Harish Mohanbabu - Microsoft Dynamics Ax [MVP]

Dynamics Ax videos in YouTube

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:43:23 GMT

It has been quite a while since I updated my blog. It was very hectic with lots of travelling around the country, late hours etc.

Any way the other day I came across quite a lot of Ax videos in YouTube on subjects like SourceSafe, Enterprise portal, Compliance Centre, setting up Outlook synchronization etc. Here are some interesting play lists that I came across -

MS Dynamics Ax (10 videos)

Dynamics Ax 2009 (6 videos)

Bradkoontz (2 videos)

Dynamics Ax 2009 Demo data - SQL error

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:36:51 GMT

Some time back after restoring Ax 2009 standard demo data, I tried to start AOS server and got the following error -

The program is unable to load and execute the class 'SqlDatabaseInit', which is essential in order to identify the database vendor and load the appropriate SQL system variables.

This can be caused by insufficient access rights to the SQL Database, a missing or corrupted application file, or syntax error(s) within the class itself.

Solution - This error is due insufficient access rights. After restoring standard demo data, AOS service account must be manually assigned following database roles - db_ddladmin, db_datareader and db_datawriter. Additionally execute rights must be granted on the two stored procedures as well (CREATESERVERSESSIONS and CREATEUSERSESSIONS).

Inside Microsoft Dynamics Ax 2009

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:31:17 GMT

As we all know recently MS published book on Dynamics Ax 2009 (ISBN: 9780735626454).

This week MS published excerpt from Chapter 3 in Microsoft Press blog. Chapter 3 is essentially on MorphX tools.

To read, click here

Dynamics Ax in Channel 9

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:46:56 GMT

There is a wealth of Dynamics Ax contents available in Channel 9. But many that I have come across so far seems to be unaware of this.

All Dynamics Ax contents are available here.

All Dynamics Ax 2009 specific contents are available here.

"Managing Your Supply Chain using Microsoft Dynamics Ax 2009" by Dr. Scott Hamilton

Sun, 17 May 2009 14:54:50 GMT

A while back Dr. Scott Hamilton kindly sent me copy of his latest book "Managing your supply chain using Microsoft Dynamics Ax 2009".

Most will remember his two previous editions of this book for DAX 3.0 and 4.0. The latest version in my opinion definitely is top notch. The key differentiating aspect on Dr. Hamilton's books are the amount and most significantly quality of relevant and accurate information based on not only standard DAX training materials, documentation etc but also based on his consulting engagements, presentations from various SCM conferences etc. In fact Dr Hamilton has even contributed to standard DAX 2009 user documentation on areas like product costing and quality management.

Anyway, in this book he has extensively covered SCM activities in manufacturing and distribution environments alongside blending new functionalities that were introduced in DAX 2009 (ex Multi-site functionality). Each and every chapter is consistent in its quality and over all very well written. Plenty of case studies is definitely a strong point in highlighting not only fundamental business challenges but also highlights customisations and 3rd party ISV offerings (ex ECO module from Columbus IT, S&OP tool from Oliver Wight etc - 14th and 35th case study respectively) for DAX 2009.

I would highly recommend this book to implementation consultants and also to end users implementing or considering implementing DAX 2009.

Documentation on Role centers

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:49:28 GMT

As we all know, one of the new features in DAX 2009 was the new role-tailored, customizable home page called role centers. And that by default DAX ships with around 30 out-of-the-box (OTB) role centers for user profiles ranging from finance, HR, Sales etc.

But what was lacking was meaningful documentation which explained the various role centers that are shipped in detail.

Thankfully, MS have released substantial documentation which explains all components (links, web parts like KPI, report, cues etc) used in across all role centers in detail.

The documentation could be accessed from here.

TIP - Unless you already have figured it out, you can find the profiles, web parts like cues etc under AOT -> Resources.

Hardware sizing guides for Ax 2009?

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:08:35 GMT

If there is one area in Ax 2009 that needs much improvement, I would say as hardware sizing guides.

In and prior to Dynamics Ax 3.0, the hardware sizing guides were simple to use. Simply put, it worked something like this -

Navision / Microsoft had partnerships with many computer hardware manufacturers.

