Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail - Virtual Launch

Today, Microsoft is hosting it's Retail Virtual Launch for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail. This is set to go beyond brick and mortar shops, and reach well into internet retailing, social marketing and more.



I highly recommend attending the virtual launch, it's free and starts in less than 30 mins now!

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Great first day at DAXCONF

Today has been a great first session filled day for DAXCONF. So much to cover and talk about. Topics ranging from new architecture approaches, architecture design of AX 2012, new investments in the global address book and importance of party dataset.

More of course, including the break down of model, and modeling used throughout the concepts and solution development and management within AX 2012. Also included in part of this is development changes, including event handlers, that can be activated both pre and post event activation, as well as managed code development that inerwcts and works with Xpp objects near natively.

I will be covering all of this is great detail, but I did want to take and get this information out. I am actually sitting in the modeling and metadata session right now, and my brain is full of all kinds of wonderful things, questions and possibilities with all the new features.

When Hal Howard said this is going to be a generational shift, and Crispin Read explained what the thought behind this meant, well they are correct. This is a new generation of ERP, for s new and brave dynamic business world.

That'd all for now, however I will continue to cover the event on my twitter account, and also blog post here.

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Dynamics ax on the iPad and iphone

With the release of the apple iPad, the form factor that everyone loves about the iPhone has made it to a tablet device. The iPad is not the first tablet device, with Microsoft and others having tried before. However with me typing this blog post from my new iPad I can see why this is the form factor and is a success for the tablet device era.

I have actually switched most of my research, reading and the alike already to the iPad. One part could be because it's new and cool factor. However even as I type this the other is the natural side, of how it fits into the need of what I am trying to do. It's so easy, and unlike my MacBook pro I got that had the strange garlic smells, this apple product just works.

I have just got my replacement by the way, and no garlic smell whatsoever... And I am off downloading the xocde ide and ios sdk.

Now the biggest draw back I can see with the iPad is what it takes to have an enterprise developer license. Right now it takes a company of having the size of 500 employees plus a duns credit number. I actually got feedback on this from the apple developer support team and this is staying as is for now.

Still, with that said, a company can have the iPad for internal and external application use, even if it's just a 3 person shop.

How is this you ask? Well for one, let's take and say the company has a desire to connect with outside customers, vendors and employees. Let's say also the company would like to have their product catalog running on he iPad and iPhone in a native application. (html5 talks aside for now, as well as rdp, which both can be used for extended dynamics ax use to the iPhone and iPad.)

Let's also say this company has dynamics ax as their erp platform. Then they can have an app developed that targets both iPhone and iPad that helps brand their company in a native app fashion on the apple platform. This app can connect to dynamics ax through either wcf services hosted on premise with the company, or, hosted in the cloud through windows azure platform.

This means that the dynamics ax investment for any size company can be extended to the ios apple platform, with a targeted app, that would allow customers, vendors and employees to make use of for interacting with the company and with the companies dynamics ax investment.

I will leave this post now, and I hope I have you thinking about the possibilities. The iPad is a great platform that if targeted right can help your company extend and build upon it's dynamics ax investment, including the windows azure cloud platform.

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MSDW: Microsoft Confirms Dynamics AX Compatibility with Windows 7

Well, hot off the wire, there is a great write up about Microsoft confirming Dynamics AX compatibility with soon the be release Windows 7.



Direct link to the post.: MSDW: Microsoft Confirms Dynamics AX Compatibility with Windows 7

From the article.:
"Moving an ERP system to a new operating system is, by its very nature, fraught with peril. But upgrading to Windows 7 won't be a problem for Microsoft Dynamics AX customers because Dynamics AX 4.0 and AX 2009 are compatible with Windows 7, as well as with Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2"

And...
""This is particularly important for AX because it's a product that customers and partners carefully customize to their business processes," said Rob Helm, an analyst at Directions on Microsoft in Kirkland, Wash. "And once they've got it working they let it run for quite awhile, so it's quite likely that customers would like to move clients to Windows 7 without necessarily upgrading their Dynamics AX installation because of the risk of an upgrade of that particular application.""

