I’ve blogged quite frequently in the past about exams and certifications for Microsoft Dynamics CRM and its successor product Dynamics 365. There’s been a lot of change and, for the most part, improvements in this space. Back in the days of Dynamics CRM 2016, there were up to 4 exams that you could get your teeth into ; these days, this number has trebled and now covers a wide array of differing functionality across Dynamics 365 . A noted absence amongst this list has been a dedicated exam devoted towards extending and developing bespoke solutions using Dynamics 365. The last such exam for this topic was released for Dynamics CRM 2013 nearly seven years ago . Since then, there has been no mechanism for developers to certify and validate their skills in developing custom plug-ins, Actions, working with the SDK Web API and, perhaps most importantly, working with new features such as the PowerApps Component Framework (PCF) . These are all essential skill areas to have an awareness of when scoping and implementing a complex Dynamics 365 deployment. Therefore, after what feels like a small eternity, I was pleased to hear that a new developers exam is currently out in beta release. Exam MB-400: Microsoft Power Apps + Dynamics 365 Developer covers all of the areas you would hope for in a developer exam and, with MB-200 under your belt , will also grant you a shiny new Microsoft Certified Associate certification – excellent! I hope to sit MB-400 very soon, but, in the meantime, let’s take a closer look at the areas covered by the new exam. I’ll also highlight and suggest some recommendations, that may be of assistance if you are preparing to sit the exam yourself. Reviewing the Skills Measured List As is typical for a Microsoft exam, a wide variety of subject areas are tested and are granted different weightings when totalling your final score. For this exam, the skills measured list is as follows: Create a Technical Design (10-15%) Validate requirements and design technical architecture design and validate technical architecture design authentication and authorization strategy determine whether requirements can be met with out-of-the-box functionality determine when to use Logic Apps vs. Microsoft Flow determine when to use serverless computing vs. plug-ins determine when to build a virtual entity data source provider vs. when to use connectors Create a data model design a data model Configure Common Data Service (CDS) (15-20%) Configure security to support development troubleshoot operational security issues create or update security roles and field-level security profiles Implement entities and fields configure entities configure fields configure relationships Create and maintain solutions configure solutions import and export solutions manage solution dependencies Create and Configure PowerApps (10-15%) Create model-driven apps configure a model-driven app configure forms configure views configure visualizations Create Canvas Apps configure a Canvas App develop complex expressions Configure business process automation (10-15%) Configure Microsoft Flow configure a Flow configure actions to use CDS connectors develop complex expressions Implement processes create and configure business process flows create and configure business rules Extend the user experience (15-20%) Apply business logic using client scripting configure supporting components create JavaScript or Typescript code register an event handler use the Web API from client scripting Create a PowerApps Component Framework (PCF) component initialize a new PCF component configure a PCF component manifest implement the component interfaces package, deploy, and consume the component use Web API device capabilities and other component framework services Create a command button function create the command function design command button triggers, rules, and actions edit the command bar using the Ribbon Workbench modify the form JavaScript library dependencies Extend the platform (15-20%) Create a plug-in debug and troubleshoot a plug-in develop a plug-in use the Organization Service optimize plug-ins for performance register custom assemblies by using the Plug-in Registration Tool create custom actions Configure custom connectors for PowerApps and Flow create a definition for the API configure API security use policy templates Use platform APIs interact with data and processes using the Web API optimize for performance, concurrency, transactions, and batching perform discovery using the Web API perform entity metadata operations with the Web API use OAuth with the platform APIs Develop Integrations (10-15%) Publish and consume events publish an event by using the API publish an event by using the Plug-in Registration Tool register a webhook create an Azure event listener application Implement data synchronization configure and use entity change tracking configure the data export service to integrate with Azure SQL Database create and use alternate keys So as you can see, a lot to consume and potentially learn about, even for the most seasoned of Dynamics CRM/365 professionals. General Recommendations The exam is testing developers on their understanding of, what I would traditionally class as, core customisation topics – primarily when it comes to simple entity customisations, the systems security model and also working with solutions. It is imperative, therefore, not to neglect these areas as part of your learning. Also, because these topics are underneath the Configure Common Data Service (CDS) header, I would assume that familiarity with the new customisation experience