If one wants to do hardware sizing, all one has to do is to visit the hardware sizing tool in the partners website.

Upon entering the numbers and pressing submit, presto - you will have the hardware recommendations.

In Ax 4.0, it changed altogether. There were some explicit hardware recommendations (publicly available) white papers like the one here which gave a very good idea of requirements.

But when in comes to Ax 2009, there weren't any hardware sizing guides made available till date. Considering the server landscape that is required for any typical implementations, I find this strange. The only hardware related information for Ax 2009 that I came across till date is the benchmark stuudy titled 'Microsoft Dynamics Ax 2009 Day in the Life Benchmark'. Please click here for more info.

SharePoint Server 2007 Technical Library

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:10:04 GMT

For those Ax technical consultants trying to grapple with the intricacies of SharePoint, there is a good news!

SharePoint team have finally compiled the entirety of SharePoint content in TechNet technical library to a downloadable compiled help format (CHM) file. This could be a handy file to have around! Here is the link from where the help file could be downloaded - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ba006584-711d-4ce7-9e1f-181aedf6434a&DisplayLang=en

The link to the actual announcement in SharePoint team blog is here

Survey on .NET Business Connector for Partners

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:22:49 GMT

As many of you might have heard, Microsoft have already started working on their next version of Dynamics Ax. Towards this objective, Product Planning team are conducting a survey.

Please note - this survey essentially is for developers and architects working for Dynamics Ax partner organisations.

The link to this survey could be found here. So if you are working for partner, do please take 5-10 minutes and complete this survey!

Inside Microsoft Dynamics Ax 4.0 - Free eBook!

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:59:40 GMT

In July 2006, I mentioned in my blog about release of "Inside Microsoft Dynamics Ax 4.0" book from Microsoft Press. Subsequently I published the interview that I did with MFP here.

Now I am very happy to let you all know that Microsoft have decided to release this book free as an eBook. Here is the link from where one can download this book - http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/5/8/258C8894-B94A-4A87-81EA-4DBB9776F8F2/622579eBook.pdf

I would like to thank MFP for bringing this to the attention of Ax community. And a special thanks to Dilip for bringing this to my attention :-)

Finally I would like to apologise for being silent for quite some time. I will sincerely try to post more on Ax from today onwards.

SQL Server Management Studio too slow ?

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 13:21:07 GMT

As part of my work I have to manage quite a few SQL Server 2005 installations. Some servers I was able to open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) very quickly but in some others it took ages for them to open - almost one or two minutes which was simply not acceptable.

Then I came across this fantastic tip from Euan garden which helped in resolving this issue. The tip is here.

Axapta 3.0 compilation errors

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:06:55 GMT

Some times when merging different layers using .AOD (Application object files) files, Ax compiler might throw compilation errors related to parameters in methods. To resolve instances like this, there was an article published in the old TechNet.

In that article the author recommended running a job which will delete the old table and class headers in the AOD. Here is this job -

---------------------------------------------
static void deleteHeaders(Args _args)
{
    UtilElements utilElements;

    while select utilElements where
    utilElements.recordType ==UtilElementType::ClassInternalHeader
    {
        utilElements.delete();
    }

    while select utilElements where
        utilElements.recordType ==UtilElementType::TableInternalHeader
    {
        utilElements.delete();
    }
}
---------------------------------------------

Warning - Please run this job at your risk. I do not provide any guarantee or any warranty.

MS SQL Server - Dreaded "Cannot generate SSPI context" error

Tue, 01 May 2007 10:58:43 GMT

A bit of back ground - for the last so many years I am used to running local Ax installation in my laptop with a decent MS SQL Server version (I have never use MSDE or the current alternative SQL Server Express 2005 due to the limitations). And I have never had any connectivity issues so far.

But now within the last one month or so, this is the second time I am getting the above mentioned error message. Here is the error message I got when I tried to kick start my local Ax client -
---------------------------
SQL error
---------------------------
SQL has reported the following error:

[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver]Cannot generate SSPI context. Connect information was: Userid = [bmssa], Database = [DATABASE], Server = [COMPUTER NAME], DSN = [DSN], Other = []

You may refer to the error log file for further details.

