Understanding Dataverse Licensing A Deep Dive into Restricted Tables

Understanding Dataverse Licensing: A Deep Dive into Restricted Tables

Introduction

Understanding the intricacies of licensing, especially when it comes to Dataverse restricted tables, is essential for those looking to extend Dynamics 365 through Power Apps. This blog post dives deep into the world of licensing, shedding light on the topic and guiding users through the maze of restricted tables in Dataverse.

Power Apps, Dynamics 365, and Dataverse Explained

At the core of Dynamics 365 lies Dataverse, an underlying database that seamlessly integrates with Power Apps. This integration enables users to broaden the functionalities of Dynamics 365 effectively. However, a challenge emerges with certain tables termed ‘restricted tables’, which are only accessible with a full-fledged Dynamics 365 license.

Why Do Restricted Tables Exist?

Delving into the world of Dynamics 365 licensing, one observes a ‘base and attach’ model. To put this into perspective, a ‘sales professional’ license costs $65/month. Users looking to access more apps in the Dynamics 365 suite will need to pay a lower ‘attach’ fee for the added licenses.

Comparing this to the Power Apps pricing reveals an interesting pattern. A Power Apps per user license, allowing access to Dataverse and unlimited custom apps, is priced at $40/month, whereas a per app license, allowing access to Dataverse and two custom apps, stands at $10/month.

Organizations, looking at cost-cutting measures, might be tempted to create custom Power Apps that interact with Dynamics 365’s tables. This approach could lead to significant savings. However, Microsoft introduced restricted tables in Dataverse to safeguard its licensing revenues. With these tables, Power Apps users can view records but cannot create, modify, or delete them.

Which Tables are Restricted?

For a comprehensive list of restricted tables, Microsoft’s documentation is the best source. As of now, the list includes tables such as Actual, Agreement Business Process, Booking journal, and many others.

For the most current information on restricted tables, click here.

Dynamics 365 Licensing: A Deeper Dive

For a more in-depth understanding of Dynamics 365 licensing, the PDF licensing guide offers the best insights. While the official Microsoft Dynamics 365 website offers a broad perspective, this guide delves into the nuances.

Users who only need limited, mostly read-only access to Dynamics 365 data might find value in the team license and Team apps, which are priced at approximately $8/user/month. For further details, visit this link.

Conclusion

Dataverse presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for users wanting to expand their Dynamics 365 functionalities. With restricted tables, although there are limitations, it’s essential to be informed and navigate licensing effectively. If you find yourself with questions or need technical assistance, contact us – we’re here to help and guide you.

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