2015 q1 - axug magazine
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Business Intelligence
Q1 2015 www.axug.com
Work Your InformatIon
Is it Big Data or Lots of Smaller Data?
the neW BuzzWorD: DWa
Q1 2015 www.axug.com
In Every Issue
5 From the Director
7 Events
8 Meet the Leaders
9 Welcome to Our New Members
10 Chapter News
19 On Topic
21 Word Find
29 Focus on Education
30 What’s New on the AXUG Website
37 Academy Corner
47 Name That Photo Contest
50 Volunteer of the Quarter: Dawn Johnson
68 Find the Logo Contest
69 The AX List, from The Partner Channel Features
12 Is it Big Data or Lots of Smaller Data?
16 User Member Showcase Tempur Sealy International, Inc.
20 AXUG Volunteer Opportunities
22 The New Buzzword: DWA
26 Microsoft Showcase TJ Vassar
32 Back to the Basics: Hot Business Intelligence Trends in 2015
38 VAR Partner Member Showcase AXMentor
40 New Intelligent CPM Tools Let You Follow the Money and Guide Your Business
46 Thank You AXUG Summit 2014 Sponsors
48 ISV Partner Member Showcase ZAP Business Intelligence
52 Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence with Microsoft Dynamics AX
58 Industry Showcase Public Sector
60 5 Trends for Business Intelligence and Analytics
64 Users’ Perspectives Business Intelligence Implementation Tips
66 The Summit Experience
Business Intelligence
Q1 2015 WWW.AXUG.COM
WORK YOUR INFORMATION
IMPLEMENTATIONTips and TricksTHE NEW BUZZWORD:
DWA
Advertiser Index
Altec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Arbela Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
AxSource Global . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
AXUG Summit 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Client Strategy Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44-45
Dynaway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Experlogix, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Globe Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Jet Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
k-eCommerce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
mcaConnect, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 28
MetaViewer from Metafile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
NMB Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Perceptive Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
RF-SMART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Scalable Data Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
SK Global Software, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
contents
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Q1 2015 | 3
Two years ago, in the Q1 issue of AXUG® Magazine, I started my director message
the following way: “Business intelligence. The phrase itself always makes me
chuckle…what business doesn’t want to be intelligent?” Looking back, I think
that statement obviously still applies, and more importantly for the Microsoft
Dynamics AX community, business intelligence (BI) is still a hot topic, one that many
companies are still addressing at various levels. As such, we decided to make BI this issue’s
theme for three reasons: It’s still hot, we continue to have lots of great AXUG Partners whose
business is built around BI and Microsoft Dynamics AX, and in 2015, one of the three AXUG
FOCUS events will be on BI and reporting.
Each year, as the BI and Microsoft Dynamics AX world matures, there are many great
Partners in the BI community who continue to provide end Users with the tools to turn
data into better, faster, cleaner, and presentation-form-ready information. The power of
the Microsoft stack and the evolving products from the Microsoft Dynamics corporate
performance management (CPM) team have also provided Microsoft Dynamics AX Users
with additional tools to add to their reporting toolbox to truly make sure no piece of data
is unturned. In this issue, many of these AXUG Partners share their thoughts about the
evolution of business intelligence and the Microsoft Dynamics AX space. These Partners
all have great experiences to share; hopefully you pick up a nugget or two of information
that will help your current or future BI project. We also highlight the latest from Microsoft
around BI, and of course AXUG User Members share their own experiences with BI. One
common theme is that BI is more than software; there is a strong non-technical component
to successfully implementing BI into your organization.
It’s somewhat amusing that this issue is longer than usual. Perhaps that is an indicator of
just how hot and important BI and reporting are in the Microsoft Dynamics AX community.
Maybe it reflects all the great content AXUG User and Partner Members have to share with
the community. Or maybe it just means there is too much BI information out there, and we
need a better way to consolidate the magazine content into a shorter form (bad idea if you ask
me). In any case, I would be remiss if I didn’t quickly mention Convergence 2015 in Atlanta.
If you happen to be lucky enough to be reading this while at Convergence and are not yet an
AXUG Member, I encourage you to stop by the AXUG booth in the Convergence Expo to
learn about all the great benefits AXUG membership offers. Not in Atlanta? You can always
sign up online at www.axugcom/join-axug. Already an AXUG Member? Great! Stop by the
Expo and say hi!
In closing, BI is just one of the many, many areas that Microsoft Dynamics AX Users like
you meet to discuss and learn from each other. AXUG provides the best opportunity for
you and your company to maximize your investment in Microsoft Dynamics AX through
the objectives of listen, learn, and share. If you are already an AXUG Member, I challenge
you in 2015 to leverage the benefits of AXUG to help you and your company maximize your
Microsoft Dynamics AX investment even further; you won’t be disappointed.
Frank Vukovits, Jr.
Director – Programming, AXUG
Going to the Next Level...
Sherry Linares
letterfrom the axug director
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The
Evolution
of Business
Intelligence
Frank Vukovits, Jr.
