How to Configure SharePoint 2010 for Microsoft Management Reporter 2012

I hope everyone is doing well today. I wanted to take the time, and point out a very specific walk through, that I believe has not gotten a lot of coverage yet. With a focus around reporting & BI for AX 2012, as well as EP Development that we have had - what a great time to talk about how to Configure SharePoint 2010 for Microsoft Management Reporter 2012



The above link does require ParterSource or CustomerSource Access. Further, if you have access, the following is also a direct link to the word document that is referenced in the above resource page.: How to Configure SharePoint 2010 for Microsoft Management Reporter 2012 - Download

If followed correctly, and I mean to the "T", then you can enable - truly - the publishing of Management Reporter - Report artifacts - to your SharePoint instance. This helps further complete the Financial Reporting piece of the story we are focusing on, in our target to use Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 to create a system of engagement.



That's all for now, for this quick highlight but check back soon as so much more to come! 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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Microsoft InformationSource - Powerful, Agile & Simple

Well AXUG Summit 2011 has come and gone, and a lot of information and great sessions took place. It was a great showing really by both Customers, Partners as well as Microsoft presence. There are so many great topics to cover, and I will continue to dive into each of these, as we continue to help grow our Dynamics Ecosystem together.

I would like to thank everyone for the great support for the blog, and for those that came and meet with me during the sessions and Expo. With that, and to help kick off normal postings, I wanted to highlight a great new resource that Microsoft is creating. This is called InformationSource and you can log into InformationSource using your windows live id, that you use for PartnerSource or CustomerSource.

The direct link to InformationSource can be found here: InformationSource.Dynamics.com.

This is slated to become a great new source of information, focused on: "Resources for predictable implementations." And the site, is already true to it's statement. It's broken up into three major area's: Powerful, Agile & Simple.


The powerful section from this site, goes into several key area's, around scale, efficiency & productivity. All around delivering more value, faster.


Next we have agile focused resources, for time-to-value, reduced risk and a focus on higher ROI for your implementation.


Finally there is simple, with a focus on a single solution, seamless collaboration, and easier application life cycle management.

All of this expands on the offerings, already talked about for Sure Step, as well as RapidStart Services. The goal, again as stated by this new great resource, is to have repeatable, predictable implementations. This means there is a great focus around the Partner as well as the Customer of course. I highly recommend keeping up with this site, as it moves out of beta and into more main stream use, and updates.

I would also like to highlight Joris, over at DAXMusings.blogspot.com for his great recent news update for AX 2012. He actually talks about the new InformationSource site, including highlighting some of the great new beta tools, including that of IDMF for AX 2012!

It's hard not to be excited about Microsoft Dynamics AX, and with the release of AX 2012, and all that it brings. Microsoft, and the community as a whole is expanding rapidly, and growing leaps and bounds. It's a great time to be working in the Dynamics world, and if your a customer that has chosen the path of Dynamics AX 2012, and wonderful time to reap all the benefits this true world class ERP solution can offer you.

Look for more post, and deeper dives on all kinds of topics. There is really so much to cover and talk about. All focused, around driving value for you, and your part in the Dynamics Ecosystem.

That's all for right now, but check back soon as a whole lot more to come. Till next time!

"Visit the Dynamics AX Community Page today!"

RapidStart Services for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 is live!

RapidStart Services for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 is live! PartnerSource or CustomerSource access is required to get access to it.

The link on PartnerSouce can be found here.: Microsoft Dynamics ERP - RapidStart Services for Microsoft Dynamics AX

From the post:
"Microsoft Dynamics ERP RapidStart Services allows organizations to easily configure business processes and modules thru an intuitive interview style questionnaire. Organizations can answer questions specific to their business processes and based on the responses to questions the necessary records for those business processes are created. Time of configure Microsoft Dynamics ERP can be greatly reduced and allow organizations to spend time on value add services."

The link contains a download, services guide as well as configuring projects guide. I've looked at this now, and it really has the possibility of truly helping out projects of all sizes.

The first focus for this offering, for out-of-the-box questions and templates is around U.S. & Canada Financials, with a lot more planned offerings to come.

Based on the guide, this is a Partner focused effort, in which a Partner would on-board it's customers, and in turn then can enable the RapidStart Services for that given project. From there, an On-Premise connector is what enables the connection to this Azure based software, and let me say again, this is pretty dang cool. I would say bye-bye rapid configuration tool, hello to the next generation!

What I think is very cool about this offering, is the fact that Partners, and even implementation projects, can tailor the use of this tool, for their needs. Like all software, the community has to dig in, and start to see real value out of this. However I see this becoming a staple in all AX 2012 projects.

If your a partner, or even in the midst of a AX 2012 deployment already, this needs to be looked at now to see how it can help your implementation. If your an ISV, you need to be looking at this, so that you can create templates, that tailor the RapidStart Services to include Rapid Configuration ability to your IP for AX 2012.

The official product launch, or RTM, is not for some weeks, so you can look at this as being the GA release of RapidStart Services. I've heard several people from Microsoft comment on this is just the first release, in which many more or planned to have out-of-the-box questions and templates.

So if you have access, go check this out now!

That's all for this post, till next time!

Update: There is now further documentation about RapidStart Services over on TechNet: Help for Microsoft Dynamics ERP RapidStart Services users [AX 2012]



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Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Readiness Planning Guide - New Version Available (v4.1)

Just a quick post here, I wanted to point out that this week Microsoft has released the new v4.1 fo the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Readiness Planning Guide.

You can access it, through PartnerSource, at the following location.: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Readiness Planning Guide - New Version Available (v4.1)

Listed on the page of whats new in this release is: "The latest version includes links to additional Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 demo scripts and updated release dates for the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 official courses."

