Know thy Dynamics HashTags!

Understanding how to navigate the social landscape is a vital skill that help one stay on top of the latest news for Microsoft Dynamics, and further be a contributor to the community at large. Events like the upcoming Convergence 2013, being held in New Orleans can seem overwhelming, in trying to digest all the great news & happenings while there. Further, for those not able to attend, but wanting to learn as much as possible - navigating the social landscape is a must!



To help weed through the information, and further avoid things like "social saturation" understanding HashTag's that are used within the Microsoft Dynamics Community is a must! Enter Jon Rivers latest post on this topic.: 2013 #HASHTAG PREDICTIONS FOR MICROSOFT DYNAMICS ARE HERE!



You may recall Jon & Mark Polino's efforts in helping customers and partners entering into the social fray, with their joint authored book.: Social Media for Microsoft Dynamics Partners.



Jon continues his mastery of the social arts, with giving us a heads up for this years HashTag index. It's ever so important to understand the value of such HashTag's as #Conv13, #AXUGSummit and many more. Doing so, as I mentioned above, will give one the ability to stay on top of the information most important to you. Further, if your going to contribute to the ever growing community at large, then having the right HashTag's used associated with your efforts if vital.

I will say, sometimes there is a battle for HashTag dominance. Where competing events, or community actually land on using the same tag. I bring to mind the great battle when Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 was launched, and the same time the Anime Expo 2012 conference was being targeted. I believe the Dynamics Community won out right the use of #AX2012. However, this battle is far from over as we approach the year 2015. I predict, once again the Dynamics Community will face off against the Anime Expo crowd, when #AX2015 is the focus for the year 2015 and the release of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2015.

Going back more to the serious side of this social skill set, Jon's efforts within the community are always helpful. With his post, we all have a quick reference to the HashTag's that should be targeted and used. Further, Jon will avoid *ME* direct messaging him, asking "Jon, what is the HashTag for [Insert event here]."

Many thanks Jon for all the efforts you do for the Dynamics Community at large. There should be an MVP Award from Microsoft that allows Jon to be awarded for his efforts across all the Dynamics Products, including his focus on mastering the social landscape.

That's all for this post, I hope that each and everyone of you have a great weekend, and find yourself being productive in our Dynamics World. Check back soon as more Dynamics & BI coverage to come. Further, as we approach Microsoft Dynamics Convergence 2013, keep an eye here for total coverage, interviews and more! Till Next Time!
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The Coming Wave of Monetizing A Company's Data

It's been a while since I sat down and wrote an article, specifically on a topic that was not directly related to Microsoft Dynamics AX. I always find a way to connect such topics to AX however, and this article is no exception.

What I'm talking about is the coming wave, and movement we will see with new software & service offerings for helping companies easily package, maintain and sale their data. The holy grail for BigData promises. The 4th Paradigm of Data will finally find itself home in the reality we call our lives.

Alright, enough with the dramatic entrance to this topic, which is all about the current state of Data Markets, and what I think the future holds. With that, lets look at current state.

Current State

As-is, the data market, or services and sites that allow you to package and sale data you own and control, is actually at a decent saturation rate. A quick search on bing yields the following results.: Bing Results for 'Monetize Data'

A specific leader in the category of monetizing data, is the company called InfoChimps.com



InfoChimps is a very interesting company, and the array of services they offer continue to grow and morph. You can see the relative youth in this specific area of BigData. Have no doubts however, Monetizing Data will be a long leader in perceived value, for outcomes of BigData projects.

With this in mind, lets look at another service, closer to the heart of the Dynamics Ecosystem. That being of the Azure Datamarket, located at.: DataMarket.Azure.com.



The Azure DataMarket has a very specific focus, with a lot of big names already taking advantage of what this can bring. Here enter's the first area of how this crosses into Microsoft Dynamics AX. Business Intelligence projects, when correctly executed, will bring as part of the end result, insight into a companies data assets. These will become super valuable for companies that embrace the oncoming wave of data science.

