Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Product Guide

Download from here (requires login to Customersource/Partnersource).

This product overview is intended to convey a high-level understanding of the structure, key modules, features, and benefits of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 to readers that are not familiar with the product.

It highlights the value delivered to customers in our key industries including manufacturing, distribution, retail, services, and Public Sector.

It then details the horizontal application solutions including financials, human resources, supply chain management, and others. Finally, the solution describes the application foundation, system framework, and interoperability with the Microsoft productivity suite and application platform.

AX 2012 Upgrade - Troubleshooting errors

Troubleshooting steps for duplicate errors during the pre-processing phase of the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 upgrade process. 

The scenario being described is when one of the batch tasks has failed in the middle of the data being processed. The error message shown on the job in the Infolog would appear something like this:

Info Message (10:12:33) Run job inventJournalTransPreUpgradeProcess ordered by Admin in database XXX.

Error Message (10:12:33) Cannot create a record in Shadow_InventJournalTrans_Dimension (Shadow_InventJournalTrans_Dimension).

The record already exists.

Error Message (10:12:33) Script: ReleaseUpdateTransformDB40_Invent.inventJournalTransPreUpgradeProcess(xxx). Last control data: 00333331,1

For details on how to troubleshoot this error refer here. 

Upgrade Readiness Errors - Upgrade checks

Errors will show up when DAT company is not present. Details here.

Can be safely ignored

• validateMissingLedgerJournalName - Ledger journal name is missing (you will need to create one later on during data preparation if you skip this step here)
• projPostingPreValidate - Your Ax2009 system is missing some project ledger posting setup….(this error can be ignored only for companies not using the Project module)

Need to be addressed

• validateInventDimBlank - use the Fix button to easily create one
• Multi Site Activation errors - you will need to activate multi-site within the DAT and every company which means you will need to create a site and warehouse which can be removed later.
• validateDataAreaIds - Invalid DataAreaId found in some tables - this error is meant to let you know that there is data in a table with a DataAreaId of a specific company where the table should only show records from a virtual company. While it may not be necessary in all cases to clean this up, it would be in your best interest to address this now.
• validateCompanyInfo - There are company records without a name or country/region - the name and Country/Region ID are required values.

Any other messages that refer to invalid countries, missing LedgerTable or LedgerDimension records, etc. should always be addressed. 

Other Links:

Submit feedback to the author

Resource Page for Upgrading to Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 (Requires login to Partnersource/Customersource)

Upgrade to AX 2012 on Technet

Upgrade to AX 2012 on MSDN

AX 2012 Cumulative Update 3

For main link on Microsoft website click here. 

Live id required for logging in to Partnersource/CustomerSource

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Cumulative Update 3 release notes

Installation

Update database schema

In the following cases, we recommend that model database schema is updated to the latest version in model database instances to which Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Cumulative Update 3 has to be applied:

• The model database is customized.
• The environment is running SQL Server 2012
• The environment is running SQL Server 2008 without any customizations applied to avoid potential issues during update installation.

To update database schema, follow these steps:

1. Make sure that the Management Utilities component is installed by using Dynamics AX 2012 or Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack 1 installation package.
2. Apply the update to the Components item by using the Dynamics AX 2012 Cumulative Update 3 package.
   
   Important Note Do not apply database updates at this point.
3. Run the following command:
   
   axutil.exe schema /db:target model database name
   
   Note Axutil.exe is installed with the Dynamics AX 2012 Management Utilities to the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Dynamics AX\60\ManagementUtilities folder. You can start it by running the Administrative Tools control panel item and then clicking Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Management shell.
4. Apply Dynamics AX 2012 Cumulative Update 3 to the model database.

You receive SQL errors during compilation

Assume that you upgrade from Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 or Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 with Feature Pack 1 to Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Cumulative Update 3, or from Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Cumulative Update 2 or Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Cumulative Update 1 to Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Cumulative Update 3. After you apply the cumulative update, as a part of upgrade, you are prompted to run the software update checklist through the Model Store Modified form when you first start the client. You can also start the software update checklist directly. To do this, click System Administration, click Setup, click Checklists, and then click Software Update Checklist.When you perform compilation in the checklist, you receive the following error message that reports that update statement conflicts in the dbo.model table:

Cannot execute a stored procedure. The SQL database has issued an error.