Q1 2015 | 5
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The event calendar on www.axug.com and the weekly AXUG® Event Guide are your best sources for the latest AXUG event information as this list is subject to change. Events are added weekly, so check
back often and get registered for the next exciting AXUG event.
AXUG Focus
May 2015 | Orlando, FL www.axugfocus.com
AXUG Academy Pre-Conference
Training
October 12 – 13 | Reno, Nevada www.axugsummit.com/reno
AXUG Summit 2015
October 14 -16 | Reno, Nevada www.axugsummit.com/reno
Academy Courses
March 23 – Microsoft Dynamics AX Implementation Project
Management
March 25 – Understanding the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
Security Model
March 27 – Advanced Management Reporter
April 3 – KPIs, SSAS, & Cubes in Microsoft Dynamics AX
2012
April 8 – Inventory Costing in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
April 10 – Microsoft Dynamics AX Configuration Series –
Accounts Payable Setup
April 16 – Process Manufacturing for Microsoft Dynamics
AX 2012
April 20 – Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Development I & II
April 22 – Microsoft Office Excel Basic – Moving & Viewing
Data, Using Functions, & More
April 23 – Microsoft Office Excel Intermediate – It’s All About
The Pivot
April 24 – Performance Optimization in Microsoft Dynamics
AX 2012
May 8 – Microsoft Dynamics AX Configuration Series –
Financial Approvals & Workflows
May 15 – Managing Your Microsoft Dynamics AX Deployment
Using Sure Step Resources
May 22 – Managing Your Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
Environment
June 5 – Master Planning for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
June 12 – Microsoft Dynamics AX Configuration Series –
Inventory Management
July 10 – Microsoft Dynamics AX Configuration Series –
Sales and Marketing
August 14 – Microsoft Dynamics AX Configuration Series –
Purchase Order Management
Chapter Meetings
March 24 – Canada | Toronto, ON
March 26 – Florida
April 16 – Sweden User Group
April 22 – Italy | Milan
May 14 – Arizona | Phoenix
Webinars
March 23 – MVP Monday – Ask the Experts Panel
March 26 – OneSource Series: Data Migration (Part of an
ongoing series)
March 27 – OneSource Series: Excel – Turn Up the Heat with
Power Map
March 30 – Learn to Take Advantage of Your AXUG
Membership with Navigation Tips
April 1 – OneSource Series: Excel – Excel Idol
April 2 – Manufacturing SIG
April 10, May 8, June 12 – Management Reporter and
Forecaster Friday – Get Your Questions Answered
April 16 – Executive SIG: The Art of Winning More Business
with LinkedIn
Q1 2015 | 7
More development training and understanding of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
R3. Knowledge and experience that can only come from meeting my peers is well
worth the effort of joining AXUG and attending related functions/training. You won’t
get this kind of experience anywhere else.
COMPANY
Harman
Management Corp
TITLE
development
services manager
Dave Coombs
leadersmee t y our a xug l e aders
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AXUG® caught up with two members of the Board of Advisors to find out...
What are you most looking forward to with AXUG in 2015?
As with each year, I am most looking forward to AXUG Summit in the fall. It is the
highlight of the Microsoft Dynamics AX calendar and the best place to learn about
Microsoft Dynamics AX and meet other Microsoft Dynamics AX Users.
COMPANY
Microsemi
TITLE
ERP solutions
architect
Grant.wilson@
microsemi.com
Grant Wilson
8 | AXUG Magazine
Biagi Bros., Inc.
Borusan
Mannesmann
Dustin AB
European
Broadcasting
Union
Fountain Tire
Frontier Airlines
Gaffney Kroese
HNTB
Iovate Health
Sciences
International Inc.
Kason Industries
Kotahi
LiNA Medical ApS
Micro Matic USA
Inc.
PMC Group
PSM Healthcare
Trading as API
Consumer Brands
Quality
Manufacturing
Corporation
Scania
Sherry-Lehmann, Inc
Stena Metall AB
Trygg-Hansa
Welcome to one
of our newest
Members...
State Road & Tollway
Authority
The State Road & Tollway Authority (SRTA) is
an independent state-level authority created by the
Georgia General Assembly to operate tolled facilities
within the state and act as the transportation financing
arm for the State of Georgia. SRTA manages programs
such as the I-85 express lanes, Georgia Transportation
Infrastructure Bank (GTIB), transportation bond
management, the Peach Pass Customer Service Center,
and project planning, financing, and development for
new roadways, such as the Northwest Corridor Express
Lanes, I-75 South Metro Express Lanes, and more.
“AXUG provides a Special Interest Group (SIG) just
for the public sector,” says Linda McLeroy, director of
budget and procurement for SRTA. “This provides a
forum for questions, answers, problem solving, and
communication for Customers in the public sector.
Also, with an increase in public sector Customers, we
feel that Microsoft has a better grasp on our needs and
is able to address them more concisely.” AXUG
New AXUG User Members
Bagge Consulting
Services
Dynamic Acuity LLC
ERP Solutions, Inc.
