🧩 Why Azure Function Is Required in Dataverse Concurrency Handling

 


In scenarios where multiple users or systems try to update the same Dataverse record simultaneously (like updating loyalty points), concurrency conflicts are common. A proven pattern to handle this is by combining Azure Service Bus Queues with Azure Functions.

But why is an Azure Function required — and how does Session ID make it even more powerful?

💡 The Role of Azure Function

Azure Function acts as an asynchronous worker that is automatically triggered when a new message arrives in the Service Bus Queue.

Key responsibilities:

  1. Listen to Service Bus Queue
    When a plugin in Dataverse detects a record update, it sends a message to a queue. The Azure Function listens to that queue.

  2. Process Messages One at a Time (With Session Support)
    By enabling Session IDs, Azure Functions can group related messages (e.g., for the same Contact, Account, or Loyalty ID) and process them sequentially.

  3. Update Dataverse Data Safely
    The Azure Function connects back to Dataverse using Web API or SDK to perform the actual update (e.g., increasing loyalty points), ensuring business logic is applied safely and consistently.

  4. Retry on Failure
    Thanks to Service Bus’s built-in features, if the Azure Function fails, the message can be retried or dead-lettered without impacting user experience.

🧩 What is Session ID and Why Is It Important?

Session ID is a powerful feature in Azure Service Bus that groups messages into message sessions.

✅ How It Works:

  • Each message sent to the queue contains a Session ID (e.g., ContactID, CustomerID).

  • Azure Functions configured for session-enabled queues will:

    • Lock a specific session (e.g., Customer123)

    • Process all messages in order for that session one at a time

    • Release the session when done, allowing the next session to be processed

This guarantees sequential and exclusive processing of updates related to the same logical entity.

🧠 Example:

Imagine 5 loyalty point updates for CustomerA come in at once:

  • Without Session ID → they might be processed in parallel, causing race conditions

  • With Session ID (SessionId = CustomerA) → they are processed one at a time, in order, ensuring data consistency

🤔 Why Not Just Use a Plugin?

AspectPluginAzure Function with Service Bus
RuntimeSynchronousAsynchronous
ScalabilityLimitedHighly scalable
Concurrency controlHard to manageEasy with Session ID
Error handlingLimitedRetry & dead-letter support
Execution contextWithin DataverseOutside Dataverse (isolated)

🧠 Real-world Analogy

Think of plugins like cashiers: if 5 people crowd the counter, chaos ensues.

Now imagine they take tokens (Session IDs) and wait their turn in line.
Azure Service Bus with Session IDs and Azure Functions works exactly like this: orderly, reliable, and conflict-free.

✅ Conclusion

Using Azure Functions with Service Bus Queues and Session ID provides:

  • Concurrency-safe record updates

  • Sequential processing for each logical group

  • Scalability without sacrificing data integrity

  • Decoupling from Dataverse performance limitations

This pattern is a best practice in high-concurrency business scenarios like transaction processing, loyalty programs, or distributed workflows.

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