On a Financial Dimension set, we are getting deadlocks when we enable the “Update balance during the posting process”.

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Arbela

We ran into this issue when a client was using multiple scan guns for receiving product and they were all trying to update and post concurrently.  They were getting repeated deadlocks in the system.

A temporary solution would be to remove the ‘update balances during the posting process’ checkbox.  The deadlock issue will be resolved but there are some consequences that you need to be aware of.
(Forgive the quality of the following picture!)

When the dimension set balances are not updated automatically, there are transactions missing from the summary trial balance.  You will have to resort to rebuilding the balances on a scheduled batch several times a day.

A more permanent solution would be to load the Microsoft hotfix.  The hotfix for KB 2708448 is described as “When you enable “Update balance during the posting process” on Financial Dimension Set, we see the system getting deadlocks.”  This hotfix is not listed as included in CU3.

Contact us to discuss your needs today at  info@arbelatech.com

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Adding a new dimension to an existing account structure in Dynamics AX 2012

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Arbela

Microsoft Dynamics AX2012 allows adding a new dimension to an existing account structure. You have to do it in the same way as the initial set up of the financial dimensions.

Go to Company General Ledger -> Setup -> Financial dimensions -> Financial dimensions -> click “new” to create the new dimension (1)

Name the new dimension by clicking on financial dimension values (2).

You will also have to update your account structure.

Go to: General Ledger -> Setup -> Chart of Accounts -> Configure account structures. Choose the account structure you will work on and click the edit button. Validate the account structure after you finished the changes.

Our experience shows that adding a new dimension to an existing account structure can cause a lot of errors. The main reason for this is that existing transactions that are not closed are considered invalid after you made changes to the account structure. The error message looks like this:

“Changes have been made to combination xxx since the combination was last used. The combination must be re-validated to be used.”

The first step to solve the issue should be:

Re-validate the account structures for the affected account (s).

1. Click General Ledger -> Setup -> Chart of Accounts -> Configure Account Structure.

2. Select the Account Structure that affected account number is listed under.

3. Click Edit.

4. Click Validate.

5. Perform these steps for all account structures.

If that does not solve the problem Microsoft provides Hotfixes on the Partner Source Page.

You can go the Partner Source page -> Support -> Self Support -> Hotfixes

Here you will find Hotfixes for:

  • Run the foreign currency revaluation in Dynamics AX 2012. KB Article number: 2661912
  • Try to create a credit note for correction in Dynamics AX 2012. KB Article number: 2670940
  • Relieve or reverse a prior transaction after you make some changes to the account structure in Dynamics AX 2012. KB Article number: 2579342
  • Reverse a bank check for a payment journal in Dynamics AX 2012 KB Article number: 2713136

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Wish you had “Security Roles” in Dynamics AX 2009?

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Arbela

One of the major improvements released with Dynamics AX 2012 was the introduction of Role Based Security.  But as you are all aware, Dynamics AX 2009 doesn’t come with an initial set of user groups that is easy to use and has basic set up for an enterprise for a secure ERP access.

Arbela has leveraged the out-of-box security settings in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, known as “Role Based Security” to enable organizations running Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 with this powerful feature through more than 80 predefined User Groups.  This capability will ease transition to future versions of Dynamics AX and also will reduce audit costs now and in the future.

This solution is ready for delivery and is compatible with Arbela Security Manager for Dynamics AX 2009.  Arbela users can easily view the access for these users groups and can also provide reports comparing these user groups.

To learn more about this exciting and powerful feature click on the link below to register for an upcoming webinar from Arbela Technologies.
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5634642298102905856
If you would like to be one of the first Dynamics AX 2009 customers who enjoy the value-added benefits of Arbela Security Management, please contact us at www.arbelatech.com.

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How to use Negative and Positive Days in Dynamics AX

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Arbela

When Dynamics AX master planning is rolled out to new users two of the settings that generate much confusion are “negative days” and “positive days”.  These two fields are found on the Master plan coverage group form.   It is important to understand these fields and tune them to your requirements in order to receive the results from the planning engine that you expect.   These fields are quite powerful and useful in that they control when in the future time line the planning engine will recommend purchases.