Joseph Christensen
Logan Consulting
New AXUG Partner Members
membersw e l c o m e t o o u r n e w m e m b e r s
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Welcome to the new Members who have invested in AXUG® User
and Partner membership this year! Each new Member adds value
not only to their own organization, but also to the entire AXUG
community as they share their knowledge and experiences.
AnnCharlotte
Sjosten
Jill Robinson
Mahesh Bokil
Sami Hamdonah
Thank you to the following
Members for participating
in the AXUG Member Get A
Member Program:
Visit www.axug.com/membership/mgam to participate in the AXUG Member Get A Member Program.
Q1 2015 | 9
Up-and-Coming Chapter
KENTUCKY
Chapter Leaders Stephen Shackelfordmanager ITSEKISUI S-LEC AMERICA, [email protected]
newsc h a p t e r n e w s
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Stephen Shackelford of ORG contacted AXUG® just one year ago to find out if
there was a Kentucky chapter. The answer was no, but not for long. Kelly’s desire to
become a leader was spurred on by meeting fellow Microsoft Dynamics AX Users at a
networking lunch at AXUG Summit in St. Louis.
“Everybody wanted a chapter, but nobody wanted to be the leader. I volunteered and
told the group that I would seek out more information if they supported me and the
chapter. Everyone was agreeable, and I think our turnout at our first meeting speaks
volumes to the dedication of this group,” says Kelly. “Since Stephen had also shown
interest in having a Kentucky chapter, we decided to be co-chairs. This is actually very
good because we make a pretty good team getting things done for the chapter.”
The Kentucky chapter is off to the races, with a first meeting on December 11, 2014,
at Kelly’s office, Algood Food Company, a Louisville-based peanut butter manufacturer
that uses Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012.
“I wasn’t able to attend the first meeting because of an upgrade,” says Stephen. “But
Whitney (Derks, AXUG chapter coordinator) and her crew have been very helpful, and
thanks again to Kelly for her work. We are planning a Q1 meeting in March, and I hope to
be able to attend even though my go-live date for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 is April 1.”
Chapter
The Kentucky Chapter in session and in gear for a tour of
Algood Food Company.
» 35 people from all over Kentucky showed up for the first chapter meeting.
» In 2015: Meeting quarterly in different parts of the state so the travel is equal
for all Members. (Here’s looking at you, Lexington, Owensboro, and Louisville!)
» One of the big draws was the networking, another was the tour of the peanut
butter facility. Who doesn’t want to see how peanut butter is made?
» Great ideas from Members on future topics.
Kelly Kaneinformation systems specialistAlgood Food [email protected]
HIGHLIGHTS10 | AXUG Magazine
Up-and-Coming Leader
JIMMY STEWART
newsc h a p t e r n e w s
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The Virginia chapter in session.
Jimmy Stewart is the on-fire leader of the Virginia chapter, which had its first meeting
in September 2014. With 15-20 active Members from four different organizations, the
chapter is on the move with three meetings under their belt by the time this issue is
published.
As a new chapter, Jimmy shared that the secret to their success was setting up a
casual meeting where discussion and participation were encouraged.
“The agenda for the first meeting was too structured and packed,” says Jimmy. “The
agenda for the second meeting was not as full so we didn’t feel as limited.”
director, financial [email protected]
» Save the date: Third Wednesday of the middle month of each quarter
(that would be February, May, August, and November)
» Hottest topic: Accounts Payable (module used by each company in
attendance)
» “Everyone is at different points of their Microsoft Dynamics journey,
but we all took away useful information.” Jimmy Stewart
LeadershipHIGHLIGHTS
“At the risk of sounding cliché, I enjoy getting to know other
folks and sharing ideas,” says Jimmy. “It’s fun to see how
other companies utilize Microsoft Dynamics AX to meet
their unique needs, and it’s even more fun to help solve
problems and improve processes.”
Q1 2015 | 11
story by Garth Laird , AXUG Partner
Member Zap Business Intelligence
illustration by Shawn Olson
For many readers of this article, business
intelligence (BI) will not be a core
experience, and, in many cases, it has
likely become a confusing, costly, and
risky business exercise during or after
the deployment of Microsoft Dynamics AX. With
a market that is red hot in BI, supported by the
analysts saying it should be and is currently a CIO’s
greatest focus (as surveyed), it becomes so easy for
the BI industry to find ways to differentiate offerings.
However, in doing so, some BI companies can sell
capabilities that might not have any business value
at all to Users and the issues they currently face.
Now, such as all discussions around a market,
there will be exceptions to the rule, but I am
hoping to provide a little focus and some direction
as to what is important in most cases and what to
look out for.
One of the incredibly strong characteristics
with Microsoft Dynamics AX as a solution is
its flexibility. It is designed to support not only
smaller businesses that have fairly discrete
business practices, but also the largest of global
organizations to manage across countries,
currencies, and a multitude of business practices.
All of this now is currently available on-premises
and soon in the cloud on Microsoft Azure
with Microsoft Dynamics AX 7. Although this
characteristic will ensure Microsoft Dynamics
AX continues to grow and dominate, it has also
allowed an open tide of BI vendors from every walk
of life to claim capability in this ecosystem and to
market their products as capable of supplying
and supporting a consistent, continuous, and
economically-viable solution.
