Visual Studio 2022 add-in

 Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations Visual Studio add-in is now compatible with Visual Studio 2022 (VS 2022), the first 64-bit version of Visual Studio12. 

https://devblogs.microsoft.com/powerplatform/the-visual-studio-2022-add-in-is-now-available-for-dynamics-365-for-financials-and-operations/

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Anti-Virus Exclusion List

During AOS startup XPPIL (CIL) files are generated to by default: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Dynamics AX\60\Server\MicrosoftDynamicsAX\bin\XppIL;

• Exclude XppIL and all subfolders
• alternatively, you may want to exclude C:\Program Files\Microsoft Dynamics AX\60\Server\MicrosoftDynamicsAX\bin\Application\Appl>, which is the local AOS store of the label files.

Dynamics Ax performance and SQL cores

Past few days i was at the customer site who was facing many performance issues in the Dynamics AX application . Many day to day operations were extremely slow and users were complaining a lot about the application performance. In my initial investigation i found the there were many configurations in SQL which were not optimized for Dynamics AX . Max degree of parallelism was not set to 1, only one tempdb data file was created and of course there were many indexes suggestions.  Other than these observations there was something unusual happening on the SQL server. SQL server had 8 cores but only 4 were utilized and were on the peak utilization most of the time.  I curiously looked into this direction and BINGO ! SQL server had only 4 processor license.
I used sp_readerrorlog to get these details. After updating the SQL license for 8 processors we got rid of  many performance issues.

Azure Site Recovery solutions supported for Dynamics AX

If you are managing a SharePoint or Dynamics AX deployment, you can use ASR to eliminate the cost and overhead of maintaining a stand-by deployment for DR or DevTest. ASR can replicate the entire farm and bring it up on-demand for disaster recovery or for creating a production-like test copy. Any new application or configuration changes deployed on the primary farm will be automatically replicated within minutes so you do not have to invest in complex processes to keep the secondary farm up to date.


http://azure.microsoft.com/blog/2015/05/04/application-aware-availability-solutions-with-azure-site-recovery/

Microsoft announces the extension of mainstream support for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009.

Microsoft announces the extension of mainstream support for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009.

https://mbs.microsoft.com/customersource/northamerica/AX/news-events/news/AX2009MainstreamSupportExtend

Statement of Direction for Microsoft Dynamics AX

The Microsoft Dynamics AX Statement of Direction and the Microsoft Dynamics AX Vision and Roadmap presentations have been updated to reflect the general availability of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012. They are now available on CustomerSource and PartnerSource.

I liked the move towards the Azure Platform Adoption for ERP.

Dynamics AX 2009 Rollup 5

Dynamics AX 2009 Rollup 5: "Dynamics AX 2009 Rollup 5 has been released to Partner Source and Customer Source. RU-5 carries all the content that has been released in previous rollups (RU-1, RU-2, RU-3, RU-4).

Click on the link below to download (Requires Authentication):

AX 2009 SP1 RU-5

Integrating Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007

The Technical whitepaper "Integrating Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007" has been published to the following locations:

MS Download Center: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b53b2475-b8ee-4caf-93ba-15cc6e05b0cb

CustomerSource: https://mbs.microsoft.com/customersource/documentation/whitepapers/ax2009_integratingwithofficeprojectserver

PartnerSource: https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/deployment/documentation/whitepapers/ax2009_integratingwithofficeprojectserver

Sure Step 2010 Released

The Sure Step 2010 has been released on the partnersource . You can download it from here. Release is available only in english at this time.
Happy Holidays!!

Hotfix rollup 3 is available for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 Service Pack 1

Technorati Tags: Hotfix rollup

This hotfix rollup contains all previously released hotfixes and country-specific updates for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 Service Pack 1. This hotfix rollup also contains several additional country specific updates for different regions.Here is the link to the KB article on partnersource.

2009 Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC)

The Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) is an annual gathering that provides the partner community with a forum to learn about the latest Microsoft programs, strategies, and cutting-edge technologies. Connect with thousands of decision-making partners and Microsoft executives —and prepare to take advantage of new business opportunities, innovative solutions, and overall new business development strategies. Everything you need to succeed in an ever-changing economy.

You can watch it live at http://www.digitalwpc.com

infolog.errorsPerBatch();

Sometimes we get a huge list of repetitive messages in the infolog which I find is sometimes confusing rather than helping user to spot the problem. So in that case developer can use this statement to restrict the number of messages.


infolog.errorsPerBatch(3);


Note : You do not need to reset the value.

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:
•
The first letter represents the owner of the file.A: ApplicationK: Kernel
•
The second letter represents the contents of the file.L: LabelO: ObjectT: TextD: Developer DocumentationH: Online Help
•
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.
•
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.
•
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.

•
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.
•
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.
•
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.
•
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.
•
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.
•
Application Label Cache file (Ax*.alc)
•
Application Object Index file (Ax*. aoi)This file contains an index of all objects in Microsoft Dynamics AX.
•
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.
•
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!!!

INDIA LOCALISATION ON AX4.0SP2

India localisation on AX4.0SP2 has been released on 21st January,2008 on PartnerSource & CustomerSource.

AX4.0SP2 India localisation is a re-design of the existing India taxes based on the standard tax engine, fully redesigned and reengineered Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) and Tax Collected at Source (TCS). The criterion for redesign and new localisation is that it offers the same functionality as the existing localisation and it expands localisation features by adding taxes like VAT and Service Tax. Custom duty feature is introduced to address import and export transactions.

The following are the highlights of redesigned of AX4.0SP2:
· India features are controlled by a separate configuration key.
· Tax features are parameterized. User will activate only those taxes which are applicable to their business.
· India localisation can be implemented in parallel with the standard AX taxes and countries available in the SYS layer
· User defined tax components and codes
· India taxes can be calculated on all forms in AP, AR and GL modules where standard AX taxes can be calculated
· Calculated tax amounts can be adjusted manually before posting a transaction
· Tax setoff process can be carried out between multiple taxes and multiple registration numbers.
· India Direct taxes – TDS/TCS integrated with the standard AX WHT setup
· Master records include an additional tab for the extensive tax information for the reporting of the different tax types per multiple tax registration. These master records are Company Information, Vendor and Customer including alternate addresses
· The redesigned India Tax engine will be based on the standard tax engine bit establishing additional tabs and fields to be able to accommodate the complex tax requirements. There are many tax types that need to be calculated. These are Sales Tax, VAT, Excise, Service Tax, custom duty and charges. Tax types are made up of components and various tax types and components can be calculated on one document. The tax engine consists of the following :-

o Formulae builder – is a flexible tool which allows a user to devise formulae with
tax component for the different tax types.
o Sales Tax setups, rates, calculations, surcharges and rebates
o VAT setups and calculations
o Excise setups of components, tax on tax calculation formulae
o Service Tax setups and calculations
o Custom duty setups and calculation formulae

· All GL, AP and AR transaction forms are localised to calculate India taxes by means of tabs for India, fields and reports.
· End to end functionality of VAT (Setup to Settlement).
· Posting of service tax on cash basis. Service tax posted to interim accounts on invoicing and transferred to actual accounts on receipt or payment of cash.
· Stock Transfer – localisation of transfer order for Indian taxes and documents
· Inter-company localisation for India Taxes
· Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) – WHT on purchase transactions
· Tax Collected at Source (TCS) – WHT on sales transactions
· Calculation of customs duty on orders and journals.
· Calculation of assessable value in the order forms, as per the legal requirements for customs