Retry the operation?

---------------------------
Yes No
---------------------------

Both times I tried the solution mentioned in this blog - http://blogs.msdn.com/sql_protocols/archive/2005/10/19/482782.aspx. And both times it helped my Ax to get back to life :-)

Microsoft Dynamics Ax / Database support details

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:47:59 GMT

Microsoft Dynamics Ax team have published details of database versions supported by Dynamics Ax. According to this report, Ax 3.0 / SP5 / KR3 supports MS SQL Server 2005 SP2.

For more info here are the links -

Partnersource - https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/resources/support/selfsupport/hottopics/axapta/AX_Database_SupportMatrix.htm

Customersource - https://mbs.microsoft.com/customersource/support/knowledgebase/hottopics/AX_Database_SupportMatrix.htm

Table set / get properties

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 15:46:46 GMT

Ever since I changed job, it has been a busy period. Any way one of the questions I have noticed often is about setting and getting table properties by X++. This can be accomplised by using 'TreeNode' class. Here are some examples -

Get table properties
Let us say we want to get 'Security key' table property for all tables. Here is a sample code -

......................................................

static void getTableProperty(Args _args)
{
/*
    Author      :       Harish Mohanbabu
    Date        :       April 16, 2007
    Purpose     :       To obtain table properties
*/

    #AOT
    str             Property;
    TreeNode        TreeNode;
    identifiername  identifiername;
    str             Name;
    ;

    TreeNode    = TreeNode::findNode(#TablesPath);
    TreeNode    = TreeNode.AOTfirstChild();
    while (TreeNode)
        {
            Name = TreeNode.AOTname();
            Property       = TreeNode.AOTgetProperties();
            identifiername = findproperty(Property, 'SecurityKey');
            info (strfmt("%1, %2", Name, identifiername));
            treenode = TreeNode.AOTnextSibling();
        }
}

......................................................

Set table properties
Let us say we want to set 'modified date' table property to yes for all 'CustTable'.

......................................................

static void setTableProperty(Args _args)
{
/*
    Author     :       Harish Mohanbabu
    Date       :       April 16, 2007
    Purpose    :       To obtain table properties
*/

    str                Property;
    TreeNode    TreeNode;
    str               Name;
    ;
    
    Name = "CustTable";
    TreeNode  = TreeNode::findNode("Data Dictionary\\Tables\\" + Table);
    if (TreeNode)

           ttsbegin;
           Property       = TreeNode.AOTgetProperties();
           Property       = SetProperty(Property, "ModifiedDate", "Yes");
           TreeNode.AOTsetProperties(Property);
           TreeNode.AOTcompile();
           TreeNode.AOTsave();
        }
}

......................................................

Note - if you are planning to use the above code, please make sure you first do this in a test environment.

Ax 3.0 / MS SQL 2005 Analysis Services

Sun, 08 Oct 2006 18:14:32 GMT

At last I found some time to indulge in one of my favorite hobbies which is blogging. My long absence is mainly because of the fact that I was away on holiday for over a month and the subsequent (planned!) changes in my career. Any ways hopefully I should start posting more regularly.

Coming to the subject -
Those who are trying to integrate Ax 3.0 clients with BizTalk Server 2006 and Analysis Server 2005, please note that at the time of writing this may not be possible.

Particularly with Analysis Server 2005 (AS 2005), the problem seems to stem from the fact that whereas by default AS 2006 has moved away from DSO (Decision Support Objects), Ax 3.0 is basically a DSO enabled program. Though (to some extent) Ax 3.0 is able to speak to AS 2005 using the backward compatibility feature of AS, subsequently when you try to view the cube inside Ax 3.0 it falls through.

According to MS this behaviour is expected and they strongly advise customers using Ax 3.0 with AS 2000 not to switch to AS 2005. Since this is more a kernel related issue at the moment there is no official response as to when this will be fixed.

Lastly for those who are interested in learning more about the backward compatibility of Analysis Server 2005, here is the link.

Running Ax client from command prompt / Also schedule Ax client ...

