AX 2012 - Going Mobile!

Everyone is talking mobile these days. It's not new really, but if you think about the amount of devices that someone interacts with on a daily basis, it's easy to understand why mobile has such a huge focus. This includes having mobile ERP & BI needs for companies of all sizes. With this topic in mind, fellow blogger & peer Dilip wrote about the release of a new white paper.: Configure Dynamics AX 2012 Mobile Connector - Dilip's Blog.

Now, I do believe that Dilip will give us some great insight as he is able to play with what the new white paper talks about. You can download the white paper, from the following location.: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 White Paper: Configure Microsoft Dynamics AX Connector for Mobile Applications. I would like to highlight this a bit more myself, and so this is the point and goal of my post today. First lets look at the summary of this white paper.:

"This paper describes how to configure an environment that is running Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, so that users can connect the Microsoft Dynamics AX mobile phone application. The initial version of the Microsoft Dynamics AX mobile phone application enables mobile expense capture."

Now we can see that initial scope is to enable the mobile expense capture for travel & expense focused needs. It's clear that this is a framework and that Microsoft will continue to invest into this framework for enabling more mobility through this approach. That stated, there is a good bit that needs to be configured, and technical assets managed.



The above is a diagram that shows the specific elements involved in this framework. Further it shows the flows of message and authentication. This represents: Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS), Mobile phone application, Microsoft Windows Azure Service Bus and Access Control Service (ACS), Microsoft Dynamics AX Connector for Mobile Applications & Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012.

It's also important to understand the functional scope that is needed to be configured within Dynamics AX 2012 for this to be properly enabled and add value. It's listed out as.: Users, Expense Management and finally Human Resources. Now that is a possibly a wide & deep functional foot print, specifically when you mention the term human resources. This I believe is the most important part really to understand and what needs coverage. This is actually missing from the white paper. What specific configuration and modeling is completed within expense management & human resources to truly enable this. Further, I can image that workflow and other types of focus are needed as well.



Beyond this, the white paper has very detailed specifics on how to configure the needed technical aspects for enabling this expense capture mobile application. It is a great example of a hybrid cloud scenario that makes use of phone device end points, cloud assets and on-prim instance of Dynamics AX 2012. This is a great step in the right direction for seeing true value for such hybrid cloud scenario's with AX 2012 today, however there is plenty more to do in order to drive real value from such scenario's.

I would like to see the functional depth, the minimal functional depth, that is really required to achieve this setup. Having that paired with this very technical document, would help give and understanding to the functional & technical footprint needed, in order for a company to weight the true cost for the value this can bring.

That's all for this post, check back soon as we continue our Dynamics Journey including Convergence 2013 starting this coming Sunday! Till Next Time!
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RF-SMART Leading the way in Role Based Dynamics User Experiences

One of the things I like to do with my blog from time-to-time, is a spot light or feature post. With that, I virtually sat down with RF-SMART’S own Sherry Paul to pick her brain a bit. My goal with talking with Sherry was to find out, what RF-SMART was doing, to help enable Role Based user experiences for Dynamics AX customers. The following is the result of that interview.


Sherry Paul, Business Solutions Advisor – RF-SMART

1.) How does RF-SMART help create a role based, system of engagement for Dynamics AX Customers?

"RF-SMART provides the ability to setup roles for workers so they can clearly see their daily tasks on mobile devices. The worker can clearly determine which tasks need to be performed and in which order. These roles can be setup narrowly for specific business processes or roles can be defined more broadly to be use by managers in the warehouse and manufacturing plant."

2.) What are some of the unique workflows that RF-SMART helps enable "RF-SMART customers mobilize their workers to do important tasks such as receiving incoming goods, inventory management, recording progress for production order operation and completing product which can be paperless picked with RF-SMART.



RF-SMART provides dashboards, designed with modern tablets and smartphones in mind. The dashboards allow managers, regardless of where they are, to take action on current picking activity in their warehouse.



With the RF-SMART Production Activity billboard, plant production can be monitored at a glance while being displayed on a large monitor, potentially hanging on a wall in the production area."



3.) For these workflow's, what kind of ROI, with time saving, and efficient processes do customer's see when making the choice of RF-SMART?

