Technical Workshop

Microsoft Dynamics Innovations

Johan Olsson
Microsoft AB

Agenda

Module
Module
Module
Module

1 Dynamics Application Platform

2: Look & Feel AX 4.0
3: Whats new in AX 4.0 technical
4 Q and A

Microsoft Dynamics AX
4.0

Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0

Sales Orders and Purchase Orders
Direct delivery
Automatic update of packing slip on sales
order, when purchase order is packing slip
updated for easy follow-up
Synchronization of data between purchase
orders and sales order
Control layer ensures user doesnt
incidentally break business rules
Automatic transfers of customer delivery
address information to vendor
Intercompany
Tighter connection of the supply chain
Several pricing strategies supported
Differentiated control ofthe picking
process start
Parameter controlled printer selection
Intercompany master scheduling
Distribution of notes
Flexible setup of update sequences
Rule-based control of user activities
Automatic settlement of intercompany
payments
Delivery address on order line
Delivery to different addresses on the same
order
Parameter controlled summary updates of
internal and external documents
Enhanced delivery date control
Ability to distinguish between shipping and
receipt dates
Capture both requested and confirmed
delivery dates
Automatic calculation of shipping and
receipt dates
Patent protected possibility to simulate
different shipping and receipt dates based
on mode of delivery, warehouse and
geography
CRM
Advanced Outlook integration
Improved telemarketing interface
Campaign target distribution
Advanced management statistics
Advanced tools for campaign web
broadcast
Activity control enabled for more record
types
Customer and vendor synchronization
Quotation CRM workflow
Outgoing E-mail storage
Price simulation includes wider range of
calculations made towards single and
multiple quotation lines
Service
Service agreements
Service orders
Repair management
Replacement history
Outlook integration
Fixed period subscriptions
Irregular period subscription
Subscription indexation
Subscription accrual
Quotations

Human Resources
Improved support for work with contractors
Expanded recruitment project functionality
Improved support for absence planning
Mass-hire projects
Employee responsibility reporting
Enhanced ability to move employees within
the organization
US Payroll
Canadian Payroll
Project Accounting
Actual vs. Budget statistics
Statistics viewable everywhere
Invoice control
3 new internal project types investment,
cost, time
51 new reports
Improvements in estimates, budgets, credit
notes
Change project group
Enhanced project form
Improved copy wizard
Invoice project and estimate project forms
functions
Activity, item task, forecast, project stages
Improved invoice documents
Improved transaction traceability
Single or multi-select functions
Fixed Assets
Ability to manage assets without affecting
the General Ledger used for tAX or reporting
asset books
Ability to manage assets using a different
calendar than the financial calendar
Split out the straight depreciation method
line into 2 methods
Additional reducing balance methods
7 depreciation conventions added that affect
the first and last years depreciation
Additional depreciation allowed in the first
year of the assets life (Section 179, etc.)
Bonus depreciation only for depreciation
books
Ability to define unlimited bonus records with
priority order and used with a proposal
process
Provides the ability to mass update the
depreciation convention for a range of assets
Mass update only for depreciation books
Updated reports to support depreciation
books
3 new reports: Mid Quarter Applicability,
Asset Basis, Book Compare
Many country specific features have
consolidated into core and are available for all
users
General Ledger
Dimension hierarchies
Hierarchy designer
Dimension data entry
Dimension combination validation
Dimensions rendering
Financial statements
Ledger accruals
US Sales Tax

