2011 is here, and the Clouds are still forming!

Last year, I wrote this article, to kick off 2010.: The Year of the Cloud: How Coming Microsoft Products Will Make Dynamics AX the Basis of New Solutions


In this article from the start of last year, I declared 2010 to be the year of the cloud. After years of talking and Microsoft as well as Google having 2009 filled with beta's and some releases, 2010 can for sure be marked, at least for Microsoft, the Year of the Cloud.

This can also be said, for other companies as well, as for the Microsoft 'All In' marketing tag line, I can bet more partners and customers of Microsoft learned about 'The Cloud' than in any other previous year.

Ending the year, Microsoft taclked the consumer end of the cloud, with commericals showing off Windows Live services and Windows 7 working together.

Also at the end of the year, there was this article wrote, that questions Microsoft's 'All in - bu Dynamics'. The arctile can be found here.:
Microsoft is “All In” for the Cloud, but What About Dynamics?

Also at the end of the year, there was an article by Richard Hunter, who writes at the following location.: A Buyer's Guide to Accounting Software - Online Accounting Software. The article questions Microsoft's 'All in - but Dynamics'. It can be found here.:
Microsoft is “All In” for the Cloud, but What About Dynamics?

In his article, Richard actually does a good job at taking and laying out why Dynamics ERP is not a true cloud solution yet. Such solutions, when looking at ERP, are smaller ones. Lower end ERP solutions, that don't have the deep product level that products like Dynamics AX has.

Also, for example, cloud based solutions like NetSuite, and others, are very scary solutions. What happens if NetSuite, and their *cough* single point of failure goes belly up? They don't pay their bills? Where do you think that customer data will be?

Getting taking out of the leased Datacenter space, and sold! Scary if you ask me for sure!

Beyond that however, and going back to the fact, that those who are demanding cloud based only ERP solutions are smaller shops. So when hunter points to this fact.:

""Most Importantly, if Microsoft did commit to moving Dynamics to the cloud, would the market be ready?""

He goes on, and I agree, to answer with a sure No! And this is the truth. Sure some companies are, but the fact still remains that trust is an issue with the cloud.

Taking to the point of Hunters post, he asked what is our take? Being involved deeply with the Dynamics Community, and have been writing about cloud computing for nearly 5 years now as it relates to AX, I have the following thoughts.:

Microsoft Dynamics ERP will be 100% cloud only, or on premise - and a hybrid mix of those offerings by choice of module.

Attending Convergence 2010 last April, Hal Howard, and Mike E., both stated in the Future on ERP, that Microsoft Dynamics ERP will be developed actually for the Cloud First. Just as Dynamics CRM is now.

What will run on Azure, and therefore take on the benefits of scale, will also run on-premise, or in a hybrid mode.

And that last peice, the hybrid clouds, where some things are on-premise while others are in the cloud, will be the normal selection for most companies that use the cloud and ERP, for the next 2-3 major release cycles of Dynamics.

Within the next 2-3 major releases, I am predicting that you will see a formal plan for Dynamics ERP.

That is a single source code, development, workflow, that takes and offers - depending on size and needs, the best of breed from all the current Dynamics offerings.

I believe deep now as well, that Dynamics AX, being the flagship of the Dynamics ERP brands, will be what Dynamics ERP mostly looks like, when that 2019-2021 release of Dynamics ERP takes place.

So yes, I am putting a year out there.: 2019-2021 Is when I believe that Dynamics ERP will exist.

By this time, what we know of cloud computing will be changed in a dramatic way. What we view the cloud today, is like viewing the internet now, compared to the dial-up days of the 90's.

In this area and realm, we will see were is truely does not matter to the end customer if it's on-premise or not.

Now take a step back and look towards Dynamics AX '6.0' and what we have been publicly told on this blog and other resources by Microsoft Dynamics Team. SOA within Dynamics AX. That means the ability to split out modules, which is a step to take and this module and that module on-premise or not.

The move for the kernel in AX '6.0' to be wrote in IL, or MSIL, which is to say .Net based kernel. This means, running on Azure, or services possibly running on Azure.

Now I am not saying AX 6, is the cloud version of Dynamics AX. That's never been said by anyone I have interview at Microsoft, and I doubt very seriously that will be the case.