What I intend to do through this article is simply
provide a perspective to those who have (or are)
investing in Microsoft Dynamics AX, explain the
wider BI market and the various “waves” as we see
it, look at the risk in terms of business continuity,
and then relate that all back to the premise: Is it
big data or lots of smaller data?
12 | AXUG Magazine
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The BI Market
With analytics and data now being at the
forefront of so much of what we do, BI is a fast-
growing market and has experienced a massive
growth in vendors. Some vendors have history
back through the late ’80s and early ’90s, others
no more than a couple of years, some with
thousands of customers, some with no customers
but big ideas and growth projections. We like to
look at this in “waves”, and I am hoping this will
help you as well. There are no conclusions, just
observations.
WAVE 1
After the growth of ERP in the mid to late ’80s,
there were a number of enterprise BI vendors that
found a great market servicing larger businesses
and their needs. These vendors were the true
pioneers of ERP BI and developed large, complex,
and functionally-rich solutions to service their
customers, many of whom were Fortune 500
caliber. More than 30 years later, these vendors
(many of which have been acquired) have
continued to re-invest by adding a vast array of
solutions to their portfolios.
From the transformation of data to building
the data relationships, from the requirement for
reports, dashboards, and scorecards to the need
for enterprise controls and self-service, and now
recently the need for servicing a mobile User, these vendors now have a huge number
of solutions that they offer all across varying technologies and architectures. However,
with this diversity of time combined with this diversity of solution comes massive risk
for a User (maybe like you) who knows only too well the challenges around enterprise
upgrades combined with the world’s steady march towards the cloud.
WAVE 2
With these initial Wave 1 vendors being extremely focused and experienced in the
true enterprise arena, many lower enterprise and mid-market Customers were left to
consider what they could do to support the needs of their Users. At this point, which
was early this century, two things happened: One being that most of these businesses
took to building out their own BI consisting of great cost, risk, and a continual re-work
of applications due to staff turnover; and two, we saw the advent of the Wave 2 vendor
being a new type of BI company that could provide a group of Users or a department with
Q1 2015 | 13
a quick, less expensive and politically easy solution to sell under the corporate radar to get a range of folks
using a solution to solve their data needs.
Over the last five years, these vendors have had a very steep growth curve, and many are now publicly-
listed organizations delivering departmental BI out to thousands of Customers. These Wave 2 vendors
have feasted on the market’s need for data by providing good solutions that are very visual to those who
have operational budgets and can invest quickly.
However, when relating this back to the Microsoft Dynamics AX marketplace, the hundreds of
Customers that are using the ZAP solution have always been very clear: They want a single solution that
can cover the needs of the CEO to the needs of the shop floor, they want this solution to provide an
enterprise data warehouse where self-service Users using Microsoft Excel to corporate Users utilizing web
portals and embedded BI can all pull from the same enterprise data store, and finally, they want a solution
that can be used on a seamless mobile platform.
Although the Wave 2 vendors have satisfied the need for self-service, they have not at all satisfied the
CIOs’ and CFOs’ needs for a BI solution that integrates to the business, and one that builds on the returns
that the C-level needs to justify the expense of after the distraction of a major ERP introduction. Having
a range of Wave 2 self-service BI tools in an enterprise has become a CIO’s nightmare as the controls
implemented by an organizational-wide ERP deployment are totally lost, the ability for there to be “many
versions of the truth” are abundant, and the ability to better manage the business to improve business
insights are lost.
WAVE 3
The major variation with Wave 3 from the previous two waves is that these vendors have (and will) align
to the true needs of the 21st century business, delivering solutions in a single architecture that manage
all aspects of a BI deployment from the initial data to the rendering on a tablet. These solutions realize
that analytical outcomes hold the value, not the plumbing it takes to create it, and realize that corporate
governance is aligned to BI deployment and the two cannot be separated. Wave 3 is all about closing the
gap between the technology and the outcome, creating analytics that are aligned to industry and function
out of the box, delivering a solution that reduces the consulting risk and one that creates outcomes quickly
for the business that have rapid return to result and support the management team’s initial decision to
invest.
In this 21st century we are surrounded by downloadable applications in our everyday lives that deliver
value from the first time we turn them on. However, in our enterprises we have come to NOT expect that.
It is true that the businesses we work in are often extremely complicated and often steeped in history, but
the deployment of an excellent solution like Microsoft Dynamics AX should be the start of how a business
can and should re-think complexity, and how a business can expect outcome-driven data to produce better
insights.
As such, Wave 3 is all about understanding that paradigm change, understanding that the C-level
must mitigate risk and must provide capability across the business from a single, trusted BI application
that is a single modular modern solution at its technical core but also an industry-focused solution at
its commercial core, supplying and providing the analytics out of the box that a business needs to truly
achieve a return from its BI investment.
So Then – What Kind of Data?
Having explained the market as we see it over 30 years, I would like to be able to now refer back to the
premise of this article – big data or lots of smaller data – and use this to really focus in on what is important
to you as a User or prospective Customer of Microsoft Dynamics AX.
