Entity Framework Core 10: New Features Every .NET Developer Should Know

Softchief Author Dynamics 365 CRM September 12, 2026 | 0

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Introduction

Modern enterprise applications require efficient data access strategies that are secure, scalable and easy to maintain. As applications continue to grow in complexity, developers need powerful tools that simplify database interactions while maintaining high performance.

Entity Framework Core (EF Core) has become one of the most important technologies in the .NET ecosystem for building data-driven applications.

With the release of Entity Framework Core 10, Microsoft continues improving the framework with enhanced performance, better querying capabilities, improved developer productivity and stronger support for modern application architectures.

EF Core 10 is designed to work with the latest generation of .NET applications, helping developers build:

Enterprise web applications
Cloud-native solutions
APIs
Microservices
Data-intensive systems
AI-powered applications

This article explores the key Entity Framework Core 10 features developers should explore and explains how these improvements help organisations build faster, more maintainable and scalable applications.

What is Entity Framework Core?

Entity Framework Core is Microsoft’s modern Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework for .NET applications.

It allows developers to work with databases using .NET objects instead of writing large amounts of SQL code.

Traditional database approach:

Application

     |

SQL Queries

     |

Database

Entity Framework Core approach:

Application

     |

.NET Objects

     |

Entity Framework Core

     |

Database

EF Core automatically handles:

Database communication
Query generation
Data mapping
Change tracking
Transactions

Why Entity Framework Core 10 Matters for Developers

Enterprise applications face increasing demands:

Large data volumes
Faster response times
Cloud scalability
Complex business logic
Multiple database providers

EF Core 10 introduces improvements that help developers:

Write cleaner code
Improve application performance
Reduce database complexity
Build scalable solutions

Key Entity Framework Core 10 Features Developers Should Explore

1. Improved Query Performance and Optimisation

Performance is one of the most important considerations for enterprise applications.

EF Core 10 continues improving query execution efficiency by optimising how LINQ expressions are translated into database queries.

Developers benefit from:

Better SQL generation
Reduced unnecessary database calls
Improved query execution strategies
Enhanced performance for complex queries

Example:

A customer management application may need to retrieve:

Customer details
Orders
Payment history
Support interactions

EF Core 10 improvements help execute these complex queries more efficiently.

2. Enhanced LINQ Query Capabilities

LINQ is one of the most powerful features of .NET development.

It allows developers to query data using C# syntax.

Example:

var customers = context.Customers
    .Where(c => c.IsActive)
    .OrderBy(c => c.Name)
    .ToList();

EF Core 10 continues improving LINQ translation capabilities, allowing developers to write more expressive queries while generating efficient database operations.

Benefits:

Cleaner application code
Better maintainability
Reduced dependency on raw SQL

3. Advanced JSON Data Support

Modern applications increasingly work with flexible data structures.

Examples:

Product metadata
Customer preferences
Configuration settings
AI-generated information

EF Core 10 improves support for JSON-based data scenarios.

Example:

Customer profile:

{
 "preferences": {
   "language": "English",
   "notifications": true
 }
}

Developers can work with structured JSON data while maintaining relational database advantages.

Benefits:

Flexible data modelling
Reduced database complexity
Better support for modern applications

4. Better Bulk Data Operations

Enterprise applications frequently process large amounts of data.

Examples:

Importing customer records
Updating inventory
Processing transactions

EF Core 10 improvements help developers handle bulk operations more efficiently.

Common scenarios:

Large database updates
Batch processing
Data migration tasks

Benefits:

Improved performance
Reduced database round trips
Better scalability

5. Improved Migration Capabilities

Database migrations are essential for managing application changes.

Example:

Initial application:

Customer Table

New requirement:

Customer Table

+

Customer Loyalty Information

EF Core migrations allow developers to update database structures without manually writing scripts.

EF Core 10 improves migration workflows by providing better developer experiences.

Benefits:

Easier database evolution
Safer deployments
Better team collaboration

6. Better Support for Cloud-Native Applications

Modern applications are increasingly deployed on cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure.

