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Why does Microsoft use UTC and not have the whole system run by the Time zone of its users?

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Posted on by Cindy @TDIndustries 101
We have issues across the platform with time zone. The OOB function for Microsoft Dynamics 365 is set to UTC. All of our business units are is either on CST or MST (Arizona time) . Is there a plan for MSFT to correct that OOB functionality to reflect a users time zone across the platform and not UTC? We shouldn't be expected to create custom code to correct the time zone issue. 
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  • Cindy @TDIndustries Profile Picture
    Cindy @TDIndustries 101 on at
    Why does Microsoft use UTC and not have the whole system run by the Time zone of its users?
    Thank you. Where we run into the issue the most is with the Service Agreement module in Dynamics 365 CE. Our partners set the invoice recurrence to run for the 15th of the month and when the schedule generates the dates reflect the 14th on some agreements but then may reflect the 15th on others. If they go change their time zone to UTC (even though they are working in CST or MST (Arizona) the ones that reflect the 14th will correct and show the 15th. Their personal zones are set accordingly so it doesn't make sense that it generates them differently.
  • Community member Profile Picture
    Community member 4 on at
    Why does Microsoft use UTC and not have the whole system run by the Time zone of its users?
    So technically RudyZhang is correct, but for situations exactly as yours, team members across time zones, is why the time is stored in the database as UTC. Under the user preferences in CRM users can set their time zone specific to them. By design, the program will adjust the displayed time for users based on their specific UTC offset.
     
    Due to this built in functionality, there never was a plan to change the default time from UTC. All time zones are identified by a UTC offset, so using anything other than the universal default would result in significantly more issues with time displayed.
  • Verified answer
    RudyZhang Profile Picture
    RudyZhang Microsoft Employee on at
    Why does Microsoft use UTC and not have the whole system run by the Time zone of its users?
    Hi,
     
    We analyzed your question and indeed, as you said, when using some features, the default time zone for that feature is /UTC/. We believe this is due to the design of the product itself.
     
    In addition, we have not found any plans from Microsoft to change this setting at this time, you can use this link below to learn about future updates planned for the D365 product.
    https://releaseplans.microsoft.com/en-US/?app=Power+Apps
     
     
     
    If your issue is affecting your business, we recommend that you use the link below to seek technical support from Microsoft.
    https://admin.powerplatform.microsoft.com/support
     
     
     
     
    I hope my answer is helpful to you! If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me.
     
    Best Regards,
    Rudy Zhang

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