Accounts Payable / Accounts Receivable

Aging buckets reporting
Payment proposal
Check refund
Statements
Balance form redesign
Server
Session management improvements
Converted Server Interface (AOCP) to RPC
Personalization data moved to database
Securing Server API mitigations
Data Access
Optimistic concurrency control forms
code
Optimistic concurrency control back-end
business logic code
Table Permission Framework - a Server
(AOS) based security framework
ODBC server side cursor enhancements
Record Identifier enhancements
64-bit records ids
Allocated by table regardless of company
SQL authentication is integrated security
UDB eliminated; session persistence is
SQL Db
Setup
Computer roles based
Mask technical complexity for a single
computer deployment
Reduce the need for specialized
knowledge to achieve a basic
implementation of product
Quicker ramp up to productive usage
Unified look and feel
Multi-Instance AOS
Quick single computer installation for
partners/developers only requires pressing
Enter
Security
Rich client users and web users have been
merged into one user type
All enabled users must be valid Active
Directory users
Active Directory Import Wizard eases
provisioning
Perimeter Network Configuration Wizard
Application Integration Framework
New features. Replaces Commerce
Gateway
Web services
Business to Business integration
Application to Application integration
Enterprise Portal
Microsoft SharePoint Web authoring
experience
Richer content and document
management
Integrated collaboration
Dynamics AX Web part integration into
existing SharePoint sites
Common search
Better personalization
Improved security with encryption support
Integrated debugging
AOT and WSS integration

Reporting
Secure end user ad-hoc reporting
through model driven integration with
SQL Server Report Builder
Out-of-the-box end user reporting
models for application modules
Secure production report authoring
using the SQL Report Designer
Secure database views to enable
authoring secure reports using external
report writers
Report-to-Report and Report-to-Form
drill through actions in native X++
reports
Balanced Scorecard
Navigation changes
Improved design and creation process
Improved and realigned terminology
and structure
Added ability to create new scorecards,
objectives, measures, and graphical
indicators based on existing setups
New performance overview
Alerts
User-specific configuration of alert
Intuitive, easy rules setup
Alerts generated by monitoring specific
dates
Alerts generated by monitoring changes
in system
Conditions filtering of alerts
Flexible delivery and access to alerts
Fast access to alert details
Alert rule templates
Alerts integration with Outlook
Remote access capabilities to alerts
Performance Improvements
Optimistic concurrency enabled
application
Database primed for replication
Extensive re-indexing
Exploits new SQL Server functionality
Optimal storage of data
Thread pooling on Axapta Object Server
Upgrade optimized for large databases
Help
Standardized Help Viewer
Standard Help authoring tools
Better Help performance
Continuous publishing model supports
Help updates
Leverages future investments in help
technology
Global parity: base docs in all locales
Enhanced Implementation Guide for
Partners
.NET Business Connector
A versatile, general-purpose platform
component
Uses the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0
Supports Microsoft Visual Studio 2005
Enables the development of managed
applications against Dynamics AX
Public managed classes allow you to
invoke X++ business logic and access
data

Nyheter i applikation, 678 sidor!

Ny Benchmark AX 4.0

Scenario

Volym

Orderflde , Registrera orderrader, plocka, packa och

fakturera
Inkp, Registrera inkpsorder, mottagning, registrera
faktura

177 GB Databas
1000 Samtidiga anvndare
55,000 Rader / Timme (45000 / 10000)

Whats new in Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0

General
Adjusting Navigation Pane and Favorites
Global Search Setup
External Help files
Trustworthy computing
Unicode
Integration
Active directory / Windows authentication logon
SQL 2005 Server (SQL Reporting Services,
Analysis Services Unicode support)
Sharepoint Portal Services
RFID Infrastructure

Whats new in Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0

Alerts (Business Activity Monitoring)

Based on Due dates or database changes
Notification by popup or email
With hyperlink to ether the alert or the source
Development environment
Version Control management system
Integrated with Visual Source Safe 2005 server
Procedure
Check out objects and labels
Check in objects and labels
Reverse engineering (Visio integration)
New debugger (.Net standards)
Common Language Runtime Interoperability (CLR
Interop)
Access to .Net assemblies