EF Core 10 supports cloud development patterns including:

Distributed applications
Microservices
Container-based deployments
Serverless architectures

Example:

Web API

 |

EF Core 10

 |

Azure SQL Database

 |

Cloud Application

Benefits:

Better scalability
Improved maintainability
Cloud-ready development

7. Improved Interceptors and Extensibility

Enterprise applications often require custom behaviour during database operations.

EF Core interceptors allow developers to monitor or modify database actions.

Examples:

Logging queries
Auditing changes
Implementing security rules
Performance monitoring

Example:

Before executing database command:

Application Request

       |

EF Core Interceptor

       |

Database Query

Benefits:

Better control
Improved observability
Enterprise customisation

8. Better Developer Productivity

Developer productivity is a major focus area in EF Core 10.

Improvements include:

Better tooling
Improved debugging experience
More predictable behaviour
Cleaner APIs

Developers can spend less time managing database operations and more time focusing on business requirements.

9. Enhanced Support for Modern Database Features

Applications today use multiple database technologies.

EF Core 10 continues improving compatibility with database providers.

Common databases:

SQL Server
PostgreSQL
MySQL
SQLite
Cosmos DB

This flexibility allows organisations to choose databases based on business requirements.

10. Improved Performance Monitoring and Diagnostics

Understanding application performance is critical.

EF Core provides capabilities to monitor:

Query execution
Database operations
Performance bottlenecks

Combined with:

Application Insights
Azure Monitor
Logging frameworks

developers can identify slow queries and optimise applications.

Example:

User Request

      |

API

      |

EF Core Query

      |

Database

      |

Performance Analysis

Entity Framework Core 10 in Enterprise Application Architecture

A typical enterprise architecture:

Users

 |

Frontend Application

 |

ASP.NET Core API

 |

Business Logic Layer

 |

Entity Framework Core 10

 |

Database

 |

Cloud Infrastructure

EF Core acts as the data access layer connecting application logic with databases.

EF Core 10 Best Practices for Developers

1. Avoid Unnecessary Database Calls

Poor practice:

foreach(var customer in customers)
{
    LoadOrders(customer);
}

This creates multiple database queries.

Better:

Use:

Include()
Projection
Optimised queries

2. Use AsNoTracking for Read-Only Data

For read-only scenarios:

var products =
context.Products
.AsNoTracking()
.ToList();

Benefits:

Reduced memory usage
Faster query execution

3. Use Projection Instead of Loading Entire Objects

Avoid loading unnecessary data.

Example:

Instead of:

Customer

Name
Address
Phone
Orders
History

Retrieve only required fields:

Customer Name
Email

4. Monitor Generated SQL Queries

Developers should understand what SQL EF Core generates.

Tools:

Logging
SQL Profiler
Application Insights

5. Manage Database Migrations Carefully

Enterprise applications should:

Review migrations
Test database changes
Use controlled deployment processes

Real-World Example: Enterprise CRM Application

Business Requirement

A global organisation needs a CRM platform managing:

Customers
Sales opportunities
Support cases
Communication history

Technology Stack

ASP.NET Core Web API
Entity Framework Core 10
SQL Server
Azure App Service
Azure Monitor

EF Core Implementation

Used for:

Data Access

Customer information retrieval

Business Transactions

Opportunity updates

Reporting Queries

Sales analytics

Benefits:

Faster development
Cleaner architecture
Improved database management
Better scalability

Entity Framework Core 10 vs Traditional ADO.NET

FeatureEF Core 10ADO.NET
Development Style	Object-oriented	SQL-focused
Productivity	High	Lower
Query Management	LINQ	Manual SQL
Database Mapping	Automatic	Manual
Maintenance	Easier	More complex

Entity Framework Core 10 vs Dapper

FeatureEF Core 10Dapper
ORM Features	Full ORM	Lightweight mapper
Query Control	Higher abstraction	More SQL control
Development Speed	Faster	Requires more SQL
Complex Queries	Good	Excellent
Enterprise Applications	Strong choice	Useful for specific scenarios

Many enterprise applications use both depending on requirements.

