We will learn to optimize and improve Plug-in performance in Microsoft Dynamics 365 / Power Apps. Before we start, make sure to subscribe to CRM Crate so that you can stay up to date in the field of Power Platform.
Strategies for optimizing & increasing Plug-in performance in Microsoft Dynamics 365
Improving plugin performance in Dynamics 365 is essential to ensure that your CRM application runs smoothly and efficiently. Plugins are custom code that execute in response to specific events or triggers within Dynamics 365, and poorly optimized plugins can impact system performance. Below are some tips to help you improve plugin performance.
Using Curated & Efficient Code
Ensure your code is well-structured and optimized. Avoid unnecessary loops, queries, or data processing steps. Use efficient algorithms to handle your business logic.
Limiting Querying the Database
Minimize the number of queries you make to the database. Fetch only the data you need and avoid retrieving large datasets. Use FetchXML queries for complex retrievals.
CRUD Operations with Batch Processing
Instead of making multiple requests to the database or other services within a loop, batch process your data to reduce the number of requests.
Disabling Unnecessary Plugins
Review and disable any plugins that are no longer required. Unnecessary plugins can consume resources without providing any value.
Avoiding Recursion
Carefully handle recursion to prevent plugins from triggering each other endlessly. Use flags or context data to control the execution flow.
Performing Bulk Operations
When possible, use bulk operations for multiple records, rather than processing records one at a time. This can significantly improve performance.
Optimizing Dataverse Queries
Use indexing and query optimization techniques to ensure that your database queries are efficient. Analyze the execution plans for slow queries and make necessary adjustments.
Asynchronous Plugins
When appropriate, use asynchronous plugins to offload time-consuming tasks and allow users to continue working without waiting for the plugin to complete.
Profiling and Monitoring
Use tools like the Dynamics 365 Diagnostics Tool to profile and monitor plugin performance. This can help you identify bottlenecks and areas that need optimization.
Unit Testing
Always test your plugins under load to identify potential performance issues. Benchmark your plugins to measure their performance and identify areas for improvement.
Functionality & Code Review
Conduct code reviews with your development team to identify and address performance issues. Ensure that best practices are followed.
Using Depth in Code
Introduce Depth in your plugin code to avoid infinite loop related issues. Click on the given link to know more about Depths – https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/microsoft.xrm.sdk.iexecutioncontext.depth?view=dataverse-sdk-latest.
Offloading tasks to Azure Functions
For resource-intensive tasks, consider offloading them to Azure Functions or other external services to reduce the load on Dynamics 365.
By following the above given best practices and continuously monitoring and optimizing your plugins, you can significantly improve the performance of your Dynamics 365 application and provide a better user experience for your end business users.
