Data Entities in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations—Their Role, Full List, and How Pricing Reflects Value

In today’s world, data is the most important thing for a business to grow and run well. In 2025, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations is more than just a program for businesses in the UAE. It is the system that makes sure that finance, operations, the supply chain, and human resources all work together.

There are a lot of great things about the system, but businesses often have trouble understanding two important things: the data entities that make it work and the Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations pricing that sets the cost of adoption.

Data entities in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations are what let data move easily from one module to another. This makes things run more smoothly, accurately, and in line with the rules. It’s also important to know how the platform’s pricing works so that the value of what your company buys matches the money it spends on it. We’ll talk about all the different kinds of data entities, why they’re important, and how Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations pricing will work for businesses in the UAE in 2025 in this blog post.

Learning about data entities in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations

In Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, a data entity is like a picture of a table or a bunch of tables. It is easy for the system to import, export, and combine data, which makes tasks like migration, reporting, and real-time integrations easier. Every business has a job to do, whether it’s keeping track of money, managing the supply chain, or running HR.

Data entities are designed to handle both standard and custom operations. They have information, field mappings, and links to other entities that make sure the data flows in a way that makes sense and is consistent. They are very important for keeping things running smoothly, especially for businesses that work with large amounts of data or have complex organizational structures.

Different Kinds of Data Entities

There are a lot of standard data entities in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, and they are grouped by functional area. These groups help companies figure out which entities are important for certain business needs:

Category	Purpose / Use Cases
Finance / Accounting	General ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank statements, fixed assets, and journal entries
Supply Chain / Inventory / Procurement	Product masters, vendors, purchase orders, inventory transactions, warehouse movements
Project Management & Accounting	Projects, budgets, expenses, time tracking, and resource management
Human Resources / Payroll	Employee records, benefits, leave, payroll processing
Sales / Customer Management	Customers, sales orders, invoicing, pricing, discounts
Administration / Organizational	Legal entities, calendars, currencies, financial dimensions
Integration / Metadata	Configuration keys, data entity metadata, mapping, and system integration

Key Data Entities in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations

While the system has hundreds of entities, some are particularly essential for UAE-based businesses. These entities are commonly used across finance, operations, and reporting functions:

Data Entity	Description / Use Case
BankStatementEntity	Import daily bank statements and reconcile with ledger entries
VendInvoiceJournalEntity	Automates vendor invoice import, accounts payable processing, and approvals
CustCustomerV3Entity	Customer master data; critical for CRM and sales operations
SalesOrderHeaderEntity / SalesOrderLineEntity	Sales order management and order-to-cash processes
InventoryTransactionEntity	Tracks inventory movements across warehouses and locations
FixedAssetEntity	Manages fixed asset records, acquisition, depreciation, and disposal
ProjectHeaderEntity / ProjectContractEntity	Manages projects, budgets, and contract terms
EmployeeEntity / WorkerEntity	Maintains HR master data and payroll integration
CurrencyEntity / ExchangeRateEntity	Handles financial reporting across multiple currencies
GeneralJournalEntity / LedgerJournalEntity	Processes general ledger transactions, batch postings, and adjustments
ItemProductMasterEntity	Defines product and item information for inventory and manufacturing
VendorEntity	Maintains vendor and supplier master data
DimensionDisplayValueEntity	Manages financial dimensions such as cost centers, departments, and projects

Many entities exist in multiple versions, with some being public (for integration) and others internal (used only for configuration). Understanding which entities are relevant is critical for UAE organizations where compliance and financial accuracy are top priorities.

Accessing and Enumerating Data Entities

Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations provides multiple ways to access and review data entities within your environment. This is essential for planning migrations, integrations, or system expansions.

1. Data Management Workspace: Lists all enabled entities, their configuration key status, and other details.
2. OData Service: Allows querying public entities for integration purposes.
3. Lifecycle Services (LCS): Provides reports and templates of standard data entities.
4. Metadata Tools: SDK and metadata support libraries can help inspect tables, fields, and relationships in detail.

For UAE organizations, auditing data entities ensures that the system is compliant with local regulations and ready for integration with third-party applications, such as payroll providers or tax reporting systems.

Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Pricing Overview

Understanding pricing is as important as understanding data entities. Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations pricing reflects not only the software’s capabilities but also the strategic value it delivers to the business.