will be mandatory in securing a passing grade. A general refresher in these areas would not go amiss. Both canvas and model-driven Power Apps are subject areas tested in this exam, with an additional focus on being familiar with the broad range of functions available within a canvas app . Likewise, Power Automate flows (AKA Microsoft Flow) is a subject area that you will need to dive into, alongside its distinct expression language . Understanding the differences and usage cases between a Power Automate flow and Logic Apps will be crucial for this exam. As a general rule of thumb, Logic Apps caters for more complex integration needs, is billable based on actual usage, and allows you to leverage Software Development Lifecycle Management (SLDC) / Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) features much straightforwardly. For the first time for a developer exam, knowledge of TypeScript is now a requirement; primarily in the context of developing form functions and also in creating a PCF control. While TypeScript is very much C#/JScript like in its general structure, getting your head around the fundamentals and – more crucially – TypeScript’s differences between our C#/JScript may be a challenge. This next one has to be a first for a Microsoft exam for me – it now looks as if knowledge of community tools and, specifically, Scott Durow’s Ribbon Workbench is now a mandatory requirement to pass the exam! I’m relatively sure most developers will have used this tool at some stage during their travels; if not, then going over the basics of this tool wouldn’t go amiss I’d say. A lot of the core focus areas for this exam are in well-versed areas for CRM developers, such as plug-ins, the Web API and custom actions. While this may reduce any revision pressures, I would caution against complete complacency. Things are changing all the time with the SDK, meaning that regular refreshers are always needed. For example, were you aware of the deprecation of the Xrm.Page object, used primarily within JScript form functions? What about the new API limits that are being gradually rolled out? Or, finally, how about the fact that the SDK is now available within NuGet exclusively? Complacency is never an acceptable excuse when working with a cloud application system, so make sure you put the appropriate steps in place to revise any changes made to the SDK within the past 18 months and to keep abreast of any new changes in future. Taking the previous point as read, one notable exception from the familiar list is Web Resources . While these are still readily available to use as a solution, their use is becoming less needed, as canvas Power Apps, for example, start to fill the void in their stead. Their omission from the above Skills Measured list though, would suggest they are a subject not worthy enough for exam revision. The integrations area of the exam is very much testing your ability to bring Microsoft Azure into the equation. Somewhat surprisingly, amongst this, is a requirement to know all about the Data Export Service too, a topic area that has been covered on the blog previously. Again, this emphasises the importance of having broad familiarity with the overall Microsoft “stack” and how you can slot this into your Dynamics 365/Power Platform solution. Remember, if you are sitting the exam while it is still in beta, you will not get your results immediately after completing the exam. You will likely need to wait a few months until MB-400 has come out of beta before receiving your pass/fail notification. Ultimately, the exam is very much focused towards the Power Platform as an entire solution, as opposed to merely Dynamics 365 (as a model-driven app) and its corresponding database (CDS) as a solution in of itself. If you have so far not looked seriously at canvas Power Apps or Flow, this exam gives you an excellent opportunity to dive into areas that are only going to become more critical in the years ahead. As mentioned earlier, I plan to sit this exam within the next few months, so be sure to keep an eye on the blog for any follow-up posts relating to MB-400. In the meantime, what are your thoughts on MB-400? Does it sound too harsh or a cakewalk compared to MB2-701? What’s your approach to studying for a new exam like this? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
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Blog Post: The Return of the Developer Exam: Evaluating Microsoft Exam MB-400
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Forum Post: RE: Dynamics CRM Online Mobile App - Barcode Scan Not Work
I also created and tried a trial account on Dynamics 365 CE and I got the same issue. Here are trial account versions xiaomi note 5(android) Dynamics 2019 release wave 2 enabled server version 9.1.0000010329 app version 4.3.19111.22 (1,2) client version 1.3.2472-191112-195614 iphone 7(ios) Dynamics 2019 release wave 2 enabled server version 9.1.0000010329 app version 13.19113.0.0(1,1) client version 1.3.2472-191112-195614
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Forum Post: RE: Creating link to External Website with the dynamic record Id in CRM Dynamics 365 (on-prem) in workflow email
Hi, Thanks for the prompt reply. Yes, it is a text field but is not fulfilling the requirement by using the insert hyperlink button in the workflow email composer. Check the attached image which may help you to understand what I am trying to achieve. Thanks in advance. Cheers, Naveed.
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Blog Post: CDS (current environment) connector is playing hide and seek?