The Future

For me, I see the future of Dynamics as this: A singular UX, that is both adaptable to smaller touch gestures, as well as larger projected, or surface displays. Applications can easily load into the desired mode.

Microsoft Dynamics ERP will be a place that helps easily package data assets for companies, has a place with the Azure DataMarket for publishing and the sale of such data assets. Further, the social integration for ease of marketing across multiple channels.

That is the current intersection for this topic with Microsoft Dynamics AX, at this point. A future, that is not that far away actually, but still there are steps and things that need to take place before this really could become a firm reality. That is going to be the fun part! Check back soon as we look further into BigData, with the goal of creating real value. Further more on Dynamics AX news, Services, BI and more! Till Next Time!
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Developing Content Apps for Excel 2013 & AX 2012 (Part I.5)

Well I hope everyone is having a great week thus far! There is a lot to be excited about in the Microsoft Dynamics Ecosystem. I recently started a series, that plans to show off the value, by example, of creating content apps for Office 2013. SpotLight: Developing Content Apps for Excel 2013 & AX 2012 (Part I)

I left off that post, stating that the next focus would be around the consumption of AX 2012 services via REST. I honestly feel like however we need to save that for part II, and why this is titled Part I.5. We first need to get a better understanding of the Anatomy of apps for Office. With that, there is an amazing post that was recently released that covers this very well.: Anatomy of apps for Office



The above image is from the reference blog post, that is listed as the "[T]he canonical architecture of a "real-world" app for Office."

It's important to understand a few key architecture parts around Apps for Office. Specifically as I highlighted before, the technologies being used are items like: OAuth, REST, HTML5/CSS, JavsScript. These enable the development of the app for office.



Further, the above image also comes from the reference blog post, and shows off the diagram if the flow from developer, to private or public catalog's, through to the end user and their use of said app.



With that, we need to look at starting our first project that targets a Content App for Excel 2013. We do this, via Visual Studio 2012. To start we must launch Visual Studio 2012, and then select a new project.



You will notice there is a difference from the video's that are listed in the previous post targeting developer training. In the training VS2011 Beta was the target and there are some differences. Specifically you select either an App for Office, or an App for SharePoint.



In selecting an app for office, as you can see from the screen shot above, you then make a choice of the target app type. We are targeting content apps, which can only be used with Excel 2013.



In doing so, we see our App has some already existing artifacts, including a working example of getting values from the currently selected data area, or cell that is highlighted within the Excel workbook.

Now that we have a better understanding of the Anatomy of an app for Office, and we have clear instructions for starting our targeted content App for Excel 2013, We can truly focus on how to enable RESTful consumption of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 services.

That's all for this post, I hope your enjoying seeing the true power of the full stack Microsoft brings - and it's possible value for customers who have or are investing in Microsoft Dynamics AX. Through this series, the power of the cloud, interop of AX 2012, and the new Office Suite should come to light. Till Next Time!
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Spotlight: Apps for Office 2013 - future value add for Microsoft Dynamics AX Customers

I hope everyone is doing great this week! I wanted to take sometime today and start back a few spotlight series around the different products and technologies that help complete the total solution for Microsoft Dynamics AX.

Microsoft by far, has the biggest single year product release than ever in it's history. There is so much potential to add value for Microsoft Dynamics AX customers, and that has to start with understanding how to target specific technologies and position them correctly within the frame and use of an AX investment for a customer.

With that, lets start with Office 2013, and the following resource.: Apps for Office & SharePoint: Developer Training

From the page.:
"Developer-focused how to training and walkthrough videos about Office 2013 and SharePoint 2013 including changes and new features for search, social, ECM, WCM, and REST. Learn about apps for Office and SharePoint."



As you can see from the resource page, and the above image, there is a lot of great developer training introductions around a host of approaches and technologies based on an earlier preview version of Office 2013, SharePoint 2013, and Visual Studio.

