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Separating Application Data from Business Data

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 R2 separates tables that describe the application from the tables that contain business data. Depending on your deployment scenario, you can choose to store all Microsoft Dynamics NAV tables in one database, or you can export the application tables to a dedicated database.

The application tables are system tables that define the application. Other system tables remain in the business data database.

Application Database versus Business Data Databases

The application database contains tables that describe your application. The data that users enter in your application is stored in the business data database because this data is specific to their company. Optionally, you can create multiple business data databases, such as if you want to support your customers as tenants. The information about the application that is shared by all tenants is stored in the dedicated application database.

When you have exported the application tables to a separate database, you can no longer access the business database from the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Development Environment. This is because the metadata for the tables in the business database is stored in the application database and modified in that database.

For example, if you want to modify a report, and your solution is used by 25 customers, you modify the report in the application database. When each customer then accesses the report, they see the modified report.

Distribution of the System Tables in Each Database

The following table describes which system tables are moved to the application database when you run the Export-NAVApplication cmdlet and which tables remain in the business data database.

Application database Business data database

Chart

Access Control

Client Add-in

Active Session

Client Add-in Resources

Company

Debugger Breakpoint

Device

Debugger Watch

Document Service

Object

Integration Page

Object Metadata

Object Metadata Snapshot

Object Tracking

Object Translation

Permission

Page Data Personalization

Permission Set

Printer Selection

Profile

Record Link

Profile Metadata

Report List Translation

Send-To Program

Session Event

Server Instance

User

Style Sheet

User Default Style Sheet

Web Service

User Metadata

User Personalization

User Property

See Also

Tasks

How to: Export the Application Tables to a Dedicated Database

Concepts

Migrating to Multitenancy