We are getting closer and closer! That's all for now!

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PartnerSource: Get Ready for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012

I wanted to take the time and point out that Microsoft has released, for Partner's, the "Get Ready for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012" Whitepaper.

"Review the latest Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 readiness guide for preliminary details of the training content that is planned, including topic areas, proposed audience, duration, and type (self-study or instructor-led).

This guide also details the Microsoft application platform skills required. The training content will be made available on one of the following websites, depending on the primary audience: Microsoft Partner Network, PartnerSource, MSDN, TechNet or Microsoft Learning."

Please keep in mind that you need access to PartnerSource for this whitepaper. This is the continued plan, in which Microsoft is putting together, that was talked about at DAXCONF11 this year.

As we progress towards Convergence 2011 next month, we will start to see more and more information about training for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2011 for Partners, and I would expect the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Launch Portal to be highlighted at this years Convegrence, along with a slew of tracks for Dynamics AX 2012.

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

"Visit the Dynamics AX Community Page today!"

Microsoft “Migrate From NetSuite” Reference Recruitment Contest

Well last week, I posted about PartnerCompete.com's coverage of NetSuite's CEO having some crazy claims.:
NetSuite CEO Zach Nelson crazy claims

And over the weekend, Microsoft released a new PartnerSource based contest.:
Microsoft “Migrate From NetSuite” Reference Recruitment Contest

PartnerSource is required to go to the above link. I just thought it was in good timing, that this was done. So make sure and submit those NetSuite conversion stories to Microsoft their AX partners! It's worth the effort in doing so!

Check back, as I have a lot of posting going on this week!




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2009 Microsoft Dynamics Channel Economic Survey IDC Whitepaper

*[ PartnerSource Access Required ]*

Recently Microsoft released a white paper on PartnerSource, showing the Dynamics Channel Economic breakdown. This is survey results compiled from 467 survey respondants.

The full link to this white paper can be found here.: Now Available, the 2009 Microsoft Dynamics Channel Economic Survey IDC Whitepaper!

From the white paper summary.:
"This whitepaper highlights key findings and best practices from the 467 survey responses to the 2009 Microsoft Dynamics® Channel economic survey.

Read this whitepaper to gain key business insights such as understanding the KPIs of the top half of Microsoft Dynamics partners compared to the bottom half and learn important findings and best practices from the survey to help you drive your Microsoft Dynamics business."

This was compiled by IDC, and there is some really interesting information in this white paper.

The executive summary from IDC really sets what the purpose of this white paper is all about.:
"As part of its ongoing commitment to understanding the holistic profitability of its partners, Microsoft commissioned a follow-on Partner Economics Survey with IDC in 2009 to examine the business performance of Microsoft Dynamics partners.

This study follows up two very successful partner profitability studies in 2006 and 2007 and offers four key lessons from top performing partners that every partner should consider. It also offers a wealth of performance data against which partners can benchmark their individual results."

Some of the interesting nuggets, which a lot more is in there, are.:
"Top half partners showed a significant advantage in gross margin at 56% versus 35% for bottom half partners. Much of this difference comes down to services gross margin, which we explore later in this document. Top half partners outperform bottom half partners 51% to 30% on services gross margin. Given that services makes up such a large part of Dynamics business practices, this gap is too big to ignore."

And, something from the Top Partners, lessons learned.:
"Industry Focus Means More Customer Adds and a Trend Toward
Higher Profits"

I highly recommend taking this document and seeing what kind of information it has in it. Very worth while reading, and understanding the landscape of the Dynamics Channel.

That's all for now, check back soon for more!

In the meantime, if you want to check out a great 'Top half' partner, visit Sunrise Technologies, Inc. (www.sunriseconsult.com)




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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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Enterprise Portal Development in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 - Courseware Released!

*** PartnerSource Access Required ***

Today I saw where Microsoft has released the Enterprise Portal Development in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 Courseware. (Course Number 80015)

This is wonderful news, because now you can start to prep for the certification that goes along with this for Dynamics AX 2009!

Here are some of the highlights listed:

"At Training Material Completion
After reviewing this training material, individuals will be able to:

-Describe the usage and purpose of the major components that comprise Enterprise Portal.
-Describe the overall architecture of Enterprise Portal.
-Create a Web site, Web pages, and build a functional web application in Enterprise Portal.
-Set up users with an Enterprise Portal Web application.
-Develop new Enterprise Portal roles, and assign them the proper security access.
-Learn how to configure Security for your Portal site.
-Demonstrate how to place lookup forms on Web grids.
-Demonstrate how to filter Web published data depending on the user type.
-Secure Web forms and reports using Web content.
-Understand and install new Web parts."

I have downloaded it, and will be reviewing this shortly. I will make sure to keep everyone posted on this. What would go along nicely with this, would be a MCTS certification for MOSS.

Well check back soon!




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Mass Deployment of the Microsoft Dynamics AX Client

"This paper describes how to mass deploy the Microsoft Dynamics AX Client using Microsoft Dynamics AX Setup, a configuration file, and a mass deployment tool such as Group Policy or Microsoft Systems Management Server."

Mass Deploy for Dynamics AX Client White Paper link [requires PartnerSource Access]

The above white paper talks about deploying the Microsoft Dynamics AX Client via Group Policy and Systems Management Server for enterprises that would have a need to deploy and update the client from a central location. This comes in handy for small IT shops, or larger than 100 client machine networks that will use the client. I wrote about this some time back, and some comments where left about the details of doing this. Well here is the exact white paper that will walk someone in an enterprise that needs the ability to do this with! Hope it helps!

Check back soon!

Find a job at: www.DynamicsAXJobs.com