Instead, we are seeing a move, along with the some rate of customer or Market readiness, that allows the creation of services in the cloud, that can be used with a Dynamics AX investment. As these Hybrid clouds build out, and the years go on, more and more can live in the cloud, vs. on-premise...

Still, and most important to understand, a choice will exists. Because even when Cloud Computing of the future, in that 2019-2021 time frame arrives, still then there will be plenty of companies that will not use the cloud as much as others.

Even with it's ability to scale, the cloud, like all ways of creating, consuming and serving software and services - has it's pros and cons.

We also must look at a product like Dynamics AX, which sits on the top of the Microsoft stack, and see that it must lag behind Microsoft's move into the cloud. Technologies must be developed, frameworks must exists and be tested, so that when released, a business system, or system of record like Dynamics AX, is released and it works!

When it comes to the CEO, the Product Manager, the Buyer, the CFO. Technology is great, but it better work. If it does not work, or is not trusted... it can be the best, but it will only be the best peice of crap that company will never use.

To finalize, Richard has a timely post, and one that I hope makes everyone question and think. However I do believe we know how this is playing out for Dynamics, and that Microsoft is doing this correctly. Building this out, as the rate the market is ready for it.

"Visit the Dynamics AX Community Page today!"

Merry (late) Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Well I am sure that most of you took some vacation, as did I last week. I realized I did not post a Merry Christmas entry, so here is a Late Merry Christmas! :-) Better late than never right?

Also I hope that it was a blessed Christmas for each of you, and that 2011 is the best year yet!

I have a good bit in store and a lot to do coming up. With a year end closing post, reflecting on a recent blog post on Dynamics and the cloud. Will hope close the year on a topic that we started it, 2010 being called the Year of the Cloud!

I also have some guest blog post coming soon, as well as coverage of the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2011 - Technical Conference. This is being hosted at the campus in Redmond. A LOT of great tracks!

So here to closing out 2010 with a bang, and welcoming the new year of 2011!

"Visit the Dynamics AX Community Page today!"

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 lot of Dynamics Mojo going on

The past few weeks, information about Dynamics License, about Dynamics vs. other ERP platforms, and exciting new developments on vertical offerings, ISV's, and cloud based focuses has been taking place.

Mix this with the upcoming AXUG Summit in Orlando, and also the MSDynamicsWorld.com, Decisions Fall 2010, Virtaul Conference, as well with the offical Microsoft Dynamics AX 2011 Technical conference coming in Jan., what do you get?

A lot of Dynamics Mojo going on!

Interest level in Dynamics AX has never been higher, with searches continued to increase around not just core Dynamics AX information, but also vertical solutions like PDM / PLM, Cloud, and more.

So to help centralize and bring the mojo together in one place, the following is a list of good information that I think everyone needs to review.:

• Microsoft Executive Suggests an Alternative to Oracle's Fusion Applications


• Microsoft seeks to unify its coming Microsoft 'Union' Services, ERP and CRM wares


• Microsoft Dynamics ERP Licensing Guidelines - Customer Edition Aug 2010 (PartnerSource or CustomerSource access required)


• Microsoft Dynamics AX Technical Conference 2011


• Dynamics AX Day at Decisions Fall 2010 is November 1


• AXUG Summit 2010 - home page

So, as I said, I am calling this the Dynamics Mojo, and for good reason. With all the interest, information, portals, groups, conferences, and more. There is plenty of places and ways for a company to help decide if Dynamics ERP is the right choice for them. There is also plenty for customers who have already made that right choice, to have access too, to help extend their Dynamics investment.

It's a very exciting time that we are in, and the excitment will only continue as we close out 2010 with a bang, and kick off 2011 with even more Dynamics Mojo!

I have a special treat starting soon, that will be a series of post with Microsoft's own Lachlan Cash, focused around Dynamics AX '6' and the Dynamics AX Technical Conference 2011. Also expect coverage of the AXUG Summit and Decisions Fall VC on this blog, plus much much more!

"Visit the Dynamics AX Community Page today!"

Dynamics AX and .Net - A new technology offering from ProISV

Recently I had someone contact me from ProISV, a Mr. Kaspar Bomholtz. With this, Kaspar asked me to check out a new technology that ProISV was developing for Dynamics AX and .Net. I was amazed at what I saw, and actually had thought about doing something similar in the past.

