Microsoft Dynamics AX Community Team Blog

Help Us Welcome Our Newest Microsoft Dynamics AX Blogger, Microsoft Team Member Volodymyr Giginiak

Ina D — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:14:00 GMT

We recently syndicated a new Microsoft Dynamics AX technical blog by Microsoft developer Volodymyr Giginiak.

His blog, appropriately titled "Microsoft Dynamics AX Daily," provides daily posts on various Microsoft Dynamics AX technical topics, including tips, tricks, and shortcuts.

Check out and bookmark Microsoft Dynamics AX Daily for future reference.

New Microsoft Dynamics AX Development Blog Now Part of the Community

Ina D — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:13:00 GMT

Peterson Ferreira is a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist from Brazil, who writes a blog tailored towards Microsoft Dynamics AX developers and contains X++ code snippets to aid fellow developers in their work.

Help us welcome Peterson to the Community by checking out his technical blog (written in Brazilian Portuguese).

Exclusive Video Showcasing the Unique Positioning of Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail

Ina D — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:49:00 GMT

Microsoft Dynamics ERP and Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail made an impression at the National Retail Federation's BIG Show 2010 that took place on January 11-13, 2010 in New York City.

Customer-centricity and a connected retail experience were the key concepts distinguishing Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail and the rest of the Microsoft Dynamics ERP suite from competitors at the event.

In this exclusive video footage, Doug Kennedy (Microsoft Dynamics VP of Partners), Dilip Popat (Retail Industry Principle) and Michael Griffiths (Group Product Manager) talk about why Microsoft Dynamics is the way to go when looking for a robust, hollistic retail solution.

Dilip Popat discusses the retail trend of moving away from a transactional relationship and developing longer lasting relationships with customers, as well as Microsoft Dynamics' ability to enable retail businesses to succeed in today's competitive marketplace. "It’s about connecting the technology with the people and key processes and using that to empower the organization right from the front end to the back end of the operation," said Popat.

Michaerl Griffiths explains that Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions provide "a complete end-to-end offer, giving you everything from store point-of-sale to back-office ERP, fully integrated right out of the box."

Finally, Doug Kennedy mentions Microsoft Dynamics' recent key ISV acquisitions in the retail industry.

Watch the entire video here.

Two New Microsoft Dynamics AX Technical Blogs Now Added to the Community

NickHoban — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:19:00 GMT

Today we added two more Microsoft Dynamics AX technical blogs to the Community blog rollup. Check them out:

Microsoft Dynamcs AX Supply Chain Management (SCM) Blog: this blog contains information and feedback on the Supply Chain Management area in Microsoft Dynamics AX with a special focus on the functionality in the latest version of the product. The readers that we would like to engage are primarily partners and customers who want to extend their knowledge within this product area. The content is provided by members of the Microsoft Dynamics AX SCM Center of Excellence, MDCC.

Microsoft Dynamics AX X++ Blog: technical consultant Rajdip Das focuses on providing X++ solutions and code to aid the developer in day-to-day operations and code constructing.

Documentation resources for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009

NickHoban — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:21:00 GMT

Hello,

The Dynamics AX Content Publishing team has published a compilation of documentation resources for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009. This document covers all the product documentation including in-product and online (with links) documentation for users, system administrators, and developers. The document is called Documentation resources for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 and is available from:

Introducing our Newest AX Blogger

NickHoban — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:11:00 GMT

The community team is excited to announce we have syndicated another AX Technical Blog: DAX Blogger | Santosh Ramamurthy

Santosh Ramamrthy is inclined towards AIF in Dynamics AX| Blog mainly focuses on development stuffs in AIF, additional information on X++ language, latest happenings on the AX product etc.

We hope you enjoy the new AX blog!

Free AX 2009 Training Session

NickHoban — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:41:00 GMT

I discovered a free training session for AX 2009. Here is more information around the session:

Setting up Payroll in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009
In this training session, we will be looking at setting up payroll in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009. During the session, we will be looking at the initial environment for the Payroll module. In this training session, we will provide procedures for setting up date information and pay groups. We will also introduce detailed procedures associated with setting up organizations and person information. We will then introduce procedures for setting up positions and salaries, and detailed procedures associated with setting up Union affiliations and certifications.

Date: 11/12/2009
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 CST

Register now for this free MeritCare Training Session:
http://www.meritsolutions.com/setting-up-payroll-dynamics-ax-2009.html

Microsoft Dynamics Acquisitions Accelerate Industry Innovation for ERP Customers

Tracey Cummings — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:01:00 GMT

Acquisition of manufacturing, professional services and retail solutions propels Microsoft Dynamics ERP industry strategy forward.

REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 22, 2009 — Building on the Microsoft Dynamics enterprise resource planning (ERP) strategy to drive industry-specific innovation for customers and enable partners to deliver repeatable, vertical solutions, Microsoft Corp. today announced the acquisition of four industry solutions that will extend the core capabilities of one of Microsoft’s ERP products, Microsoft Dynamics AX. This move supports Microsoft’s promise to enable the Dynamic Business, which includes offering flexible business applications that remain relevant as business needs evolve.

“With these acquisitions we are investing in building industry functionality directly into the Microsoft Dynamics AX application, while other ERP vendors are cutting corners or trying to reconcile multiple industry offerings as a result of acquiring several companies,” said Crispin Read, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics ERP. “We are a safe haven for customers and partners who depend on us to drive continuous innovation in our products and lower the total cost of ownership.”

The following acquired technology will be offered as part of Microsoft Dynamics AX, which will give partners the opportunity to drive deeper vertical solutions for customers in manufacturing, professional services and retail.

• A process manufacturing solution acquired from Fullscope Inc., which provides tight integration of business processes across discrete manufacturing and process manufacturing

• A professional service solution acquired from Computer Generated Solutions Inc., which delivers a single system to manage projects and resources, execute financial transactions and customer billing, and match resources with client assignments

• Retail solutions from LS Retail EHF and To-Increase Denmark A/S, a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbus IT Partner A/S, that enable Microsoft to provide an end-to-end retail solution including store management with point-of-sale, merchandising and ERP capabilities

With these technology acquisitions Microsoft is providing core industry functionality embedded into Microsoft Dynamics ERP applications, allowing partners to focus on the last mile of innovation, which has been shown to have the greatest impact on a customer’s business. In fact, IDC research shows that Microsoft Dynamics ERP partners with vertical focus outperform those without in several key areas including higher overall customer growth, a higher proportion of revenue from new customers, larger deal sizes, and a trend toward higher operating profit margins.

“We chose Microsoft Dynamics AX with the process manufacturing solution from Fullscope over Oracle and SAP because Microsoft’s industry solution enabled a better fit with our business processes instead of dictating a set of fixed industry best practices,” said Mark Holt, director of information technology, Cayman Chemical Company Inc. “Microsoft’s move to add industry solutions directly into Microsoft Dynamics AX provides a predictable industry road map, allowing partners to focus on the vertical solutions that can keep pace with the rate of innovation.”

A vibrant ecosystem of independent software vendor partners delivers vertical solutions for multiple industries across Microsoft Dynamics ERP, which also includes Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Dynamics SL.

Process manufacturing and professional services solutions for Microsoft Dynamics AX are available immediately on the Microsoft Dynamics price list, and the retail solution will be available at a later date. Microsoft will provide updates to customers and partners as the availability date approaches.

More information on Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions, and details on the new industry functionality in Microsoft Dynamics AX, can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/en/us/products/ax-overview.aspx.

About Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics is a line of adaptable, easy-to-use ERP and CRM applications that enable business decision-makers to run their business efficiently and drive business success. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft Dynamics AX User Group Summit 2009 Attendees Offer (US and Canada Only)

NickHoban — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:07:00 GMT

Microsoft Dynamics AX User Group Summit attendees receive up to 15% discount on additional license purchases or License Model Transition.

Terms & Conditions

• Offer available from September 21, 2009 through November 20, 2009.
• Offer only available to Microsoft Dynamics AX customers who registered and attended the NAVUG Summit 2009 held in St. Charles, IL between 09/14/09 and 09/18/09.
• Offer only available to Microsoft Dynamics AX customers who purchased their Microsoft Dynamics ERP solution more than 120 days prior to adding eligible licenses or doing a License Model Transition
• Offer only applies to additional ERP user and module license purchases from the Dynamics Price list or License Model Transition fees as described in the Customers Services Guide.
• Offer doesn’t apply to any CRM purchases, product line transitions fees and product edition transitions fees.
• Can only be used once per customer (company)
• Customers must be current on their enhancement plan to be eligible for this offer – this offer does not apply to lapsed customers
• Regular enhancement fees apply for all licenses acquired. Offer cannot be used towards enhancement renewals or support.
• Offer cannot be combined with any other Microsoft Dynamics offer except with the Dynamics Reenrollment Award
• Offer available only through participating resellers. Reseller prices may vary
• Offer only available in the U.S. and Canada.
• Promotion code: NA-H1-10-09

Stop by booth #227 to speak with the Microsoft Dynamics Community Team and the Customer Reference Team.