14 | AXUG Magazine
BI is a complex discipline, one that is vital to invest in if a company is to understand its market and
its competitors. To look around at the marketplace, like many sectors, BI is caught up in jargon and
buzzwords, much of which only serves to confuse those charged with making what is in most cases a
serious investment for their business.
Big data is a great example as it relates to the subject matter for this article, BI for Microsoft Dynamics
AX.
By definition, big data consists of “extremely large data sets that may be analyzed computationally to
reveal patterns, trends, and associations, especially relating to human behaviour and interactions.”
There needs to be no discussion that there are many Customers at a Fortune 500 level who have massive
data-stores that are exploding exponentially every year, and that for them the term big data is absolutely
real. As I said above, there are always exceptions to the rule, and there will be Microsoft Dynamics AX
Users looking to understand how they will manage massive data growth, especially in industries such as
retail, much of which the Microsoft stack of technology handles perfectly.
However, if a vendor starts talking to you about big data, I would ask if they truly understand Microsoft
Dynamics AX and Wave 3 and what is important and relevant to you as a User in 2015 and beyond. Having
been involved in BI investments with literally hundreds of Microsoft Dynamics AX Users, globally and of
all sizes, I can tell you that if you are reading this, you are more likely to be worrying about lots of disparate
data than big data.
Microsoft Dynamics AX Users almost across the board are more likely to be struggling with data from
legacy systems, data from forecasting, data from online feeds like currencies, and now data from Microsoft
Dynamics AX. Although in many cases all of this can add up to a reasonable amount of data, what is really
the focus for these Users is the integration and alignment of many data sources, not the management of
one large one.
Examples of this User type are easy: a User with 20 years of legacy ERP data who requires this and
Microsoft Dynamics AX to be reported on as one, a User with three external web feeds daily that requires
this data to align to Microsoft Dynamics AX and then create reports with calculated capability, a User
with four individual instances of Microsoft Dynamics AX, a User with Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft
Dynamics SL, and Salesforce, a Microsoft Dynamics AX User with specialty third party logistics engines,
and a User with global budgeting and forecasting solutions that are apart from Microsoft Dynamics AX.
This list can go on and on but is basically the story of most (if not all) Microsoft Dynamics AX Users. There
seems to be a lot of data but in A LOT of places.
In summary, the BI road for Microsoft Dynamics AX Users has for a long time been a confusing
one. There appears to be many vendors offering solutions that can apparently all do the job, and
then there are the offers from others to build it all as “your” business because “Mr. Customer” is so
different. I wrote an article back in 2013 for this same publication discussing how crazy it would
be for a business to build its own ERP in 2013 and applied the same concept to BI. Here we are two
years later, and more and more Users are realizing that investing in consultants and tools when there
are Wave 3 solutions already built to do what is needed is a massive risk to the business and to the
executives who make those decisions.
After 30 to 40 years of the focus being on the implementation of ERP and the alignment of data processes
as a result of this, we are entering an era where this is now changing to be all about the insights and all about
the outcomes that management can use to better manage their business. In this incredibly competitive age
for your business, BI may become a major differential between acceptable growth or not. The BI solution
you invest in must be able to future-proof you across new versions of Microsoft Dynamics AX as well as
support your need for more data, more analytics, and more Users as those who truly embrace data and BI
will undoubtedly provide their business with the best chance of success. AXUG
feature
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Q1 2015 | 15
As the world’s largest bedding provider
with more than 6,500 employees
around the globe, Tempur Sealy
International, Inc. develops,
manufactures, and markets
mattresses, adjustable bases, pillows, and other
comfort products in more than 100 countries.
Custom Work Versus
ISV Solutions
Tempur Sealy uses Microsoft Dynamics AX
in everything it does: from its manufacturing
plants to handling its financials, to managing its
purchasing and sales. Its Microsoft Dynamics AX
environment is dynamic to its business and fairly
pure without a ton of customization. “We try to
implement ISV solutions to integrate various
parts of the business instead of initiating custom
work,” says Joe Spinelle, director of ERP. “With a
basic standard view, we can stay up to date with
technology and adopt it as soon as it comes out
instead of dealing with inflexible customizations.”
This view has played a huge role in the
successful acquisition and subsequent integration
of Sealy into Tempur Sealy International, Inc., and
it continues to help the company in other areas,
including upgrades. Tempur Sealy is on track for
upgrading to Microsoft Dynamics AX R3 in the
May timeframe and is excited about a number of
features in that solution as well as recent releases.
“The new forecasting functionality in Microsoft
Dynamics AX is super exciting and has never been
available out of the box from Microsoft before,”
says Paul Martin, senior ERP analyst. “Being able
to pull in historical sales data and run algorithms
against that data will definitely help us build our
sales position, month to month, year to year.”
Joe adds, “The eCommerce upgrade and new
warehousing module in Microsoft Dynamics AX are
both very compelling. And there are new role-based
reporting features that we’re just starting to play
with out of the box, all of which are exciting for us to
unpack and see how it works with our organization.”
