Happy Thanksgiving!

Well another Thanksgiving is upon us! Oh Turkey day - I come to slay thee! So a lot of food, family and friends. It is though a great time to reflect and look at all the blessings you have in your life.

You family, friends, and loved ones. Being able to provide for your family. Time together with those you love. So many things to be thankful for.

I for one am thankful for a loving God, YHWH - and Yeshua / Jesus Christ, or Lord and Savior. I am also most thankful for my kids and wife. They are the reason why I work hard. Then of course my friends, and family, including my Sunrise family. We have a really great time at Sunrise, and I am very thankful for being a part of them.

So what are you thankful for? What can you reflect on and what has value to you?

I hope everyone has a blessed and wonderful thanksgiving!

"Visit the Dynamics AX Community Page today!"

A Case study for the value of upgrading

Last week, I wrote on my guest column for the Microsoft Dynamics Community site, about the value of upgrading. That post can be found here.: The Value of Upgrading

Well not to long after doing that, a brand new case study from Microsoft, featuring Oldcastle was released that specifically targets and show ROI for staying current and upgrading.

A direct link to that online case study can be found here.: Oldcastle Precast - Manufacturer Keeps Current With ERP Software and Realizes Sustained Value

They go as far as showing even staying current on the latest major release, as it happens, vs. skipping a major version does for their bottom line.



And...



With those kinds of results, and known ROI as being shown for staying current, it's easy to see why it's so important to have upgrades and planning for upgrades help maximize your ROI for making the choice of Microsoft Dynamics AX.

This is perfect timing for the article I wrote, and the case study shows the value of upgrading, and benefit for staying current.

Thanks Oldcastle, Microsoft and Fee Nolan for posting this! That's all for now, but check back soon as more to come!

"Visit the Dynamics AX Community Page today!"

Guest Column: The Value of Upgrading

Well today, I finally am feeling somewhat better, and took the time to write a new guest column on the Microsoft Dynamics Community, offical site. A direct link to that new column entry can be found here.: The Value of Upgrading

I hope that I captured the importance and reason a company would care about their Dynamics investment, and hope that this gets companies thinking about making sure they are asking and planning to helkp stay current and get the most out of their AX investment.

This comes in the same week, that Dynamics AX Rollup 6 has been released! Dynamics AX 2009 Rollup 6 has been released to Partner Source and Customer Source

That's all for this week, and next week is a short turkey week! I will be posting next week as that great Turkey day approaches! Till next time!

"Visit the Dynamics AX Community Page today!"

Helping with Open AX Positions

I usually don't do this kind of post, but I told a peer I would help them get the word out about a lot of AX open positions they have. This is for a recruiting company, and if you are interesting after seeing this list, feel free to comment this blog post, or email the addess assoicated with my blog profile.

• AX Architect (telecommute + travel)


• AX Developer (telecommute + travel)


• AX Trade & Logistics Consultant (x3 positions | telecommute + travel)


• AX Financials Consultant (x2 positions | telecommute + travel)


• ERP Sales Executive (AX Focus | west coast based | travel + telecommute)


• AX Production Consultant (x2 positions | telecommute + travel)


• AX Project Managers / Business Analysts (telecommute + travel)


• AX Developer (end user | NYC)

These are not associated with Sunrise Technologies in anyway, and this is to help see if anyone out there, in the U.S. is looking for new positions.

Again if you are, feel free to comment me, or email the address assocaited with my profile for this blog and I will pass your information along.

If you don't want your information passed along, then please make sure to state that in any comment or email you leave related this.

Also, I do plan to get back to regular blogging... my household has been sick for the past month it seems. I myself this past week, in the later part was told I have pneumonia in my right lung and a sinus infection. I am feeling about 70% of my normal self, and hope to be full steam soon.

So look for more post!

"Visit the Dynamics AX Community Page today!"

App-V and AX, Sunrise Apparel in Italy, LexisNexisLegalAX-el & Hello 6th year of posting!

Alright,

So I am have been super busy! It's always good to be busy, and have work to do, but it also leaves little time to talk about all the great things going on sometimes.

