Packaging your solution with configuration data using PackageDeployer

The PackageDeployer executable was introduced with the Dynamics CRM 2013 SDK.

PackageDeployer allows us to import one or more solutions to Dynamics 365 and can bundle configuration data, as well as custom code execution, all in one augmented package.

The easiest way to create a new package is to use the integrated Visual Studio Dynamics 365 Package solution template (demonstrated in this recipe). At the core of the process is an XML file that contains all the deployment directives.

Note

The PackageDeployer solution has some significance in the Dynamics 365 ecosystem. In Chapter 9, Dynamics 365 Extensions, we will cover Dynamics 365 AppSource applications. Behind the scenes, all AppSource deployments actually use the PackageDeployer code base to get deployed into your Dynamics 365 instance.

We will cover how to install a solution along with some reference data using PackageDeployer in this recipe.

Getting ready

To get going, you...