Let’s talk about Positive days first.  This field determines how far into the future the planning engine will consider current inventory to fulfill future demand.  For example; if you have insufficient inventory on hand today for a fast moving item that has short lead time (one week long) and you receive a sales order for that item with a delivery date far into the future (six months out), do you want to have the system consider that inventory for the sales order now and recommend a purchase?  You may not because any inventory available today will be long gone before it is required for the sales order and there is plenty of time to purchase when the requirement is closer.   If your positive day setting is greater than six months the system will not recommend that you purchase,  if the positive day setting is less than six months the system will generate a purchase.

This setting will also impact action messages.  Taking the same example from above and adding to that example sales order with a requirement one month from today and a matching purchase order with a just in time delivery for that sales order.  Do you want the system to generate an action message that recommends that the existing purchase order be increased to cover the sale which is six months away?   If the positive day setting is greater than six months the system will recommend that you increase the quantity on the existing purchase order.  If the positive day setting is less than six months the system will not generate such a message.

For ease of use I suggest a parameter setting of about 45 days.  In our example the system will not generate an action message to increase the quantity of the existing purchase order and will instead generate a future purchase one week before the requirement is due.

Let’s talk about negative days.   This setting determines how late we will allow this item to be.  Let’s say we have that same item with a sales order requirement due twenty one days from today.  We also have a purchase order providing plenty of inventory in the system with the receipt expected twenty four days from today.   Do we want the system to tell us to create a new purchase, or to allow the sales order to be late by three days and just use the existing purchase order?  If negative days is set to less than three the system will generate a new purchase and an action message suggesting that you expedite the current purchase order, the operator has a choice of doing either.  If the negative day parameter is set to greater than three the system will do nothing and assume that you will fill the sales order a few days late.  I recommend a setting of about less than three days.

Since these settings are controlled at a coverage group level and one size does not have to fit all, it is important to carefully analyze your items and their lead times.  You should categorize your items and group them into coverage groups so that the system will make the recommendations that you expect for each type of item.

 

 

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Interested in learning how to cut the mystery out of managing security in Dynamics AX?

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Arbela

Join Corey Bakhtiary in our upcoming webinar where he talks about some of the areas in which or customers are most challenged with and how Arbela has been able to help them.

Webinar:  Cut the mystery out of setting up AX Security

When:  Dec. 13, 2012 at 10:00 PST

Seating is limited, so click on the link below to reserve your spot:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3141553557020974592
[Corey Bakhtiary] In my tenure providing support for security in Microsoft Dynamics AX the most common pain point is regarding the incessant data mining of security keys and the subsequent testing required for validation.  This is no more apparent than when setting up the business process security for the Accounts Payable and Receivable clerks.  It is imperative that security, for these individuals, is done accurately to ensure that there is no loss and/or abuse of financial information.  Arbela Security Manager, a tool that conforms to Standard Dynamics AX Security, aids in the setup and maintenance of security and provides helpful audit reports to gain the needed visibility to effectively manage security within an AX environment.  No organization wants to be on the receiving end of user error or malicious attacks within their ERP system and Arbela’s Security Manager greatly reduces the time and effort spent to ensure they do not occur.

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What are the available e-Learning resources for Dynamics AX 2012?

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Arbela

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 has a significant amount of new
e-Learning courses and documentation that can enable users to develop and schedule their
own unique learning program.  The courses cover Applications, Customization, Financial Management, Installation and Configuration, Service Management, and Supply Chain Mangament.   Each course focuses on either the technical,
functional, implementation, or Sure Step (Microsoft Implementation
methodology) disciplines.  To access the e-Learning materials, you must have access to Microsoft Partner Source or Customer Source.  Available resources can be found here.   If you would like more information, please contact us here.

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Helpful hints on upgrading to Dynamics AX 2012

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Arbela

Why AX2012 is different?

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 uses a source-to-target upgrade model that lets business user’s work at maximum efficiency during an upgrade. In previous versions of Microsoft Dynamics AX, all upgrade tasks were performed on a single production system. A substantial part of the upgrade process was spent in single-user mode, and during that time, the system was offline for regular users. Difficulties that arose during the upgrade had to be resolved under time pressure before normal business operations could resume. However, in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, you preprocess your business data on the source system, which is the system that runs Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0 or Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009, while that system is live. This approach frees you from time pressure and does not require that normal operations stop.

While data on the source system is preprocessed, you build your separate, offline target system, which is the system that runs Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012. When preprocessing on the source system is completed, and the target system is ready, you enter single-user mode on the source system. You then bulk copy your data into the target system, run post-synchronization upgrade scripts, and perform testing. At this point, the target system can go live.

