Build AI/ML Models with Live Dynamics 365 Business Central Data using Dataiku

Dataiku is a data science and machine learning platform used for data preparation, analysis, visualization, and AI/ML model deployment, enabling collaborative and efficient data-driven decision-making. When paired with the CData JDBC Driver for Dynamics 365 Business Central, Dataiku enhances data integration, preparation, real-time analysis, and reliable model deployment for Dynamics 365 Business Central data.

With built-in optimized data processing, the CData JDBC Driver offers unmatched performance for interacting with live Dynamics 365 Business Central data. When you issue complex SQL queries to Dynamics 365 Business Central, the driver pushes supported SQL operations, like filters and aggregations, directly to Dynamics 365 Business Central and utilizes the embedded SQL engine to process unsupported operations client-side (often SQL functions and JOIN operations). Its built-in dynamic metadata querying allows you to work with and analyze Dynamics 365 Business Central data using native data types.

This article shows how you can easily integrate to Dynamics 365 Business Central using CData JDBC Driver for Dynamics 365 Business Central in Dataiku DSS (Data Science Studio) platform, allowing you to prepare the data and build custom AI/ML models.

Preparing the Dataiku DSS environment

In this section, we will explore how to set up Dataiku, as previously introduced, with Dynamics 365 Business Central data. Be sure to install Dataiku DSS (On-Prem version) for your preferred operating system, beforehand.

Install the CData JDBC Driver for Dynamics 365 Business Central

First, install the CData JDBC Driver for Dynamics 365 Business Central on the same machine as Dataiku. The JDBC Driver will be installed in the following path:

Connecting the JDBC Driver in Dataiku DSS

To use the CData JDBC driver in Dataiku, you must create a new SQL database connection and add the JDBC Driver JAR file in the DSS connection settings.

1. Log into Dataiku DSS platform. It should open locally in your browser (e.g. localhost:11200)
2. Click on Navigate to other sections of Dataiku menu on the top right section of the platform and select Administration.
3. Select the Connections tab.
4. In Connections, click on New Connections button.
5. Now, scroll down and select Other SQL databases.

6. Generate a JDBC URL for connecting to Dynamics 365 Business Central, beginning with jdbc:d365businesscentral: followed by a series of semicolon-separated connection string properties.

   To authenticate to Dynamics 365 Business Central, you must provide the User and AccessKey properties.

   To obtain the User and AccessKey values, navigate to the Users page in Dynamics 365 Business Central and then click on Edit. The User Name and Web Service Access Key values are what you will enter as the User and AccessKey connection string properties. Note that the User Name is not your email address. It is a shortened user name.

   To connect to data, specify OrganizationUrl. If you have multiple companies in your organization, you must also specify the Company to indicate which company you would like to connect to. Company does not need to be specified if you have only one company.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

   For assistance in constructing the JDBC URL, use the connection string designer built into the Dynamics 365 Business Central JDBC Driver. Either double-click the JAR file or execute the jar file from the command-line.

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.d365businesscentral.jar

   Fill in the connection properties and copy the connection string to the clipboard.

   

   A typical JDBC URL is given below:

   jdbc:d365businesscentral:OrganizationUrl=https://myaccount.financials.dynamics.com/;
7. On the New SQL database (JDBC) connection screen, enter a name in the New connection name field and specify the basic parameters:
   • JDBC Driver Class: cdata.jdbc.d365businesscentral.D365BusinessCentralDriver
   • JDBC URL: JDBC connection URL obtained in the previous step
   • Driver jars directory: the folder path where the JAR file is installed on your system
   

   Next, select the SQL dialect of your choice. Here, we have selected 'SQL Server' as the preferred dialect. Click on Create. If the connection is successful, a prompt will display, saying 'Connection OK'.

8. The Data Catalog window will appear. Select the desired connection, catalog, and schema from the Connection to browse, Restrict to catalog, and Restrict to schema dropdowns, then click on List Tables. The Dataiku platform will list all the required tables.
9. Select any table from the list and click Preview to view the table data. Click Close to exit the window.

Creating a new project

To prepare data flows, create dashboards, analyze the Dynamics 365 Business Central data, and build AI and ML models in the Dataiku DSS platform, you need to first create a new project.

1. Select Projects from the Navigate to other sections of Dataiku menu.
2. In the Projects screen, click New Project and select + Blank Project.
3. In the New Project window, assign a Name and Project Key. Click Create. The new project dashboard opens up.
4. Select Notebooks from the menu at the top of the project screen.
5. Click on + Create Your First Notebook dropdown menu and select Write your own option.
6. In the New Notebook window, select SQL.
7. Now, select the required connection from the Connection dropdown and enter a name in the Notebook Name field.

Testing the connection

To test the Dynamics 365 Business Central connection and analyze the Dynamics 365 Business Central data, write a query in the query compiler and click Run. The queried/filtered Dynamics 365 Business Central data results will then appear on the screen.

Get Started Today

Download a free, 30-day trial of the CData JDBC Driver for Dynamics 365 Business Central to integrate with Dataiku, and effortlessly build custom AI/ML models from Dynamics 365 Business Central data.

Reach out to our Support Team if you have any questions.