Table of Content
- Why This Matters in Dynamics 365 Implementations
- What Is Synchronous?
- What Is Asynchronous?
- A Quick Comparison Table
- How to Decide: A Practical Decision Framework
- Step 1: Does the user need an immediate response?
- Step 2: Does the logic involve heavy processing or integrations?
- Step 3: Does the logic require cross-system connectivity?
- Step 4: Do you need long-term scalability and maintainability?
- 1. Keep Synchronous Logic Lightweight
- 2. Push Integrations to Async
- 3. Use Flows for Cross-Platform Automation
- 4. Avoid Duplicate Logic
- 5. Monitor System Jobs Regularly
- Faq’s
Choosing the right automation approach in Microsoft Dynamics 365 can significantly impact your system’s performance, user experience, and long-term scalability. Because automation options continue to expand, many teams often struggle to decide when to use synchronous logic and when asynchronous processing makes more sense.
In this blog, you’ll learn the exact scenarios where plugins, Power Automate flows, and classic workflows perform best. Additionally, you’ll see how Skysoft Connections helps businesses architect automation that is fast, reliable, and fully aligned with enterprise requirements.
Why This Matters in Dynamics 365 Implementations
Although automation is essential, using the wrong execution mode—or even the wrong tool—can result in:
- Slow form load times
- Delayed business rules
- Data inconsistencies
- Failed processes during peak usage
- Poor user adoption
Therefore, understanding the difference between synchronous and asynchronous automation ensures your system stays efficient and your users stay productive.
Understanding Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Execution Modes
What Is Synchronous?
Synchronous execution runs in real time, meaning the user must wait until the logic completes. This is ideal when business rules need immediate enforcement.
Best For:
- Data validation
- Mandatory field logic
- Immediate calculations
- Preventing incorrect data from being saved
Pros
- Instant user feedback
- Data is always validated before save
Cons
- Can slow down form performance
- Not suitable for heavy operations
What Is Asynchronous?
Asynchronous execution runs in the background, allowing users to continue working while the process completes later.
Best For:
- Integrations
- Email notifications
- Large calculations
- Record updates across multiple tables
Advantages
- Improves performance
- Handles long-running logic safely
Disadvantages
- Results are not immediate
- Troubleshooting requires checking system jobs
Plugins vs. Power Automate Flows vs. Workflows: When to Use What
While synchronous/asynchronous defines how a task runs, choosing the right automation tool defines where and why that task runs.
A Quick Comparison Table
| Automation Type | Best Use Case | Execution Mode | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plugins (C#) | Complex logic, high performance scenarios | Sync & Async | Fast, precise, secure | Requires development |
| Power Automate Flows | Integrations, cross-system automation | Mostly Async | Low-code, easy to build | Can be slower than plugins |
| Classic Workflows | Simple record automation | Async | Stable, internal | Deprecated for many scenarios |
| Power Apps Business Rules | Basic UI validations | Sync | Easy to maintain | Limited capability |
When Should You Use Synchronous Plugins?
Use Them When You Need:
- High-performance, low-latency logic
- Validation before data is saved
- Calculations that must be instant
- Security-driven automation
- Logic triggered within the transaction pipeline
Examples
- Blocking duplicate account creation
- Auto-generating unique numbers
- Applying tax or pricing rules on save
Why They Work Well
Synchronous plugins run inside the data pipeline, which means the system enforces business rules before saving records. Consequently, errors appear instantly, improving data quality.
When Is an Asynchronous Plugin Better?
Although synchronous plugins are powerful, asynchronous versions shine in scenarios where performance truly matters.
Use Async Plugins For:
- External API calls
- Updating related records across many tables
- Complex calculations
- Sending notifications
- Heavy data processing
They Improve Performance Because:
The user does not wait for the logic to finish, preventing timeouts and enabling scalable automation.
Power Automate Flows: Where They Fit In
Flows are incredibly flexible, especially when you need to connect Dynamics 365 with other apps such as SharePoint, Teams, Azure, or third-party APIs.
Best Use Cases:
- Approval workflows
- Document generation
- Email alerts
- Integrations across cloud services
- Scheduled tasks (daily syncs, cleanups, etc.)
Important Considerations
- Flows are asynchronous by design
- Great for cross-system automation
- Not ideal for real-time validations
Although they are highly convenient, flows may add slight delays. Thus, they are not suitable for logic that must execute instantly.
When Workflows Still Make Sense
Although Microsoft has shifted focus toward Power Automate, classic workflows are still useful in some scenarios.
Workflows Are Good For:
- Simple field updates
- Background processing
- Lightweight automation
- Scenarios requiring stability and low-code control
However, for long-term projects, it’s better to move toward Power Automate Flows for future-proofing.
How to Decide: A Practical Decision Framework
Step 1: Does the user need an immediate response?
- Yes → Synchronous Plugin or Business Rule
- No → Asynchronous Plugin or Flow
Step 2: Does the logic involve heavy processing or integrations?
- Yes → Asynchronous Plugin or Flow
- No → Synchronous Plugin
Step 3: Does the logic require cross-system connectivity?
- Yes → Power Automate Flow
- No → Plugin or Workflow
Step 4: Do you need long-term scalability and maintainability?
- Custom integration → Use Flows
- High-performance CRM logic → Use Plugins
Best Practices for Using Plugins, Flows & Workflows
1. Keep Synchronous Logic Lightweight
Use sync plugins sparingly. Heavy sync operations lead to slow forms and frustrated users.
2. Push Integrations to Async
API calls, data syncs, and reporting jobs should always run in the background.
3. Use Flows for Cross-Platform Automation
Flows shine when working with multiple services beyond Dynamics.
4. Avoid Duplicate Logic
Maintain automation in a single location—either plugin or flow—to avoid conflicts.
5. Monitor System Jobs Regularly
Asynchronous logic relies on background jobs. Keep an eye on failures to prevent bottlenecks.
How Skysoft Connections Helps You Automate the Right Way
At Skysoft Connections, we design and implement enterprise-grade Dynamics 365 automation using:
- Synchronous and asynchronous plugins
- Power Automate flows
- Custom Azure services
- Complex process orchestration
- Integration with ERPs, CRMs, and external systems
Our team follows Microsoft best practices, ensuring your system remains fast, maintainable, and scalable. With 40,000+ hours of successful delivery and a Top Rated Plus status, we streamline your business processes so your teams can focus on what truly matters.
Conclusion
Choosing between synchronous and asynchronous automation—and selecting the right tool—can dramatically improve your Dynamics 365 performance. Plugins give you precision, flows offer flexibility, and workflows provide simplicity. However, the key is using each tool in the right context.
If you want a solution that’s fast, reliable, and future-ready, Skysoft Connections is here to help you architect and build the perfect automation structure for your business.
Readmore : integrating azure services for dynamics 365 logic
Faq’s
Synchronous logic runs in real time and provides immediate feedback, while asynchronous logic runs in the background without interrupting the user experience.
Use synchronous plugins when you need instant validation, real-time calculations, or logic that must occur before a record is saved.
Flows are better for integrations and cross-system automation, while plugins are ideal for high-performance, low-latency business logic inside Dynamics 365. They complement—rather than replace—each other.
Yes, classic workflows still work for simple background tasks. However, Microsoft recommends moving toward Power Automate for long-term scalability and modern automation.
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