Rob Helm from Microsoft hit it right, this is very important news for Dynamics AX customers. It means that Windows 7 benefits can be taken advantage of, when released, for those clients on Dynamics AX 4.0 or 2009.

Thanks Linda Rosencrance, for doing such a great write up, and point this out. The article quotes from the following blog post.:
DAX UK Blog: Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0 and Dynamics AX 2009 Compatible with Microsoft Windows 7 and Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2

That's all for now. What a timely post though, seeing as how Windows 7 is set to hit the streets on Oct. 22nd.




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Featured on 'All About Microsoft'

Recently, my blog, Sunrise and Myself were featured and quoted on Mary Jo's 'All About Microsoft' blog.

The direct link to that entry can be found here.:
Microsoft offers no reasons for discontinuation of two Dynamics mobile products

Here is where I was quoted, and talked about.:
"Brandon George, Senior Technical Architect with Microsoft partner Sunrise Technologies (and author of a blog that covers Microsoft’s Dynamics moves), had some educated guesses of his own as to why the Softies may have decided to pull the plug. His list:

“1.) Most mobile applications for Dynamics AX are either running third party developed solutions or fully customized to the customer needs Mobile UI to DAX processes and business logic.

“2.) There is a purchase a foot, that will lead to easier development of mobile applications for accessing and working with X++ busienss logic, and the DAX controlled data model.

“3.) Microsoft is wanting their partners to continue to be the source for such developments and vertical offerings, and they want to provide, as usual the platform in which those vertical offerings are developed and delivered on.”"


And futhermore.:
"Update: It’s sounding like George’s suggested Reason No. 3 might be behind Microsoft’s plan to discontinue its two mobile ERP products. The aforementioned spokesperson just sent the following update:

“Microsoft believes the most effective mobile solutions will be those that meet specific business and industry needs and can be constantly developed to keep up with changing market conditions. The close contact of Microsoft partners to the market and their unique area of expertise allow them to tailor mobile solutions to the specific needs of their customers. With partner-built mobile solutions, businesses can benefit from the core functionality in Microsoft Dynamics, enhanced by the mobile expertise of local partners. Due to the broad availability of such partner-developed mobile solutions, Microsoft made a strategic decision to discontinue the current development of Microsoft Dynamics Mobile.”

In other (fewer) words: Microsoft decided to drop the products to alleviate conflict with its channel. If I get any more from the company on this, I’ll update this post again."

This is in reference to the post I did, from the article by MSDynamicsWorld.com, found here.: MSDW: What’s Behind Microsoft’s Discontinuation of Dynamics Mobile for AX and NAV?

So it seems that what Microsoft's reasoning behind this, turns out to be part of what myself and others were thinking. Still, from what I understand, there is a purchase that is related to this in the works.

So I am waiting to hear more details about that. Still I do think this is the correct and right move by Microsoft.

Well, that's all for now, check back soon!




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Pre-release of Lean Manufacturing for Microsoft Dynamics AX

[* PartnerSource Access Required *]

Microsoft just released yesterday, and updated the release this morning, Lean Manufacturing for Microsoft Dynamics AX.

This is actually a pre-release, that comes with an EULA stating this will not be used in production.

The point of this release is to introduce partners to what the Lean Manufacturing offering comes with and can do. Below is a list of highlights from the post:

"Our Lean Manufacturing solution will enable mid-sized organizations to implement and utilize lean tools such as Kanban, lean order schedules, Heijunka board scheduling and much more. This will enable them to embark on the “lean journey” - helping streamline and optimize their manufacturing processes, and enabling them to take their business to new levels of profitability and growth."

Some of the benefits are:

• Sales-based scheduling


• Heijunka board production leveling


• Robust Kanban functionality and options


• Lean order schedules


• End-to-end integration and connectivity to other Microsoft products, servers, and technologies

Some helpful links that came as part of this post:
- Lean Manufacturing for Microsoft Dynamics AX Hot Topic Recording

- www.leancoe.com - eBECS Lean Center of Excellence

This will be a great add-on, that I know a lot of people are excited about. Including Dr. Scott Hamilton, who I recently interviewed for his book: Managing Your Supply Chain Using Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 - Book Review

Well that's all for now. Check back soon as we continue down the Dynamics path. See you then!