There has been a lot since I last wrote on this blog, which will be a week ago tomorrow. So I will cover all the hot Dynamics AX topics in this one post, and hope I can get a couple more in this week.

With that, lets get started!

App-V and AX

Now this is something really cool. So if your not that too familiar with App-V, or App Virtualization, check out the following.: Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V)



Some of the highlights of Microsoft App-V:

• Centralized Management, Scalable Infrastructure -
  Publish, deploy, and manage your virtual applications while leveraging your existing technology investments and software distribution processes.


• Readily Accessible Applications -
  Deliver applications that meet the needs of your users regardless of whether they are in the office, on the road, in a remote site, or holding a meeting at the local coffee shop.


• Simplify Application Deployment, Reduce End User Interruptions -
  Give your staff time back for other projects by reducing test cycles and delivering applications more quickly to your end users while providing seamless application updates that don’t require reboots.


• Dynamic Application Virtualization -
  Turn physical applications into virtual applications that are never installed but can seamlessly communicate with the local operating system, middleware, plug-ins, and other applications.

Now take this setup, and think Dynamics AX 2009 client! That's right Dynamics AX 2009 client has been certified to run as a virtually App-V published application. Check this out.: Dynamics AX Sustained Engineering Team is pleased to announce the compatibility of Microsoft Application Virtualization with Dynamics AX 2009 Client

Now it's very important to note that the server can not be done in this fashion, however the client can. This is HUGE! For global deployment options, for geographically seperated locations and need access to Rich Client of AX for processes!

This opens a whole new realm, a better option really, than using TS or Citrix for RDP sessions to use the Rich Client of Dynamics AX with.

Next..

Sunrise Apparel in Italy

Here a little gem of news that is a great move if I may say so myself. Sunrise's CFMD Apparel & Footwear Solution for Microsoft Dynamics AX will now be offered to companies based in Italy, through a partnership with MHT!

Here is the press release.: Sunrise Technologies and MHT partner to offer the Sunrise Technologies’ Apparel & Footwear Template in Italy

From the PR:
"Sunrise Technologies and MHT, both Microsoft Gold Certified Partners and leading providers of Microsoft Dynamics AX, today announced a partnership to offer the Certified for Microsoft Dynamics Sunrise Technologies’ Apparel & Footwear template to Microsoft Dynamics AX customers in Italy... ...“We are extremely excited to be bringing our industry leading solution for the apparel and footwear industries to the Italian market through our partnership with MHT,” states John Pence, President and Founder of Sunrise Technologies. “Both Sunrise and MHT are leaders in our respective markets, and we are extremely excited by the potential of our solution offered to the Italian Fashion Industry.”"

Sunrise's website.: www.SunriseConsult.com and MHT website.: www.MHTNet.it

Why is this important? Why does this matter? This is exactly the Vision that Doug K. from Microsoft laid out of the purpose of CFMD solutions, and making use of the partner ecosystem. (ie: Interview with Doug K. - Read about IMDM)

This is a proven, CFMD Solution for Apparel & Footwear being exported to Italy, to be implemented by a powerful, knowledgable Italian local partner in MHT. Exactly what Doug's and Microsoft vision for CFMD and IMDM position was design for!

Next...

LexisNexisLegalAX-el

Ok... so I could not help myself on the title of this section. This is in reference to the company LexisNexis choosing Microsoft Dynamics AX to develop their Legal ISV / Industry solution for.

I tried several different version to name this section, and landed on what you see. So the meat of this, is the fact that their will now be a solution that is sought to getting CFMD, focused on taking Dynamics AX core great offerings, and adding to them the vertical needs of the legal vertical.

To find out more about this, go to here.: LexisNexis Announces Development of Next-Generation Practice and Financial Management Solution for the Legal Industry

From the PR.:
"We are pleased to be working with LexisNexis to deliver enterprise solutions to meet the needs of customers in the legal industry. The new LexisNexis offering, built on Microsoft Dynamics AX, will deliver firms a single financial and business management platform that can evolve with their individual business requirements,” said Doug Kennedy, vice president, Microsoft Dynamics Partners. He added, “By bringing together the in-depth legal knowledge and solutions of LexisNexis and Microsoft’s technology expertise and products, we are confident that this offering will challenge the status quo prevalent in the UK practice management market.”"