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 14:47:34 GMT

Ax clients could be run from different programming environments. Here let us see how to run Ax from command prompt. I am going to use Windows Scripting Host to do this task.

First let us create an Ax shortcut which we can use. Here I would like to say something for all Ax newbies - if you are installing Ax clients across an organization, it is not necessary to configure all user's pcs using Ax configuration (Axconfig) utility. The easiest way would be -

- create a single Ax configuration file.
- Store this in a central place in the network.
- Subsequently in an user's pc, create shortcut of Ax client (under Program files\Navision\Axapta Client\Bin directory) in say C drive.
- Now right click on the shortcut and select properties.
- In the target field (under Shortcut) by default it will have this path - "C:\Program Files\Navision\Axapta Client\Bin\ax32.exe"
- Now at the end, copy the path of the file. For example let us say the config file is named "Config.axc" and it is stored "SQL-001" server.
- So the target field should read something like this -
"C:\Program Files\Navision\Axapta Client\Bin\ax32.exe" \\SQL-001\Config.axc

Coming back, now let us assume there is an Ax shortcut created in C drive. Now we have to write some code in Windows Script Host (WSH). If you don't know about WSH, it is a scripting environment from Microsoft. It is by default installed in all major Windows Operating Systems so thankfully we do not have to install anything. For more info on WSH, please click here.

Now open a Notepad. Copy the following code and save it as "Ax.vbs" -

*************
Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.Run "C:\Ax.LNK"
*************

As you can see from the second line, all we are doing here is just running the shortcut titled "Ax" that we created earlier. That's all there to it actually.

Now all there is left is running the above created VBScript file. This file could be run from command prompt in so many ways. Here are two methods -

- First navigate to C drive in command window
- Method 1 : Just type the file name and hit enter
- Method 2 : Type "CScript " (without quotes) and hit enter.

Either way you should see the Ax client immediately.

If you are using Ax 3.0, then you might want to populate the Network account name field (under Tools -> Options) so that you can override the Ax login prompt. If you are using Ax 4.0, then obviously this will get you into Ax straight away.

The main advantage here is - if you wish you can just schedule this VBScript file using Scheduled tasks (under All programs -> Accessories -> System tools). This way you can schedule Ax client to perform some tasks.

Inside Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 11:56:17 GMT

A while ago I posted the interview I had with Michael Fruergaard Pontoppidan in my website. If you haven't read the interview, here is the link.

This interview was first mentioned in Michael's blog. Michael's blog can be accessed by clicking here.

Now this has been mentioned in Palle's blog as well. Palle's blog can be accessed by clicking here.

If you haven't read their blogs I would strongly recommend you to do so.

Also the retail price of this book is $68.99. However I was told that from Amazon this book could be purchased for $44.

Tagged and bundled my posts

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 16:40:30 GMT

I always wanted to tag my posts based on subjects. Only now I found this functionality from livejournal to bundle my tags. So without much ado, here is the link.

Sending email from Axapta using XPSMTP.DLL

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 14:16:56 GMT

By default one can send emails from X++ via Dundas mailer control or MS Outlook. There is one more way by which emails could be sent from X++ i.e. by calling SQL Server SMTP Mail XP (XPSMTP.DLL) component from X++.

What is this component about?
XPSMTP.DLL component is fairly widely known in MS SQL Server circle. This is basically an SMTP based component that will enable one to send emails over SMTP. This uses port 25 to communicate to SMTP server. Installing this component in MS SQL Server is quite easy. When you register this component, they get installed as an extended stored procedure in the SQL Server. For information on this component, including where to download, how to install etc please refer to the Notes section at the end.

What is the benefit of using this component?
Apart from the component itself, this does not require any software to be installed on SQL Server. And most important it is free!