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Managing Your Supply Chain Using Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 - Book Review

Recently I had the pleasure to receive a copy of Dr. Scott Hamilton's book, ' Managing Your Supply Chain Using Microsoft Dynamic AX 2009.'



This book is by far the best attempt, to give what could be considered an MBA level of knowledge for actually managing a company's supply chain with the functionality that lives within Dynamics AX 2009.

Several use cases are the vehicle in delivering proven techniquse and strategies throughout the entire book. There is a great deal of looking into vertical add-on's as well.

What first struck me about the layout of this book was its role centered approach, so people could jump right into the roles that they best fit into. This was a great move in how this book was structured, as this is exactly how the user experience is meant to be in Dynamics AX 2009, with the Role Center.

As part of my book review, I emailed Dr. Hamilton some interview questions, about this book, and his experience in creating it. Below is the questions and answers from that interview:

i - Scott, this latest edition of your book of “Managing Your Supply Chain with Dynamics AX 2009” has a wealth of knowledge, focusing on several different roles. Did you find it easier to develop this role focused approach to your book, with Dynamics AX 2009 itself introducing Role Center, and Role Focused Experiences for information workers?

A: A role-centered viewpoint builds on the foundation of well-designed business processes that reflect the conceptual models embedded in the AX software functionality. The book directly addresses these conceptual models for handling common and unique varia tions in business processes, which helps define the tasks for role assignment. Each participant in a business process should have a mental model of “how it all fits together in AX”, as well as in-depth knowledge for using AX to perform tasks for their particular role(s). The book supports a role-centered viewpoint by helping to structure these tasks and highlight relevant information for each role.

ii - Did you find yourself wanting a lot of screen shots and how-to steps for actually setting up Dynamics AX based on the theories and knowledge you are sharing in your book? What kept you from doing that in this book, or even creating a companion document / booklet, etc. that did such things?

A: The book’s objectives and desired book length precluded the use of screen shots and step-by-step instructions. These are best covered in one or more separate training guides. Too much detail can obscure an understanding of “how it all fits together in AX”, especially if you attempt to cover every field/parameter or every step.

The book’s content represents the information covered in my training classes. It also represents many conceptual topics that should be part of the AX user documentation for “application and business processes”. These conceptual topics could then provide the foundation for improvements in field/form help and in training materials.


iii - What big ticket items in this book would you have liked to have spent more time on, or felt driven to spend more time on? Did you find it hard to balance the topics out, spread across so much knowledge?

A: A critical issue in writing this book involved the choice of topics, and the sequence and level of detail for explaining these topics. The topics focus on key software functionality that supports the dominant business practices in manufacturing and distribution environments, based on my observations of use cases across more than a thousand firms. The topics reflect those use cases actually tested and proven to work within AX; not all use cases could be tested or proven. The linear presentation sequence was shaped by what worked most effectively in previous writing, teaching, and consulting efforts for the target audience.

You asked about big ticket items not covered in the book. Lean manufacturing using Dynamics AX will be covered in my forthcoming book. Additional topics about Professional Services using AX, or about Accounting/HR/CRM using AX, would best be served by a separate book, written by a relevant expert.

iv - What your take on the current release of Dynamics AX? Going back over the past several years and versions from AX 2.5 to today, what are some of the greatest improvements that have taken place, that you believe have had the most impact on Dynamics AX as an ERP platform?

A: The biggest changes have been the improved quality of training materials and user documentation, especially in comparing AX 2.5 versus today. We still have a ways to go, but the olden days were a nightmare and prompted me to write the first AX book.
It is difficult to cite a laundry list of the improvements in software functionality. The improved functionality has provided more out-of-the-box solution approaches while minimizing increases in system complexity.

v - What future road map item are you most excited about for the next release of Dynamics AX?