Future of Entity Framework Core

The future of .NET development is moving towards:

Cloud-native applications
AI-enabled systems
Distributed architectures
Microservices
High-performance APIs

EF Core continues evolving as a critical component of the Microsoft development ecosystem.

Developers who understand EF Core architecture, performance optimisation and database design principles will have a strong advantage in modern application development.

Conclusion

Entity Framework Core 10 brings powerful improvements that help developers build modern, scalable and high-performance .NET applications.

From improved query performance and JSON support to better migrations, cloud capabilities and developer productivity enhancements, EF Core 10 provides the tools required for enterprise-level application development.

However, successful EF Core development requires more than knowing the framework features. Developers must understand:

Database design principles
Query optimisation
Application architecture
Performance monitoring
Cloud deployment strategies

By mastering Entity Framework Core 10, .NET developers can build secure, maintainable and future-ready applications that meet modern business requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Entity Framework Core 10?

Entity Framework Core 10 is the latest version of Microsoft’s ORM framework for .NET applications that simplifies database access using C# objects.

Is EF Core 10 part of .NET 10?

Yes. EF Core 10 is designed alongside the latest .NET platform improvements.

Is Entity Framework Core suitable for enterprise applications?

Yes. EF Core is widely used for enterprise applications including APIs, ERP systems, CRM platforms and cloud applications.

Does EF Core 10 support SQL Server?

Yes. EF Core supports SQL Server and multiple other database providers.

Should developers learn EF Core?

Yes. EF Core is an essential skill for modern .NET developers building data-driven applications.

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ASP.NET Core Web API Development Guide
Building Microservices Using .NET
Azure SQL Database Best Practices
Secure REST APIs with JWT Authentication in .NET
Cloud-Native Application Development Using Microsoft Azure

Target Audience:

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Procurement and Vendor Management in Dynamics 365 Finance: A Complete Enterprise Guide

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Meta Description: Learn how Dynamics 365 Finance improves procurement and vendor management through automation, supplier collaboration, purchasing workflows, analytics and enterprise best practices.

SEO Keywords: Dynamics 365 Finance Procurement, Vendor Management in Dynamics 365, Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, Microsoft Dynamics Procurement Process, Supplier Management ERP, Purchase Order Automation, Dynamics 365 Finance Features

Procurement and Vendor Management in Dynamics 365 Finance: Transforming Enterprise Purchasing Operations

Procurement is no longer just about purchasing goods and services. In modern enterprises, procurement has become a strategic business function that directly impacts profitability, supplier relationships, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Organisations today need procurement processes that are:

Faster
More transparent
Cost-efficient
Data-driven
Compliant
Integrated with finance and supply chain operations

Traditional procurement processes often involve manual approvals, disconnected supplier information, spreadsheet-based tracking and limited visibility into purchasing performance.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance provides a comprehensive procurement and vendor management framework that enables organisations to streamline purchasing processes, automate approvals, improve supplier collaboration and gain better control over spending.

With Dynamics 365 Finance and Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management capabilities, businesses can create an intelligent procurement ecosystem that connects:

Suppliers
Purchasing teams
Finance departments
Inventory operations
Business stakeholders

This article explores how Procurement and Vendor Management in Dynamics 365 Finance helps enterprises modernise purchasing operations and implement best practices for efficient supplier management.

What is Procurement and Vendor Management in Dynamics 365 Finance?

Procurement and vendor management in Dynamics 365 Finance refers to the processes and capabilities used to manage the complete purchasing lifecycle, from supplier selection to invoice payment.

The procurement lifecycle typically includes:

Business Requirement

        ↓

Purchase Requisition

        ↓

Approval Workflow

        ↓

Purchase Order Creation

        ↓

Goods Receipt

        ↓

Vendor Invoice

        ↓

Payment Processing

Dynamics 365 Finance helps organisations manage each stage through automation, workflows and integrated financial controls.

Why Procurement Management is Important for Enterprises

Procurement directly affects:

Operational costs
Supplier performance
Product availability
Cash flow
Business continuity

Poor procurement processes can lead to:

Duplicate purchases
Delayed approvals
Higher costs
Supplier disputes
Compliance issues

An effective procurement strategy enables businesses to:

Reduce Operational Costs

Organisations can negotiate better supplier agreements and optimise purchasing decisions.

