There are several discussions regarding the use of CDS connector VS the Dynamics connector in the Power Platform. Recently I have been updating my knowledge a lot on PowerApps, PowerBI and Flow. The odd thing is that these environments behave quite different even thought they are so closely connected in regards to connectors.
how much longer will they co exist, and why are they even different?
So here are my thoughts about the current state April 2019 (this might be outdated in one month 😂)
Flow CDS vs Dynamics 1 – 0
https://crmtipoftheday.com/1177/use-the-cds-connector-when-you-go-with-the-flow/
When using Flow, the CDS connector seems to be the correct choice. I personally feel that the action advanced settings is the most important reason why the CDS would be the correct choice.
CDS connector will only run the flow if country is changed saving you the flow, and the Dynamics connector will run no mater what costing you 1 flow.
PowerBI CDS vs Dynamics 2 – 0
https://www.inogic.com/blog/2018/10/connect-to-the-power-bi-using-common-data-service-cds/
There are maybe many reasons why you would choose the CDS connector over the Dynamics connector for API reasons, but the most important one I like to focus on is the Option Set (Pick List) from Dynamics.
Look at the Yellow columns. They show the display name of the Options Set, so no more need for hacks to convert the fetch from numbers to names. Obviously a huge benefit that this solution will update when the Option Set values update also!
PowerApps CDS vs Dynamics 2 – 1
But wait… It might not be over yet. While tampering with lookup controls for PowerApps I found out that CDS simply doesn’t have the lookup fields in the data!
CDS connector (Simply doesn’t have any lookups):
Dynamics Connector (With lookups):
Data presented is still in a GUID state, but there is a workaround for that:)
https://www.inogic.com/blog/2018/07/working-on-lookup-field-of-dynamics-365-in-powerapps/ <– How to fix GUID in PowerApps
CRM Keeper 
FYI – the Dynamics 365 connector is being deprecated.
Announced on the Microsoft Flow blog: https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/nine-new-connectors-in-april-and-improved-visibility-into-trigger-failures/ (scroll down to the last section, called “Deprecated connectors and templates”)
LikeLike
Well, let’s hope they sort our the Looup fields soon then:) As I write, this article might be old within one month. Things are moving so fast now that this might be suddenly solved. Thank you for the update:)
LikeLike