 Supported upgrade paths for AX2009 to AX2012:

 For additional information regarding installation document Deployment and Installation guide,AX2012 for Retail

 

Steps to perform before the upgrade:

  1. Backup your Database after each test upgrade iteration to resume the upgrade from the back up.
  2. Backup customizations i.e. * .aod files for layers customized in source environment.
  3. Verify that you have an appropriate amount of space on your target system’s hard disk and in your database transaction log.
  4. Activate Multisite functionality using Multisite Activation wizard.
  5. Create a Test environment for upgrade.
  6. Verify the SQL server is set up for best performance like processors, memory, or storage and a dedicated server is recommended for data upgrade process.

Source Environment set up for Code Upgrade:

  • Import the preprocessing XPO as shown below in AX2009 in USR Layer. Be sure to back up your application files (*.aod) and label files (*.ald) before you import the preprocessing XPO. You will need these files for code upgrade on the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 target system.
  • Make sure that “Import with ID Values” is cleared in Import Dialog.
  • During synchronization, the Problems during synchronization message box may warn you that tables will be dropped. You should be aware of what objects are being over-written so that you can stop the process if necessary and merge your custom code with the XPO code for objects common to them both. To allow an object to be overwritten, click Yes.
  • Restart AOS after the import.
  • Install option upgrade files if needed. See details below:
  • If you have changes to Classes related to Batch Framework, back up those as XPO. XPO files that are related to batch processing are included in the Database Upgrade\XPO folder. One file is included for each upgrade path that is supported:
  1. PrivateProject_Ax40PreUpgradeFramework_Batch.xpo
  2. PrivateProject_Ax50PreUpgradeFramework_Batch.xpo

These XPO files roll back any customizations that you have made to the batch processing class on your source Microsoft Dynamics AX system and it is recommended to reduce downtime during upgrade.


  • Open the PreProcessing Checklist “SysCheckList_PreUpgrade50″ located in the AX50PreUpgradeFramework project.
  • Run through the PreProcessing Checklist Items to prepare the database for Upgrade
  • If the upgrade scripts don’t run after opening the cockpit, jump to step #15  and follow the steps there to setup the batch server. Then come back to this point and continue.
  •  In the System Parameters checklist Item, select “en-us” as the default language and click on the “Set to Ready for Upgrade” button.
  • In the Company Priority setup, click on the “Set to Ready for Upgrade” button.
  • In the Product Upgrade Form, click on the Synchronize button and then on the Product Mapping -> Map all items 1:1. Click on the “Set to Ready for Upgrade” button after doing these steps.
  •  In the Units form, click on the “Automatically assignment” button.
  1. Set all decimals to 2
  2. Set all Unit classes to “Length”
  3. Click on the “Validate” button to make sure no errors are found
  4. Click on the “Set to Ready for Upgrade” button.
  •  In the Pre-Upgrade of Unit Conversions checklist item click on the Validate button and then on the “Set to Ready for Upgrade” button.
  •  In the Pre-Upgrade of Unit Texts click on the Validate button and then on the “Set to Ready for Upgrade” button.
  •  In the Pre-Upgrade Data checklist item you might need to configure the Batch Server and Batch Server Groups if the Live PreProcessing scripts don’t start running. In order to do so, go to Administration\Setup\Server Configuration
  • Make sure that only the machine you are using has the Is Batch Server checkbox checked. Now go to the Batch Server Groups tab and select the DataUpdate Batch Server Group
  •  Another configuration that is required to start running these jobs is the Batch Group form. You can access this in Administration\Setup\Batch Groups
  •  Select the DataUpdate Batch Group and go to the Batch Servers tab.
  •  Make sure the machine you’re running the upgrade on is on the Selected Servers list on the left side pane.
  •  After running the Live PreUpgrade, continue with the next checklist items (Validate Pre Upgrade, check Single User Mode and Single User Mode Upgrade)
  •  Once the checklist is finished, the PreProcessing stage is done. Uninstall AX50 (don’t drop the database) and you are ready to go to the AX6 steps.