When it comes to business intelligence (BI) and
reporting best practices, Tempur Sealy focuses on
using the right tool for the right need. “For example,”
Paul says, “We made a conscious decision to not
use analysis cubes within Microsoft Dynamics AX
because it wasn’t as powerful as the solution offered
by Halo BI. This is unique to our business, and we
had to make that determination instead of just
going with what is offered out of the box.”
A Successful Acquisition
As Tempur Sealy prepares for its upgrade to
Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3, the company
will make sure to bring along the lessons
learned from its recent acquisition of Sealy.
COMPANY
Tempur Sealy International, Inc.
INTERVIEWEES
Joe Spinelle, director of ERP;
Paul Martin, senior ERP analyst
WEBSITE
www.tempursealy.com
HEADQUARTERS
Lexington, Kentucky
PHONE
336-861-3647
ESTABLISHED
1992; Tempur-Pedic acquired
Sealy in 2013 and subsequently
renamed itself Tempur Sealy
International, Inc. to recognize
the transformational nature of
its combination.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
6,500
MICROSOFT DYNAMICS AX
USER SINCE
2011
MICROSOFT DYNAMICS AX
VERSION
Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
R2; planning to upgrade to R3
in May
NUMBER OF USERS
700
A Standard View
Makes for Successful
Operations
user member showcase
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JOE SPINELLE PAUL MARTIN
16 | AXUG Magazine
“It’s very important for our systems to be standard across our
entire business. That includes going through every piece of the
process that is currently there, and then mapping that against
what Microsoft Dynamics AX does,” Joe explains. “Once we have a
standard view of processes, we can look at the all-up business and
determine opportunities for improvement.”
As a large organization, analyzing every part of the business
is challenging, to say the least. But Tempur Sealy has established
a sound process to gather the whole story, even within a large
organization. “No one really loves change, especially when it comes
to a significant business acquisition,” Joe says. “So, it’s important
to join efforts between IT and operations to really strengthen the
business relationship.”
Case in point: Tempur Sealy brought its internal business analysts
from various departments into the IT department and trained them
on day-to-day business using Microsoft Dynamics AX. The business
analysts remain in IT and serve as liaisons back to the business Users
to make sure business requirements are met by using and totally
understanding Microsoft Dynamics AX. This structure has been a
huge success at Tempur Sealy and continues to build a strong business.
“Do not make assumptions or short-check yourself from analysis,” Paul
says. “It’s that data that completes the story of your business and how
Microsoft Dynamics AX fits in.”
AXUG®: Concentrated Learning
Environment
In addition to the conferences being a big hit with the technology
department, Tempur Sealy has taken advantage of all the resources
and training available. “It’s a concentrated learning environment
where our Users can learn deeply how to use Microsoft Dynamics AX
for their specific roles,” says Joe. “The webinars, Summit, Academy,
and forums have all been tremendous resources.”
Additionally, Paul is getting involved in the Carolinas AXUG
chapter and serves on the board. “AXUG has stayed true to its
original mission,” Paul concludes. “It is a group of Users for the Users,
and everyone helps each other be successful.” AXUG
Q1 2015 | 17
topicon
We reached out to
AXUG Members
and asked what
tips they have for
fellow Users for
saving money
through better
BI and reporting.
Here’s what they
had to say:
Brian Cates CFO, Copper State Bolt & Nut Co. [email protected]
My perspective has always been that true business intelligence is having the right information
available to the right person at the right time. In most cases throughout business, this is having very
relevant, applicable information available to a User during his/her workday, in his/her workspace.
To us at Copper State this means having the information available to Users in the Microsoft Dynamics
AX form they are working in, whether that be a sales order, a customer inquiry, an item inquiry, or
something similar. While BI analysis may be valuable periodically in a robust cube or BI reporting tool,
day-to-day intelligence comes from on-the-spot information presented in a simple way.
We have devoted a lot of time to pulling information and summaries forward to the User entry
screens, so that Users have speedy access to information relevant to the task they are performing. We
have found that this helps them make better decisions, more informed choices, and enables them to
assist customers, vendors, and employees much more effectively.
Joris de Gruyter partner, technical services manager, Sikich LLP [email protected]
Start small and try to get quick and easy wins. You can empower smart Users with easy (and free)
tools like Power BI in Excel, and show them how they can access Microsoft Dynamics AX data using
OData, Excel add-ins, and more. Your money is initially better spent providing data to Users than
investing in fancy tools, since the data will be needed no matter what you end up choosing to do. Users
will find their own way and come up with great analytics and reports they can use on a daily basis.
Then think about deploying those to a team or organization level, potentially using more advanced
tools. From there you can start thinking dashboards and other jazz to roll out. You don’t know what
you don’t know, so starting small with free tools will help you get informed and comfortable with
your Microsoft Dynamics AX data and the concepts of analytics and reporting. You will find many
reports are similar in nature with differences only in detail or grouping and sorting, and this is where
well-researched business intelligence can shine and save you money.
