Using A.I. to Propose a New Microsoft Hybrid Model that blends Microsoft Dataverse with elements of a Global Schema

Here is the Proposed Hybrid Model Diagram blending Microsoft Dataverse with elements of a Global Schema:

Key Enhancements in a proposed Hybrid Microsoft Model

Proposed Microsoft Hybrid Schema (Top-Level)

• Introduces a structured data model that balances flexibility with real-time consistency.

Enhanced Dataverse (Common Data Model - CDM)

• Acts as an intermediary that links application-specific databases to a shared global schema.
• Ensures data consistency across Dynamics 365 applications.

Shared Master Data (Global Schema)

• Stores core business entities (Customers, Employees, Products, Transactions).
• Reduces data redundancy while allowing real-time integration across Finance, HR, Supply Chain, and Sales.

Independent Application Databases

• Still allows Dynamics 365 apps to maintain their own databases for scalability and modularity.
• Applications like Finance, HR, and Supply Chain can still operate independently but access master data seamlessly.

Integration & Customization

• Power Platform (Custom Extensions) → Allows businesses to extend functionality without altering core schema. Azure Integration Services → Enables external system connections and API-based data flows.

How This Model Benefits Microsoft

?Retains Dynamics 365 modularity while adding real-time data consistency.

?Reduces data duplication across Finance, HR, and Supply Chain systems.

?Allows businesses to scale & customize using Power Platform without affecting core schema.

?Enables seamless integration with Azure & external business apps.

Real-World Implementation of the Proposed Microsoft Hybrid Model (Dataverse + Global Schema)

The proposed hybrid model combines Dataverse (Common Data Model) with a Shared Global Schema to improve cross-application consistency while maintaining modularity and flexibility.

Below is an enterprise implementation breakdown across different business functions.

1. Enterprise Use Case: Large Multinational Corporation

A global manufacturing company operates multiple business functions using Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Azure.

• Dynamics 365 Finance → General ledger, accounts payable/receivable, financial reporting.
• Dynamics 365 HR → Employee records, payroll, benefits administration.
• Dynamics 365 Supply Chain → Inventory management, procurement, logistics.
• Dynamics 365 Sales & Customer Service → CRM, order management, customer interactions.

Current Challenge Without a Unified Schema

? Each business unit operates independently, but data consistency is an issue.

? Duplicate data (e.g., customer, supplier, product, employee records) exists across different applications.

? Complex integrations are needed to keep data synchronized via APIs and Azure Services. ? Data reporting delays due to data being stored in multiple application-specific databases.

2. Hybrid Model Implementation: Step-by-Step Execution

By implementing the Proposed Hybrid Model, the enterprise can enhance Dataverse to act as a real-time data synchronization layer while keeping application-specific databases for scalability.

?? Step 1: Establish a Shared Master Data Layer (Global Schema)

• Master Data Management (MDM) is introduced for Customers, Employees, Products, and Transactions.
• These records are stored centrally in a Global Schema.
• Example: A Customer Record exists once and is referenced by Finance (invoices), Sales (CRM), and Supply Chain (orders). A Supplier Record exists once and is referenced by Procurement, Finance, and Inventory.

?? Technology Used:

? Dataverse (CDM) acts as the connector between application-specific databases and the shared schema.

? Azure SQL / Synapse Analytics manages the shared master data layer.

?? Step 2: Ensure Real-Time Synchronization Between Applications

• Finance, HR, SCM, and Sales continue to use their own databases.
• Instead of duplicating customer, product, and employee data, they reference the shared schema through Dataverse.
• Example: A New Employee is entered in HR, which updates the Shared Master Employee Record. The record is automatically available for Payroll (Finance) and Security Access (IT Systems).

?? Technology Used:

? Azure Logic Apps & Power Automate for real-time data syncing.

? Event-driven updates ensure changes in one system update other connected applications.

?? Step 3: Enable Cross-Application Business Processes

By centralizing key business entities, cross-functional workflows become faster and more efficient.

? Example 1: Order-to-Cash Process (Finance + Sales + Supply Chain)

1. A customer places an order in Dynamics 365 Sales.
2. The order is validated against real-time inventory levels from Supply Chain.
3. Finance generates an invoice based on contract terms from CRM.
4. All systems share a single customer record, eliminating data mismatches.

? Example 2: Hire-to-Payroll Process (HR + Finance)

1. HR hires an employee in Dynamics 365 HR.
2. Payroll automatically pulls salary and benefits information from the shared schema.
3. Expense management integrates employee details with Finance, ensuring correct tax and compliance deductions.

?? Technology Used:

? Dataverse enables unified workflows between applications.

? Power Platform allows automation of approvals and document generation.

?? Step 4: Advanced Data Analytics & AI

• Centralized data in the Shared Global Schema enables real-time Power BI dashboards.
• AI models analyze sales trends, workforce planning, and financial performance across multiple departments.

?? Technology Used:

? Azure Synapse Analytics for enterprise-wide data processing.

? AI & ML models predict demand and optimize supply chain logistics.