Office without a doubt is a first class citizen client of Microsoft Dynamics AX today, and will continue to be so in the future. With the release of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 alone, the native ability for Office 2010 to enable workloads and processes for users is amazing. Take what is coming with AX 2012 R2, and what we see with Office 2013 and you know this will only continue to be a focal point for truly enabling a system of engagement for Microsoft Dynamics AX customers.

I encourage you to take Office 2013 for a spin, and think about what kind of vertically focused, and value added solutions can be developed - that also increase the overall ROI for the Microsoft Dynamics AX customer base.

That's all for this post, but check back soon as we continue this focus, along with more on the cloud, BI and of course core Microsoft Dynamics AX topics. Till Next Time!
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Free ebook: Introducing Windows Server 2012

I hope everyone is doing well today! I wanted to highlight a recently released, free eBook from Microsoft Press. A Direct link to download the eBook can be found here.: Microsoft Press- Free ebook: Introducing Windows Server 2012.

Like I stated in my big fat book review post, this time of year brings a lot of reading and studying. If I'm honest, you never really stop reading or studying, but we are in a release cycle of technology for Microsoft that is causing such a statement to really be true. With that in mind, I've started reading the above mentioned free eBook that gives a great introduction for Windows Server 2012. From the blog.:

"Chapter 1 The business need for Windows Server 2012
The rationale behind cloud computing Making the transition
Technical requirements for successful cloud computing
Four ways Windows Server 2012 delivers value for cloud computing Foundation for building your private cloud

Chapter 2 Foundation for building your private cloud
A complete virtualization platform
Increase scalability and performance Business continuity for virtualized workloads


Chapter 3 Highly available, easy-to-manage multi-server platform
Continuous availability
Cost efficiency
Management efficiency

Chapter 4 Deploy web applications on premises and in the cloud
Scalable and elastic web platform
Support for open standards

Chapter 5 Enabling the modern workstyle
Access virtually anywhere, from any device
Full Windows experience
Enhanced security and compliance"

This is a very important topic to understand, for a lot of different reason's that are highlighted in the above chapter notes. Windows Server 2012 will be a foundation piece or layer, that true Hybrid Clouds will be enabled via. Further, Microsoft is focused on HTML5 and hence the nod to "Support for open stanards" (See page's 185 & 199)



What is the impact of this for Microsoft Dynamics AX? As we continue to push forward into a true Hybrid world, and details around 'AX 7' come into light, we will see the technology in Windows Server 2012, leveraged that will truly allow for elastic scalablity, and in my "crystal ball" - workload specific scaling for Microsoft Dynamics AX Processes. I've not focused much on the cloud, as of late - however with technologies like Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, SQL Server 2012 and now Windows Server 2012 - the cloud will continue to be ever present in the minds of Architects & developers for AX, and will be expected as an "Always On" utility.

That's all for this highlight, I do think it's very relevant for the Microsoft Dynamics Community at large. Further, check back tomorrow as I continue my series of post on Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP Design & Development. Till Next Time!
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VSLive - New York & Focus on Metro UX

I wanted to bring together in today's post some great cross conference, and cross technology information - that of course applies directly to Microsoft Dynamics AX! To help set the stage, lets reference back to my coverage and promotion of the VSLive Event in Las Vegas.



Based on the feedback from that event in Vegas, there was some really great sessions that apply directly to Microsoft Dynamics AX. Specifically what I was most interested in, and what Kees Hertogh - Director of Product Development for Microsoft Dynamics AX, recently wrote about: Metro UX and it's impact on the future client of Microsoft Dynamics.


Image Provided By Microsoft

The above image, comes from a recent article that Kees wrote, talking about the efforts the product team is making, in the embrace of Windows 8 OS and the Metro UX. I first starting writing about this in Jan., and had an article that was picked myself by ZDNet here.: Microsoft Dynamics AX - The future Client Win8 / HTML5.



Kees' recent article, points and shows off this in action.: Introducing modern business application with Metro style design. In this article, Kees shows off the investments being made by the product team for making use of the Metro UX. Further, he goes on to ask for input and feedback. What does the community think of this effort, being put forth by the product team? This is where we cross now, into the VSLive conference, and specifically to Brian Randell's session "Building Metro Style Apps - Getting the UX Right.