I am sure others have thought as doing such as well, but ProISV has taken working with Dynamics AX business logic and objects from .Net to a new level.

Because I was really impressed with Kaspar and his team's work at ProISV, I asked if he would do an interview with me about what ProISV is offering. The following is that interview.:


1.) With ProISV offering, what all will a customer get with making the choice of going with the new AX.NET from ProISV?

For many years it has been possible to integrate with Microsoft Dynamics AX through the .NET Business Connector and earlier the COM client, but it is time consuming and inefficient. Now with AX.NET, a seamless integration to the business logic and data model in Microsoft Dynamics AX exists. So how does this benefit the customer?

By using AX.NET ISVs can now build richer and more flexible applications for their customers utilizing the power of Microsoft Dynamics AX and the rich user interface of .NET Win Forms, Windows Presentation Foundation (.NET WPF) and ASP.NET (including SharePoint).

AX.NET will also enable ISVs to ship custom .NET dll library together with their Microsoft Dynamics AX ISV solution. By building using the AX.NET technology it will enable full .NET integration to their Microsoft Dynamics AX application. Just by adding a reference to their project in Visual Studio, customers and 3rd party will be able to build custom solutions easily, which fit the specific local business needs.

With the coming introduction of the AX.NET Proxy technology, it will no longer be needed to install the Business Connector on clients. All that is needed is the standard .NET Framework which is also available on mobile devices running Windows Mobile. For years, connectivity has been a problem when integrating with Microsoft Dynamics AX, but with the AX.NET Proxy all you need is a single web service delivering access to the entire Microsoft Dynamics AX out of the box. The AX.NET technology therefore enables Microsoft Dynamics AX to run as a real Cloud service.

2.) How flexible is AX.NET really going to be?

AX.NET is extremely flexible because the AX.NET "AOT" is generated by the AX.NET Framework to the exact configuration of any Microsoft Dynamics AX Application. By using the .NET assembly generation tool, a .NET assembly representing any Microsoft Dynamics AX application can be built in minutes. It all happens automatically and includes the possibility to mirror the entire AOT, a specified area or layer.

Because your Microsoft Dynamics AX classes, tables and enums now become .NET objects, you can utilize the power of the entire .NET Framework to build your application. The AX.NET even includes support for retrieving and manipulating data in AX using .NET LINQ, which is very similar to the embedded SQL statements in X++.

Easy generation of the .NET "AOT" with AX.NET to fit a specific application. With a few clicks the Assembly Generator automatically generates a .NET Assembly containing your custom .NET "AOT".



Here are a few code examples of the applicability:

Selecting customer of type Person.



Creating, updating and deleting a customer.



Browsing the "AOT" in AX.NET using Intellicense in Visual Studio.



Methods are also available on tables and classes.



You can even use AX.NET to create Unit Tests in Visual Studio for Microsoft Dynamics AX. Here is an example:



As you can see the Microsoft Dynamics AX classes Map, Set, SetEnumerator have been automatically generated by AX.NET into the .NET interface IMap, ISet, ISetEnumerator. Even the Types enum in Microsoft Dynamics AX have been converted into a .NET Enum.

The possibilities for application of AX.NET are endless.

3.) So if a Partner was tasked at doing a good bit of .Net development for a customer, what will drive the Partner to use AX.NET, vs. building the same features out themselves?

One of the major benefits with using AX.NET is that ability to use standard .NET technologies known by most .NET developers to create rich applications that integrate with Microsoft Dynamics AX. Many .NET developers already know technologies like LINQ and Data Binding in .NET from working with data sources like Microsoft SQL Server. Now they can use the same technologies with Microsoft Dynamics AX using AX.NET out of the box, which makes it easier to find development resources.

AX.NET also improves development efficiency by support Intellicense for classes, tables and enums in Visual Studio. AX.NET also provides compile time validation of the integration towards Microsoft Dynamics AX. This can drastically reduce the amount of development and QA time used, because errors found during compilation by the developer can easily be detected and corrected during development.
If the Partner is using Team Foundation Server from Microsoft, they can use Continuous Integration to build and verify the .NET solution including the integration to Microsoft Dynamics AX on every check-in of code.

