If you've ever built anything using
Microsoft CRM or the Power Platform, you've probably asked
yourself this question: Where should I store my data? I’ve been there. When I
first started using Microsoft
CRM Dataverse, it felt a little
overwhelming – database storage, file storage, and log storage – what does it all
mean?
Over time, I figured it out through
real-world projects, and now I want to break it down for you in simple terms so
you can confidently decide where to put your data and why it matters. Microsoft
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What is Dataverse (And Why You Should Care?)
Dataverse is the heart of
Microsoft’s CRM and Power Platform. Think of it as your data’s home – a secure,
smart, and super flexible storage system that works behind apps like Power Apps, Power
Automate, and Dynamics
365 Customer Engagement.
I use Microsoft CRM Dataverse every time I need to manage customer data –
contacts, accounts, deals, you name it. It comes with ready-to-use tables for
these, and you can even build your own.
The best part? It’s already
connected to the Microsoft tools you probably already use, which makes
everything easier.
The 3 Main Types of Storage in Dataverse
Here’s what I’ve learned about
storage options inside Dataverse:
Database Storage
·
This is where you keep your structured data – like
names, emails, or transaction records. It’s clean, searchable, and easy to
manage.
File Storage
·
For things like attachments, images, or uploaded
documents. I usually use this for storing resumes, invoices, or contracts.
Log Storage
·
Not as exciting, but still important. This is where
system activities like audit logs live. It’s great for keeping an eye on what’s
happening behind the scenes.
Whenever I set up a new CRM app, I
always check the Power Platform Admin Center to see how much storage I’ve used
and where it’s going. Best CRM storage practices mean staying ahead of usage
before things slow down or cost more. Microsoft
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Why I Stick With Dataverse
I used to wonder if I should go
with SQL Server or SharePoint for some of my data, but here’s why I now stick
with Microsoft CRM Dataverse most of the time:
·
Security is
top-notch. You can lock things down to specific users or even hide
certain fields.
·
It works beautifully with Microsoft Power Apps, making it easy to build apps with zero code.
·
You can automate anything using Power Automate, which saves so much time.
·
I can pull data into Power BI dashboards without complicated connectors.
·
And yes – it scales. I’ve built apps with thousands of
records, and it still performs smoothly.
Whether it’s a small project or an
enterprise rollout, I always consider Power
Platform data storage and how it
fits my needs before choosing where to put my data.
What I Learned from Building Real CRM Apps
One of my biggest lessons: Don’t
try to store everything in one place.
For example, when I built an internal HR portal, I separated resume files (in
file storage), employee records (in database storage), and system logs (in log
storage). That kept things faster and cleaner.
When planning, I always sketch out
a CRM data model first. This helps avoid messy relationships later and makes it
easier to report on. If you’re migrating from Excel or another CRM, take time
to map your data properly.
Understanding Dataverse table
storage has helped me avoid headaches down the road – especially when scaling
up.
Keep It Simple, But Smart
If you’re just starting out, here
are my go-to tips:
·
Use database storage for anything you want to search,
filter, or relate to other records.
·
Keep files like images and documents in file storage –
not in database tables.
·
Don’t ignore log storage – especially if you want to
track user activity or debug automation flows.
·
Monitor usage regularly and clean up old or inactive
records.
The combo of Microsoft CRM +
Dataverse isn’t just powerful – it’s actually easy to manage once you get the
hang of it.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about building
with the Power Platform or managing customer relationships better, learning how
to store your data right in Microsoft CRM Dataverse is essential.
I’ve made mistakes (like stuffing
PDFs into database fields – ouch!) and learned the hard way. But once you get
comfortable with where and how to store your data, it opens up a world of
possibilities.
So go ahead – explore, build, and
don’t be afraid to test things out. Dataverse is your friend.
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CRM Online Training. You will get the best course at an affordable cost.
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