How to call this from Axapta?
1) Assuming this component is installed in your SQL Server, the first step is to create a wrapper stored procedure. For example here is a stored proc -

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/*
************************************************
Author : Harish Mohanbabu
Purpose : This Stored Proc serves an email notification when a scheduled job fails.
Date : June 29, 2006

************************************************
*/
CREATE PROCEDURE SP_SEND_EMAIL

AS

DECLARE @rc int

EXEC @RC = master.dbo.xp_smtp_sendmail
@FROM     = N'SQL.SERVER@harish.co.uk', --> This could be dummy email address
@FROM_NAME   = N'Harish Mohanbabu',
@TO    = N'harish.mohanbabu@xxxx.co.uk',
@CC    = N'john.doe@xxxx.co.uk',
@BCC    = N'alan.doe@xxxx.co.uk',
@subject   = N'Email from Axapta!!',
@priority    = N'High',
@message    = N'Message ...', --> Here you can use HTML tags
@type    = N'text/html',
@server    = N'EXCHANGE-001' --> SMTP Server
select RC = @rc
GO
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please note that the above stored procedure is only for the purpose of demonstration. Please do not forget to refer to the documentation on parameters (extremely powerful) of this component.

2. Now all that is left is to call the above stored procedure from X++ -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
static void sendEmail(Args _args)
{
ODBCConnection conn;
LoginProperty login;
Statement stmt;
ResultSet rs;
........

conn = new ODBCConnection(login);
stmt = conn.createStatement();
rs = stmt.executeQuery("SP_SEND_EMAIL");
........
}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When the above job is run, Axapta hopefully should send an email!

Notes:
1. For more info on XPSMTP component including download, installation details please click here

2. For how to use extended stored procedure, please click here

Inside Microsoft Dynamics™ AX 4.0

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 14:55:59 GMT

Probably by now you would have come across this link announcing the book on Ax 4.0 titled "Inside Microsoft Dynamics™ AX 4.0".

When I read this the first time, initially I was kind of skeptical on certain aspects. For example - we all are aware that Ax 4.0 is a very new offering from Microsoft stable and that Ax 4.0 is quite different from the earlier versions of Ax. With this in mind I was not sure whether a team of four members would be able to cover the entire spectrum of technical area in Ax 4.0.

But when I came to know more facts about this book through my Q&A session with Michael, my initial spectrum turned out to become a pure excitement! Now I cannot wait for this book to be released!

To read the response from Michael Fruergaard Pontoppidan, please click here.

Good luck to the MS team that is behind this book!

MorphX IT - Steen Andreasen

Mon, 01 May 2006 09:26:27 GMT

MorphX IT by Steen Andreasen. Review by Harish Mohanbabu

It has been one of my pet peeves that there is not a single book in the market that concentrates exclusively on Axapta programming. Now Steen has come out with his book MorphX IT that deals with this subject in an efficient manner.

Steen Andreasen has many feathers in his crown - aside from being member of the first Axapta project (he has been working in Axapta since 1997!!), he also played key role in projects like developing the Turkish version of Axapta, developing Record Level Permission (RLP which is a precursor to the standard Record Level Security (RLS) module) etc.

I love this book, because through out this book Steen's experience, knowledge on Axapta programming and his patience, perseverance to get into minute details shines through.

Steen starts with AOT where he covers all objects and then rather painstakingly moves on to other important areas like

Data Dictionary

Macros

Classes (there is an excellent section on Runbase Framework and Fundamental classes like ClassFactory, Global and Info - I enjoyed this section a lot!! )

Forms (again I like the section on Methods on a form and Special Forms!!)

Reports (using Temporary tables and Print using Microsoft Word sections are great!!)

Queries

Jobs

Menu Items and Menus

Resources

Appendix Properties (invaluable piece of information - not easily available!!)

Development Tools (excellent information on System Monitoring) and Wizards

Please note that the above information is not the complete index. Rather they are a quick overview of various parts from this book. For more info on this box, please refer below to the ADDENDUM.

I would definitely recommend this book to both experienced as well as new Axapta developers alike. I am sure this would be an invaluable resource in aiding your development.

ADDENDUM
If you haven't already done so - to download the complete Index and for a sample chapter please click here.

To purchase MorphX IT, please click here.

Say Hello :-)

Sat, 04 Mar 2006 09:57:46 GMT

To our daughter who joined our family on Thursday, 2nd March 2006 at 15:44 hours, weighing 8 lb 02 oz. We still haven't decided name yet ...

