One of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) software products for Microsoft is the Microsoft Dynamics AX. Its early versions from 1.0 to 3.0 were referred to as Axapta while the modern versions such as AX 2012 are known as Dynamics AX. The initial versions include Axapta 1.0 which was the first version to be released. It supported both Oracle and Microsoft SQL database servers. Its remarkable features were trade, logistics, financial, production and inventory management. The second version was Axapta 1.5.It was followed by a third version, Axapta 2.0, whose remarkable features were Warehouse Management, ActiveX support, Project Accounting module, Axapta Object Server, COM-connector and Option Pack concept. Axapta 2.1, released in year 2000 had other remarkable new feature known as Customer Self-Service (CSS) which is the predecessor to the Enterprise portal today. The version was the first three-tire ERP system in the market.
Axapta 2.5 was the fifth major version. It had notable features such as Project module, OLAP, Banking and a full environment for web applications development. The Axapta 2.5 market pack followed with new applications such as Product Builder, Commerce Gateway and Marketing Automation or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) module. In October 2002, Axapta 3.0 version was released with various notable features such as expanded geographical coverage, demand planning, rebuilt and actualized system configuration and user security, Enterprise Portal, improved partner productivity tools and a new functionality for intercompany collaboration. Dynamics AX 4.0 followed in March 2006.The version made AOS a real windows service, introduced CLR interoperability, new module for Service Management, supported XML data exchanges, provided a .NET corporate connector and introduced a complete Unicode support.
Dynamics AX 2009 was the eighth major version which brought many improvements to the user interface. It added concepts to both Windows clients and Enterprise Portal, renewed Site inventory dimension, time zones support and development of Enterprise Portal through Visual Studio schemes. The version was followed by Dynamics AX 2012 (AX 6) which brought with it additional solutions which are industry specific for public sector organizations, professional services and process manufacturing, enhancements to the user interface, developer enhancements and general application. The version also included Visual Studio 2010, SQL Server 2008 R2 and SharePoint 2010 support. A Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack version followed soon after with added retail solutions in addition to the previous industry-specific solutions. A latest version, Dynamics AX 2012 R2, included improved support for SharePoint 2013 and SQL Server 2012 along with additional markets and languages support. Microsoft Dynamics AX is the Enterprise Resource Planning solution for the enterprises that offer rich functionalities across industries, along with a comprehensive, core ERP functionality for operations management, human and financial resources. It helps and empowers people to embrace and anticipate change so that the business can succeed. Packaged in an easily deployed, single, global and scalable solution, Microsoft Dynamics AX assists businesses to provide swift response to value chain. Microsoft Dynamics AX offers an integrated Enterprise Resource Planning solution that fulfils the unique requirements of the large number of organizations. However, usually the desires of an organization are dependent on both explicit requirements of their customers as well as needs unique to the organization. Through industrial capabilities, partner ecosystem for Microsoft channel can more competently provide repeatable value-added solutions. Microsoft Dynamic AX focuses on fulfilling the requirements of companies across manufacturing, retailers, distributors, public sector and services industries.
Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 is a widespread Enterprise Resource Planning industry management solution that functions with and like familiar Microsoft softwares. It has multi-currency, multi-language and multi-company functionalities. It has numerous associated modules and features. These include Dynamics AX Financial Management. This module provides an efficient and fast way to manage company’s internal cost accounting, relationships between parent organization and its subsidiaries and register financial transactions. It also helps an organization gain financial awareness, support the implementation of accounting rules and policies and control expenditures. The financial management module of Microsoft Dynamic AX has been made possible by features such as chart of accounts and general ledger setup, financial dimensions, multi-companies, bank management and setup, bank reconciliation, accounts payables, accounting receivables, budgeting with approvals and revision and journal workflow and approvals among others.
Another Dynamic AX module is Human Resource Management and Payroll. The module takes advantage of the comprehensive human resource management capabilities framework including employee training and recruitment, organization management and managing and storing employee records. The module has been made possible through functionalities such as Business Process Management, questionnaires, payroll, Human Resource Management and Balanced Scorecard.
Supply Chain Management is another module associated with Dynamics AX. The module connects purchasing and sales processes with warehouse, production and logistics management to provide management and visibility across the supply chain. Dynamics AX Supply Chain Management module has been made possible by functionalities such as automated purchase orders, vendor managed inventory, Vendor performance and statistics management and automated three way matching of goods receipt, invoice and PO.
Another module associated with Dynamics AX is Production and Manufacturing. Dynamics AX has helped industries to fulfill customer demand, manage resources, lean manufacturing operations and minimize lead times. It also helps to execute multiple production plans, use both pull and push mechanisms for production control and use real time data to reduce costs, get accurate delivery dates and tract the progress of production. The process has been achieved through use of feature such as production planning, job costing, shop floor control, operations and routes configuration and route and work centers planning. Other modules include: Dynamics AX Service Management, Dynamics AX Fixed Assets, Dynamics AX Sales and Marketing, Dynamics AX Web Portals (Enterprise Portals), Dynamics AX Alerts and Workflow, Dynamics AX Business intelligence and Reporting, and Microsoft Dynamics AX integration and Development.
An example of an organization that uses Microsoft Dynamics AX is Aquila Group in Romania. It is an important player on the transportation and logistics services market. Information Technology system for the group comprised of five different features that collected information into a particular database. The management wanted to modernize the system and add new traceability and reporting features. After detailed market analysis, Microsoft Dynamics AX was selected because of its fair price to functionality ratio, its acceptance and the accustomed Microsoft interface. The project was thus implemented. The benefits of the project to the organization included: increased employee productivity, increased the accounting and financial operation speed of department, easier access to accounting notes and report, improved product traceability, lower operational costs, higher level of control over organizational activities and future chance of incorporation into a complex corporate analytics system.
References
Ehrenberg, M. (2013, October 15). Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 A New Generation in ERP. Retrieved from junctionsolutions: https://www.junctionsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/MicrosoftDynamicsAX2012Whitepaper.pdf
renown.com. (2013). Microsoft Dynamics. Retrieved from renown: www.renown.com.au/MicrosoftDynamics.aspx
sunriseconsult.com. (2013). Microsoft Dynamics AX. Retrieved from sunrise technologies: http://www.sunriseconsult.com/MicrosoftDynamicsAX.aspx
tvisiontech. (2014). Which Microsoft Dynamics ERP solution is for me? Retrieved from tvisiontech: http://www.tvisiontech.co.uk/whitepaper_erp_solutions.html
Overview
Microsoft Dynamics is an Enterprise Resource Planning solution that helps companies increase their revenues by improving productivity of employees. The system increases information value by enabling all people in the firm to access critical and timely organizational information processes. Microsoft Dynamics AX has features needed by industries and core Enterprise Resource Planning capabilities thus enabling fast time to value response. The product is easy to deploy and learn in the company for immediate benefits. The core module available includes accounts payable, accounts receivable, budgeting, cash and bank management, fixed assets, human resources and others. The report has analyzed the versions, modules, application, installation and benefits of Microsoft Dynamics AX.
