Data Migration For Dynamics 365 Implementation: Various Ways to Data Migrate and Fix Pressing Challenges

• In Dynamics 365, data fields have specific data types that determine the kind of data that can be stored in them. Two of the most basic data types are single line of text and whole number.
  Single line of text, also known as a string, is used to store a single line of alphanumeric characters. It can be used to store data such as names, addresses, and descriptions.  Whole number, also known as an integer, is used to store numeric values without a decimal point. It can be used to store data such as quantities, prices, and ID numbers.
  When mapping data fields from existing systems to Dynamics 365, it is important to ensure that the data types match. For example, if a field in an existing system contains a quantity, it should be mapped to a whole number field in Dynamics 365. Similarly, if a field contains a name, it should be mapped to a single line of text field in Dynamics 365.
  Mismatching the data types may cause data loss or data to be stored incorrectly. Therefore, it is important to validate the data types of the fields in the existing systems, and then match them to the corresponding data types in Dynamics 365. This will help ensure that data is properly transferred and can be used as intended.
• Built-in entities, such as "Accounts" and "Contacts": Built-in entities in Dynamics 365 refer to pre-defined data structures that store information about specific types of data. For example, the "Accounts" entity stores information about customer accounts, such as the account name, address, and contact information. The "Contacts" entity stores information about individual contacts, such as their name, job title, and contact information. These entities can be customized and extended to fit the specific needs of an organization, and can be used in conjunction with other Dynamics 365 features, such as workflow automation and analytics.

• Data duplication: Migrating data from different sources can lead to duplicate data, such as multiple records for the same individual or account. This can make it difficult to ensure that the data is accurate and can lead to confusion or errors.
• Data consistency: Migrating data from different sources can lead to inconsistencies in the data, such as different formats or naming conventions. This can make it difficult to ensure that the data is accurate and consistent across the system. 
• Data validation errors: Migrating data from different sources can lead to missing or invalid data, such as incorrect email addresses or phone numbers. This can make it difficult to ensure that the data is accurate and can be used for communication.

Data security: Migrating data from different sources can lead to security issues, such as sensitive data being exposed or mishandled. This can make it difficult to ensure that the data is handled in accordance with regulations and can lead to compliance issues. Data completeness: Migrating data from different sources can lead to missing data, such as important information that is not present in the source system. This can make it difficult to ensure that important information is not missed.

• Data encryption 
1. Azure Information protector : Azure Information Protection (AIP) is a cloud-based service that helps organizations classify and protect sensitive data, both on-premises and in the cloud. It allows administrators to classify data based on predefined or custom labels, and then apply protection (such as encryption or access controls) based on those labels. AIP can be integrated with Dynamics 365 to protect data stored in the system. 
2. BitLocker: BitLocker is a full disk encryption feature built into Windows operating systems. It uses industry-standard encryption algorithms to protect data on a device, including data stored on removable drives, such as USB flash drives. BitLocker can be used to encrypt data stored on Dynamics 365 servers, as well as data stored locally on user devices.
3. 3rd party encryption solutions: 3rd party encryption solutions for Dynamics 365 include software and services from other vendors that can be used to encrypt data stored in the system. These solutions can provide additional encryption options and features beyond what is built into Dynamics 365, and may also be integrated with other security tools and services. Examples of 3rd party encryption solutions include Symantec, McAfee, and Check Point. 
• Data Access Control
1. Azure Active Directory (AAD): Azure Active Directory (AAD) is a cloud-based identity and access management service provided by Microsoft. It can be used to authenticate and authorize users for Dynamics 365, as well as other Azure services. AAD allows organizations to manage user identities, roles, and permissions in a centralized location, and can be integrated with on-premises directories for hybrid scenarios.
2. Dynamics 365 Security roles: Dynamics 365 Security roles are used to control access to the system, by defining what actions users can perform, and on what data. Security roles are assigned to users, and can be customized to fit the needs of the organization.
3. Dynamics 365 Field-level security: Dynamics 365 Field-level security allows administrators to restrict access to specific fields within entities, based on the user or their security role. This can be used to protect sensitive data, such as financial information, from unauthorized access.
4. Third-party access control solutions: Third-party access control solutions are software and services provided by other vendors that can be used to manage access to Dynamics 365. These solutions can provide additional features, such as multi-factor authentication and conditional access, and can also be integrated with other security tools and services. Examples of third-party access control solutions include Okta, Auth0, and Ping Identity.
• Data Leakage
1. Azure Information Protection (AIP): Azure Information Protection (AIP) is a cloud-based service that helps organizations classify and protect sensitive data, both on-premises and in the cloud. It allows administrators to classify data based on predefined or custom labels, and then apply protection (such as encryption or access controls) based on those labels. AIP can be integrated with Dynamics 365 to protect data stored in the system, by using DLP policies, labels, and other security measures to detect and prevent data leakage from Dynamics 365. 
2. Role-based access controls (RBAC): Role-based access controls (RBAC) is a feature that allow administrators to assign different levels of access to different users, based on their roles within the organization. In Dynamics 365, RBAC can be used to control access to data, features and actions, and protect sensitive information from unauthorized access or changes.
3. Built-in features such as Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies: Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies are set of predefined or custom rules that can be used to detect and prevent sensitive data from being accidentally shared or leaked. DLP policies can be applied to Dynamics 365, by using AIP or other third party solutions, to monitor and protect data from accidental leakage, such as sending an email with sensitive information to the wrong recipient.

• Data Import Wizard: This is a built-in feature of Dynamics 365 that allows users to import data from various sources, such as Excel, CSV, or other Dynamics 365 instances, into the target system.
• Microsoft Data Migration Manager: This is a separate tool that can be used to migrate data from a variety of sources, including other CRM systems, into Dynamics 365.
• Third-party migration tools: There are several third-party tools available that can be used to migrate data into Dynamics 365, such as KingswaySoft, Scribe, and InoLink.
• Custom code: In some cases, custom code may be required to migrate data into Dynamics 365. This can be done using the Dynamics 365 SDK and APIs. 
• Dynamics 365 integration with other tools: Dynamics 365 can also be integrated with other tools such as Power Automate, Logic apps, Azure Functions etc to automate and schedule the data migration.

Conclusion

Data migration has always been a concern when it comes to migrating from any legacy system to Dynamics 365.

Dynamics 365 implementation services from Nalashaa Digital makes your migration plan a success. Email us at info@nalashaa.com and let’s toil away.