NOTE: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 lets you preserve and reuse the preprocessed data that is created on a test source system. Therefore, you can reduce preprocessing time on your production source system.  Use 

Starting an Upgrade from the Target Environment i.e. AX2012:

  1. Install Dynamics AX 2012. Make sure you have Administrator access to install on the computer.
  2. Make sure you have the set  permissions specific for the upgrade below :
  3. Setup Ax 2012 pointing the AOS to a new Database. Specify a different database name for the Model Database. Make sure you select the “Register Database for Upgrade checkbox:”
    1. At this stage, you should have 3 databases in your system: Database
  •  The AX50 PreProcessed database
  •  The new AX6 database
  • The new AX2012 model database
  1. Start AX 2012 and run through the Upgrade checklist
  2. In the Provide License Information step, specify the license.
  3.  At this point, the Target Environment upgrade process is started. Make your way through the first five checklist items

Data Upgrade Stages:

  • Source DB connection step:

In the Source DB connection step, specify the server name where the Source Database is located and the Source Database name. Click OK once this information is entered.

  • PreSynchronize step:

This step loads the Upgrade cockpit. Depending on which stage you started the Upgrade Process; you might need to configure the Batch Groups and Batch Servers. Once this configuration is set, click the Run button. PreSync scripts should start running at this stage.

  • Create Tables Step:

This step synchronizes the database. No special steps need to be taken here.

  • Generate table and field mapping:

This step generates table and field mapping between source and target systems. There should be no mapping with error.

  • Generate Bulk Copy and Script Prioritization Step:

Bulk Copy Priorities and Script-Table dependencies are resolved in this step. No special steps need to be taken here.

  • Launch Data Upgrade Step:

This step loads the Upgrade cockpit. Once the cockpit is loaded, click on the Run button and the Post Sync scripts should start running.This is where the data is actually copied from the Source Database to the Target Database based on the Mappings found in the Generate Table and Field Mapping step.
Upgrading a non-Retail Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 system to a Retail version:

This will be minor version upgrade as base version for source and target environment is same.

 Install the Microsoft Dynamics AX Feature Pack components and models:

These steps add the Retail related files to the target system

1. Close any open clients on your Microsoft Dynamics AX system.

2. Open the CD folder of the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack distribution DVD, and navigate to the updates folder.

3. (Skip this step if Cumulative Update 2 (CU2) has previously been installed.) In the DynamicsAX2012-KB2606916 folder, double-click the AxUpdate file to install the update. Specify the correct databases to upgrade, select all the other components that are offered, and then click through the wizard.

4. (Skip this step if your Microsoft Dynamics AX kernel version is 6.0.947.862 or higher.) In the DynamicsAX2012-KB2650968 folder, double-click the AxUpdate file to install the update. Select all the component updates that are offered, and then click through the wizard.

5. In the CD folder, run Setup.exe.

6. Under Install, click Microsoft Dynamics AX components.

7. Click through the wizard to the Review license terms page, select I accept the license, and then click Next.

8. On the Ready to install page, click Install to install setup support files and updates for the support files.

9. On the Modify Microsoft Dynamics AX installation page, select Add or modify components, and then click Next.

10. On the Add or Modify Components page, select Databases, and then click Next.

Do not select any of the Retail components for installation at this point. The system upgrade must be completed before you install the Retail components.

11. On the Prerequisite Validation page, satisfy any prerequisites, and then click Next.

12. On the Select databases page, select Configure existing databases, and then click Next.

13. On the Configure existing databases page, accept or provide the name of the SQL Server computer and the database names, and then click Next.

14. On the Select additional models page, select Extensions and Extensions Upgrade, and then click Next.

15. On the Prerequisite Validation page, satisfy any prerequisites, and then click Next.

16. On the Ready to install page, click Install.

17. When setup has been completed successfully, click Finish.

Update data:

Use this procedure to synchronize the Microsoft Dynamics AX databases that have been modified, and to run the required upgrade scripts.

1. Restart the AOS.

2. Open the Microsoft Dynamics AX client. If the Extensions and Extensions Upgrade models were installed correctly, a window opens with the message: “The model store has been modified.” Select Start the software update checklist, and then click OK.

After a brief compile, the Software update checklist opens.

You can also open the Software update checklist manually. You must open the checklist manually if it fails to start automatically, or if you close the client before you complete the checklist tasks. To open this checklist you have to click on System administration — > Setup –> Checklists –> Software update checklist.

 


 

 

 

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Adopt the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack – A MUST HAVE!

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Arbela

Just saw this blog entry on “dynamics-ax.blogspot.com”.  It is definitely worth sharing here:

________________________________________________________________

Recently, in February of this year Microsoft released the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 feature pack. You can access the latest Dynamics AX ISO, which includes the feature pack, from the following location on PartnerSource: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack Release.