Whats new in Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0

Installation and setup
Removal of 2-tier, Thick client, web deployment
Integration with Active directory
Database improvements
Index management
Better language support by using Unicode
RECid changes
Ax 3.0:
4,294,967,296
Ax 4.0: 18,446,744,073,709,551,615
Optimistic concurrency
Application File Server
No copy of application folders Anymore
Instead AOS manages applications
AOS Improvements
Loadbalancing using NLB
AOS is true windows service
Improved communication between client en server

Whats new in Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0

Business Intelligence
Integration with SQL 2005 Reporting services
Using a Semantic Data Model (buidl in AOT)
Native Reporting Engine Enhancements
Print drill down
Primary Links
Secondary Links
OLAP
Enhanced security
Enterprise Portal Framework
Fully integrated with Sharepoint services
Sharepoint Web authoring experience
Better personalisation
Integrated collaboration and content management
Integrated Document Management
Web framework opened up to existing portals
Based on .Net Business Connector

Whats new in Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0

Business connector
.NET BC Replacing the Ax 3.0 com-connector
More stable / faster
All applications using the com connector need to be
updated:
COM connecter interface adjustments
Fit to Windows Authentication
Application Integration Framework
Documents based integration (B2B / A2A)
Web services (Intranet use)
Extra- / Intranet use need extra security

Microsoft Dynamics AX
Look & Feel

Microsoft Dynamics AX - Technology

Server
Client
Communication

Changes from 3.0

Computer roles based
Unified look and feel
No need to figure out which .exe to run from where
Integrated database tools

New Add or Remove Programs entries

Multi-Instance AOS
Subsequent component installs draws from previous installs
No need to remember where you installed what

Quick single computer installation for partners/developers

only requires pressing Enter
No Service Managernow use Windows Services MMC snap-in
AOS, EP and Reporting services must be installed on win2k3
The client continues to run on XP
VPC image with all components installed will be on AX CD

AOS Improvements
Load balancing changed to NLB
Session management
Session info moved to DB
Manage user and business connector sessions
across all AOS machines
Manage all AOS sessions

Network performance improvements

Optimizing meta-data roundtrips - Table and
Class Loading
Compression between client and AOS

AOS Improvements
Converted Server Interface (AOCP) to RPC
Communication channels between client-serverdatabase will be secured using SSPI and RPC

Securing Server API Mitigations

2 and 2.5 tier no longer supported
Personalization data is stored in Database

Dynamics AX 4.0 Setup

Provide a consistent, simple method of
installing Axapta 4.0 for customers and
partners.
Mask technical complexity for a single computer
deployment
Reduce the need for specialized knowledge to
achieve a basic implementation of Axapta
Quicker ramp up to productive usage

Microsoft Dynamics AX Enterprise

Portal

Investeringar p serversidan

Kundvrde

SharePoint Portal Server

Anvndningsomrde

Organisera fretagets mnga

siter
Aggregera fretagsinformationFrdelar
Individanpassa
Vrdet av
informationsutbudet
information kar
Integrera med affrssystem
Mnniskor och
Funktionalitet
information kopplas
Profilera och hantera alla
samman
siter
Informationen blir
Min site
skrddarsydd fr
Anvndarprofilering
riktad
Heltckande
kommunikation
skfunktionalitet
Organiserat efter mne

Architecture
AX
Web
Parts

WSS
Web
Parts

ISV
Web
Parts

IIS

AOS

.NET
Business
Connector

AX DB

EP Web
Frame work

SharePoint
DBs

Web
Services

External
Systems

Web Framework
Overarching goal has been to retain the
current rich web framework
Web Building blocks created in AOT
( Web Forms , Report , Web Report, Weblet, Web Menu
Items . etc)

Navigation and Content logically separated

Navigation -Web Menu Items
URL
Action

Content Web Content / Web Let

DISPLAY
OUTPUT

(Web Form)
(Report/Web Report)

Page Authoring using SharePoint Page

Designer tools and imported into AOT
Seamless development environment
integration

