Dynamics 365: Unified Interface

In Dynamics 365, we have two types of interfaces: Web and Unified Interface.  The Web User Interface is the legacy interface which Dynamics users have been accustomed to for a long time.  The new Unified Interface was introduced by Microsoft in Dynamics 365 v9.0.

In this blog we will explain the unified interface, how does unified interface help with user adoption, creation of a unified interface app, and how to restrict access to the various apps.

What is Unified Interface

Unified Interface uses a responsive web design that allows Dynamics 365 to be accessed using various devices of varying screen sizes and types.

The Dynamics 365 unified interface (UI) will be the only User Interface for Dynamics 365 in the future replacing the old web UI entirely.

Not only is the Unified interface practical but also visually appealing.

Ease of Use and User Adoption

The Unified Interface are model-driven apps created from within Dynamics 365 where end-users would access a specific app targeted to the work they perform.

Prior to the unified interface, Microsoft Dynamics was a giant database where we needed to restrict access via business units and security roles.  Even after doing all that, it did not reduce the clutter due to the magnitude of dynamics CRM.  Thus, users would feel overwhelmed thus requiring more change management to increase user adoption.

By creating Unified Interface apps within dynamics 365, we can focus the sitemap on the things that the persona or team of users would require from Dynamics 365.  Therefore, even though the database and the power of dynamics stays the same, the user interface can be customized to the requirements of the user accessing the particular app.

Creating an App

Creating an app within Dynamics 365 is very simple.  The steps required to create an app are listed below:

1. Log into Dynamics 365 as a system administrator or customizer
2. Click on the settings icon followed by Advanced Settings as shown in the image below.
3. Navigate to Settings>Solutions
4. Create a New Solution by clicking on the New Button
5. Within the Solution, in the left navigation, click on Model-Driven Apps
6. Click on ‘New’ to create a new app
7. Enter a Name for the new app
8. Choose which artifacts you want displayed within your app: Entities, Dashboards, and Business Process Flows

Save your app and publish all customizations.

Restricting Access to the Apps

Unified Interface helps us not only segregate data but also ensures key areas of the application are out of bounds for some users.  That can easily be achieved by ensuring what security roles have access to the App.

1. Log into Dynamics 365 as a system administrator
2. Access the advanced settings area
3. Navigate to Settings>My Apps
4. Next to the apps, you will notice ‘…’
5. Click on the ‘…’ and select Manage Roles
6. The roles dialog will appear. Select the roles that would be able to access the app and click Save.

With the Unified Interface, users will experience a similar experience across apps and device.  Unified Interface will also dramatically enhance end-user adoption with the ability to create apps for groups of users allowing them to only focus on what matters to them.

About the Author
Imran Khan is a Functional Consultant at New Signature who has years of experience across multiple CRM applications including Dynamics 365. He enjoys learning new technologies with customer focus and usability in mind. Apart from helping clients, Imran enjoys the outdoors and loves traveling. His favorite time of the year is summer and fall where the outdoors can be enjoyed without too many layers.