Breaking news for those of you attending the Dynamic Communities User Group AX Summit!

NickHoban — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:51:00 GMT

We just received our room locations and times for our Partner Showcases and Interactive Roundtables. Below you will find a table containing the dates, times, and room locations.

If you are looking to learn more about the Microsoft Dynamics Community, the AXUG Summit is your next opportunity. Along with Microsoft Dynamics Community we will be highlighting the benefits of CustomerSource and Convergence. After attending the showcases and roundtables you will leave with tools and techniques to optimize your Dynamics investment. To learn more about the Dynamic Communities User Group AX Summit click here.

To help locate the Partner Showcase and Interactive Roundtable rooms view Pheasant Run Resort’s interactive site map. If you are unable to attend our showcases or roundtables please stop by booth 227 located in the Expo Hall.

Global Rollout of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 Continues in Brazil

Tracey Cummings — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:41:00 GMT

We are pleased to announce the planned General Availability of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 on the local price list in Brazil on September 1st, 2009. The Brazilian functionality will be available for download here https://mbs.microsoft.com/Cms/Templates/document/General.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID={F150F87C-8038-4F16-89F5-68273093F566}&NRORIGINALURL=/customersource/downloads/servicepacks/DynamicsAX2009sp1.htm&NRCACHEHINT=Guest&wa=wsignin1.0

With this country version in-market, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 will be available in 37 of the 38 officially supported country versions. The planned Q4 CY09 release in Israel will conclude the successful global rollout of the solution.

SUMMARY: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 is generally available for sale on local and regional price lists as below:

Available now:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Languages:

Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English (Australia), English (Canada), English (India), English (Ireland), English (Malaysia), English (New Zealand), English (Singapore), English (South Africa), English (UK), English (US), Estonian, Finnish, Flemish, French, French (Belgium), French (Canada), French (Switzerland), German, German (Austria), German (Switzerland), Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Italian (Switzerland), Japanese, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish, Spanish (Mexico), Swedish, Thai, Turkish

Planned Availability Q4 CY09:

Israel, Hebrew language

Microsoft Dynamics AX Positioned as a Leader in Midmarket and Tier-2-Oriented ERP Magic Quadrant

Tracey Cummings — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:32:00 GMT

Report sees market as undergoing “changing of the guard” to more modern and agile systems.

REDMOND, Wash. — June 11, 2009 — Microsoft Dynamics AX has been positioned in the Leaders quadrant of the Gartner Inc. Magic Quadrant for Midmarket and Tier-2 Oriented ERP for Product-Centric Companies*, a research report that evaluates global enterprise resource planning (ERP) products and that is specifically tailored for product-centric, midmarket companies with 100 to 1,000 employees.

“We hear stories daily about how our customers are getting real value from our ERP solutions, which is particularly important in today’s business environment,” said Crispin Read, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics ERP at Microsoft. “Our placement in this Magic Quadrant is further confirmation that Microsoft has a compelling vision and is able to execute on its long-term strategy of delivering ERP to midsized businesses.”

Microsoft Dynamics AX provides midsize and larger businesses with industry-enabling features to help them thrive in a competitive global marketplace by helping control costs, managing risk and increasing employee productivity.

According to Gartner’s report, “Leaders demonstrate vision and the ability to execute. Midmarket ERP leaders have deep and robust functionality that address a range of core user requirements. Not necessarily the largest vendors in terms of revenue, these vendors do have proven products, as well as track records of customer success and demonstrated momentum in growing their market presence. Leading vendors have offerings that appeal to the specific process needs of midmarket customers, are straightforward and simple to use, and are designed for low TCO, while being available in multiple regions. Leaders are well-prepared to evolve their products to model-driven applications to allow for high flexibility, with tools for embedded analytics and UIs that allow for easy adoption by different types of users.”

The report stated, “Although some see this market as large and mature, Gartner sees this market as undergoing a ‘changing of the guard,’ with older, established systems with deep functionality being displaced by more modern and agile systems.”

In addition, Microsoft Dynamics NAV has been positioned in the Niche Players quadrant in the same report. Microsoft Dynamics NAV helps midsize organizations with specific industry needs simplify and streamline their business processes by rapidly adapting to the unique way they do business, enabling their people to be effective and their business to be competitive. Examples of customers experiencing real value from their Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 and Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 solutions include these:

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009

• California-based Network Equipment Technologies Inc. has been able to lower its annual ERP maintenance costs, improve GSA compliance, optimize employee collaboration, expedite order entry, eliminate manual error-prone tasks, and streamline many inefficient workflows and day-to-day activities.