Improve Supplier Relationships

Centralised vendor information helps businesses collaborate more effectively with suppliers.

Increase Process Efficiency

Automation reduces manual activities and speeds up procurement cycles.

Improve Financial Control

Integrated procurement and finance processes provide better visibility into spending.

Overview of Procurement Architecture in Dynamics 365 Finance

A typical enterprise procurement architecture:

Employees

   |

Purchase Requests

   |

Workflow Approval

   |

Procurement Module

   |

Vendor Management

   |

Purchase Orders

   |

Accounts Payable

   |

Financial Reporting

Dynamics 365 Finance connects procurement activities directly with financial operations.

Key Procurement Features in Dynamics 365 Finance

1. Vendor Master Management

Vendor management begins with maintaining accurate supplier information.

Dynamics 365 Finance provides a centralised vendor master record containing:

Vendor details
Contact information
Payment terms
Tax information
Banking details
Purchase agreements
Vendor classifications

Example:

A manufacturing company may manage hundreds of suppliers:

Raw material suppliers
Packaging vendors
Logistics providers
Service contractors

A central vendor repository ensures consistency and better governance.

2. Vendor Onboarding and Approval Process

Enterprise organisations require structured vendor onboarding processes.

Dynamics 365 Finance supports workflows for:

Vendor registration
Supplier approval
Documentation verification
Compliance checks

Example process:

Supplier Registration

        ↓

Procurement Review

        ↓

Finance Validation

        ↓

Vendor Activation

Benefits:

Improved compliance
Reduced supplier risks
Better supplier governance

3. Purchase Requisitions Management

A purchase requisition allows employees to request products or services before creating a purchase order.

Example:

An employee requires:

Laptop equipment
Software subscription
Office supplies

Process:

Employee Creates Request

        ↓

Manager Approval

        ↓

Procurement Team Reviews

        ↓

Purchase Order Created

Benefits:

Controlled spending
Better approval visibility
Reduced unnecessary purchases

4. Purchase Order Automation

Purchase orders are essential documents that define purchasing agreements between organisations and vendors.

Dynamics 365 Finance enables organisations to:

Create purchase orders
Track order status
Manage quantities
Monitor delivery dates
Handle pricing agreements

Example:

Purchase Order:

Vendor:
ABC Manufacturing

Product:
Industrial Components

Quantity:
5,000 Units

Delivery Date:
15 August 2026

Payment Terms:
30 Days

5. Procurement Workflow Automation

Manual approval processes slow down purchasing operations.

Dynamics 365 Finance provides workflow automation for:

Purchase requisitions
Purchase orders
Vendor approvals
Invoice approvals

Example:

High-value purchase:

Purchase Request

       ↓

Manager Approval

       ↓

Finance Approval

       ↓

Procurement Approval

       ↓

Order Released

Benefits:

Faster decision-making
Improved compliance
Better audit tracking

6. Vendor Collaboration Portal

Supplier collaboration is critical for modern supply chains.

Dynamics 365 enables vendor collaboration capabilities where suppliers can:

View purchase orders
Confirm orders
Submit invoices
Update delivery information

Benefits:

Improved communication
Reduced manual emails
Faster supplier response

7. Purchase Agreements and Contracts

Large organisations often negotiate long-term supplier agreements.

Dynamics 365 Finance supports:

Purchase agreements
Pricing conditions
Quantity commitments
Delivery schedules

Example:

A retailer signs an annual agreement with a supplier:

Contract:

100,000 units
Fixed pricing
Monthly delivery schedule

The system ensures purchasing follows agreed terms.

8. Vendor Performance Management

Choosing the right suppliers is essential for business success.

Dynamics 365 Finance helps organisations evaluate vendors based on:

Delivery performance
Product quality
Pricing
Response time
Reliability

Example Vendor Scorecard:

Performance AreaRating
On-time Delivery	Excellent
Product Quality	Good
Pricing	Competitive
Support	Excellent

9. Procurement Analytics and Reporting

Data-driven procurement decisions improve business outcomes.