Having a development background I personally know, that all the mentioned improvements of the development experience not only make it more interesting to be a developer, but also saves a significant amount of time and thereby money.
Maintenance of a .NET solution integrating with Microsoft Dynamics AX is also greatly improved by using AX.NET. If changes are made to the Microsoft Dynamics AX application, compile errors are generated in the .NET solution instead of runtime errors that are much more difficult to diagnose.

In the next version of AX.NET the communication between AX.NET and Microsoft Dynamics AX can be tunneled through a single web service interface that we call AX.NET Proxy. Hereby the need to install the Business Connector on the local client is removed, as well as the requirement for being on the same domain. This will make implementations of .NET solutions that integrate with Microsoft Dynamics AX much easier and far more flexible.

4.) What is the planned Road Map for AX.NET, when will v1.0 be ready to go?

We are planning to release AX.NET v1.0beta in Q1 of this year. After that we are planning to validate and optimize AX.NET using feedback from pilot customers in Q2, and then release AX.NET v1.0 hereafter. We plan to license AX.NET based on a license per Microsoft Dynamics AX license and one per user. Since we plan for AX.NET to become a defacto technology, we anticipate to also price accordingly.

Where v1.0 uses the Business Connector directly to access Microsoft Dynamics AX, we are planning to include the AX.NET Proxy feature in v2.0 towards the end of 2010. The AX.NET Proxy technology will provide the same seamless integration to Microsoft Dynamics AX as AX.NET, but it will use web service technology as the link between AX.NET and Microsoft Dynamics AX instead of using the Business Connector directly as in v1.0. This will greatly increase the connectivity of AX.NET by proving integration to Microsoft Dynamics AX over the internet and across networks separated by firewalls, thus taking Microsoft Dynamics AX all the way to be truly Cloud enabled.

5.) What kind of support will exist for Partners who sell AX.NET as part of their implementations?

We are planning to provide training and support through online webinars and training sessions and will have a support channel available on proisv.com to handle the support process. It is our ambition to establish a community, which both AX and .NET developers will be able to use and provide content to as well, such as code examples, Q&A’s and other ideas to inspire the AX.NET community.

6.) What kind of training program is being developed, and what kind of certification will be required for Partners to sale and implement AX.NET?

Online training sessions will be available through the upcoming partner section of our website, proisv.com, from which our AX.NET users can learn about the technology. As such the fundamental prerequisite is to be a solid .NET developer as well as to know the business logic and objects in Microsoft Dynamics AX. So, if you know how to develop in .NET you can also use AX.NET, assisted by our online training material as well as the upcoming developer community on our website.

7.) Will you be present at Convergence, and be able to show off AX.NET there?

We are not currently planning to be present at Convergence. In the first haft of this year, we will be focusing all our energy on product development and to get pilot projects up and running. Sadly I don't think they are going to postpone Convergence for our sake. More likely though, we will participate at the Microsoft World Wide Partner Conference in July.

8.) Finally, what is the coolest feature about AX.NET that you think will really wow Partners and Customers?

The coolest feature must be the seamless integration to Microsoft Dynamics AX. The fact that elements from the AOT in Microsoft Dynamics AX now can automatically be accessed as real .NET objects without any custom code. With AX.NET it is now possible to browse through the generated "AOT" object in AX.NET seeing all the tables, classes and methods automatically available for easy access. We know this is something Microsoft really wanted to do, but we figured out how to get it done.

I would like to thank Kaspar and ProISV for the time with doing this interview. I am very excited about getting my hands on this new offering, and wanting to see how performance is with this new offering. How well it scales, etc.

Feel free to check out ProISV at thier website, located here.: ProISV Website

That's all for now, but check back soon as more to come!





"Visit the Dynamics AX Community Page today!"

Merry Christmas!

Well, It's that wonderful time of year again. Christmas time!

I wanted to make sure and get out to everyone a very Merry Christmas!



May you and your families have a very blessed Christmas. I hope that your able to keep in your heart and mind of what this time of year celebrates. The birth of Yeshua --- Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!

Through him do we have the ultimate gift of salvation, because we are all sinners, and therefore all need this gift!

I will be back posting regular after the holidays, and might get some post in here and there during!

Again Merry Christmas!




"Visit the Dynamics AX Community Page today!"