Service Pack 1 for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 Service Pack 1 (SP1) contains the updates that have been issued for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 and a number of enhancements and new features to improve the product’s functionality and user experience.
You can download it from here (PartnerSource access required)

Microsoft Dynamics ax 4.0 data model overview

Well I was looking for this document from the time I started working on axapta. Finally I got it from the Kashperuk Ivan blog entry. This document is really helpful for beginners as well as experienced programmers. The link is here.

Group Masks

Sometimes in dynamics ax it is required to create the content of the project based upon some prefix. Good news is that it is supported in dynamics ax .U can do this by ‘group mask’ property of the groups. Groups are the folders in dynamics ax.U need to specify the ProjectGroupType property and a regular expression as the group mask property. This will automatically create the contents of project.

Conditional Breakpoint

Recently while working for one of my projects I was looking for conditional breakpoints in X++.Then I came across BREAKPOINT statement.
This statement triggers the debugger.You could make this conditional by using if statement.

If(counter > 4)
breakpoint;

WAN Performance Testing

When testing Dynamics Ax application performance over low-bandwidth network (ISDN), the client/server trace can be enabled to give an impression of the amount of activity taking place betweenclient and server for a given form or function. Especially in this respect, the number of calls from client to server or visa versa is decisive for the performance, as each call will cost on average 100 ms.Ideally the Wan performance should be tested using an ISDN connection from the test client to the server, but in lack of a better solution, the Axapta client can be configured to simulate low bandwidth and high latency. The command line is “-bwsim=8000:50:2“ which will simulate a bandwidth 8000 bits per second, a latency of 50 ms and will not delay calls that load application elements.

Axapta Filename Extension Naming Conventions

Microsoft Dynamics AX uses several file name extensions for the files that are installed as part of Microsoft Axapta. You can use the following naming conventions to understand the function of these files:
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The first letter represents the owner of the file.A: ApplicationK: Kernel
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The second letter represents the contents of the file.L: LabelO: ObjectT: TextD: Developer DocumentationH: Online Help
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The third letter represents the type of file.D: DataI: IndexC: CacheT: Temporary
For example, a file that has the .ald extension is the Application Label Data file.You can find the following program file types in Microsoft Dynamics AX.
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In Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0, you can find these program file types in the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Dynamics AX\40\Application\Appl\Standard folder.
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In Microsoft Dynamics AX 3.0, you can find these program file types in the %Systemdrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Navision\Axapta Application\Standard folder.

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Application Object Data file (Ax.aod)This file contains the Application Object Layer list that you use to change the layer on which you modify the application.
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Application Online Help Data and Application Online Help Index files (Ax*.ahd and Ax*.ahi)These files contain the Help files. These files are arranged by language.
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Application Developer Documentation Data and Application Developer Documentation Index files (Ax*.add and Ax*.adi)These files contain development Help files. These files are arranged by language.
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Application Label Data and Application Label Index files (Ax*.ald and Ax*.ali)These files contain all label values. These values are arranged by language.
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Application Label Temporary file (Ax*. alt)This file contains new labels. After Application Object Server (AOS) shuts down, the labels will be stored in .ald files.
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Application Label Cache file (Ax*.alc)
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Application Object Index file (Ax*. aoi)This file contains an index of all objects in Microsoft Dynamics AX.
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User Database file (Ax*.udb)This file contains the list of users, the Component Object Model (COM), the AOS, the connections to Microsoft Dynamics AX, and the types of connections.Note This type is only available for Microsoft Dynamics AX 3.0.
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Kernel Online Help Data and Kernel Online Help Index files (Ax*.khd and Ax*.khi)

Meet Your ERP Implementation Goals and Objectives

It’s no secret that an ERP implementation gone wrong can lead to serious problems for any business. Cost overruns, an inability to meet client requirements and, in the worst case, - damage to client relationships, are just some of the negative side effects caused by a poorly deployed ERP system. I’ve seen several companies invest significant resources in various ERP implementations that have failed to takeoff. One of the fundamental reasons for this that I see time and again is a lack of user acceptance.
For the most part, the problem isn’t the ERP software itself the potentially leading cause of a failed implementation is limited user adoption – the failure to win over the people tasked with using the system on a daily basis. Other causes include improper user training and the quality of third-party support. What i recommend is why not go for phased wise implementation rather than going for one time implementation.
Because this gives time for the employee to understand the system well and gives time to adapt to the new technology...say for example, Your company is divided into departments that each will need to be converted to the new ERP structure. Without a phased approach, your entire company will suffer; because, it will turn your company into a mess if you attempt to convert everyone at once.
With a planned phase wise implementation you will have less problem Setting down guidelines to measure the success of any ERP implementation is a requirement of any project manager. A project manager needs to have experience in developing and implementing ERP solutions. To be sure you have a good project manager, it may be necessary to bring in a consultant who has experience in ERP implementation. This way the goals set will be more guaranteed of success and you will more than likely be able to accomplish the goals in the prescribed order.
Getting people to accept new processes and systems is probably the biggest challenge with any ERP implementation. However, with proper training, most employees will take to a new ERP system once everything is up and running and they start to experience the direct benefits brought on by the solution as a whole.
Implementing an ERP solution all at once can be overwhelming to employees. You can’t take an older employee who’s been doing their books the same way for the past 20 years and throw them into an advanced ERP. This can lead to serious problems!!!