Data definitions in the CDM

The CDM is not a database; it is a set of schemas that define entities, attributes, and relationships, as well as their properties. 

The CDM has a core schema consisting of about 20 business entities, for example, Account, Contact, Currency, and Task. The core schema is extended by other schemas for use in apps and services, for example, the CRM Foundation, and the Sales schemas are added to the core schema to define the schema for Dynamics 365 Sales.

As well as schemas for the Dynamics 365 apps, there are schemas for a growing number of accelerators, including non-profit, healthcare, and automotive. A representation of some of these schemas follows:

Figure 3.1 – CDM schemas

The previous diagram shows the CDM with the core, application, CRM, and automotive accelerator schemas and their entities. The schemas do not just define the entities, relationships, and attributes, but also properties relating to these elements, that is, ...