User Management
Windows Integrated Authentication
User Relations for granting web access to
User
Ax User Groups / Security Key permission for
Object level permissions
Business Connector Proxy for securing
content for External Users using Security Key
Extranet AD accounts for Customers &
Vendors ( Basic over SSL Authentication)
Anonymous Access for internet facing public
web site
Guest user account in Ax is used for restricting

Topology
Two EP Site Definitions
Full Fledged Enterprise Portal for intranet /
extranet
Public / Anonymous site for internet

Business Connector Proxy Account

Intranet
Windows Integrated Authentication

Extranet
Standard Perimeter Network
Traditional Perimeter Network
Basic Auth / SSL

Investeringar p serversidan

Windows SharePoint
Services

Kundvrde

Anvndarna kan

Samarbeta kring
dokument
Dela information
Hantera virtuella team

Dokument Kalender
Kollegors nrvaro

Frdelar

Enkelt att anvnda

Strre individuell
Team

delaktighet
Diskussioner
Enkter
Bttre
Funktionalitet
sammanhllning
Versionshantering, Check-in/
Uppgifter
Kontakter
Bttre
Check-Out
informationsspridnin
Delade kalendrar,
g
diskussioner
Integrerat med Office 2003

Kundvrde

SharePoint Portal Server

Anvndningsomrde

Organisera fretagets mnga

siter
Aggregera fretagsinformationFrdelar
Individanpassa
Vrdet av
informationsutbudet
information kar
Integrera med affrssystem
Mnniskor och
Funktionalitet
information kopplas
Profilera och hantera alla
samman
siter
Informationen blir
Min site
skrddarsydd fr
Anvndarprofilering
riktad
Heltckande
kommunikation
skfunktionalitet
Organiserat efter mne

Enterprise Portal
Demo shows how we use WSS with
in Microsoft Dynamics AX.

Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0 Enterprise Portal

2 different interfaces for 2 different purposes

Windows
client
All
functionality

Web client
Some functionality
All users

Microsoft Dynamics AX - Integration

Technology

Application Integration Framework

(AIF)
New XML based integration framework
Business-to-Business (B2B) collaboration
Application-to-Application (A2A / EAI) integration

Document-oriented interfaces
Extensible X++ framework

Transaction Types
Adapters (File System, MSMQ, BTS, WS)
Send Documents
Receive and Create Documents
Respond to Read Requests

Web Service Interface

Request Documents from Axapta
Submit Documents to be created in Axapta

Note: Update and delete is not supported

out-of-the-box in this release

Axd<Document> Query
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?>
<SalesOrder xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dynamics/">
<DocPurpose>Original</DocPurpose>
<SenderId>dmo</SenderId>
<SalesTable class="entity">
<CaseTagging>No</CaseTagging>
<CovStatus>1</CovStatus>
<CurrencyCode>EUR</CurrencyCode>
<CustAccount>4020</CustAccount>
<SalesLine class="entity">
<Blocked>No</Blocked>
<CaseTagging>No</CaseTagging>
<Complete>No</Complete>
<CurrencyCode>EUR</CurrencyCode>
...
<InventDim class="entity"> ... </InventDim>
</SalesLine>
<DocuRefHeader class="entity"> ... </DocuRefHeader>
<DocuRefHeader class="entity"> ... </DocuRefHeader>
</SalesTable>
</SalesOrder>

Dynamics AX Web Services

Standards

WS-I Basic profile 1.1 compliant

XSD version 1.1
WSDL version 1.1
SOAP version 1.1 and 1.2

One web service per document class

One method per action
Consumed in
InfoPath
Visual Studio
Other applications and custom clients

Microsoft Dynamics AX Application Integration

Framework

 New application development options

utilizing the
.NET Business Connector
CLR Interop features

Architectural Overview

New application development

options
Windows
Client

NEW

CLR Interop

Application
Object
Server

COM
Business
Connector

NEW .NET

Business
Connector

COM
Interop

NEW

NEW

CLR Interop

AX
Database

CLR Interop

.NET Business Connector

What is it?