From the release notes: “Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack is the Microsoft ERP solution for enterprises that empowers your people to anticipate and embrace change so your business can thrive. It constitutes our biggest releases that target five key industries: Manufacturing, Distribution, Services Industries, Public Sector, and Retail. This release also incorporates Microsoft Dynamics ERP RapidStart Services.

All of the industry solutions, Process Industries, Public Sector, Retail, and Service Industries, are now incorporated into the product and are installed the same way as other Microsoft Dynamics AX modules. Customers can enable or disable features by using configuration keys and can use features from multiple industry solutions. For example, a Public Sector organization can use the Retail POS capabilities, a pharmaceutical company involved in drug discovery and trials can use Service Industries and Process Manufacturing capabilities, or a wholesale distributor can use the Retail merchandising features.”

Further, Microsoft just recently as of three days ago posted the following link on PartnerSourcestating: “We strongly recommend that all Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 implementations move to using the Feature Pack”

The Resource Page.: The Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack—Why You Should Adopt it Moving Forward

There are several reasons to make sure that the feature pack is the focus now and moving forward from all the updates to specific industry solutions adding retail, if desired, as well as having now support for 25 Countries. Further, Microsoft points out that: “When Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 is released in H1 Calendar Year 2013 it will automatically install the remaining Microsoft provided country localizations (Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, etc.); so that we maintain the single consistent Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 code base.”

This then suggests, that in order to go to R2 – with the least time needed for deployment, having what resides in the feature pack for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 is a critical step. Further, applying and using the feature pack as the target version for any and all current AX 2012 instances, gives you the same build as CU2. Bringing your Microsoft Dynamics AX investment to the latest and most stable build. Even if you have applied CU2, you should look towards the feature pack, as it’s clear through the message it’s a stepping stone towards R2 that will be release first half of 2013.

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Filtering on account and dimension in Microsoft Dynamics AX2012 and Microsoft Excel

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Arbela

Have you noticed that the ability to grid-filter on account and dimension is missing in AX2012? Plus if you copy the data out into Excel it’s now all in one field (so you cannot readily filter there either) . If so, this workaround is going to be of use to you.

Filtering in the new transaction / voucher inquiry form requires the extended filter (CTRL+ F3)

Next I want to see all records posted to Location = 01 and Operating unit (department) = OU_2310

Result:

PS: If you get an incorrect result the first time please clear your usage data…

 

The other solution is to use Excel and to “unconcatenate” the field containing the main account and segment combination. The function is called text to columns.

Here is an example:

 

1.  From AX transaction screen copy and paste into Excel (3 dimensions plus account, second dimension empty):

2.  Now insert 3 columns for the dimensions to the right of the ledger account column (we use three dimensions in this example):

3.  Highlight the Ledger account column, then go to Data toolbar and select Text to columns:

 

4.  Click finish.

 

Result: Filterable data!!! YEH!

 

 

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Setting up Recurring Free Text Invoice in Dynamics AX 2012

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Arbela

 

The recurring free text invoice

This is the third (in the series of three) exciting new feature in the “Free text invoice” form in Accounts Receivable.  Here I want to talk about Monthly recurring billing

The steps are:

  1. Create a free text invoice template
  2. Assign it to one ore multiple customers
  3. Generate recurring invoice
  4. Post recurring invoice
  • Go to Company –> Accounts receivable –> Set up –>Free text invoice templates

  • In the “All customers” form assign the template to one or multiple customers.

On the Invoice tab page click on “Recurring invoices” and define the setup for the recurring invoice. Select the template you have created, fill in a billing start date and end date or choose the maximum cumulative amount you want to charge. Define the recurrence (daily, weekly, monthly or yearly) and how often in this period you want to charge the amount. Go back to the list page for all customers and repeat this step for other customers.

  • Generate recurring invoice (Company –> Accounts receivable –> Periodic –> Recurring invoices –> Generate recurring invoices)

  • Post the invoice (Company –> Accounts receivable –> Periodic –> Recurring invoices –> Post recurring invoices) Click “Lines”, the selected customer accounts will appear, post the invoice.

Keeping track and future billing cycles:

You can keep track of all the recurring invoices in the” All free text invoices” form. The invoices have different invoice numbers, but can be easily identified as the same recurring invoice batched by the Recurrence Id.

Any future recurring billing cycles will now only require the execution of the last two steps.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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