Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 - Business Operations Framework and the start of Services Abstraction with AX

With Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, a new system service type exists. This is the Business Operation Framework (BOF) [AX 2012]

From the MSDN Home:
"The Business Operation Framework service is one of the system services exposed by Microsoft Dynamics AX and that adheres to the Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) protocols and standards. This service enables you to ... "

I love the "..." because, this shows the MSDN home for the new Business Operations Framework (BOF), is not actually complete. What's important to understand however is what this represents.

This is the start of what I talked about years ago with Lachlan Cash for Microsoft, with the following post.: WCF: The Enterprise Service Bus for Dynamics AX and the rest of the Microsoft Stack.

What I mean by this, is the fact, that the new Business Operation Framework it the fruit of all the work that Microsoft has invested in being able to have SOA communication between modules, and specifically between elements of code within Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 and beyond.

This is making use of AIF, and Services, within the context of AX itself, and doing so, is the stepping stones to enabling the future flexibility of being able to have a true hybrid cloud that takes and enables bits and parts of AX to live on-premise, or in the cloud, and to the end user they have no clue which is which, because it does not matter to that level.

Understanding the impact of what this new development means, and what this offering can enable, is so very important today. This means, that new development, can take advantage of such offerings, and there is much more benefit than just future enabling your scope of work.

Check out the following MSDN articles.:

• Business Operation Framework (BOF) [AX 2012] - Home on MSDN
• Walkthrough: Creating and Deploying a Business Operation Framework Service [AX 2012]
• Walkthrough: Running a Business Operation Framework Service [AX 2012]

Just check this out.:
"Business Operation Framework (BOF) lets you run services on Microsoft Dynamics AX using the Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) framework. Business Operation Framework services have a clear separation of responsibilities between tiers. Dialog boxes are presented on the client tier, execution occurs on the server tier, and parameters can be accessed by both the client and server tiers. Business Operation Framework services can also increase efficiency by reducing round trips between client and server. "

And...
"Business Operation Framework services are flexible. BOF services can be executed in a job, as menu items, and as batch operations. BOF Services can also be executed synchronously or asychronously. "

I plan on taking this topic a lot further, with giving some real world examples, and comparisons with this approach, vs. standard development and execution. I hope this has really peaked your interest, and this design approach should be consider for use with anyone doing any development work within Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012.

That's all for now, but check back soon, as so much more to come! Till Next Time!



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