A platform component that enables

integration with AX
Provides an X++ runtime environment

X++ interpreter
Access to AOT
Client/server code execution

Headless client
Single/multi-user mode

Architectural Overview

AX
Database

C
RP

BC
D
O

AOS
Interpreter

.NET Business Connector

Microsoft.Dynamics.BusinessConnectorNet.dll

Built with .NET Framework 2.0

Provides .NET to X++ type mapping
No need to use the COM bridge in Visual Studio

Incorporates stability and reliability fixes

Public managed classes provided (SDK) for
application development
Managed exceptions

.NET Business Connector

Security

Authentication
Support for Windows authentication
AX user impersonation support
Methods
Logon(), LogonAs()

Authorization
System tables are secured using the table
permissions framework

.NET Business Connector

CLR Interop
What is it?

Feature providing interoperability (from X+

+) with CLR components enabled on both
client and server
Provide extensions to the X++ language

Native support of CLR simple types

Application scope include CLR instances
Enable callout to CLR objects
Support of .NET Exceptions

Demo shows how we use CLR

Interop to execute manages code
with in Microsoft Dynamics AX.

.NET Business Connector

Microsoft Dynamics AX AD Integration

Active Directory Integration

Rich client users and web users have been
merged into one user type
All enabled AX users must be valid AD users

AD Import Wizard eases provisioning

External users are identified through
location in AD

Active Directory integration

Reporting and Business

Intelligence

Microsoft Business
Intelligence
Vision and Strategy

Improving organizations by
providing business insights
to all employees leading to
better, faster, more
relevantdecisions
Complete and integrated
BIoffering
Widespread delivery of
intelligence through
MicrosoftOffice
Enterprise grade and

Key BI Components

Integrated Innovation
Standard
with Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics
Delivered Reporting
with Microsoft
AX 4.0
AX 3.0

AX 4.0 Business Intelligence

Investments
Design and Build
Reports
Production
Reports
using
Objected Oriented
views
leveraging
native
using native
(X++) Report
Report Writer
Writer
a model driven
integration
and SQL
Report Designer with SQL
Report Builder
End user reporting perspectives
enabled for Application modules
Use Reports
Design and Build Ad-hoc Reports
using SQL Report Builder

The BI Enablement

How the SQL Server Platform BI enables Partner

Solutions

Microsoft
Visual Studio

Reporti
ngServic
es

Excel

Microsoft
Dynamics AX

AX Database

SQL Server
Business
Intelligence
Platform

Data Marts

BSM

ProClari
ty

The BI-Enabled
Partner Solution

SQL Server
Analysis
Services Cu
Drill through

Browse
r

Data Sources
(SQL, OLE DB, XML/A,
ODBC, Oracle, Custom)

Dynamics AX

Office

XML Web Service Interface

Security Services
(NT, Passport,
Custom)

Report Server
Report Processing

Output Formats
(HTML, Excel, PDF, Custom)

Data Processing

Security

Rendering

Scheduling & Delivery

SQL Server Catalog

Delivery Targets
(E-mail, SharePoint,
Custom)

Reporting Services 2005

Integration with AS, SSIS,
management tools
Developer
enhancements
Improved report
interactivity
Multi select
Interactive sorting
Client side printing

SharePoint webparts
Report browser
Report viewer

Rich end-user reporting

Report Builder

Configuration
Architecture

Dynamics AX Configuration Forms

Reporting Servers form

Model Generation Options form
Report Builder Startup Options form
Update Models form

Perspectives
Perspectives is a new node in the AOT
whose parent is Data Dictionary and which
contains zero or more child Perspective
nodes
A Perspective node contains table
references added via drag drop
A Perspective is a view into one or more
tables.

Creating and Running Ad-hoc Reports

Demo shows how Report Builder

is invoked and used with models
generated by Microsoft Dynamics
AX.

Questions and Answers

 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

This presentation is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.