 

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:

1. Restore a database backup of the environment.
2. Make sure that the Management Utilities component is installed by sing Dynamics AX 2012 or Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack 1 installation package.
3. Apply update to the Components item by using the Dynamics AX 2012 Cumulative Update 3 package.
   
   Important note Do not apply the application update at this point.
4. Run the following command:
   
   axutil.exe schema /db:target model database name
   Note Axutil.exe is installed with the Dynamics AX 2012 Management Utilities to the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Dynamics AX\60\ManagementUtilities folder. You can start it by running the Administrative Tools control panel item and then clicking Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Management shell.
5. Apply Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Cumulative Update 3 to the model database.

AX 2009 Client RU8 Silent Installation / Mass Deployment

Main link for RU8 - Description of hotfix rollup 8 for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 Service Pack 1

Mass Deployment steps are given in AX 2009 installation guide – page 37

Content From AX 2009 installation guide -  Page 37:

Mass deployment of clients

If you need to deploy a large number of clients, we recommend using the following process:

1. Copy the contents of the Microsoft Dynamics AX DVD to a shared directory on the network. For more information, see Copy the DVD contents to a file server.

2. Create a common configuration file in a shared directory on the AOS computer that clients will connect to.

3. Create a command (batch) file in a shared directory in the Microsoft Dynamics AX DVD shared folder, at the same level as Setup.exe.

4. Test the command file on a local computer. 5. Use a mass deployment tool such as Group Policy or Microsoft Systems Management Server to run the command file from a logon script.

For more information about using Group Policy to deploy software, see: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=92736.

For more information about using Systems Management Server to deploy software, see: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=115327.

The following procedures contain more detailed information about creating a shared configuration file and creating a command file.

Create a configuration file to share

By default, each client is installed with local configuration settings that specify which AOS to connect to. In a large deployment, we recommend creating a common configuration file in a shared directory instead. (The shared directory must always be available, or clients will be unable to start.) Using a single configuration file for multiple clients makes future configuration changes easier.

Note: You can set clients to use a shared configuration file only when you install the client from the command line. This option is not available through the Setup wizard. 1. On a client that has local configuration settings and is connected to the appropriate AOS instance, start the Microsoft Dynamics AX Configuration utility (Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Microsoft Dynamics AX Configuration). 2. Verify that the settings in the configuration are those you want to distribute broadly. 3. Click Manage, and then click Export configuration to file. Name and save the configuration file. 4. Copy the saved configuration file to a shared directory. The user of each client computer must have read permissions on the shared directory.

Create a command file to install clients

This section describes how to create a command file to specify installation parameters to deploy a large number of clients.

Note:

Instead of entering all parameters directly in the command file, you can set up the command file to use a parameter file. For more information, see Silent installation. We recommend that you determine which parameters to use by installing a client on a single computer and then reviewing the Setup log file, which is located at %AllUsersProfile%\Microsoft\Dynamics AX\Dynamics AX Setup Logs\Date Time\ DynamicsSetupLog.txt. The log lists the parameters that were used in the installation.

For more information about individual parameters, see Setup parameters. 1. Create a command file named AxInstallClient.cmd in the Microsoft Dynamics AX DVD shared folder, at the same level as Setup.exe. 2. Specify installation parameters in the command file. Use the following example as a guide: X:\Setup.exe HideUI=1 AcceptLicenseTerms=1 InstallClientUI=1 ClientAosServer=Company1 ClientLanguage=en-US ClientHelpLanguages=en-US;fr-CA 3. Optional. To install clients without installing the Microsoft Dynamics AX Client Configuration utility, set the parameter ClientConfig to zero. 4. Optional. To set up clients to use a shared configuration file, set the ClientConfigFile path parameter to the file in the shared directory. ClientConfigFile="X:\.axc"

Other Links:

AX 2009 Client - Silent installation using AD

AX 2009 Client - Silent installation using batch file

AX 2012 White Paper: Migrate from Product Builder to Product Configurator

We have been waiting for this since a long time and now finally Microsoft has made this available. Hopefully it will fulfill the requirements many users have been looking for.
Product configurator is scheduled to replace the Product builder module in the next major release after Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012. This whitepaper document provides information for partners and customers who want to migrate product models in Product builder to product configuration models in Product configurator. Download whitepaper here.