A: Lean manufacturing.

vi - Do you plan on continuing to create / develop the next editions of your book with each release of Dynamics AX, and are you already working on that next version?

A: Yes. I plan to write additional editions for each major AX release with significant functionality enhancements. My forthcoming book covers lean manufacturing using AX.

vii - To give the readers of this post a little bit of personal side to you, what your favorite sports or outdoor activity?

A: Most of my favorite activities involve spending time in wilderness areas, whether it is hiking in the Rockies, kayaking in Alaska, or canoeing through the BWCA.

Also, here is Dr. Hamliton's closing statement:

When reviewing or learning any ERP software package, it is important to understand its underlying conceptual models and how it supports variations in business processes. It is easy to get bogged down in the details. Many of the key design factors that differentiate Microsoft Dynamics AX have been covered in the book. These design factors influence how the system fits together to run a business, especially for managing supply chain activities in manufacturing and distribution.

Given Dr. Hamilton's admitted love for the outdoors, it's not suprising that his books are similar to path finding guides for exploring Dynamics AX.

Just look at some of the objectives that this book covers, listed in the below table:


This was truly a pleasure for me to review, and I recommend anyone looking for some proven, deep functional knowledge of Supply Chain management with Dynamics AX 2009, to consider getting this book.

The price of: $29.95 over at Amazon (Click for direct link) is well worth the knolwedge that you can gain from this book.

I would like to thank Dr. Scott Hamilton for contacting me, and for all the hard work he has poored into sharing this knowledge with the Dynamics Community.

Make sure to check back soon, as I have more great post coming out. See you then!



Dr. Scott Hamilton’s Bio:
Scott Hamilton consults and teaches globally on SCM and ERP issues. He has consulted with more than a thousand companies and conducted several hundred seminars, and also taught SCM/ERP as an MBA professor at several leading universities. He authored Maximizing Your ERP System and several books on Microsoft Dynamics AX and NAV. Scott has won the rarely-given Microsoft MVP Award for Dynamics AX, and Microsoft’s Excellence in Innovation Award. He can be reached at ScottHamiltonPhD@aol.com.





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What is xRM?

This part Friday I got some really great information, from the xRM user group. (www.xrmvirtual.com). They had a great live meeting session with Bryan Nielson from Microsoft.

This call really helped shape for me, what xRM really is, what it should be used for, and what it's not.

That's a very good thing, because my focus is Dynamics AX. For the forseeable future, my focus will continue to be on Dynamics AX. That also means, that as the future becomes the present, the need to understand the vertical and horizontal stacks that Dynamics AX is built with, around and connects to is being more and more a higher priority.

This is why understanding xRM, and Microsoft's stance on xRM and it's position on it, matters to Dynamics AX partners, customers and future customers.

So, what is xRM anyway? Well xRM, according to Microsoft, is actually positioning. It’s the new way the Dynamics CRM is being positioned as a platform for rapid development of x or any, Relational Management application.

This means, that xRM is ready for use today. By buying the correct rights and modules of Dynamics CRM, you can then have xRM to use as a development platform.

xRM appliations are very targeted, LOB or Line Of Business Applications. It’s not designed for website development, e-Commerce, etc. The goal is not to address every kind of possible application. That is what the Microsoft Application Platform is designed for. .Net, SQL Server, BizTalk, SharePoint, Office, etc.

These technologies can connect, are used and can be used with and in solutions that are developed with xRM. And that is a strong point of using xRM as a platform.

So if your looking to develop that fully custom e-Commerce site for your company, you would not consider xRM. However, if your looking to develop an intense government grant management LOB application, and do it quickly, then you could consider xRM.

Let’s make this even more clear, in that xRM is meant to be a ‘noun’ relational management platform, to develop LOB applications around. Noun, meaning: person’s, places or things. Assets, Business Relationship’s, warrenties, students, teaching programs, government contracts, etc. etc.

So now that we know what xRM is, and what it’s basic target is, the next questions for me is how and when this should be used in regard to a Dynamics AX implementation / instance.