Dynamics 365 Finance provides insights into:

Purchasing trends
Vendor spending
Purchase volume
Cost analysis
Supplier performance

Example dashboard:

Procurement Overview

Total Spend:
£5 Million

Active Vendors:
250

Purchase Orders:
3,500

Top Supplier:
ABC Limited

Integration with Power BI enables advanced analytics.

10. Integration with Accounts Payable

Procurement does not operate independently.

Dynamics 365 Finance connects purchasing with accounts payable.

Complete process:

Purchase Order

       ↓

Goods Receipt

       ↓

Vendor Invoice

       ↓

Three-Way Matching

       ↓

Payment

Three-Way Matching in Dynamics 365 Finance

Three-way matching ensures financial accuracy.

It compares:

Purchase Order
Product Receipt
Vendor Invoice

Example:

Purchase Order:

100 units ordered

Receipt:

100 units received

Invoice:

100 units billed

If all match, payment can proceed.

Benefits:

Prevents overpayment
Reduces fraud
Improves financial control

Procurement Automation with Power Platform

Dynamics 365 Finance integrates with Microsoft Power Platform to extend procurement capabilities.

Examples:

Power Automate

Automate:

Approval notifications
Vendor reminders
Purchase workflows

Power Apps

Build:

Mobile procurement apps
Supplier request applications
Approval interfaces

Power BI

Create:

Procurement dashboards
Spend analytics
Vendor performance reports

Real-World Example: Manufacturing Company Procurement Transformation

Business Challenge

A global manufacturing company faced:

Manual purchase approvals
Poor supplier visibility
Delayed invoice processing
Lack of spending insights

Solution Using Dynamics 365 Finance

Implemented:

Vendor Management

Central supplier database with approval workflows.

Procurement Automation

Automated purchase requisitions and approvals.

Supplier Collaboration

Enabled vendors to access purchase information.

Analytics

Built Power BI dashboards for procurement insights.

Business Benefits

Faster purchasing cycles
Better supplier relationships
Reduced procurement costs
Improved financial accuracy

Best Practices for Procurement Implementation in Dynamics 365 Finance

1. Create a Strong Vendor Data Governance Strategy

Maintain:

Accurate vendor records
Standard naming conventions
Duplicate prevention

2. Define Clear Approval Workflows

Approval processes should align with:

Purchase value
Department
Business rules

3. Integrate Procurement with Finance

Ensure:

Accurate accounting
Proper budget controls
Invoice matching

4. Use Analytics for Decision Making

Monitor:

Supplier performance
Spending patterns
Cost-saving opportunities

5. Automate Repetitive Processes

Use:

Workflow automation
Power Automate
Business events

Common Procurement Challenges and Solutions

ChallengeDynamics 365 Solution
Manual approvals	Workflow automation
Supplier data issues	Vendor master management
Poor visibility	Analytics dashboards
Invoice errors	Three-way matching
Supplier communication gaps	Vendor collaboration

Future of Procurement with Dynamics 365 Finance

Procurement is becoming increasingly intelligent through:

Artificial Intelligence

AI can help with:

Supplier recommendations
Demand forecasting
Risk prediction

Automation

More procurement activities will become automated:

Approvals
Vendor communication
Invoice processing

Predictive Analytics

Businesses will use data to predict:

Supplier risks
Price changes
Supply disruptions

Conclusion

Procurement and vendor management are critical components of successful enterprise operations.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance provides organisations with a powerful platform to manage the complete procurement lifecycle, from vendor onboarding and purchasing to invoice processing and supplier performance analysis.

By implementing Dynamics 365 procurement capabilities, businesses can achieve:

Greater operational efficiency
Improved supplier relationships
Better financial control
Reduced procurement costs
Data-driven decision-making

For Dynamics 365 Finance consultants, functional specialists and enterprise architects, understanding procurement and vendor management capabilities is essential for designing successful ERP transformation projects.

A well-designed procurement strategy powered by Dynamics 365 Finance enables organisations to move from traditional purchasing processes to intelligent, automated and strategic procurement operations.