Using Configuration Migration Tool

The Configuration Migration Tool in Microsoft Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform is a powerful utility designed to assist administrators, developers, and consultants in migrating configuration data between different environments. Configuration data is critical in ensuring consistency across environments, particularly for solutions that rely on configuration settings such as custom entities, attributes, relationships, business rules, and more.

Migrating configuration data can be a complex task, especially when managing multiple environments like development, testing, staging, and production. The Configuration Migration Tool helps streamline this process by allowing users to easily export and import configuration data, ensuring that the various customizations, settings, and configurations are accurately transferred from one environment to another.

In this article, we will explore what the Configuration Migration Tool is, how it works, best practices for using it, and common use cases for configuration data migration in Dynamics 365.

What is the Configuration Migration Tool?

The Configuration Migration Tool is part of the Dynamics 365 SDK (Software Development Kit) and allows for the migration of configuration data, which includes:

• Entities and their attributes
• Option sets
• Business rules
• Security roles
• Processes (like workflows and business process flows)
• Views and forms
• Entities and their relationships

Unlike data migration tools that focus on transferring record data (e.g., customer information or sales orders), the Configuration Migration Tool focuses on migrating metadata or configuration data — the customizations, settings, and structure of your environment.

This tool helps administrators and developers maintain consistency across environments without the need for manual data entry or configuration changes.

Key Features of the Configuration Migration Tool:

• Supports both Dynamics 365 Online and On-Premises: It can be used for both cloud and on-premises environments.
• Flexible Export/Import Process: The tool allows you to export data from one environment and import it into another.
• Customizable Schema: You can define which configuration entities and their related data you wish to include or exclude.
• Schema-based Migration: It provides a schema-based approach, so you can define the structure of the data you’re migrating.
• Supports Different Environments: The tool is perfect for migrating data between development, test, staging, and production environments.

Use Cases for the Configuration Migration Tool

The Configuration Migration Tool is primarily used in scenarios where you need to migrate configuration data that is part of a solution, such as:

1. Environment Setup: When setting up a new environment or refreshing an existing environment with the same configurations as another environment.
2. Solution Development: Migrating configurations from a development environment to a staging environment and then to a production environment.
3. Data Recovery: In case of accidental loss or corruption of configuration data, the tool allows for a quick recovery.
4. Multi-Environment Consistency: Ensuring that multiple environments (e.g., development, QA, staging, production) remain consistent in terms of configuration settings.
5. Solution Deployment: Moving configuration data across environments during solution deployment or upgrades.

How Does the Configuration Migration Tool Work?

The Configuration Migration Tool operates in a three-step process:

1. Exporting Configuration Data: First, you specify which configuration data you want to export from your source environment. This includes selecting the entities and metadata related to those entities (e.g., attributes, relationships, and option sets).
2. Mapping Schema: After selecting the data to export, you can map the schema. This step involves selecting the data structure and format for the export file. The tool generates an XML file that represents the selected data.
3. Importing Configuration Data: In the final step, you import the exported XML file into the target environment. This can be done manually or through automated workflows in PowerShell or other tools.

Step-by-Step Guide for Using the Configuration Migration Tool

Now that we understand the basic functionality of the Configuration Migration Tool, let’s look at the step-by-step process for using it effectively.

1. Download and Install the Configuration Migration Tool

First, you will need to download and install the Configuration Migration Tool. This tool is part of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 SDK. You can find it in the SDK folder after installation.

Steps:

• Go to the Microsoft Dynamics 365 SDK page.
• Download the SDK and extract the files to your desired location.
• Inside the SDK folder, find the ConfigurationMigration.exe application.

2. Connect to Source and Target Environments

Before using the tool, you need to connect to the source and target Dynamics 365 environments.

• Open the Configuration Migration Tool application.
• Click Connect to establish connections to both your source and target environments.
  • You will need the appropriate permissions in both environments.
  • Ensure that you have access to the System Administrator or System Customizer role in both environments for a smooth connection.

3. Export Configuration Data

Once connected, you can begin the export process.

1. Create a New Schema:
   • Click New Schema to create a schema for your export.
   • Select the configuration data you wish to migrate (e.g., entities, attributes, option sets, business rules).
2. Select Entities to Export:
   • After creating the schema, select the entities that you want to export from the source environment.
   • You can also choose to export related data like option sets, relationships, and security roles.
3. Specify Export Settings:
   • After selecting the entities and components to export, configure the export settings, such as file format and destination directory.
   • The Configuration Migration Tool allows you to specify the location where the exported data will be saved.
4. Export Data:
   • Click Export to start the export process. The tool will generate an XML file containing the selected configuration data.

4. Review the Exported Data

Once the export is complete, you can open the exported file to verify that the correct data has been captured. The export will include all the metadata from the selected entities, such as the entity schema, attributes, relationships, and other configuration components.

5. Import Configuration Data

To import the configuration data into the target environment, follow these steps:

1. Create a New Schema for Import:
   • Click New Schema again, but this time select the Import option to prepare for importing the exported data.
2. Select the Exported XML File:
   • Choose the XML file that you exported earlier.
3. Select Entities to Import:
   • Select the configuration data (entities, attributes, relationships) that you wish to import into the target environment.
4. Start Import:
   • Click Import to start the process. The tool will import the configuration data from the XML file into the target environment.
   • The Configuration Migration Tool ensures that only the necessary configuration data is imported, without duplicating or overwriting other existing data in the target environment.

6. Verify and Test the Import

Once the import process is completed, it’s important to verify that all the configuration data has been imported correctly. Test the functionality in the target environment to ensure that everything is working as expected, including the proper relationships, entities, and metadata.

Advanced Features of the Configuration Migration Tool

1. Filtering Data: The tool offers advanced filtering options that allow you to exclude specific records or data that you do not need to migrate. You can filter by entity or by certain criteria within entities.
2. Using Custom Filters: You can create custom filters to ensure that only specific records (such as active records) are included in the migration. This can be helpful if you only need a subset of records rather than the entire dataset.
3. Handling Related Entities: The Configuration Migration Tool can handle related entities, ensuring that any related records are also included in the migration. For example, if you’re migrating custom entities that have relationships with other entities, the tool ensures that these relationships are maintained.
4. PowerShell Automation: For repetitive tasks, you can automate the export/import process using PowerShell scripts. This allows you to schedule migrations and execute them without manually interacting with the Configuration Migration Tool interface.

Best Practices for Using the Configuration Migration Tool

1. Use for Non-Data Migration Scenarios: The Configuration Migration Tool is ideal for migrating configuration data (metadata) but is not suited for migrating actual data (e.g., records of accounts, contacts). For data migration, you should use the Data Export/Import Wizard or other specialized tools like KingswaySoft.
2. Test in a Sandbox Environment: Before using the Configuration Migration Tool in a production environment, always test the migration process in a sandbox or development environment to ensure that everything works as expected.
3. Create Backups: Before importing any data into a target environment, always create a backup of your target environment. This allows you to restore the environment in case the import process causes issues.
4. Use Filtering Effectively: Leverage the tool’s filtering capabilities to ensure only relevant configuration data is migrated. This helps avoid unnecessary data transfers and ensures a cleaner migration.
5. Plan for Versioning: If you are working in an environment with multiple developers or teams, ensure that you version control your exported configuration files. This can help manage and track changes to the configurations over time.