Microsoft Dynamics AX or Axapta as it was known with its initial versions is flexible to be modified. It has its own classification of customizations: extensions, reports modification and customization in its broad meaning.
Traditionally all the modifications are done in enabling custom objects in AX metadata and then animating its business logic in X++ programming. The new version as we are writing these lines in July of 2011 is 2012, where emphasis is made on MorphX X++ programming free custom objects and enabling custom coding directly in Microsoft Visual Studio C# or VB.Net. In the long term perspective it might be a good idea, however to introduce the revolution in just one new version might be too challenging and X++ should stay for a while. Recompiling X++ in .Net compliant code is a powerful start in this direction. We do not pretend to make this small publication as technical reference – it is rather sharing fresh air with our customers and prospects:
1. Extension versus Customization. AX lets you create custom Wizard (number of sequential screens and the text and editable fields on them) in AOS and then code X++ procedures to make the wizard do its job. As this Corporate ERP application is intended to be offered to upper mid-market programming budget is expected. Please, here keep in mind that AX is marketed and sold internationally, where you have to have simple way to translate custom user interface into foreign languages. The idea might be embraced, however it requires you as X++ programmer to create Labels for each text that you want to be easily translated
2. Customization in MorphX X++. This is generic concept, where you may apply your own judgment as X++ programmer. Normally you combine Metadata power to create new table or query with X++ animation coding. This application has three tiers architecture and it is recommended to do custom programming on the table level. If you modify the form it will be brought into your authority level and following version upgrade will require code revision
3. Custom Reporting. Here you again have to deal with some X++ programming, assuming that you are modifying existing report. In 2012 there are more options to deploy SSRS (Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, where design in typically done in Microsoft Visual Studio)
4. Labels as instrument to enable simple internationalization. AX is well positioned to be implemented for multinational company. It supports Unicode (hieroglyph based alphabets such as Korean, Japanese, Chinese). There was a decision making brainstorm in Microsoft Business Solutions where to our information sources they were considering the option to enable Unicode in Great Plains Dexterity versus Axapta MorphX. Axapta has it origin in Denmark in Europe and it was originally designed to support international user interface, multicurrency, Euro triangulation, US Dollar exchange rate. Axapta label file could be opened in text file editor and translated into foreign languages by translators, who do not have Microsoft Dynamics consulting certification
5. Deploying AX in multinational corporation. If you have headquarters in the United States or Canada obviously you have funds to implement this Corporate ERP application domestically. Axapta is powerful to automate process manufacturing, which could help you with food processing facility in China or coal or precious metals mining or oil drilling operation in Russia or Brazil. If you are doing your custom programing right where all the text fields are implemented as Labels, user interface translation to foreign language is straightforward
6. Some cautions. Dynamics AX is moving toward better integration with Microsoft .Net and its customization tools, such as Visual Studio and even Excel, Access and other MS Office products. We do not want to be considered as somebody associated with Delphi Oracle back in Ancient Greece. However what do you want to say to the fact that .Net was introduced in late 1990th and prior to that time Microsoft had OLE and other technologies not associated with web programming? What will happen if Microsoft decides to introduce something comparable to .Net in its revolutionary idea? Microsoft Dynamics ERP family of products is definitely a success. However we believe that profit is brought by Windows operating systems product line and games
7. Positive notes. It looks like in 2010 and 2011 initial software licenses sales were increased, especially for GP and AX. American economy is recovering from deep recession, which probably hit its bottom in late 2008 and earlier 2009. Of course new version of ERP software is a great vehicle, it was GP 2010 and AX 2009
8. Please call us 1-866-304-3265, 1-269-605-4904 (for international customers, where our representative pick up the phone in St. Joseph, MI call center). help@efaru.com We have local presence in Chicagoland, Southern California, South West Michigan, Houston and Dallas areas of Texas. We serve customers USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil nationwide and internationally via web sessions and phone conferences (Skype is welcomed). Our consultants speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese. Our core expertise is in International Business, Customization, Data Conversion, Integration and Custom Reporting
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