Convergence 2006!

Wed, 01 Mar 2006 20:07:23 GMT

This might be an old news for employees employed with Axapta resellers.

But for employees with end-users like myself, this year's convergence is going to be held in Dallas, Texas from March 25-28.

So what is there to be excited about?
Well - to begin with one of the key speakers for this year's convergence is no less than the Chief Architect of Microsoft, Bill Gates himself !

And to add more flavour to this conference, another keynote speaker is Doug Burgum, Sr Vice President of Microsoft Business Solutions Group!

For those who are not swayed by the above speakers, this year's Convergence is going to be a curtain raiser on the much expected Microsoft Dyamics family comprising of Micrsoft Dynamics Ax, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft Dynamics GP, etc.

When I looked last time, I saw a huge list of Microsoft Dynamics Ax sessions including -

Introduction to Micorosft Dynamics Ax

Multi-site Order Management

Sales Order Planning in a Demand Driven Economy

The Development Environment of Microsoft Dynamics Ax

Ad-hoc Reporting and Analysis

Server Features and Deployment

Performance and Scalability

MorphX Developer Updates

More info on the sessions could be obtained from here.

Detailed agenda could be obtained from here.

If any one is planning to attend this conference, do please let me know. May be we can hook up at the conference!!!

Axapta 3.0 development / technical resources - Part 1

Fri, 24 Feb 2006 15:18:35 GMT

Quite frequently I come across people asking for resources on Axapta development. I personally have answered many such questions both in various Axapta newsgroups as well as personal emails. Since this is an often repeated query, I just thought I will document a few main Axapta resources here.

Before reading further, please note that by no means this list is comprehensive! Rather these are rather some of the effective resources based on my personal experience.

Axapta Installation CD
First place to stop for the above documentation is the Axapta installation CD (under Documentation folder) in particular directory titled "Technical Information".

Development Guides
Second one might want to read the following documents that gets installed along with the Axapta client (Directory Path : \Bin).

Introduction to WebApps (WebApps.chm)

User Assistance Best Practice Handbook (UA_BPHB.chm)

Implementing Navision Axapta (ImplementationGuide.chm)

Introduction to the Developer's Best Practice Handbook (Dev_BPHB.chm)

Database Creation Wizard (Database_Wizard.chm)

Axapta Developer's Guide (AxDvgUs.chm)

Language (X++) - Development Guide (AxDvgLangUs.chm)

Form - Development Guide (AxDvgLangUs.chm)

Axapta Debugger (AxDvgDebuggerUS.chm)

COM - Development Guide (AxDvgCOMUs.chm)

Axapta Object Server (AOS) Settings (AxCtrlUs.chm)

Axapta Config utility Guide (Axacuus.chm)

NOTE - Please note that depending on your language settings, probably the names of the above documents might be different.

The above two suggestions may sound daunting or utter daft but at the end of it one would be surprised at the amount of knowledge he/she can pick up from the above. To be candid, majority of whatever little knowledge that I have on Axapta I picked up from the above resources.

Axapta Newsgroups
Anyway once the above are completed by now one should be able to start doing modifications, development etc. But before going full steam ahead, one should definitely check the various Axapta newsgroups for additional suggestions, resources, techniques etc. After all, not all of the development requirements are unique in nature. At some point of time, some where some one might have faced the same problems that one is trying to resolve. To name a few newsgroups -

MS Axapta Community Newsgroup

Optimal Axapta Development - Yahoo group

MBS Online (I have the privilege of moderating the Axapta area)

Mibuso Axapta forum

Please note that by no means the forums list is a comprehensive one. Rather these are the few forums that I frequently visit.

Online Help
The online help system in addition to the functional resources also provide some technical information. I have heard developers often complain about paucity of information in the online help system. MS is already aware of this and at least to my knowledge they are trying to rectify this to their level best. But still checking this would be beneficial for developers - in particular users who are new to Axapta.

There are few more suggestions that I want to write about but I will save this for later.

But please please remember that as with any learning any other development language, learning Axapta development is an iterative process!

With this I wish you a warm welcome to Axapta world and good luck :-)