Dynamics AX itself can be used as a platform, and is best suited for your ERP and Supply Chain Management. If xRM can offer you a platform for custom LOB applications, for anything Relational Management, then when does it best make sense to bring in xRM, vs. doing a custom module inside Dynamics AX to handle what your looking for?

There are a few ways to answer this. One, a decision to bring in xRM could be because your already going to be using the combo of Dynamics AX and Dynamics CRM. Then you might take a move to develop your custom warranty management program via xRM. The benefits of doing such a thing, would be that your using a Microsoft platform, and technologies. Also if you bought 50 seats for the CRM package, and only 5 users will use your custom warranty xRM LOB application, then those 5 users are covered in the 50 seats, if you so choose to allow them.

That’s right, now extra license would have to be bought. They would have to be bought if you needed a lot more concurrent users.

Lets say though that out of the 50, the 5 warranty managers are part of the 50 users that make use of the CRM piece as well. Then they are covered and switch back and forth between CRM and Warranty Management, only taken up one seat license.

There are a hundred different ways of looking at this, functional, technical, all can be different reason’s for when and why xRM applications should and can be used with a Dynamics AX implementation.

Just keep in mind the intended use of the xRM platform. X or anything Relational Management platform for rapid development of custom Line of Business Applications.

Well that’s it for now, check back soon as I have more great post coming out! See you then!





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Microsoft's 2009 focus

Over at the ZDNet 'All about Microsoft' blog, Mary Jo wrote about Steve Ballmer's outline for Microsoft for 2009.

The link to the post is here: Microsoft’s Ballmer outlines his seven big bets for 2009

I would like for you to notice this:
"3. Desktop productivity — This is Microsoft’s most profitable business — Office, SharePoint and ERP/CRM products and services — area at present. No Office 14 until 2010, but higher-priced client-access licenses and strong “attach sales” of other Microsoft products are keeping the business strong."

So looking at this, you can see that more and more Dynamics barnd ERP and CRM are being put into the same focus area as Office. This is important to understand, and should further put to the point that we have been talking about here. Office is becoming more and more a part, and being a part of, Dynamics AX.

It is also nice to understand that Microsoft will continue to focus on this, and invest into this area. So for those trying to decide on what ERP platform to choose, this should matter to you a lot, because during a heavy downturn the top Software maker is investing and will continue to invest and be there for you.

Anyway thought this was for sure a note worthy point to make.

Check back soon as I have more great post coming out this week and next. And then we have Convergence! A lot to talk about, a lot...




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Honored

I just realized, but this blog has been posted on Microsoft's TechNet for being in the spot light.

Here is a screen shot from the page:


I am honored to have this blog and the work that goes into it spotlighted on TechNet. The direct link to the TechNet community page can be found here:
Microsoft TechNet - Community Home Page

Thanks to the editors of TechNet for choosing this blog, and for picking up what I write from time to time on it.

Check back soon!




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All About Microsoft: Microsoft at the Mall?

Alright, I had to post this when I read about it. It's not directly related to Dynamics AX, however it's very interesting. Microsoft is set to open up retail stores.

Check out the post from Mary Jo over at her blog 'All About Microsoft': Microsoft to follow Apple with its own family of retail stores

From the post:
"Microsoft is planning to launch a number of new Microsoft-branded retail stores, according to a company press release issued late in the day on February 12.

The press release announced the appointment of David Porter, a new Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Retail Stores. Formerly with Dreamworks Animation and Wal-mart, Porter starts his new job at Microsoft on February 16."

So you have an Ex Wal-Mart pro going to be heading this up. Seems like a right person to do the trick. So what's going to be the focus?: Windows Live, Windows 7, Windows Mobile, Windows Surface maybe? What about Dynamics? Will that be something you can test drive and buy 2 for the price of 1? (LOL) Ok doubt that, but in serious could be a way to introduce the Consumer based levels, which Microsoft seems to really be going for. X-Box for sure will be there, and if Zune continues...

