Dynamics AX Implementation in Global Logistics

When Microsoft Business Solutions acquired Axapta as the complimentary package with purchasing Navision Software there was thinking about period.  Navision or current Dynamics NAV obviously allowed immediate penetration to European ERM and MRP market.  And in our opinion it was the reason to acquire Navision Software.  But back those days in earlier 2000th Axapta was in market catch up phase and possible but not obvious future pearl.  We saw these decision making efforts on Brazilian Corporate ERP market, where Microsoft contracted our company to localized Dynamics GP or formerly known as Great Plains Dynamics.  This was in Sao Paulo back in 2004.  Later on in 2005 MBS in Brazil changed its mind and recommended Navision.  And then in 2006 they finally decided to bet on Axapta.  Let’s take a detail look at AX trends and features:

1. Microsoft Dynamics ERP Global Offer.  Currently AX is translated and localized for the majority of regions and leading foreign countries, including China, Russia, Brazil, UK, Continental Europe, India, Latin America.  We have heard rumors, that Microsoft Business Solutions is financing AX software development and further expansion from its traditional cash caws, such as Great Plains Dynamics GP.  Whatever it is, the real situation reveals the facts, such as Unicode support addition (where hieroglyph based languages are now automated: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese).  In our opinion, if you are multinational company expanding to Asia, Siberia, China, Brazil AX is the natural way to automate your foreign operations

2. Global Manufacturing.  This platform supports both flavors: Process and Discrete production.  Please note that the majority of other Corporate MRP platforms are concentrating on discrete manufacturing offer.  Process manufacturing opens the door in such industry niches as poultry, wine making, meat processing, mining, oil and gas.  In process manufacturing you know what are your raw materials, however final product outcome is predictable but not known exactly.  This is typical in meat processing mills.  Each pig is different by genetic reasons and its personal behavior.  You may expect the outcome in the form of whatever will be delivered to supermarkets, but exact dollar profit is delayed

3. MorphX X++ customization projects.  With Dynamics AX 2012 MBS dramatically increased the offer to customize AX by enabling its metadata (formerly available in MorphX Integrated Development Environment).  You can now (June 2011) access the metadata in Microsoft Visual Studio.  Custom objects (table, SQL View, form) could be wrapped and presented as SOAP web service.  This news may sound as enabling Axapta customization in C#, VB.Net.  We agree with some reservations.  AX being dedicated to upper mid-market requires dedication in being customized.  The technology seems to be straight forward, but its table structure and business logic are not apparent for entry level programmer

4. Global ERP Strategy for Multinational Corporation.  Here in United States it probably doesn’t matter if you work for small retail store or employment titan.  What is important here is regular payroll, health and dental insurance, W2 and 1099 processing.  When you are expanding internationally the forms mentioned above could be expected to be unique in each individual country.  And this is what Corporate ERP localization concept includes.  AX is not just technically available to be translated into foreign language.  It is already translated into the major languages and what is probably more important – local Microsoft Business Solution offices are providing local tax and government reporting compliance updates

5. What if AX is too expensive to be implemented for our Russian, Brazilian, Ukrainian, Central Asian subsidiary?  This question is tough to answer in generic blog.  Of course it is respected scenario where you have modest budget to implant small office somewhere in Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan.  If you are deploying AX in Headquarters, it might be really too beefy to be deployed overseas.  Let's take a look at what might be recommended.  First we recommend you to review and see executive demos for brand name Corporate ERP offers for small businesses.  For example, SAP offers SAP Business One package.  It is localized officially by SAP worldwide (except Arabic world).  If you implement SB1 overseas and consolidate it with AX via FRx or Microsoft Management Reporter

6. Local Tax Legislation Concerns, Russian Connection.  We respect these concerns.  Let’s assume that you are expanding to Russian Federation, to Siberia.  Of course AX does the job, but you are just fishing on the market and not ready to go ahead and do real investment.  Of course SB1 is always available.  Consider also locally developed Accounting package 1C Bukhgalteria, which might be perfectly positioned to protect you in the case of possible frequent audits (which is a norm in Russian Federation, especially Moscow and St. Petersburg areas)

7. Small Facility in Brazil.  Here SAP Business One is very popular and we do recommend it for small operations and even for mid-size company.  Axapta is available in Brazilian Portuguese and localized.  If you are not happy with these two apps, take a look at the locally developed package Microsiga

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