Microsoft updates Dynamics AX users on D365 Finance & Operations Enterprise on-prem, hybrid plans

Orchestrating development in a D365 on-prem deployment | Source

Microsoft continues to firm up the on-premises and hybrid ("Cloud + Edge") models for deploying and running Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, Enterprise edition (D365FOE). The various scenarios, which all involve running part or all of a system outside of the preferred Azure environment, aim to meet different customer requirements. Microsoft representatives explained to Dynamics AX users at D365UG/AXUG Summit 2017 that even as it works to ready support for these models, it is also documenting tradeoffs and limitations for customers.

Based on presentations at Summit, Microsoft's progress has varied for the different deployment models. Progress on addressing issues and identifying limitations will become decision factors for Dynamics AX customers and partners as these scenarios reach general availability in the future.

Cloud + Edge

The Cloud + Edge model, which Microsoft defines as a solution with a typical Azure-based D365FOE deployment at its core plus one or more on-premises instances, is currently in developer preview. General availability is likely going to be toward the end of 2018, Microsoft representatives at Summit told attendees.

The main reason for the long preview of Cloud + Edge is that this architecture must support a range of complex data synchronization scenarios, Microsoft said. When running correctly, a Cloud + Edge architecture requires smooth synchronization between each local system and the cloud master.

Microsoft is working against the assumption that the conditions driving local offline usage would be limited, as ...