Also, read more details from Microsoft's own Guy Weismantel - Director, Microsoft Dynamics ERP Product Marketing.: LexisNexis chooses Microsoft Dynamics AX as platform for newest solution

LexisNexis is a UK based company, and you can find out more about them, by visiting their website here.: www.LexisNexis.co.uk

Finally....

Hello 6th year of posting!

That's right... as of October, I am entering my 6th year of writing about Microsoft Dynamics AX. That means for six years you all have allowed me to ramble on about Dynamics AX, and everything else in, and around Dynamics AX.

It's hard to believe it's already been that long. So much has taking place in the Dynamics Ecosystem since then, and we have so much more moving forward. 2010 is looking like it will close out with a bang, and then comes 2011 and AX 6!

Just for good-ole times, here is a link to one of my first post on this blog, about the Axapta COM Connector.: Axapta 3.0 Business Connector (COM+) It so funny, I think my first sentence sums up how a lot of people felt with dealing with the early days of the COM Connector in AX 3.0.:
"Oh, Let me count the ways, how I lothe the - flaky Axapta Business Connector!"

I would like to thank all you readers, who care enough to continue and read about the passion of mine. I love the fact that sometimes people take the time, not just to comment, but to also really push the limits of my knowledge of AX and of what AX can do. So please keep those coming!

Well, I am out of virtual breathe from all that! Here's to many more year of Microsoft Dynamics... and if the community at large can stand me, maybe I will be allowed to continue to post and actually have someone read it.

Till next time!

"Visit the Dynamics AX Community Page today!"

Intelligent Data Management Framework For Microsoft Dynamics AX

Last week, during all the sessions, a nice little update took place for the IDMF, or Intelligent Data Management Framework, for Microsoft Dynamics AX.

First off, a direct link (PartnerSource or CustomerSource Access Required), to the IDMF download area can be found here.: Intelligent Data Management Framework Download.

Now, let me say this.: Every Customer and Partner, with an AX instance from 3.0, 4.0 and 2009 should be downloading this and looking at it.

If you don't have a good partner, contact me and I can hook you up with a partner that understands the value this brings.

From the IDMF page.:
"The Intelligent Data Management Framework for Microsoft Dynamics® AX helps administrators optimize Dynamics AX database layout by providing functionality to manage key database layout techniques, by way of intuitive Archiving and Purging capabilities.

The framework provides the platform for reduction in database size by purging and archiving of transactions records from sets of relating entities, while maintaining the consistency and integrity of production data. The Intelligent Data Management Framework provides customers and partners the ability to identify and discover related entities based on the Microsoft Dynamics AX metadata and to determine the purging or archiving criteria for tables.

The Intelligent Data Management Framework also analyzes the Production database to determine usage patterns and assesses the health of the Microsoft Dynamics AX Application. This Framework is compatible with all supported versions of Dynamics AX. The Intelligent Datat Management Framework for Microsoft Dynamics AX is a benefit of staying enrolled in a Business Ready Enhancement plan."

This is meant to be a tool, that resides along side Dynamics AX, to offer a company the ability to archive inactive data, and also remove marked obsolete data. This can happen by Fiscal Year, and done via the options and Dashboard within the client of the IDMF.

This framwork using Microsoft technologies, that you could create yourself, is being offered to those customers that stay actively enrolled in a Business Ready Enhancement plan, from Microsoft itself.

This framework makes use of SSIS packages, DMV's for Performance, ability to mark and see inactive data and move that data to an archive location, move it back as needed or mark as obsolete for total removal.

The following is a direct link to a presentation put on by Tao Wang Principal Development Manager Dynamics AX performance, at the AXUG Summit this year: TEC01 - The New Intelligence Data Management (IDM) Tool

Tao does a great job of going over the fact that the IDMF is very much a scalable solution. In that all can be on a single mahince, or as needed parts of it spread and scaled correctly, based on need.

