Harish Mohanbabu - Microsoft Dynamics Ax [MVP]

I, Axapta and Me !!

Dynamics Ax videos in YouTube
[info]harish_m
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)
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Dynamics Ax 2009 Demo data - SQL error
[info]harish_m
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).

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Inside Microsoft Dynamics Ax 2009
[info]harish_m
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

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Dynamics Ax in Channel 9
[info]harish_m
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.
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"Managing Your Supply Chain using Microsoft Dynamics Ax 2009" by Dr. Scott Hamilton
[info]harish_m
Managing your supply chain using Microsoft Dynamics Ax 2009
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.
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Dynamics Ax 2009 white papers ..
[info]harish_m
One place to see all Dynamics Ax 2009 white papers - click here
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Creating Dynamics Ax crash dump ..
[info]harish_m
Recently I came across this blog from Dynamics Ax Czech support team. Among many interesting things, there is instruction on 'how to create crash dump for Dynamics Ax'. Whenever there is a need to contact MS support regarding crashing incidents, a crash dump file should be provided to MS. And this post explains how to go about creating a dump file.

To read this particular post, please click here.
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History of Dynamics Nav ..
[info]harish_m

It was interesting to read this article titled 'History of Dynamics Nav' from an old timer. References to many things like Damgaard's merger with Navision, Project Green etc, brings back many cherished memories. I hope you enjoy reading this article too. To read, please click here.
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Upgrading from Microsoft Dynamics Ax 3.0 to Microsoft Dynamics Ax 2009
[info]harish_m
Off late, often I come across queries related to upgrading from Ax 3.0 to Ax 2009. Though there is this Ax 2009 upgrade guide, as always there are still issues preventing a smooth upgrade.

Microsoft have announced webcast which will hopefully should throw more light on this particular subject. This webcast is open to partners and is expected to cover following topics -

  • End to end upgrade overview

  • Tips and tricks for optimizing code upgrade

  • Info on new tables and classes

  • Data upgrade overview with emphasis on framework architecture, upgrade checklist changes etc

  • Finally info on upgrade documentation
This webcast is scheduled on February 19, 2009 between 4.00 - 5.00 PM (CET).

For more info, please click here. [Requires Partner Learning Centre access]
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Microsoft Dynamics Ax - Statement of Direction
[info]harish_m
Microsoft published their latest Dynamics Ax Statement of Direction this week. This document contains details about Microsoft's plans specifically for Dynamics Ax till 2011.

More info could be obtained from here.   Access to PartnerSource required.

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Changes in Microsoft Dynamics Ax 2009 Patching
[info]harish_m
In Dynamics Ax 4.0, hot fixes were released as DIS layer which posed many challenges to partners/customers in terms of importing them.

I am glad to say Microsoft have listened to the concerns and have come up with new strategy for patching in Dynamics Ax 2009. To read more about this new strategy, please click here to visit Dynamics Ax Sustained Engineering blog.

Alternatively, employees from Partners can attend this web seminar from Brian King, Manager, Dynamics Ax Sustained Engineering to know more about Patching. This event details are here. Access to Partner program required.

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Documentation on Role centers
[info]harish_m
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.
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Hardware sizing guides for Ax 2009?
[info]harish_m

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.

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"How do I" - Ax videos
[info]harish_m

I realise that I did not post anything for a long time. It is purely because recently I was made redundant. And it took a while for me to land in my feet again.

Any way, I came across the 'How do I' videos for Dynamics Ax a while back. Though there were not many, MSDN says new videos will be added regularly. So worth checking out once a while. For the link click here.
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Survey on .NET Business Connector for Partners
[info]harish_m
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!
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Inside Microsoft Dynamics Ax 4.0 - Free eBook!
[info]harish_m
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.
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Convergence 2007, Copenhagen
[info]harish_m

Click to visit Convergence 2007 Copenhagen website


I will be attending the Convergence 2007 in Copenhagen. Along with other MVPs (Ax, Nav and GP) I will be working on and off in MVP booths. I am very eagerly looking forward to spend quality time with delegates and MVPs from Ax, CRM, GP etc.

If you happen to pass by do please drop in to say hello :)

I am hoping to post info on Convergence here. Do look out!
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Axapta 3.0 compilation errors
[info]harish_m
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.
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Dynamics Ax 3.0 lifecycle support
[info]harish_m
With the release of Dynamics Ax 3.0 SP6, there is a slight change in Ax life cycle support.

Version Availability date Support retired date
Dynamics Ax 3.0 SP0 Oct 1, 2002 Ended
Dynamics Ax 3.0 SP4 May 17, 2005 Apr 10, 2007
Dynamics Ax 3.0 SP5 Feb 28, 2006 Jul 8, 2008
Dynamics Ax 3.0 SP6 May 1, 2007 Not announced
Dynamics Ax 4.0 SP0 Jun 12, 2006 Jan 8, 2007
Dynamics Ax 4.0 SP1 Dec 20, 2006 Not announced

More info on Microsoft Dynamics Ax life support could be found here.

There is also a FAQ available on this subject the link of which is available here.

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Microsoft Dynamics Ax / Database support details
[info]harish_m

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
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