The solution architect is one of the most critical roles for delivering success to Microsoft customers, and it requires many skills. This course primarily focuses on technical skills. Other topics in this module provide overviews of other skill areas that might be helpful for understanding the solution architect role. These skill areas include: Delivery skills The ability to deliver a business solution to your customer. Industry skills The accumulated knowledge obtained about a certain industry. Soft skills Skills that help you communicate with others, from co-workers to customers.

Topics and concepts in this module include: Instance strategy Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations solutions can be deployed with multiple instances, which some organizations consider for scalability or security and privacy reasons. Environment planning Environment planning helps provide a clear understanding of what environment(s) are required for which task(s) for a planned duration. Infrastructure design Key considerations for Dynamics 365 infrastructure design are discussed in this topic. Deployment models Cloud-hosted and on-premises deployments have different requirements, which are discussed in this section.

Topics and concepts in this module include: CDM and CDS core concepts Explanations of these data-sharing technologies. CDM vs. CDS A brief discussion of how these technologies interact and complement each other. Power Platform This topic explores some of the components of Power Platform, the Microsoft business application platform. Dual Write A brief explanation of a new bi-directional integration functionality that Microsoft unveiled in 2019.

Topics in this module include: Licensing requirements Having the appropriate licensing in place is an important aspect of deploying Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations solutions. Microsoft-certified ISV solutions AppSource, a rich source of information about ISV (independent software vendor) solutions that have been certified by Microsoft, can be used to identify solutions that can complement projects that you’re involved with. Support options Knowing which support options are available as well as other support considerations can be important to a project’s success.

Topics in this module include: Core LCS features and concepts Brief definitions for many LCS features and concepts that enable closer collaboration, speed implementations, and reduce time to value. The role and function of Azure DevOps and how to connect to LCS LCS can take advantage of the tools in Azure DevOps to track implementation and associate work items with requirements and business processes, including bugs, tasks, backlog items, tests, and documents.

Topics include: Develop a solution blueprint Reviews Process, Application, Data, Integration, Intelligence, Security, Continuous Update, Platform, and Timeline architecture considerations. Engage FastTrack in solution blueprint review Reviews the benefits of engaging a Microsoft FastTrack architect and/or team to review solution blueprints to help ensure a positive customer outcome.

The topic of data management is broad, and it has many ramifications when deploying Dynamics 365. Four key considerations are discussed: Data migration strategy Based on what data is needed for Cutover plan Considerations include what data needs to be brought in during cutover and whether any data needs to be manually entered Tools and framework Different tools and frameworks are available for different scenarios Data retention plan Considerations include what data needs to be stored for business operation and compliance purposes.

Topics in this module include: Integration This topic is primarily focused on integration strategy, system integrations, and integration platforms and tools. Business events Business events is a new integration method that has been added to Dynamics 365 and has been largely adopted. Endpoints Endpoints let you manage the destinations for the sending of business events.

Topics in this module include: Localization The process of localization is used to adapt a product or content to a specific location or market. Compliance Compliance is the state or fact of according with or meeting rules or standards and is often required by governmental agencies. Reporting Reporting capabilities can be important for localization and for compliance verification.

Topics include: Intrusive customization A brief review of the issue of intrusive customization and why it’s become difficult to manage. Benefits of extensibility Why extensibility is a better type of customization. Extensibility options A listing of available common extensibility options. Extensibility requests How to make an extensibility request to Microsoft when necessary.

Topics in this module include: Enterprise resource planning (ERP) security consists of a wide range of measures to protect systems from illicit access and ensure accessibility and integrity of system data. This module discusses the following security-related topics: Advise on security and compliance requirements The process of localization is used to adapt a product or content to a specific location or market. Security design Compliance is the state or fact of according with or meeting rules or standards and is often required by governmental agencies. Tools and features Reporting capabilities can be important for localization and for compliance verification.

Topics include: Performance benchmarks Recommendations and guidance for properly defining benchmarks Performance design Key considerations for performance design Patterns Recommendations for key patterns to observe during design Testing and tools Performance testing prerequisites and a list if existing performance tools.

Topics in this module include: Version control Used to help resolve concerns over consistency in solution management. Development Concepts, terminology, and core considerations. Build Requirements, recommendations, and considerations. Deployment Key considerations for deployment into runtime environments.

Topics include: Understand the test options Four types of testing are performed throughout a Dynamics 365 implementation. This topic reviews these testing types and discusses the importance of the quality and coverage of use cases. Summarize testing strategy and plan This topic discusses the reasons why a detailed testing strategy is necessary for several reasons and provides guidance about what a comprehensive testing plan should include. Available tools for testing This topic identifies the Regression Suite Automation Tool (RSAT) as well as other available tools that can be used for testing, including the Performance SDK and the Data Expansion Tool.

This module provides information about additional considerations that were not covered in the preceding modules. Topics include: Overview of the upgrade process Lays out the typical high-level steps for project teams to complete an upgrade. Special considerations Provides guidance for handling attachments, large databases, and other miscellaneous upgrade scenarios. Printing scenarios in Dynamics 365 Describes printing options as well as print management configuration options.