"When choosing RF-SMART, customers will have increased visibility and tighter control, measurable gains and easy ownership. Having visibility into their inventory levels, picking, people/activity, deliveries and much more, this therefore enables them to reduce physical inventory counts, labor costs and provides them with superior operational and financial performance. Some examples of our customer successes’ include:

• Automated process for receiving and transfers has reduced CMC’s manual inventory movement processes by 97 percent - saving CMC 173 labor hours per month!

• Physical inventory counts have dropped from twice a year to once a year and only half the amount of staff is needed!

• Increased receiving accuracy to 99.97%"

4.) Looking into the future, what can you tell the readers about exciting, upcoming offers that will continue to make RF-SMART a great value add for Microsoft Dynamics AX customers?

"It’s an exciting time for the RF-SMART team. We’re wrapping up our best year ever and 2013 looks even brighter.

From a product perspective, we’re going well beyond supporting core AX 2012 functionality while, true to our mantra, make it easier and easier for people to manage and execute critical inventory functions throughout the warehouse, shop floor and retail store. That’s really what we do: make inventory execution easy by delivering the right information, at the right time, on the right device to prompt the right action.

What helps us identify new functional opportunities is our unique level of industry and Dynamics AX experience. Our people are the best at developing easy-to-use software that solves real problems by taking into account AX, business requirements, mobile UI capabilities and knowledge of how people actually work. As a result, RF-SMART helps companies be more efficient and responsive by helping their people do their jobs better.

Looking forward to 2013!"

I would like to thank Sherry for taking the time to answer’s my questions. One of the major focuses of mine is around Role Based user experiences, specifically in how that can foster the creation of a System of Engagement for Dynamics AX Customers. I know RF-SMART, a sponsor of this blog, is doing the right things focusing their efforts on this goal as well!

To find out more, visit the following resource, fill out the form and download RF-SMART’S AX 2012 Role Base Brochure.

Till next time!

About Sherry Paul: “I have been working with ERP software for my entire career which started in 1984. Spanning my career I have worked with many manufacturing companies to implement ERP and Mobile application, for their discreet, process and lean manufacturing environments. An MBA and years of experience in the industry enable me to offer unique solutions to help clients develop best in class business processes for their organization.”


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Spotlight: RF-SMART simplifies Warehouse Operations for Microsoft Dynamics AX Customers

Today, I wanted to take the time and give a spotlight to a sponsor of this blog. Who exactly am I talking about? RF-SMART - the company that simplifies warehouse operations for Microsoft Dynamics AX Customers.



I sat down, virtually with Stephen Morgan, Vice President of Global Sales and North American Partner Manager for ICS, Inc – Developers of RF-SMART offering for Microsoft Dynamics ERP. I wanted to pick Stephen’s brain a bit, and get his thoughts on specific topics of what exactly is the value message; RF-SMART brings to AX customers. The following is the result of that interview.


Stephen Morgan
VP of Global Sales

Stephen, being the VP of Global Sales, can you give us some insight into the value that you see RF-SMART bring to AX 2012 customers?

"RF-SMART’s dashboards for Dynamics AX 2012 unchain the manager from his desk, allowing him to address additional warehouse needs. Our Picking Activity Dashboard, for example, organizes and displays picking progress on the shop floor, where an average of 60% - 70% of a warehouse’s manpower is focused.



In addition to extending and simplifying AX for the worker on the warehouse floor, RF-SMART adds functionality to AX with our Advanced Logistics workflows. For example, RF-SMART’s Container Management workflow grants visibility into the contents of your containers and allows for the real-time creation of container reports. Carton packing and shipping and cross docking are also among our Advanced Logistics capabilities.

RF-SMART provides its customers with the intangible value of peace of mind! With nearly 200 customers in over 30 countries, we are accustomed to delivering our solutions to customers with single sites, all the way to multiple sites across the globe."

Stephen, what are your thoughts on the AX 2012 market, and what do you see the future holding for it as a product - and how RF-SMART will continue to add value?

"In reference to added value, we would of course want to reference back to our Advanced Logistics for AX 2012. Additionally the 2012 solution is written using HTML 5, making RF-SMART available on iPad, iPhone, iTouch, Windows Mobile, Windows CE, Android and more.



