RapidStart experiment

As started planning out a new AX 2012 implementation, we wanted to give it a try on the RapidStart service , a free online tool offered by Microsoft to help configure and deploy Dynamics AX 2012. It's a new service, probably out there for several months. The whitepaper lays out all the great features and it looks like a great product that can be leveraged by any AX 2012 project. You can read more about the service from AX team blog.

Our experience with the RapidStart service wasn't pleasant. First it was a service registration issue. After we could log in and see the interface, we couldn't get the configuration completed in any of the ways described in the whitepaper. See screenshots below for the errors. We logged an support ticket with Microsoft and they confirmed the issues. Their support group is actively working on solutions. I'll give updates when I hear things back. 

No. of pending questions "-16"

Error at the end

Two small bugs in AX 2012 RTM image

Working on the AX 2012 RTM image today and found two bugs.
1. When to post and print PO proforma/confirmation, get the following error

To fix it, go to Procurement > Setup > Forms > Sorting parameters, remove UNKNOWN 

2. When to invoice PO, debugger pops up. Commenting out the assertion line in VendDocumentLineType - VendInvoiceInfoTable should do it.

AX 2012 Model Management

AX 2012 introduces a "model" concept to help manage different solutions in the same layer. It also provides a commond-line tool to manage models, AxUtil.exe. (Some of its functions can be achieve through Model Management Wizards under Tools in the development environment.)

• Default path to the command: <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft Dynamics AX\60\Server\<InstanceName>\Bin
• To list all models: AxUtil.exe list
• To create a model: AxUtil.exe create /model:CONTOSO /layer:usr
• To edit a model version number: AxUtil.exe edit /model:CONTOSO /manifest:Version="2.0.0.0"
• To export a model: AxUtil.exe export /file:c:\ContosoModel.axmodel/model:CONTOSO
• To delete a model: AxUtil.exe delete /model:CONTOSO

See Models, Layers, and the Model Store on TechNet for more discussion on how to deploy customizations through different AX environments.

AX 2012 system architecture diagram

A nice and concise illustration of AX 2012 system architecture from MS

Or, a more comprehensive and detailed diagram from TechNet

AX 2012 system architecture from TechNet

AX 2012 Types of Reports

A nice summary and comparison from MS training manual.

AX 2012 Reporting tools

Or as described in the AX developer center (from a functionality perspective)

AX 2012 Types of Reports