3. Key Benefits of the Hybrid Model

4. Conclusion: The Best of Both Worlds

? This hybrid approach allows Microsoft to retain its modularity while solving real-time data synchronization challenges.

? Enterprises gain a unified schema where it matters (Master Data), while still maintaining separate databases for scalability.

? Microsoft Power Platform + Azure AI ensures flexibility without forcing every system into a rigid single schema.

Here is the Real-World Implementation Flowchart for the Hybrid Model (Dataverse + Global Schema).

Key Flowchart Elements

Here is the Real-World Implementation Flowchart for the Hybrid Model (Dataverse + Global Schema).

Enterprise Business Operations

• Represents real-world business activities that require data across Finance, HR, Supply Chain, and Sales.

Dataverse (Common Data Model) as the Integration Layer

• Acts as a central hub linking Shared Master Data and Independent App Databases.

Shared Master Data (Global Schema)

• Stores Customer, Supplier, Product, and Employee Master Data in a unified format.
• Ensures real-time consistency across multiple applications.

Independent App Databases for Dynamics 365

• Each application (Finance, HR, SCM, and Sales) maintains its own optimized database for performance and scalability.
• Apps reference the Shared Master Data instead of duplicating data.

Power Platform for Customization & Automation

• Enables low-code/no-code custom extensions without altering the global schema.

Azure Integration Services

• Manages external system connectivity, including SAP, Workday, and legacy ERP solutions.

Power BI & AI Analytics

• Uses centralized data from Dataverse and the Global Schema for real-time insights and reporting.

Event-Driven Workflows (Logic Apps)

• Automates cross-application workflows (e.g., Hire-to-Payroll, Order-to-Cash) using real-time triggers.

How This Flowchart Solves Microsoft's Data Challenges

? Real-time data consistency across Finance, HR, and Sales.

? No more duplicated customer and supplier records across applications.

? Keeps Microsoft's modular approach while allowing real-time shared data.

? Enables seamless external integrations and AI-driven insights.

This model preserves the best of Oracle’s GSS model while keeping Microsoft’s flexibility and scalability.

Here are the individual Technical Diagrams for each Microsoft Hybrid Schema Application Area, showing how each domain integrates with Dataverse (Common Data Model) and Azure Integration Services:

Microsoft Hybrid Schema for Finance (ERP)

• Shared Schema for: General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Financial Reporting
• Enables cross-financial reporting, automated reconciliations, and real-time financial visibility.

Microsoft Hybrid Schema for HR (HCM)

• Shared Schema for: Employee Records, Payroll, Benefits, Time Tracking
• Provides a centralized employee data model for seamless integration with payroll and HR compliance tools.

Microsoft Hybrid Schema for Supply Chain (SCM)

• Shared Schema for: Inventory Management, Procurement, Order Fulfillment, Logistics Improves supply chain efficiency, procurement tracking, and inventory forecasting.

Microsoft Hybrid Schema for Sales & CRM

• Shared Schema for: Leads, Opportunities, Accounts, Contacts, Contracts
• Unifies customer data across sales, marketing, and account management for a 360-degree customer view.

Microsoft Hybrid Schema for Customer Service

• Shared Schema for: Cases, Knowledge Base, Field Service, Customer Feedback
• Centralizes customer interactions and service history for improved support experiences.

How These Diagrams Improve Microsoft's Architecture

? Each business domain has shared data for real-time cross-app synchronization.

? Dataverse (CDM) acts as the central hub for data consistency across all Microsoft applications.

? Azure Integration Services ensures seamless external system connectivity (SAP, Workday, etc.).

? Each Dynamics 365 application retains its independent database but references shared schema objects.

Here is the High-Level Overview Diagram integrating all Microsoft Hybrid Schema Application Areas into a single view.

Diagram Breakdown:

Microsoft Hybrid Schema (Top-Level)

• Acts as the unified data model, ensuring real-time data consistency.

Business Domains (Category Nodes)

• Finance (ERP) → General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Financial Reporting.
• HR (HCM) → Employee Records, Payroll, Benefits, Time Tracking.
• Supply Chain (SCM) → Inventory, Procurement, Order Fulfillment, Logistics.
• Sales & CRM → Leads, Opportunities, Accounts, Contacts, Contracts.
• Customer Service → Cases, Knowledge Base, Field Service, Customer Feedback.

Dataverse (Common Data Model - CDM)

• Enables cross-application data synchronization.
• Ensures Finance, HR, Sales, and SCM share master data without duplication.

Azure Integration Services

• Connects external systems (SAP, Workday, legacy ERP/CRM).
• Enables real-time workflows and AI-powered analytics.

Key Benefits of This Model:

? Cross-application data consistency with shared master records.

? Maintains Microsoft’s modular approach while enabling real-time collaboration.

? Eliminates redundant data storage, reducing complexity and sync delays.

? Azure & Dataverse ensure enterprise-wide automation and AI-driven insights.

Just an idea for Microsoft to consider to compete with Oracle in the ERP Space.