...with AXUG® Members
1
2
2
1
Q1 2015 | 19
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AXUG offers many opportunities to get involved. You can choose the role that is best for you: Speak, write, present, facilitate, or lead. There
are many professional and personal reasons to volunteer, including the opportunity to:
AXUG.com now features a section dedicated to volunteerism. Visit it today, learn about the available opportunities, and sign up!
» Nurture new Users and help them become the next generation
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you can simply click the Volunteer icon on the home page.
Signing up is quick and easy. Visit www.axug.com/volunteeropportunities today!
20 | AXUG Magazine
Congratulations to Chris Marks of Performance Contractors, Inc. for winning the last issue’s
Word Find. Your prize is in the mail! Below are 25 words that relate to the topics and theme
in this issue of AXUG® Magazine. These words can be found in the grid horizontally, vertically,
diagonally, backwards, and forwards. Submit your completed Word Find for a chance to win
a gift certificate; simply scan and email your entry to [email protected].
Academy
AxMentor
AXUG
Business Intelligence
Chapter
Community
CPM Tools
Data Warehousing
Dawn Johnson
Events
Five Trends for BI
Implementation Tips
Learning
Microsoft
New Buzzword DWA
Public Sector
Reporting
Saving Money
Summit
Tempur-Pedic
Tips and Tricks
TJ Vassar
Users
Volunteers
ZAP
B T J V A S S A R A X A W D D R O W Z Z U B W E N
U D C H A P T R E T P A H C N I S S E N I S U B K
S A M M O C N O S N H O J N W A D S A V I N G E C
I T U T I P S L N R O T N E M R A R U P M E T C I
N A N Y D T L R E S T O O L S O T E T A N P D N R
E W I T N N E L S K U C I R T F A P O X M U A E T
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S R V M O N E Y S A V I M N G D A R L E D L A I N
I E O N S N H O J N W A D I S N R T S N A I W L A
I H B U Z Z W O R D D W A M T E E I M T C C A L R
B C O M M U N I T Y R S T I M R H I O O A S R E O
R N R N I T J V A S S N L C G T O G N R S E E T T
O E S O C Y O E L E A R N R N C U N E O R C H N C
F W K I R E H V R S A T S O I I S I Y S E T O I E
S B C T O N N E L T R X R S V D I T S N E O U S S
D U I A S O S N E N S T U O A E N R A H T R S S S
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T O N M T I G N I S U O H E R A W R N L O N T S R
E R A E P V S E C T O R S O R C I M P E V U I U T
V D S L A A C A D E M Y E E D A C A L A R L P B E
I T P P H S I M P L E M E N T A Z E N R S O S T V
F I I M C I P S A T E M P U R P E D I C T V A S I
N P T I S R E S U C O M M U S L O O T M P C N R F
Q1 2015 | 21
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22 | AXUG Magazine
story by Jon S. Oesch, AXUG Partner Member Jet Report | illustration by Shawn Olson
A survey by IDC and DM Review Magazine gives us these scary statistics:
» 17 months is the average implementation time for a business intelligence (BI) project
» 5 months needed on average to deploy the first usable BI artifact
» $1.1 million is the mean, annual expenditure on a BI project for companies with more than 1,000 employees
» 31% of BI projects are declared successful
» 36% confidence rate that the right data is available to the right people at the right time¹
Those numbers seem unrealistically horrible, yet as a company that builds and deploys BI environments for hundreds
of companies each year, we see IT groups and business Users facing them all the time. That is why data warehouse
automation (DWA) is such an exciting concept.
DWA uses technology to gain efficiencies and improve effectiveness in data warehousing processes. It is
more than the automation of ETL (extract, transform, and load) development; it automates the entire data
warehousing lifecycle, from planning, analysis, design, and development, even extending into operations,
maintenance, and change management.²
The idea behind DWA is to automate each part of the data warehouse lifecycle that can be automated,
so that the project team can focus on the parts that require more intellectual input than raw technological
horsepower. DWA does this by minimizing manual code writing and automating the repetitive, labor
intensive, time-consuming tasks normally associated with a data warehousing effort.
Proponents of DWA claim that using it will accomplish an initial BI implementation up to five times faster
than traditional methods. This results in a higher success rate for BI projects, and most importantly, it allows for
faster, better, and more cost-effective delivery of BI output to the business.
One of the widely accepted pitfalls of traditional data warehousing methodology has been that building a BI project is
a long, tiring, and expensive process. DWA offers a way to avoid those, and in fact, it has been doing so since 2006. The
Data Warehousing Institute (TDWI), a think tank devoted to all things data-related (and a great resource for education and
training), started teaching DWA classes in 2014 and has included the technology as one of the emerging trends for 2015
and beyond.
Data warehouse automation will thrive: Data warehouse architecture and implementation has transitioned from an art to a science. When combined with the increasing demand for analytics and User frustration with delays, automation will drive the development of new and/or additional products to automate the data warehouse life cycle, including design, creation, operations, and change management.³
What this trend implies is that we can change the way we think about building a data warehouse. The
expected practice of extensive up-front analysis, design, and modeling is left behind. The mindset changes
from “get it right the first time” to “develop fast and frequently.”