Up until the release of this tool, Partners and Customers did what this tool already does. Create SSIS packages, use DMV's manaually and understanding what DMV's exists, how to join them and read them. Now, with this tool, both DB health, and size related to indexes, and inactive data can be dealt with, in a nice dashboard fashion.

I highly recommend downloading this now, and reviewing it. Set it up to hit a test instance of AX, and run through all the options it offers. Archive inactive data, bring it back, look at the performance dashboards, etc. etc.

That's all for now, but thanks Microsoft for taking and release to the public this great tool!

Till next time!

"Visit the Dynamics AX Community Page today!"

Microsoft's Cloud Positions, become ever so clear

So I could not help but try to come up with a title that played on clouds, with the word clear.

This is however somewhat of a true statement, as well as an intended pun. One of the things I talked heavy on at AXUG Summit this year, in Orlando was about Cloud Computing. In my executive track, I actually hardly mentioned Dynamics AX.

For reference, here are direct links to my Slide Decks for the two sessions on cloud computing I lead.:

• EXE02 - Cloud Computing Presentation


• TECH05 - Technical Side of Cloud Computing Presentation

So, with the EXE02 session, the whole goal and point was to paint a good picture of what cloud computing is today. That was actually the hardest one to come up with, because of filtering through all the marketing fluff / hype that exists around cloud computing.

I Did land however, on four real area's.: SaaS, IaaS, PaaS and PCS (Personal Cloud Services - a Mix bag of types)

It's nice to know that I was right in-line with how Microsoft see's the cloud as well. Read the following post from Mary Jo, over at ZDNet, found here: Microsoft plays the PaaS card to better position its cloud platform



Microsoft is really pushing the PaaS offerings from Azure and what makes Microsoft different from other cloud vendors. Also, the fact that, the 'All In' cloud is correct in that Microsoft is a cloud vendor that has offerings in all the area's. Including PCS, with LiveDrive, LiveMesh offerings.

Why does this matter? Well I have been talking about cloud computing for over 4 years now, and declared this year to be the year of the cloud. (2010: Year of the Cloud).

This matters to AX Partners that are VAR's, ISV's, as well and even more too Customers. This matter's because one day Microsoft ERP will be developed for the cloud first, and what runs in the cloud or runs on premise will be of choice for a customer. To the information worker this does not matter, as long as it's secure, reliable, and able to get the information needed to get that workers day complete.

This means scale, beyond what you can think, and back to only what is needed. Having a plan now, and understanding what you can do with Dynamics AX 2009 and the cloud right now is the first step in seeing how the cloud can enable your company to scale beyond what it currently can imagine.

The second session I did, listed above on TECH05 is a dive into the Technical side of the Azure Cloud Platform, and also Architect level visio diagrams, at a high level, showing several ways cloud LOB applications can be integrated with AX 2009 today.

That's all for now, check back soon and till next time!

"Visit the Dynamics AX Community Page today!"

Decisions Fall 2010 - AX Day is live and kicking!

Well the Decisions Fall 2010 - AX Day is live and kicking! I just went over to the VC (Virtual Conference), and checked out the lounge area. I like how this is growing as a conference. Even the lounge area's are more niche / focused. However you still have the General Lounge as well.

For that don't know, the twitter hash tag for this conference is.: #msdwdecisions

Little long hash tag, but that's hte offical one from MSDW. I recommend checking things out. of course Sunrise Technologies, Inc., the great Microsoft VAR I am a part of is there, waiting to talk with you at the Sunrise booth! Make sure to tell them I sent you!

Finally, check out all the great sessions, including Robert Boone's Batch Framework session. You can see the session highlight I did, here, last week.: Session Highlight post

I love these kind of conferences, because you can attend right from your desk, Free!

There should be some great coverage that comes out of this event. I myself will be doing some coverage, mostly after the fact. Check back soon, as we enter the last part of 2010! So much to cover and talk about over the next several months. Hope everyone is settled and done with the Halloween Candy... it's AX DAY!

Till next time!

"Visit the Dynamics AX Community Page today!"