always have information from both systems essential to decisions. It’s also easier to set up automated processes because you do not have to move data from one system to another. In addition, organizations can cut down on errors caused by duplicating information because of multiple data entry sources.
Connect to Power BI
You can use the Dynamics API to hook into different Power BI dashboards and reports. You can also integrate with other data sources like a SQL database table or JSON file. Querying the Web API through your Power BI connection gives you access to all messages exposed by your Dynamics 365 instance. For example, you can use Power BI to analyze the Finance and Operations module information by connecting to the Dynamics API.
External Inventory Management
Dynamics API contains endpoints to handle inventory managed through Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management. You can get real-time updates on current inventory levels by accessing the module through an external CRM and issuing a Dynamics 365 web API query. In addition, users can also post updates or override available inventory quantities when necessary.
Take Advantage of the Dynamics 365 API
Internet eBusiness Solutions (IES) can help your organization leverage the power of Dynamics API. If you’d like more ideas on how you can better optimize your Microsoft Dynamics instance, contact us today to set up a consultation.