Global Pricing Benchmarks

• Base licenses for Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management are typically around USD 210 per user per month.
• Attach licenses for additional applications for existing users can be significantly cheaper, often around USD 30 per month.
• Limited license types, such as team member or activity licenses, offer access to select functionalities at a lower cost.

UAE-Specific Pricing

In the UAE, pricing often includes local taxes, partner fees, and optional support services. Typical rates for Dynamics 365 Finance range from AED 772 to AED 926 per user per month, depending on the contract structure. This pricing considers local compliance, support, and potential customization requirements.

Factors Influencing Cost

1. User Type: Full users cost more than team members or activity users.
2. Modules Enabled: Finance, supply chain, HR, and project management modules each carry separate costs.
3. Custom Entities and Integrations: Custom development or integration with external systems can increase the total cost.
4. Compliance and Localization: Ensuring VAT, legal, and audit requirements are met may require additional configuration.
5. Implementation and Training: Partner services, user training, and change management contribute to overall costs.

Linking Data Entities to Pricing

A deep understanding of data entities can directly impact the cost-effectiveness of Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations. For example, by mapping users to specific entities they interact with, organizations can choose the right license types and avoid overpaying. This approach ensures that the Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations pricing align with actual usage and operational needs.

Planning Your Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Implementation

For UAE businesses planning a deployment or upgrade, it’s important to combine knowledge of data entities with pricing considerations:

1. Entity Audit: Export and review all enabled entities in your sandbox environment to identify which are critical.
2. User Mapping: Determine which users need access to which entities and assign appropriate licenses.
3. Compliance Check: Ensure all entities required for VAT, legal, and financial reporting are enabled.
4. Integration Planning: Identify external systems and custom entities needed for smooth integration.
5. Cost Estimation: Calculate the total cost of ownership, including licenses, implementation, support, and maintenance.
6. Partner Selection: Choose a partner familiar with UAE regulations and Dynamics 365 pricing to avoid unexpected costs.
7. Future-Proofing: Plan for growth and additional entities to accommodate expanding business operations.

Current Trends and Statistics

As of 2025, cloud ERP adoption in the UAE continues to grow rapidly, with organizations investing in digital transformation to enhance operational efficiency. Key drivers include VAT compliance, audit readiness, financial reporting accuracy, and real-time insights for decision-making. Businesses increasingly prefer subscription-based licensing models, which make costs predictable while providing access to the latest updates and features.

Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations is particularly favored for its modular structure, scalability, and ability to integrate seamlessly with other Microsoft applications, providing a unified ecosystem for finance, operations, and project management.

Human Stories: Why Data Entities and Pricing Matter

Case Study 1: Dubai Trading Company
A mid-sized trading company initially purchased full licenses for 50 users. Upon auditing data entities, it became clear that 20 users only needed view-only access. By switching them to team member licenses, the company saved 30% on annual license costs without compromising operations.

Case Study 2: GCC Multi-Entity Deployment
A company operating across the UAE and Oman discovered that key data entities were disabled by default. Enabling them and mapping historical data required additional investment but improved reporting accuracy, reduced month-end closing time, and enhanced trust in financial statements.

Full Data Entity Checklist for UAE Organizations

For comprehensive planning, organizations should consider auditing and reviewing the following entities:

• Customer and vendor entities
• Sales and purchase orders
• Inventory transactions
• Product and item masters
• General ledger and journal entries
• Fixed assets and depreciation
• Payment and bank statements
• Currency and exchange rate management
• Project contracts, transactions, and costs
• Employee, payroll, and HR-related entities
• Vendor invoices and accounts payable
• Tax, VAT, and compliance entities
• Configuration and metadata entities
• Localization and translation entities

Having a structured checklist ensures no critical data entity is overlooked during implementation or migration.

Conclusion

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations provides powerful tools for UAE organizations to manage finance, operations, and compliance efficiently. Understanding the full list of data entities and how they connect with your business processes is essential for maximizing value. Coupled with a clear understanding of Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations pricing, businesses can ensure they make informed decisions that align with both operational needs and budget constraints.

By auditing entities, mapping users, considering compliance, and planning for future growth, UAE organizations can unlock the full potential of Microsoft Dynamics 365 while optimizing costs. Data entities are the backbone of efficiency, and smart planning around them ensures that every license paid translates into real operational value.