Microsoft Ships New Release Of Its Dynamics AX Applications

Microsoft previewed Dynamics AX 2009 at the vendor's Convergence conference in March. Dynamics AX is geared toward upper mid-market customers that have operations in multiple locations, particularly those in manufacturing, retail, distribution and professional services.

"I think they're really positioning the product to compete in the Enterprise space," said Patrick Hodo, CTO of Red Maple Technologies, a Boerne, Texas-based ISV that develops financial management applications and other software that extends Dynamics AX's capabilities.

As it has with its other ERP applications, Microsoft has added "role-tailored design" to Dynamics AX 2009 that lets users tailor their view of the application to their specific job. A CFO, for example, could adapt the interface to incorporate financial performance metrics while a shop floor manager's view might include production schedule priorities.

The software also uses business intelligence technologies to provide users with key performance indicators based on their roles. And Dynamics AX 2009 more closely resembles the familiar Microsoft Office. Red Maple's Hodo said the role centers and Office-like features make the application easier to use.

Also offered in Dynamics AX 2009 is a new compliance center that provides a single view of internal controls, KPIs and other information needed to comply with company policies, local legislation in 36 countries and such regulations as Sarbanes-Oxley. The system also incorporates Microsoft's Windows Workflow Foundation technology for documenting workflows -- expense report management, for example -- and creating an audit trail. The software also provides more support for companies that operate multiple sites within a single country and across multiple countries.

Dynamics AX 2009 is certified to work with Windows Server 2008, Vista and the upcoming SQL Server 2008. AX 2009, the follow-on to AX 4.0 that debuted two years ago, is available in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, a number of European countries and South Africa with availability in other countries slated for a later date.