Microsoft Dynamics AX: A new cloud ERP is born

Enterprise software has long been associated with clunky interfaces and a long learning curve, but Microsoft is aiming to change all that with Dynamics AX, the next generation of its flagship ERP system.

Announced on Thursday, Dynamics AX differs from its predecessors in many ways. Certainly most notable is that it was born in the cloud; an on-premises option will follow next year. It also borrows heavily from the consumer side of technology, including a browser-based, HTML5 user interface.

Dynamics AX taps Cortana, Microsoft's voice-commandable personal assistant, along with Azure Machine Learning for near real-time analytics through Power BI. Even its name is different, no longer reflecting release dates or versions.

In short, it's a major departure from many of the traditional conventions of enterprise resource planning technology. Will large companies be convinced? Only time will tell.

Read full story at http://www.computerworld.com/article/3006643/enterprise-applications/microsoft-dynamics-ax-a-new-cloud-erp-is-born.html

Ensure to use the Retail Initialize in all AX companies configured with Retail

This is a quick article to let you know that when configuring AX and Retail you will need to use Retail Initialize function in all companies that will be using Retail.  The location of the Initialize button is in Retail >> Setup >> Parameters >> Retail parameters >> in the menu bar, click Initialize.

When Initialize is ran for the first time, it will create the Retail tables, jobs, forms, etc. Running Initialize a second time will attempt to create these same entities.  Since they already exists, you will be presented with an Infolog with errors stating that they already exists and it is unable to create them.  The big catch here is that running the Initialize also marks the SYSTEMINUSE flag for that company in the RETAILPARAMETERS table.  If you do not run the Initialize in additional companies, most of the Retail functionality will work but there are a few checks here and there that will cause issues. 

In one such instance, posting a Retail Statement will process successfully, but there will not be any records in the RetailCustInvoiceJourTable table as a check is made for the SYSTEMINUSE flag on whether it needs to copy the CustInvoiceJourTable to the RetailCustInvoiceJourTable.  This can be correct after the fact by re-running the job to copy the contents, but it is best to avoid this scenario.

We are looking to create additional checks to prevent the initial creation of things such as the Retail store, registers, etc. in a company that hasn't been initialized yet.  Until a fix is released to perform these checks, please ensure that you have Initialized any company that will be utilizing Retail.

Read full story at http://blogs.msdn.com/b/axsupport/archive/2015/11/17/ensure-to-use-the-retail-initialize-in-all-ax-companies-configured-with-retail.aspx

Advantages of Microsoft Dynamics ERP on Azure

Microsoft has enabled customers to deploy their Microsoft Dynamics ERP on Microsoft’s Azure cloud, which relies on Microsoft Data Centers. This serves as another deployment option for customers alongside partner hosting.

What Are the Advantages?

Being a cloud service, it is needless to specify that Azure deployment offers the advantage of having ERP access from anywhere and from any device. Additionally, one may choose from amongst a desktop client, web client or SharePoint client.

Another mainstream advantage that can be availed by leveraging Microsoft Azure for Dynamics is the ability to merge on-premise environment with hosted cloud environments to meet optimal needs.

Further advantages are as follows:

• Azure deployment is much more feasible for organizations in comparison to partner hosting.
  Traditional hosting cannot equate the benefits in terms of data center economies of scale that come from deployment on an elastic cloud platform such as Azure. Therefore Microsoft is able to price Azure services at a cost that is much lower than what partners offer.
  
  
• Azure deployment offers inexhaustible resources, far beyond partner hosting.
  Azure offers customers inexhaustible resources whereas through partner hosting customers are dependent upon limited but dedicated resources which can be manually expanded to meet customer requirements but requires extensive planning to do so.
  
  
• Azure deployment is available to wider range of customers globally as compared to partner hosting.
  Azure is the right option for companies that have multiple centers of operations around the globe. This is because, unlike hosting partners, Microsoft Azure has worldwide data centers which allows Microsoft to facilitate the movement of customer systems and data between the data centers as required.
  
  
• With Azure deployment, version upgrades are more convenient for customers.
  In partner hosting, each customer’s upgrades need to be handled on an individual basis as is the case with on-premises software. On the other hand, Azure deployment offers a much easier approach whereby application management is much more disciplined and Microsoft rolls out new versions and upgrades, and patches to its customers.
  
  
• Microsoft directly provides Azure deployment unlike partner hosting which involves service providers.
  Customers have a higher degree of comfort in Azure deployment as Microsoft itself is providing the deployment; this means that the cloud services are backed by the Microsoft Brand and this comes with service level guarantees. On the other side, partner hosting is delivered by service providers who a mostly unknown.
  
  
• Hosting Partners also stand to take advantage of Azure Deployment:
  Contrary to the belief that Partners must have suffered since Microsoft introduced Azure, even with Azure deployment, partners hold an important position as they maintain customer relationships and deliver the services for implementation and ongoing support. The advantage for hosting partners is that with the Azure deployment option they are now relieved from the need to maintain data center infrastructure.

Source: https://www.visionetsystems.com/blog/advantages-microsoft-dynamics-erp-azure

RSM US Builds Out Microsoft Dynamics AX Practice With Junction Solutions Acquisition

Acquisition news in the Microsoft Dynamics partner channel continues this week as midmarket audit, tax and consulting services provider RSM has signed a definitive agreement to acquire consulting firm and Dynamics AX partner Junction Solutions. The transaction is expected to close on Dec. 1, 2015.

RSM's consulting practice will gain 200 members with expertise around Dynamics AX, including in vertical markets like food and beverage, life sciences, and retail. Junction also offers its own proprietary solutions based on Dynamics AX for those verticals.

Among its range of services, RSM already offers ERP solutions based on ...