With this focus, I virtually sat down with Brian and asked him a few questions. These were in reference to the article posted by Kees, as well as his own session and focus around the Metro UX design. The following is the result of that interview.:

1.Brian, if you don't mind can you speak a bit to the type of audience and people that you will be targeting with you session "Building Metro Style Apps Getting the UX Right" and some high-value take away's from someone attending?

"The primary target is developers. From there, it’s really any team member who’s concerned with user experience."

2. With the focus on getting the UX right for Metro Style App design, can you comment on the recent story, from Microsoft's Own Kees Hertogh, Director of Product Development for Microsoft Dynamics AX?

"I think the article provides a great concept that Metro style apps are not just for consumers. You can build great LOB Metro style apps that both consume and create/modify data. If you look at the first screen shot in the article, you’ll see a very “digital dashboard” type UX (to dig up an old term from the late 90’) rich information display in a heads up format. Beyond you still can create an immersive experience that lets you create and change data."

3. With the push of Enterprise Apps to the Metro Style design, can you give a few value points as to what metro brings, for people who are use to traditional style Windows UX, that might not be so obvious but for sure add value and increase productivity?

"A key point is having applications laser focused on the user and the data that’s being presented; remove the chrome and have data center stage. With “big data”, we need to have better ways of visualizing data and Metro is a ripe design language to use for that."

4. In talking in terms of app design, in general, can you speak to some of the things you like best about the Metro UI design approach, compared to traditional Windows UX design?

"I think number one is that I get a clean slate. I’m not beholding to a lot of the traditional UI conventions. I own the screen. I can create an experience the draws my user in and lets them get to the point. One type of application that’s shown popularity in the mobile device space are “data snacking” applications. These applications provide a rich view on a narrow band of data. To something simple but do it very well. I like the built-in metro templates that make it easy to create tiles of information. I can use the tile to summarize and then provide a great drill down to more detailed data. I can do all of this with a touch and a swipe. The templates provide structure for the design challenged. Then once you understand the basic structure, you can dig into layout and color theory, so you can go beyond. The key is that there’s a nice baseline. It does mean that folks need to work with a designer and push the limits however."

I would like to take the time to thank Brian for his feedback on the VSLive session, as well as great information around the Metro UX design - and specifically being able to tie this back directly to Microsoft Dynamics AX. I think a critical point here that Brian makes, and that it seems the AX product team is getting right from the start, is a focus on "have data center stage". This is critical for the success of Metro style apps, and specifically applies without a doubt to Microsoft Dynamics AX. Register for Visual Studio Live in New York and save $300 off the standard Best Value Package rate when you use code VSNYTU: http://bit.ly/VSNYiDB

Well that's all for this post, I hope everyone has a great Dynamics day! Make sure to sign up for VSLive event, if you can, and check back soon as more to come. Till Next time!
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A Friday Tech Focus on Win8 and Metro

This week, the BUILD conference, Windows 8 was a huge focus. There is all kinds of new things that have come out about Windows 8, including the fact that for Windows 8 Apps to be placed in the Microsoft Store, and to run on ARM based slates / tables, then these apps must be developed with Metro.

This is a focus on the new WinRT, or Windows Run Time. This also means Visual Studio 2011 will be used as it is the IDE for developing Metro apps that target correctly the WinRT for the ARM and x86 chipsets.

To this end, I've created a new LinkedIn group: Metro Developers Group on LinkedIn. I've also registered the new site: MetroDeveloper.net. If your interested in seeing this group grow, become an early member today and start to foster good conversations, topics, and sharing of knowledge.

I write about this, here on IDB, Dynamics AX blog, because this will impact the future UX, and UI for how AX, or better Dynamics ERP. I see this being a big impact for Microsoft Dynamics AX v7.0 that is in development now.

That's all for now, but it's time to get metro focused, for prepping and getting ready for the future with Microsoft Windows 8.

Till next time!

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