• Belgium-based Picanol Group has cut operating costs by 15 percent, reduced its built-to-order MRP processes from 50 hours to three hours, and has increased transparency across the global organization through standardization of its business.

• Headquartered in the Czech Republic, Meopta now has the foundation it needs to help achieve a five-year, 300 percent growth rate, supported by improved employee productivity and international compliance support.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009

• Denmark-based Hurup now enjoys increased efficiency, greater customer satisfaction and an enhanced platform that supports future growth.

• Atlanta, Ga.-based Exhausto Inc. has seen increased productivity, better customer service delivery, and greater agility and stronger growth potential.

• Denmark-based NaviCom A/S, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, is better prepared to offer the solution to its clients, works more effectively with an interface tailored to users roles, and drives more value from ERP with the three-tier architecture and Web services.

About the Magic Quadrant

The Magic Quadrant is copyrighted May 2009 by Gartner, Inc. and is reused with permission. The Magic Quadrant is a graphical representation of a marketplace at and for a specific time period. It depicts Gartner’s analysis of how certain vendors measure against criteria for that marketplace, as defined by Gartner. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in the Magic Quadrant, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors placed in the “Leaders” quadrant. The Magic Quadrant is intended solely as a research tool, and is not meant to be a specific guide to action. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 now available in Russia and Eastern Europe

Tracey Cummings — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:11:00 GMT

Microsoft is pleased to announce that Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 is now available on pricelists in Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Russia. The release of this GLS-EE/RU Layer also includes the C.I.S Fixed Assets solution (for Russia only). Human Resources Management and Payroll for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 for Russia are also now released separately in the SL2 layer. Online help in English will release after general availability followed by the localized online help.

You can access the GLS-EE/RU layer – including the C.I.S Fixed Assets solution (for Russia only) and Human Resources Management and Payroll for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 (Russia) on CustomerSource now.

Announcing the release of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009

shanekv — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:28:00 GMT

New ERP solution helps businesses thrive in a competitive global marketplace by controlling costs, managing risk, and increasing employee productivity. Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009, an adaptable business management solution that offers powerful new capabilities to help growing multisite organizations streamline processes, reduce operational costs, manage compliance and drive informed decision-making.

As businesses expand globally, so does the complexity of managing accurate business insights and standardizing operations across multiple locations. Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 offers new multisite and shared services capabilities, enabling customers to manage complex financial and supply chain processes more easily. For example, the new software can run multiple legal entities on a central installation and provide a single, integrated view of financial and supply chain information from facilities around the world, helping organizations simplify global planning. Advanced planning and reporting scenarios, such as consolidation and budgeting, are offered through integration with Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Server.

“With its innovative role-based user experience, improved reporting and BI capabilities, and improving platform harmonization, Microsoft Dynamics products should be on ERP selection shortlists for a variety of SMBs, particularly those that use Microsoft’s server-based products,” wrote R “Ray” Wang of Forrester Research Inc. in the firm’s report “Microsoft Dynamics Gets Renewed Focus” in April 2008. “Multisite companies should consider Dynamics AX.”

Another business challenge that growing companies face is the increasing pressure to meet global and local regulatory compliance, a complex and costly problem that has been a top priority for chief executive officers and chief financial officers. Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 delivers core features to help companies limit these risks and lower total cost of compliance, including the following:

A compliance center that provides one central, integrated view of internal controls, key performance indicators (KPIs) and other compliance data
Embedded workflows that automate business processes, enforcing standard operating procedures to limit organizational risks while still enabling organizations to quickly respond to changing market needs
Country-specific functionality to help customers more easily comply with local regulations in 36 countries

Join AXUG

shanekv — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Microsoft has teamed up with the Dynamics AX User Group (AXUG), an independent association of companies sharing the common interest of optimizing their usage of Microsoft Dynamics AX. Users get together to share knowledge and best practices to more effectively use their Microsoft Dynamics AX business solution.

The Dynamics AX User Group (AXUG) is an association of companies sharing the common interest of optimizing their usage of Microsoft Dynamics AX. This independent community of users gets together (remotely and face-to-face) through a myriad of conferences, virtual tools, and programs to share knowledge and best practices. Membership and active participation in AXUG can make all the difference in the effective use of your Dynamics AX software.
Serving individuals and companies with the commonality of Microsoft Dynamics AX, AXUG:

Is a forum for learning and professional development
Provides collaboration, networking, and knowledge sharing
Is a source for unbiased information
Is an advocate for member needs and priorities
Serves as a collective voice ("pipeline") to MBS and Dynamics AX Partners and Vendors
Promotes awareness of Dynamics AX functionality, products, and services, as well as ancillary/partner products and services

Vist the AX UG site to learn more