Using the Microsoft Dynamics 365 CDS platform for development

Editor's Note: Hear more from John at his upcoming MSDW webcast on how tech companies can harness the power of Dynamics 365.

When we decided to develop a new accounting system for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), we had a basic decision to make: develop on a mature platform like Microsoft Dynamics CRM (a.k.a. Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement) or develop from the ground up with a new platform, tools, and applications. We looked closely at the pluses and minuses of each method and decided to go with using the Dynamics 365 platform for Gravity Software. 

In retrospect, developing on the Microsoft platform was a great decision. There is no way that we could have invested in the tools and technology that Microsoft has already brought to the table. Some of the key decision points were:

1. Mature and stable technology with millions of users.
2. Strong set of services that we could leverage.
3. Well thought out user interface.
4. Rapid development of our IP.
5. Open and established platform and API with a significant number of products integrated into it.
6. Leveraging the Microsoft brand and community.

Using the Common Data Service (CDS) platform has allowed us to concentrate on developing our applications and IP without having to worry about all the infrastructure. In less than four years, Gravity has matured into a feature-rich accounting system. Along the way, Microsoft has ...