6 Things you did not know about Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012-R3

Here are 6 things you might not know about Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012-R3.
1. There are no longer extra GL entries generated from the two voucher item posting strategy
This corrects a design issue when the distribution framework was introduced in AX2012.  Fewer entries are made to the GL and the normal effect of posting a receiving to accrued purchases shows in a more sensible way.
2. There are now additional Inventory Storage Dimensions for Inventory Status and License Plate
Inventory statuses can also be tied to blocking features to only allow inventory that is truly available for immediate sale
3. The reservation Hierarchy determines how dimensions are used in the warehouse
The reservation hierarchy is the key to warehouse management and automation and can be configured differently for items that require more detailed manual reservation.  Understanding the hierarchy is important to the overall system automation and flow.
4. Items must be assigned to a storage dimension that is Warehouse Manageable from the beginning
Items must be associated with the correct storage dimension at creation.  Changing the storage dimension after transactions exist is not supported.  Microsoft will be introducing conversion utilities for existing customer installations post release.  Make sure to work closely with your account manager and solution delivery manager to plan your upgrade.
5.AX 2012 R3 will be available in the Cloud on Microsoft’s Azure server platform
Once released this could be the fastest and most cost effective way to deploy both development and UAT infrastructures for Dynamics AX.  There are still costs directly with Microsoft to run Azure servers but the overall speed of setup and the elimination of any hardware purchase make this a compelling offering.  And with Azure you only pay for server time used!
6. PowerQuery is a free download as an addin to Excel 2013 and 2010 that can integrate directly with your instance of AX2012 company data
PowerQuery allows an AX user to connect directly with Queries and Services exposed to the document framework of the Excel Addin. This allows easier creation of business intelligence reports on AX data directly connecting to the AX company database.  This does not require Office365 and can run standalone.

Reference from http://www.uxceclipse.com/pages/blog-detail.aspx?newslist=Blog%20List&itemId=19

New features in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 is released April 2014. New capabilities added to Dynamics AX 2012 R3 span horizontal and vertical features; however, this time enhancements also include mobile apps.
The new Dynamics AX 2012 R3 horizontal features are expected to cover e-procurement and budget planning to help improve operational efficiencies and support the planning needs of complex organizations.
E-procurement new features include:

• Improved management of Request for Information (RFIs), Request for Proposal (RFPs) and Request for Quote (RFQ) from solicitation to award for enhanced efficiency
• Better control on response types to include sealed, open, and reverse auction type bids
• Ability to define evaluation criteria and scoring of RFxs upfront, allowing for improved decision making

Anticipated Budget planning features include:

• Budget allocation based on allocation basis rules
• Improved process flexibility and control by default and locked dimension values on certain type of budget plans
• Evaluation of different scenarios for what-if analysis

Microsoft has also made many enhancements to Warehouse Management and Retail Dynamics AX 2012 R3.
Warehouse Management has improvements to capabilities that will help users streamline distribution and warehouse operations. Improvements include:

• Enhanced inventory control through 360 inventory visibility, real-time cycle counting and replenishment
• Embedded radio frequency that provides real-time transaction processing through mobile devices including receiving, putting away, picking, staging and loading
• Rate, route and load planning that includes inbound and outbound planning, order consolidation, routing guides, constraints-based routing, load build capacity calculations, multi-mode planning, and methods to select a rate for specific loads based on the carrier’s rate profile

Retail is a fast-paced and ever evolving industry. Shoppers are mobile, connected and expect an omni-channel shopping experience. Microsoft created the following features with that in mind.

• A native and immersive Windows 8 Tablet Point of Sales (POS) and Mobile POS for Windows Phone 8, allowing retailers to provide differentiating customer facing in-store experiences
• Loyalty programs across legal-entities and tiering of customers as well as enhanced gift card support
• Enrichments to pricing and promotions, assortment and catalog, BI and reporting, and seasonality and markdowns enhancements helping optimize revenue

As mentioned above, Microsoft has also added mobile apps with this release. It’s not a new concept for employees to be on the move all the time. Mobile apps makes it easier for them to do certain tasks on the go and improves their efficiency.

• Time entry allows employees to capture time worked on projects simplifying this administrative task while providing businesses the opportunity to improve working capital through decreased billing cycle times
• Approvals enables business requests like budget, time sheets, submitted expense reports to be approved on the go
• Capturing and reconciling expenses while traveling allows organizations to implement policies more seamlessly and shortening time to get money back to employees

You can learn more about the expected feature enhancements in the Dynamics AX Statement of Direction. As we get closure to the release of R3, more details will be released.