The question is, is your system actually slowing down, or is it simply not configured correctly? In this blog, we'll provide some tried-and-true tips and tools to help you combat downtime, reduce latency, and get your server and client performance up to par.
Factors that affect the performance of Dynamics 365 F&O
Server performance
Dynamics 365 offers a lot of flexibility regarding security setups, but it's best to keep things simple to avoid slow queries. One thing to keep in mind is the security model.
Another tip is to use out-of-the-box functions, e.g., synchronous workflows, instead of creating custom automation. This can help your system run smoothly and avoid administrative or financial headaches.
Lastly, if you're dealing with long-running data queries, you can optimize them by adding Microsoft SQL indexes without having to get permission from Microsoft Support. This can really speed things up.
Customization issues
When , you need to consider how it can impact the operations. For example, the system has to request forms over the network whenever a user checks a record, which can be slowed down by server speed and customization. However, you can use the “Performance Center” to identify issues by hitting CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+Q. This will show you which items are taking the longest to download, and Microsoft's documentation has some helpful tips on how to optimize performance.
But be careful when customizing because it can complicate D365 forms. Collapsing tabs, web resources, and subgrids can slow down performance. To keep things running smoothly, it's best to go for minimalist designs with fewer tabs and fields, especially on mobile devices. Try to keep each form under 75 fields and limit the number of tabs to five or fewer. And if you're designing for mobile, a single-column design for tabs is your best bet.
Also, editable fields take longer to render than read-only ones, and removing unused features is important. And if you're not using certain features such as Timer controls, Social Pane, Quick View forms, and charts, it's best to remove them altogether. Finally, if you're using web resources like HTML pages or images, try to keep them in collapsed tabs and avoid rendering them on mobile clients as much as possible.
Cleaning up obsolete data
Keep your system running smoothly by regularly running cleanup jobs to remove unnecessary data such as executed orders and transaction history. But be cautious when selecting data to delete, as it may contain sensitive business information.
Microsoft recommends cleaning up your database regularly, especially during off-business periods. To help identify and consolidate duplicate records, the Duplicate Detection Wizard can be used to merge relevant records within an entity. If you need to delete a large amount of obsolete data, the Bulk Delete Wizard is a great time-saver that allows you to create a new bulk deletion job.
This process is as simple as selecting the records you want to merge and clicking the "Merge" button in the panel.
If you need to delete large amounts of obsolete data in one go, you can use the Bulk Delete Wizard. To access this feature, navigate to Settings > Data Management > Bulk Record Deletion, where you can create a new bulk deletion job. Just click "New" and follow the instructions to set up your job. This can be a great time-saver and help you keep your data clean and organized.
Cloud Performance
When you're using , there are some things you can do to make the most of it. If you have an Azure subscription, you can choose the size of your virtual machines and how they're configured to work with D365. For the best performance, you'll want to go with the Premium plan, which uses SSD storage and has many cores and RAM. The DS13V2 machine, for example, has eight cores and 54 GB of RAM, which should be more than enough for whatever you're doing in D365. But, it can also be expensive. If you want to save money, go with the DS12V2 series, which has four cores and 28 GB of RAM. You'll want to configure it with three SSD storage disks of 128 GB each. That will cost you about 16 euros per disk per month. And, if you don't need quite that much storage, you could configure it with just two disks and save even more.
Related: A worthwhile investment - Dynamics 365 Finance
Tips and tricks for faster F&O performance
- Use out-of-the-box functions to prevent system issues, and optimize long-running data queries by adding Microsoft SQL indexes.
- Consider performance impact when customizing D365FO. Use Performance Center (CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+Q) to identify issues and optimize output with Microsoft's tips.
- Keep designs minimalist with <75 fields and 5 tabs, and prioritize read-only fields. Remove unused features like Timer controls, Social Pane, Quick View forms, and charts.
- Place web resources in collapsed tabs, and avoid rendering on mobile clients.
- When using , choose the right virtual machine size and configuration for optimal performance. The Premium plan is best, with SSD storage and multiple cores and RAM.
- DS12V2 series is a cost-effective option with four cores and 28 GB of RAM. Configure it with three SSD storage disks of 128 GB each for the best results or two disks to save money on your cloud subscription.
Read also: Transform Your Business with a Dynamics 365 Finance Consultant
Wrap-up
These suggestions can help make your Dynamics 365 system more productive than the standard version. For better productivity, use the available Azure and power platform services. Although, keep in mind it's important to hire professionals for specific tasks. DemandDynamics is a Microsoft Gold partner with trained professionals who deliver expert Dynamics 365 solutions. Our on-demand services give you the best services within a cost-efficient framework. You only pay for the time used. So, if you need any help with Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations implementation and customization, feel free to reach out to us. Our experts can make sure your enterprise system runs like a dream.
