Dynamics 365 media and entertainment accelerator
The Microsoft Dynamics 365 media and entertainment accelerator expands Common Data Model and Microsoft Power Platform into the media and entertainment industries. Version 1.1 of the media and entertainment accelerator released in 2020 included data entities and attributes that center on the theme of "fan and guest engagement." The version supported building business applications to drive media-centric experiences, product sales and ticketing, workflows, and data collection. Version 2.0, released in 2021, expands the accelerator by integrating Microsoft Teams for supporting live events and attractions. It also adds a new separate solution for content production that uses cloud-based resources to support workflows for online creative and theatrical production and the management of assets and metadata.
The accelerator includes the following features:
- A media-centric extension to Common Data Model to include concepts for fan and guest engagement as well as content production that is new in version 2. Includes 60-plus new entity definitions and relationships.
- Six unique sample model-driven applications with forms, canvas apps, business logic, and dashboards that support data entry and data management:
- Event and venue management
- Sports management
- Ticket sales (requires Dynamics 365 Sales)
- Guest management
- Display and advertising sales (requires Dynamics 365 Sales)
- Content production
- A sample Microsoft Power portal that enables self-registration of media events. When combined with the media data model instance and event management application, the sample app allows attendees to browse all upcoming events and sign up. This information is automatically captured and stored in your instance of the media-enhanced Common Data Model as new guest and registration entities. The portal has also been integrated with Microsoft Teams to enable the joining of live events.
- A solution that you can deploy and install from GitHub.
- A sample Events Dashboard that helps you understand how effective your events are, who is attending your events, and what interest attendees the most.
Media and entertainment solutions and apps
| Solution | Component | Description | Dependencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media Common | Data model | Introduces new entities for fan and guest management, loyalty programs, event/venue management. | Power Platform, Dataverse |
| Fan and Guest Engagement apps | Model-driven apps, canvas apps | Three sample applications for guest management, event/venue management, and sports data management using the media data model to showcase how to build solutions with forms and grids as well as automated workflows and dashboards. | Power Platform |
| Media Sales apps | Model-driven apps | Two sample applications that extend Dynamics 365 Sales to include support for media-centric products like ticketing, subscriptions, sponsorships, and display advertising | Power Platform, Dynamics 365 Sales |
| Event Registration portal | Power Apps portals | An example of using a Power Apps portal for promoting upcoming media events, including the registration of attendees and the integration of Microsoft Teams to support live events. | Power Apps portals |
| Content Production | Data model, model-driven app | Additional data entities and a sample application for managing asset production workflows in the cloud. | Power Platform, Dataverse |
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
This section contains answers to frequently asked questions related to the Dynamics 365 media and entertainment accelerator.
What is an accelerator?
Accelerators take the unified data approach of Microsoft Power Platform a step further by expediting the development of vertical solutions using an industry-tailored Common Data Model based on top industry standards with business logic integration. This enables customers and partners to easily build and customize industry-specific applications that can leverage data across Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365, and Azure.
What can I do if I am unable to access a Dynamics 365 industry accelerator test drive?
If you are unable to sign in to the industry accelerator test drive, try opening the test drive in an incognito or private browser window. Use the same credentials that you provided during signup.
Is localization offered for the media and entertainment accelerator?
Currently, the media and entertainment accelerator is offered in American English, and it uses the customary system. However, you can use a different currency other than the US dollar. When you first create a new Dynamics 365 organization, you must define your default (base) currency. The base currency applies to all monetary values across the whole system.
Can I connect Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central to the Dynamics 365 industry accelerators?
Currently, the industry accelerators do not have integration with Business Central.
Where can I find the latest release notes for the Dynamics 365 media and entertainment accelerator?
We are excited that you are looking forward to the latest new features in the media and entertainment accelerator. To follow along on this journey, please visit the media and entertainment accelerator documentation page or view our most recent release notes. The corresponding GitHub repository also includes engineering deliverables, changelogs, and further information about the latest releases.
Where can I find further technical information about the Dynamics 365 media and entertainment accelerator?
The media and entertainment accelerator GitHub repository includes a wealth of information. The repository helps you to connect, extend, build, and contribute to the accelerator.
What is the data model for the Dynamics 365 media and entertainment accelerator?
The media and entertainment accelerator is an extension to Common Data Model, which includes concepts for fan engagement, including 60-plus new entity definitions and relationships. There are five unique model-driven applications with new forms and dashboards that support data entry and data management. Media-specific entities include Venues, Facilities, Tickets, and more. An additional data model is now available for content production.
Where can I find an entity-level data model for the Dynamics 365 media and entertainment accelerator?
Version 1 of the media and entertainment accelerator includes data entities and attributes that center around the theme of fan and guest engagement. Version 2 has added a second data model for content production.
What are the core capabilities of the Dynamics 365 media and entertainment accelerator?
The media and entertainment accelerator enables creation and deployment of new value-add business processes that personalize customer experiences. The accelerator includes a media-focused data model, event and venue management, sport management, and more. We have also expanded fan engagement to include support for automated processes like event registration and ticketing, and we also address ways to help combat COVID-19 within physical venues.
What are the partner benefits of using the Dynamics 365 media and entertainment accelerator?
Partners that are developing custom apps with Power Apps for the media and entertainment industry are given a significant boost with the new media-specific entities and solutions that are part of the media and entertainment accelerator. To contribute to the media and entertainment accelerator as a partner, visit our GitHub repository.
What are the customer benefits of using the Dynamics 365 media and entertainment accelerator?
The accelerator offers a customized environment for building and deploying Power Apps and Dynamics 365 Sales solutions for the media industry. The version 1 release of the media and entertainment accelerator focuses on the theme of fan engagement. It helps you develop apps for guest management, event and venue management, sports management, and media product sales such as ticketing, subscriptions, sponsorships, and advertising. The version 2 release expands on virtual and online events through Microsoft Teams integration and also adds a Content production solution for assisting with cloud-based asset hosting and creative theatrical project collaboration.
Are the solutions offered by the Dynamics 365 media and entertainment accelerator adapting to the COVID-19 crisis?
Media organizations are investing in digital options such as virtual concerts, hackathons, streaming services, and more. The media and entertainment accelerator is intended to be used to build out those digital assets.
Additional resources
- The media data model, solutions, data samples, Microsoft Power BI examples, SDK extensions, and more are provided as part of the open-source creative license and available on GitHub.
See also
Configure the Dynamics 365 media and entertainment accelerator