Microsoft Dynamics AX CU3 & MVP Award Status!

I hope everyone is doing well this fine Monday! I wanted to post today, and point out that Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 CU3 has been released. You will need either PartnerSource or CustomerSource access for downloading this latest update. You can find a direct link to this release at the following location.: Cumulative Update 3 for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012

In this update for Microsoft Dynamics AX there are a number of country specific updates, for Austria, Mexico, Spain as well as others. Further, there are a number of needed fixes around specific issues, including one for AIF: "When you update UTC date time fields by using a service, the update fails".

This update has a number of other fixes around functional area's, X++ changes, and even Enterprise Portal needs like: "You cannot change a company by using the filter for company in the Enterprise Portal website in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012". After applying this update, you should have a build number that list the following.: 6.0.1108.670.



Before I let you go on this 4th of July week, I do have some very exciting as well as humbling news. I received the news this past Sunday, on July 1st that I was honored in being awarded a Microsoft's Most Valuable Professional - MVP Award for Microsoft Dynamics AX!

I'm very thankful for being listed among such elite professionals in the Microsoft MVP community as a whole, and specifically along side peers of mine in the Microsoft Dynamics Community. So thank you, to everyone for your support with this!

That's all I have time for this post, but as promised last week I have more to come, including a focus on SQL Server 2012, More on AX 2012 and hybrid clouds, as well as a continue focus on EP development. Till Next Time!
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Adopt the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack - a must have

Recently, in February of this year Microsoft released the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 feature pack. You can access the latest Dynamics AX ISO, which includes the feature pack, from the following location on PartnerSource: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack Release.

From the release notes: "Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack is the Microsoft ERP solution for enterprises that empowers your people to anticipate and embrace change so your business can thrive. It constitutes our biggest releases that target five key industries: Manufacturing, Distribution, Services Industries, Public Sector, and Retail. This release also incorporates Microsoft Dynamics ERP RapidStart Services.

All of the industry solutions, Process Industries, Public Sector, Retail, and Service Industries, are now incorporated into the product and are installed the same way as other Microsoft Dynamics AX modules. Customers can enable or disable features by using configuration keys and can use features from multiple industry solutions. For example, a Public Sector organization can use the Retail POS capabilities, a pharmaceutical company involved in drug discovery and trials can use Service Industries and Process Manufacturing capabilities, or a wholesale distributor can use the Retail merchandising features."

Further, Microsoft just recently as of three days ago posted the following link on PartnerSource stating: "We strongly recommend that all Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 implementations move to using the Feature Pack"

The Resource Page.: The Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack—Why You Should Adopt it Moving Forward

There are several reasons to make sure that the feature pack is the focus now and moving forward from all the updates to specific industry solutions adding retail, if desired, as well as having now support for 25 Countries. Further, Microsoft points out that: "When Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 is released in H1 Calendar Year 2013 it will automatically install the remaining Microsoft provided country localizations (Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, etc.); so that we maintain the single consistent Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 code base."

This then suggest, that in order to go to R2 - with the least time needed for deployment, having what resides in the feature pack for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 is a critical step. Further, applying and using the feature pack as the target version for any and all current AX 2012 instances, gives you the same build as CU2. Bringing your Microsoft Dynamics AX investment to the latest and most stable build. Even if you have applied CU2, you should look towards the feature pack, as it's clear through the message it's a stepping stone towards R2 that will be release first half of 2013.

Well that's all for now, check back soon though as a whole lot more to come. Till Next Time!
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AX 2012 - What Hotfixes & Models are Installed?

I trust everyone has had a productive and Dynamics filled week! A lot to cover from this week, with a big focus around the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack release. I'm still in the process of disecting the release and parts of it, so expect to have some post soon, right here on the topic.



I did, want to post a nice little nugget of information for you, specifically related to AX 2012 before this work week left us. This nugget of information, is specifically related to how you can quickly tell, what Models have been installed for a specific instance.

When using the terms models, here, this then includes any Functional Models delivered from Microsoft, as well as any cumulative updates, like CU2. Further this is how you can also tell what Hotfixes, which are delivered as model files, have been applied to a specific instance.

You start the process, by launching into an instance of AX 2012, and then clicking on the question mark in the top right hand corner of the AX Rich Client.



In doing this, the help context menu should appear, as seen above, and the next for you, is to click on the 'About Microsoft Dynamics AX' option. In doing this, you should see a screen similar to the one pictured below.



Here we have some information that is specific to the instance of AX 2012 your connected to. The next option you want to click, is the one highlighted above, 'Show Installed Models.' Doing this, should bring you to the following screen.



As you can seen, from the above, we are now able to tell every model that has been installed with the specific instance of AX 2012, including Hotfixes.

I hope this little bit of information helps someone out there, it's handy to understand these specific points, as it helps when addressing issues, and understanding what really is in a specific instance of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012.

Well that's all for this post, check back soon though as more Cloud, BI, AX 2012, Mobile ERP, and of course coverage of the AX 2012 Feature pack continue on. Till Next Time!

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AX 2012 - CU2 has been released

I wanted to update everyone that Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 - CU2 has been released. You can get to the download from the following location: Cumulative Update 2 for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012

In this update several fixes are included, and the release schedule for AX 2012 is very impressive from Microsoft for updating issues. The new build number, after Cu2 is applied should be: 6.0.947.280.

There are a lot of fixes around workflow, financial dimensions, EP Time sheets, etc. etc. It's important that everyone update to this latest CU2, to help address any issues, and before contacting MS Support for new issues.

Keep in mind, that these Cumulative Updates, can be SlipStreamed for fast deployment. To find out exactly how to do this action, you can use the following post: AX 2012 - Slipstreaming a Cumulative update

That's all for now, check back soon as more to come! Till next time!

Update: Interesting fact here, if you have for example an AOS server that does not have the 32-bit client installed on it, you can not proceed with the CU2 update. So you must have the AX 2012 client installed before the axupdate.exe from CU2 will progress. Interesting point I thought everyone would like to know.

"Visit the Dynamics AX Community Page today!"