Have you ever seen a connector playing hide and seek? Just look at the recording below: Common Data Service (Current Environment Connector) does not show up when I type “related records” on the first screen But it does show up when I do it on the other screen What’s the difference? From what I could see so far, the only difference is that, in the first case, my Flow is created outside of the solution. In the second case, I’m creating a Flow within a solution. But, that magic aside, if you have not seen that connector yet, it’s definitely worth looking at since we are getting additional functionality there: FetchXML Relate/Unrelate records Actions There is a unified on update/create/delete trigger And, also, this connector can be deployed through your solutions without having to update the connections. Actually, it’s a bit more complicated. If you deploy the Flow with such a connector through a managed solution, it will start working in the new environment. BUT. If you choose to look at that flow in the new environment, you’ll notice that the connections are broken, so you won’t be able to change anything in the Flow until you fix the connections. Here, notice how the Flow ran a few times: But the connections, if you decide to look at them, are broken: The trick with this connector is not to touch those connections Just leave them be, deploy that flow through a solution, and, probably, don’t forget to delete the solution when deploying an updated version of the Flow (for more details on this, have a look at the previous post )
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Forum Post: RE: Dynamics CRM Online Mobile App - Barcode Scan Not Work
Hi partner, This problem should appear in the new version. Please raise a ticket to Microsoft Support Team for more professional help. Best Regards, Leo
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Forum Post: RE: Sql server Upgrade
Hi, If I am not wrong, you also need to install Reporting Extension in the SQL 2016 box. docs.microsoft.com/.../microsoft-dynamics-365-reporting-requirements Hope thi shelps.
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Forum Post: RE: How to retrive 5000+ record using Javascript
Hi, Would suggest to think about your implementation again, retrieving 20K+ records using javascript may cause some other problems. Why do you want all these products? Are you trying to populate some field/ table etc? If yes, think about the user who needs to select record from these 20K+ records.
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Forum Post: RE: Changing Field data type from singel line of text to multiline text
Hi, There is a tool in Xrm Toolbox to update the type of an attribute. Try that: www.xrmtoolbox.com/.../ Hope this helps.
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Forum Post: RE: Parent account should be copied as child entity
Hi, This can be done just by creating a lookup field on the Account entity for the Account entity. Are you looking for something specific? Hope this helps.
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Forum Post: RE: JS: Reference Error
Hi, Most of the time, "ReferenceError: ' ' is undefined" error message occurs due to the syntax error in the javascript liabrary. I checked the script you have shared with the online JS syntax validator and it does have syntax error i.e. you are missing ")" in the if statement https://esprima.org/demo/validate.html Replace below if (UserHasRole("System Administrator") { with if (UserHasRole("System Administrator") ) { Hope this helps.
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Forum Post: RE: Unsubscribe-link in email from marketing lists does not work
Does Microsoft CRM now supports automated unsubscribes??
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Forum Post: Style of Descirption field / mouseover
Hello, i want to Change the style of the description field that is visible as a mouseover. Is it possible to Change it via Stylesheet ?
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Forum Post: Note entity is not visible in subgrid Properties
Hi Experts, I am using CRM online Trials version I need to select Notes Entity in Dropdown of Entity Field in set properties of Subgrid under Form Editor. See Below screenshot? Can I miss something or Doing something wrong? Thanks in advance
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Forum Post: RE: Style of Descirption field / mouseover
You can not use Stylesheet. There is no supported way to do it either. You can do this by unsupported way following thread help you. community.dynamics.com/.../need-change-the-colour-of-text-field-value-in-dynamics-365 If you need to do it in supported way then hide this particular field and create custom HTML page or PCF component for field data input. Following link help you to make PCF component in CRM. debajmecrm.com/.../
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Forum Post: RE: View custom fields of the Email Activity in the Outlook app
Following link might help you community.dynamics.com/.../what-is-the-use-of-crm-fields-in-outlook
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Forum Post: RE: Style of Descirption field / mouseover
Thank you for your answer.
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Forum Post: RE: Sql server Upgrade
Hi, it is already installed before the upgrade.
