web
You’re offline. This is a read only version of the page.
close
Skip to main content

Notifications

Announcements

No record found.

Community site session details

Community site session details

Session Id :
Microsoft Dynamics AX (Archived)

Minimum license requirements for an independent developer to get to a VM 365.

(0) ShareShare
ReportReport
Posted on by

Hello,

I have been an independent AX developer for 18 years now, starting with Damgaard Axapta 2.1 and (still) working for several Dynamics partners (and also directly for clients) with versions up to AX2012R3. I've done one or the other AX2012 setup myself and with every new AX version, I've been using the demo machine images for getting up to speed with new features environments etc. It's just the way I learn best and fastest, i.e.  "on/with my own stuff" and enough time for trial and error and tinkering with things.

I've been on a 2-day workshop for D365Op beginning of 2017, though, to get a guided basic idea (which was on pre-prepared machines).

The real question: Is there a way to get the current D365 Operations/AX version "for cheap" as a pure dev/testing/learning playground ? [Absolutely legally, of course and beyond a 30-day-trial].

I have tried to make sense of Microsoft's licensing jungle i.e. the options how I can actually get them, but information -in my opinion- is vague and/or contradictory or I am just too dumb to see through it all. Even though I find my way around setups and configurations, I consciously chose to become a developer, not an administrator/IT manager/support staff.

And yes, the partners I work with would/do give me access to D365 dev VMs, but 1. naturally they would not really want me to work on these for my own, uh, pleasure and enjoyment (let alone other clients) and 2. I want a machine fully under my control, not at the mercy of some client's/partner's employed administrator but independent from them all. Preferably I would like to install locally and not incur any additional running costs for online services etc. (apart from subscription and my own infrastructure costs, obviously).

It goes without saying I want it strictly for self use, not to work on client projects.

Can I get away with an Action Pack subscription for $475 / year? That's an amount I can live with.
This document https://assets.microsoft.com/en-us/mpn-maps-software-iur-license-table.pdf suggests it contains the D365 Plan 1 which I believe would be everything I need for what I have in mind.

I appreciate any useful replies, I apologize in case I have posted to the wrong group/forum.

*This post is locked for comments

I have the same question (0)
  • André Arnaud de Calavon Profile Picture
    300,928 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

    Hi Devphi,

    D365 Plan 1 includes the Sales (CRM) functionality. Finance and Operations (aka AX) is part of Plan 2. So the action pack is not helping you. If you are a partner or customer, you could get access to full working demo environments.

  • Rudi Hansen Profile Picture
    4,075 on at

    Hi Devphi.

    No sorry it would seem that there is no way for small/single man companies to get access to D365 Operations/AX.

    It would seem MS forgot that some of their developers works in small companies :-(

  • Community Member Profile Picture
    on at

    Hello,

    Thanks for everbody's replies.

    Apparently it is very much so that there is no way to accomplish what I had in mind.

    One reason for this, as -possibly inofficially- stated by persons from the MS nebula: they are striving to consolidate the partner landscape and proactively want to get rid of the smaller players, because it makes it easier for them to work the market.

    I'll probably go on supporting up to 2012 and call it a day when those systems peter out.

    Cheers

Under review

Thank you for your reply! To ensure a great experience for everyone, your content is awaiting approval by our Community Managers. Please check back later.

Helpful resources

Quick Links

Responsible AI policies

As AI tools become more common, we’re introducing a Responsible AI Use…

Neeraj Kumar – Community Spotlight

We are honored to recognize Neeraj Kumar as our Community Spotlight honoree for…

Leaderboard > 🔒一 Microsoft Dynamics AX (Archived)

#1
Priya_K Profile Picture

Priya_K 4

#1
Martin Dráb Profile Picture

Martin Dráb 4 Most Valuable Professional

#3
Scott_itD Profile Picture

Scott_itD 2 Community Manager

Last 30 days Overall leaderboard

Featured topics

Product updates

Dynamics 365 release plans