Read full story at http://msdynamicsworld.com/story/rsm-us-builds-out-microsoft-dynamics-ax-practice-junction-solutions-acquisition

The Basics of Leveraging Microsoft Azure for Dynamics

Through Microsoft Azure, a flexible cloud platform, Microsoft has allowed businesses to utilize multiple tools and apps that are accessible in Azure’s public cloud. Microsoft Azure offers Dynamics customers a number of integrated services through a flexible cloud computing platform such as analytics, computing, database, mobile, networking, storage and web.

Leveraging your business on Microsoft Azure for Dynamics allows for increased flexibility and mobility of the system via secure Microsoft Data Centers. The hosting scenarios could include private hosting, on premises, or even a hybrid model through a combination of Azure. Additionally, customers may choose between perpetual licensing and monthly licensing.

It has recently been predicted that Dynamics products will be released with designs that are compatible with Microsoft Azure only; an example of this can be seen in the soon to be released Dynamics AX 7 which will initially be available on Azure only.

Azure provides a fast and reliable cloud structure, however, in order to launch an ERP cloud solution such as Microsoft Dynamics leveraged on Azure it is necessary to have certain expertise because implementation, maintenance and management services of an ERP such as Microsoft Dynamics are not included in the cost of Azure cloud.

An ERP cloud cannot be deployed without having ERP cloud experts on board as they have the experience and expertise necessary for overcoming the unique challenges and complications cannot not be handled alone by even the most senior of IT personnel. Therefore, it is recommended that Microsoft Dynamics VAR be employed for implementation, configuration and consultation experience while a Microsoft Dynamics Cloud Partner works with VAR to provide cloud licensing, architecture and compliance related services.

To learn about the advantages of leveraging Microsoft Azure for Dynamics, wait for the sequel to this blog.

Source: https://www.visionetsystems.com/blog/basics-leveraging-microsoft-azure-dynamics

How does Dynamics AX for Retail help retailers create the complete customer experience?

Retailers who wish to provide customer shopping experiences that promise consistency and convenience to consumers opt for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail which is an end to end solution including cross channel capabilities, social and mobile commerce, enriched point of sale (POS), and powerful enhancements for merchandising.

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail provides scalability that allows for future growth and expansion. It has revolutionized the experience for customers and sales associates at the point of sale. Because of its simplicity in terms of operations as well its ease of use, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail has set itself apart from other solutions.

Dynamics AX for Retail comes with the reliability of delivering in accordance to a brand’s promise and helps retailers create the complete customer experience by doing the following:

• Creating Incomparable Connections with Customers: Through Social and Mobile commerce Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail offers retailers the ability to engage with customers through promotions, discounts or coupons offered on social networks and marketplaces. Furthermore, the over-all shopping experience makes the customer feel in control due to multichannel capabilities that enable customers to buy, return or replace items as per their own will.
• Increasing Employee Productivity: Dynamics AX for Retail provides employees with relevant information and details through tailored Role Centers that increases the productivity of employees by enabling them to make quick and accurate decisions. Additionally, sales associates get to spend more time making individual contact with customers and catering to their needs because Dynamics AX enables orders to be created and managed at the POS.
• Enabling Improved Decision Making: Retailers using Dynamics AX for Retail are able to make better decisions because of the insights available to them through integrated multichannel management; for example it helps retailers predict trends. Additionally the merchandising functionality allows the retailer to manage inventory and meet customer demand with efficiency and accuracy.

Source: https://www.visionetsystems.com/blog/how-does-dynamics-ax-retail-help-retailers-create-complete-customer-experience

The Factors of Complete Customer Experience

Back in the days, retailers were able to establish themselves merely on the basis of their physical presence in the market in terms of a retail store; today however it is simply not enough to just own a physical store.

It is a must for a retailer to think beyond a store, because a retail experience in this day and age encompasses everything from the retailer’s website to their call center, and extends beyond the marketplaces to social media platforms. Because of this, retail is now often referred to as multi-channel retail.

In order to face up to the challenge that is presented by multi-channel retail, retailers now have to ensure that they provide the ‘complete customer experience’.

One of the basic elements of providing a complete customer experience is that customers should be catered to at a personal level. This not only means that individual customers should be received at the physical store or on the company website and addressed by name and given personal attention, but also that they should be assisted in finding what they wish to purchase. Additionally, personalized offers which ensure the customer gets value for the time and money that he is spending at your outlet, physical or otherwise, makes the customer experience even more wholesome.

Another important factor that helps create the complete customer experience is that the customer’s journey should be seamless. The customer should be able to make a connection with the retailer as and when he chooses, and through whichever platform or device; most importantly the experience should be consistent, be it online or in-store. In the case of promotions, the customer should have the option of availing the deal/offer whenever he wishes, and the promotion should not only be offered in a physical form, but also on the web (accessible through any device); this makes it easier to be redeemed.

The last factor that a retailer must take care of so as to provide customers with the complete customer experience is differentiation. If a retailer provides much better products, gives great value for money and provides superior customer service, then customers will most definitely feel that their overall experience with such a retailer is much better than the experience he has had with other retailers, hence the retailer has successfully differentiated himself from his competitors in the market.

Creating and providing a complete customer experience cannot be done without a powerful retail software such as Microsoft Dynamics for Retail which makes it possible for retailers to be dynamic enough to meet customer’s challenging requirements. By reducing the complexities that retailers face, Dynamics for Retail allows retailers to focus on connecting with their customers, enabling their employees, and living up to the commitments that their brand pledges to customers by executing business processes with perfection.

In the next blog, you will learn more about how Dynamics AX for Retail helps retailers create the complete customer experience.

Source: https://www.visionetsystems.com/blog/factors-complete-customer-experience