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Forum Post: RE: Mobile application language
Thank you! I would like you to keep me updated when such a Hebrew supporting version will be released
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Forum Post: RE: What are the requirements for Java with using CRM 4.0?
the requirements for JAVA with using CRM 4.0 ? Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 is a complete Business Application Platform that is open for customization as well as extension to suit sophisticated as well as trivial business needs. One way to extend the functionality available for this platform is to use the SDK and write code to call the CRM standard Web services to perform queries and update data operations on CRM Entities, etc. if (args.Length != 2) { Console.WriteLine( ...); Return 1; } Then the following code serves to create / configure an Instance of the Crm Discovery Service Web Service Proxy.
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Blog Post: Why Should I set up SharePoint and OneNote Integration in my Microsoft Dynamics 365 Organization?
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is meant to be a one-stop-shop. It was created to be a place for marketing, sales, and customer service to thrive. Looking at 2019 and beyond, Microsoft Dynamics 365 is ever-expanding its capabilities onto different job functions to make it even more powerful and effective for the user. However, Microsoft Dynamics 365 was not meant to be a document management application, which is where SharePoint comes in, and the answers to your question begin to unravel. SharePoint When you’re wondering about why you should set up SharePoint in your Microsoft Dynamics 365 Organization, the answer is that SharePoint is built to be a document manager and is sized to handle large volumes of files/documents. Common problems users may face when uploading files directly to Microsoft Dynamics 365 is reaching their Data Storage Limit. This is usually due to Attachments, which eat up your storage faster than anything you can possibly imagine. It’s simply because Microsoft Dynamics 365 was sized to store data and Microsoft already had a well-established document management application. The solution is SharePoint integration. SharePoint offers users the ability to: Share simply and collaborate seamlessly Access the same files from inside D365 and SharePoint Harness collective knowledge using powerful search and intelligent ways to discover information, expertise, and insights Engage and inform your organization and more! It complements Microsoft Dynamics 365 and supports it to make the combination of these applications a more whole, powerful ecosystem for the user. By integrating these two systems, all of your information is put in one spot, making the application the one-stop-shop it was meant to be from the start. The robust capabilities will become clear very quickly when you begin to integrate SharePoint or OneNote with your Microsoft Dynamics 365 environment. When you integrate these two, you can upload documents and create new documents that are stored in SharePoint directly on the entities you know and love on a daily basis in Microsoft Dynamics 365 (i.e. Accounts, Contacts, Leads). OneNote If you’ve ever been on a call with a Ledgeview Partners Support Consultant, you may have heard them jokingly refer to Microsoft OneNote as “Microsoft Word on steroids”. Funny as it may sound, there is some truth behind this statement! Because OneNote has so much beefed up capability, it’s taken the business world by storm, and people are using it in a very large capacity. We see this happening across clients among different industries. OneNote offers users the ability to: Organize content across notebooks, sections, and pages Highlight can’t-miss notes with Important and To-Do tags Draw thoughts and annotate notes using a stylus or your finger Record audio notes, insert online videos, and add files Clip and save content with a single click using OneNote Web Clipper Share notebooks with coworkers, friends, and family and more! This further exemplifies the principle and purpose of making Microsoft Dynamics 365 a one-stop-shop. You may wonder: “I have OneNote Notebooks on my Accounts – Can I access those in Dynamics 365?” or “Can I create a OneNote Notebook for my customer directly in Microsoft Dynamics?” The answer to both of these (great) questions is a resounding yes! OneNote Notebooks can be uploaded to SharePoint through the SharePoint Integration and accessed for that Account. The OneNote Integration automatically creates a new OneNote Notebook for each record. Watch the demo to learn how to set up these integrations with your Microsoft Dynamics 365 environment. Watch the Sept. 2019 Microsoft Dynamics 365/CRM User Group Webinar here . RESOURCES: “OneNote, Digital Note Taking App.” Office , https://products.office.com/en-us/onenote/digital-note-taking-app . “SharePoint, Team Collaboration Software Tools.” , Team Collaboration Software Tools , https://products.office.com/en-us/sharepoint/collaboration . Contact Us Today To learn more about Ledgeview’s Expertise Let’s Talk Related Articles Julia Flaherty Why Should I set up SharePoint and OneNote Integration in my Microsoft Dynamics 365 Organization? Julia Flaherty Julia Flaherty A Day in the Life with Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales: Getting Started as a Salesperson Julia Flaherty ADDITIONAL POSTS The post Why Should I set up SharePoint and OneNote Integration in my Microsoft Dynamics 365 Organization? appeared first on Ledgeview Partners .
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