Here is a link to the Microsoft offical press release about this: Microsoft Appoints David Porter as Corporate Vice President of Retail Stores

From the MS Press Release:
"“There are tremendous opportunities ahead for Microsoft to create a world-class shopping experience for our customers,” Porter said. “I am excited about helping consumers make more informed decisions about their PC and software purchases, and we’ll share learnings from our stores with our existing retail and OEM partners that are critical to our success.”"

Interesting read into those words there right?

Well being a Microsoft kind of guy, I hope it takes off and does great! Lets see though if we can sneak in a Dynamics AX booth in there somewhere... :-)

Check back soon...




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Layered Adds Automation Platform

Well I had someone send me a link to a very interesting press release about a Sunrise Technologies, Inc. customer: LayeredTech (Click for Layered Home page.)

LayeredTech is in what we would call the Hosting Vertical. This is something that Sunrise really has great expertise in, and really delivered a great implementation for.

The LayeredTech press release talking about the new automation platform that Layered has deployed can be seen here: thewhir.com: 'Layered Adds Automation Platform'



From the Press Release:
"Pozadzides notes that to fully relize this platform, Layered Tech had to lay the groundwork for it by unifying its back-end systems over the course of nine months, using Microsoft Dynamics AX. "Essentially what it did was unify all our separate systems into one so things like billing and accounting are merged together with inventory management, provisioning, CRM, etc.," he said. He added that this is the only company in the industry with this level of integration."

I just want to say, way to go LayeredTech! This is actually pretty amazing stuff they are offering their customers with this. To get great insight into how well this is, and what the goal is check out the Video: GeekBrief.tv Video

Like I said, it's pretty dang cool! What's interesting, and the fact of the mention that Dynamics AX was part of what made this all possible, as pointed out in the above from TheWhir.com press release covering this.

You can read the press release about the LayeredTech Dynamics AX implementation, done by Sunrise Technologies, Inc. (Sunrise Website) here:

• 08/08/2008 - Hosting Provider, Layered Tech, goes live with the Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP solution


• 10/23/2008 - Microsoft publishes case study on Sunrise's work with Layered Tech, a leading IT-hosting company

And here is a customer comment about Sunrise from Layered:
“Sunrise was critical to our design and implementation of the Microsoft Dynamics AX-based ERP for our specific corporate operations requirements. Their expertise was invaluable in jumpstarting and helping us manage such a mission-critical initiative.” -John Pozadzides, Chief Marketing Officer at Layered Tech

Again congrats LayeredTech on your new offering, and I am just proud to be apart of the company that helped you get there!

Check back soon!






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Happy Halloween

Well Happy Halloween everyone! It's been a scary month for business, but a lot of treats for Microsoft customers and clients came out of PDC as well.

Everyone have a safe and happy Halloween, or All Hallows Eve!




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Some Highlights & Thank Yous

First let me say I hope everyone is enjoying TechEd conference. A lot of great information was blogged yesterday from TechEd. I am really excited about, espcailly Oslo, the modelling concept from Microsoft for speeding up development.

With that said, I have some highlights and thanks yous of my own to post about here. First Mary Jo Foley from Her Blog 'All About Microsoft' from ZDNet, picked up my Q&A interview with Klaus and Doug from Microsoft. This was picked up in here blog post on the release of Dynamics AX 2009:

Dynamics AX 2009: The ‘Halo’ for Microsoft’s app platform

I was picked up as being quoted on this post, and a direct link to my interview as seen at the bottom of here post:



I wanted to take the time and thank Mary Jo for not only the honor of being picked up on her blog, but also for all the hard work she does in covering Microsoft.

Next, and more related back to TechEd this week, I am currently being spotlighted on TechEd Bloggers(.net) home page. TechEd editors choose a few bloggers to spotlight, that they pick up post from, and I happened to be one of the lucky ones. So I wanted to say thank you to the TechEd editoral staff, including Kathy!

You can see my spotlight on there home page, and also I have captured in a screen shot below here:



So a lot of cool and great stuff going on this week with information, TechEd, and last but for sure not least the release of Dynamics AX 2009. I plan on doing a lot of post about DAX 2009 continued at MSDynamicsWorld.com as well as expanding on those from this blog.

Check back soon!



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