Microsoft Dynamics AX has been a proven and trusted ERP for many years. It meets the needs of its customers and keeps in step with the ever changing demands of the market. RF-SMART works closely with Microsoft to align our focuses and ensure a highly compatible product. Dynamics AX and RF-SMART are a perfect partnership for manufacturers, retailers and distributors who need one source of truth, inventory accuracy and real-time visibility into their products."

Give us a real world example, of where RF-SMART has been brought into an AX 2012 project and save time, reduced cost, and that shows off the value points you mentioned earlier.

"The value of RF-SMART’s automated data collection solution is evident as RF-SMART has recently welcomed their 25th MS Dynamics AX 2012 customer. One such delighted customer is a specialized retailer of close to 100 stores. RF-SMART combined with AX has extended the real-time visibility of actual inventory levels all the way to the storefront. In addition, store-to-store transfers, PO receiving, cycle counting and more can be done at both the distribution center and storefront with a single solution – and both update AX in real-time!

Other AX 2012 customers include manufacturers, distributors and food and beverage companies that are finding RF-SMART to be instrumental in achieving inventory and shipping accuracy, on-time delivery, increase productivity and reduced labor costs."

Stephen, if you could point out one or two things that you think is really a game changer with the RF-SMART for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 product, what would those be?



"RF-SMART offers enhanced Advanced Logistics for AX 2012, such as container management, cross-docking and more. Our new manager dashboards facilitate even greater productivity, freeing the manager from the confines of his office.

Because we leverage HTML 5, RF-SMART tools are made available on virtually any device.

RF-SMART has made it a high priority to be a company that is easy to do business with, not only nationwide, but globally as well. Thanks to RF-SMART’s user-friendly workflow studio, customers around the world can make changes to RF-SMART fields without needing to contact support. Our over 1,500 pages of documentation prove that RF-SMART is focused on being the best in our field and on enhancing our solution to meet our customer’s growing needs."

"RF-SMART is the #1 automated data collection (ADC) solution for Microsoft Dynamics AX. With more than 70 workflows, RF-SMART supports Dynamics AX transactions and also provides advanced functionality to help companies achieve measurable increases in data accuracy and operational efficiency. Learn more at http://ax.rfsmart.com or visit our blog at http://dynamicsax.rfsmart.com/blog/"

You can follow RF-SMART at the following social channels.:

I would like to thank both Stephen and the people behind RF-SMART for taking the time and sharing with all of us. Having seen RF-SMART in action over the years, I can speak to the value it brings to the Microsoft Dynamics Ecosystem. That the whole point of looking at such a solution, to derive the most value out of a customer’s Microsoft Dynamics AX investment. If you have manual warehouse operations, paper-based workloads, and a need for automation – find out how RF-SMART can help you at: http://ax.rfsmart.com

That’s all for this post. Check back soon as more to come including a continued focus on creating a system of engagement with AX 2012, and how this is practically achieved. Till Next Time!
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Introducing IDB Solutions - a new start!

It is with great pleasure, that today with the official start of #Conv12 I can introduce my new venture: IDB Solutions, LLC. Our focus is being a consulting firm that drives value for new & existing Microsoft Dynamics AX customers & partners.

We have set ourselves up in a way, that our customers are both partners & customers in the Dynamics Ecosystem. Being that our drive, and primary goal is around value for partners & customers connect with us, to find out how we can help you with your project needs!

The following is a list of services we offer.:

• Microsoft Dynamics AX - From Upgrades to AX 2012, helping with new implementations, Business Process Modeling, complex integration's as well as development & technical services.
• Business Intelligence - our deep understanding and focus around AX, IDB Solutions can help deliver the most value for you through correct definition, development and use of BI
• Cloud Computing - Focused on the correct use of cloud computing technologies for extending your AX solution.
• Mobile ERP / CRM - Implementing ISV Solutions & custom development for mobile solutions that deliver real value for your AX needs.

I'm currently at Convergence 2012, so make sure to connect with us and see how our knowledge and expertise can drive the most value for your project needs! Till Next Time!

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Community Article: Is Microsoft too Late to the Tablet & Mobile Game?

I wanted to make sure, and highlight my recent article I wrote for the Official Dynamics Community. The post: Is Microsoft too Late to the Tablet & Mobile Game?

I don't want to give away my answer to the post's title, and put forth question. Instead, I will tell you, that the focus is around Mobile ERP, and the rise of "Any Device ERP".

Till Next Time!

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