Refer Technet link below for Product Configuration in AX 2012:
About product configurator processes [AX 2012]

Attend an on demand webcast on Product Confugurator:
Microsoft Dynamics Webcast: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Product Configurator (Level 100)
This sales force automation tool is designed to assist customers and customer service representatives in customizing products specific for customer specifications. In this webcast, we give an introduction to Product Configurator, cover setup, and take you through an example of a sales order entry by using Product Configurator. Finally, we discuss Product Configurator versus the previous Product Builder solution.

Presenter: Cary Gambrell, Microsoft Dynamics ERP Technical Specialist, Microsoft Corporation

Year End Close in AX 2012

Below is list of forms related to Year End Close in AX 2012

Before proceeding with year end close, plan and prepare for year end close. Refer Fiscal year closing checklist

Closing sheet (form)

Click General ledger > Periodic > Fiscal year close > Closing sheet. Click Closing accounts, and then click Load balances.

Use this form to transfer balances from the selected ledger accounts to the closing sheet.

If there is an error in year end posting and you would like to reverse the transactions then:

Use Select Delete existing accounts check box to delete balances that are already loaded.

Closing accounts (form)

Click General ledger > Periodic > Fiscal year close > Closing sheet. Click Closing accounts.

Use this form to perform the following year-end closing tasks for fiscal years:

• Load current balances for the selected range of accounts for the closing sheet.
• Modify the transfers to the selected account.
• Print and post the closing sheet. 

Transfers (form)

Click General ledger > Periodic > Fiscal year close > Closing sheet. Create a closing sheet and then click Closing accounts. Select a main account and then click Transfers. If no main accounts are available for selection, click Load balances in the Closing accounts form, and then click Transfers.

Use this form to view and edit transfers to the selected closing ledger account. You can enter a description and the offset account, and adjust the amounts, if you have to.

Opening transactions (form)

Click General ledger > Periodic > Fiscal year close > Opening transactions.

Use this form to generate closing entries in the previous fiscal year and create opening balance transactions in the new fiscal year.

The General ledger parameter settings are displayed in the General ledger parameters section, but can be changed only in the General ledger parameters form.

Note: You can transfer opening transactions as often as you have to until the fiscal year is closed.

Purchase order year-end process (form)

Click General ledger > Periodic > Fiscal year close > Purchase order year-end process.

Use this form to close purchase order encumbrances in the fiscal year that is being closed, and then re-establish them in the new fiscal year. The purchase orders remain open, and only the purchase order encumbrances are closed and then re-established. You can select how to process the purchase order encumbrances, and also select which purchase order encumbrances to process.

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack Released

If you do not want to use the Retail functionality, turn off the Retail configuration key (RetailRetail).
Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 will be released in H1 Calendar Year 2013

Manual Depreciation

When you set up a fixed asset depreciation profile and you select Manual in the Method field in the Depreciation profiles form, the depreciation of fixed assets that are assigned to this depreciation profile is determined by the percentage that you enter for each interval in the calendar year.

The intervals that you set up with percentages are posted according to the selection that you make in the Period frequency field on the General FastTab of the Depreciation profiles form. The posting intervals that you can select are as follows:

1. Yearly
2. Monthly
3. Quarterly
4. Half-Yearly
5. Daily

When you select the posting interval, click Manual schedules and set up percentages for each posting interval.

With manual depreciation, the percentages that you enter in the intervals of the depreciation do not have to total 100 percent. It is a flexible depreciation method that is often used to define an extraordinary depreciation profile in the Depreciation books form, such as a non-periodic depreciation for special (perhaps tax) purposes.

For examples refer Microsoft Technet

Credit Card Processing in AX 2012

This paper provides an overview of the principles used in the credit card processing area of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012. It describes how to automate the processes of authorizing a credit card amount at the time of an order, and then processing the charge when the order is shipped and invoiced. It also describes how to upgrade from using credit card processing for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 to Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012. Download white paper from here.

Enabling Catch Weight in Axapta

First step is to activate the configuration key - Process Distribution -> Catch weight.

To activate the Configuration Key, go to System administration > Setup > Licensing > License Configuration.