Enough of the theory! Let’s go back to the scary statistics and use them to discuss the practical applications of
DWA. Their root causes can be broken down into three categories: technical issues, data issues, and organizational issues.
COST OFGOODS SOLD
[COGS]
SQL SERVERINTEGRATION
SERVICES[SSIS]
EXTRACTTRANSFORM
LOAD[ETL]
BUSINESSINTELLIGENCE
[BI]Q1 2015 | 23
Technical Issues
Building a data warehouse and set of OLAP cubes is largely an effort in writing masses of SQL code.
Code is what moves data from a source system (like your ERP) to a target system (like a data warehouse).
Code is used to define metrics, create data structures like product hierarchies, and conduct calculations
both simple and complex. Building a data warehouse with manual code is time-consuming, labor-intensive,
and error-prone, sometimes taking a skilled SQL programmer hours to move a single field from a source
database to a target destination.
You can think of any DWA platform as a code-generating machine. Instead of writing a block of SQL
code, you use a mouse click. The substantial amount of code that comprises a SQL Server Integration
Services (SSIS) transfer package to move a field from the transactional database (such as Microsoft
Dynamics AX) to a data warehouse is generated in the background. The same underlying tools and
processes are used as if it was done by hand, but the difference is that it takes about a second to complete
the operation instead of an hour of coding. The raw speed advantage is obvious, but since the process is
programmatic (i.e., done by a machine the same way every time), human error is eliminated, testing time
is greatly reduced, and re-working the code to fix errors is not necessary. Time and money are saved, and
results are delivered faster.
Data Issues
Data is messy. Any large data set is guaranteed to have gaps, errors, and duplications, among other
atrocities. These need to be discovered, understood, and rectified before the data can get used. This exercise
is often time-consuming because there is usually a need to combine several data sets in order to get a full
view of company operations. For example, combing CRM information (the date a sales opportunity was
entered) with the ERP financial module (the date a first invoice was posted) will give you sales cycle times
and allow for financial projections. Now there are two messy data sets to deal with, and in the real world,
we usually end up dealing with many more.
A typical multi-database scenario involves trying to get data from multiple source systems to match.
One system records a specific type of revenue transaction, but for whatever legitimate business reason,
this is not the system of record for the company. Turns out that the system of record has a different chart
of accounts structure than the other system. In order for the revenue transactions to flow into the correct
revenue accounts, a mapping exercise must take place. If you were using traditional methods, you would
need to write and maintain SQL code to handle this mapping. This is a great example of a time-consuming,
repetitive task that doesn’t require human creativity and is better accomplished through automation. DWA
software would do this with a mouse click – generating the code in the background – in seconds. It is
the same for other field transformation tasks, scheduling jobs, and generating documentation – all are
candidates for automation.
You can think of any DWA platform as a code-
generating machine. Instead of writing a block of
SQL code, you use a mouse click.
24 | AXUG Magazine
Organizational Issues
This is often the hardest. A shared vision and understanding of the data and the numbers must be created
in order to deliver a BI product that business people will use. It is vitally important to get everybody on
the same page about what data is important and how it is to be used. Everyone must understand and agree
on which individual pieces of data will come together to tell the story of the organization and how it is
operating. For example, it doesn’t really matter if gross profit is defined as sales minus COGS (cost of goods
sold), or if it is defined as sales minus COGS plus SGA (selling, general, and administrative expenses).
What matters is that everybody comes to an agreement on the method – and that can be hard.
Obviously a piece of software is not going to create a shared vision. But the ease, and speed, at which
results can be delivered using a DWA platform can help. DWA allows you to combine disparate pieces of
data quickly, take them through a complete BI development cycle, and deliver the result to the business to
see if it works. This exercise would be unthinkable in the traditional model because it would take weeks, if
not months, to do. The potential time waste and failure would be catastrophic to the project. With DWA,
this can be completed in hours, and in essence, it allows you to fail fast. Results can be tested by business
Users immediately and changed quickly if they are incorrect. IT and the business typically find themselves
going through a collaborative process to design, build, and deliver BI products. That’s right, IT and the
business working together on a shared vision about data and how to make it most useful.
Maybe that is what is most intriguing about the promise of DWA: It is a technology that solves long-
standing problems and has a ripple effect on non-technology issues. It allows us to get to what is important
from a BI project: The ability to respond quickly to changing business conditions. Business Users are getting
what they want, when they want it, as opposed to what they asked for six months ago. Rapid time-to-value
is consistently realized since new BI and analytic functionality can be delivered in days instead of months.
Big Data. In-Memory. Self-Service BI. Data Discovery. Cloud BI. Mobile BI – so many exciting things
are happening on the BI landscape, and so many new buzzwords are popping up. We think data warehouse
automation is one of the most practical we have seen in a long time. If you are looking to avoid becoming
a “scary statistic” yourself, I invite you to take a closer look at DWA to see if it is right for you. AXUG
1 DM Review & IDC Business Intelligence Survey, October 2004 & 20062 TDWI – Dave Wells, April 15, 2014. http://tdwi.org/Articles/2014/04/15/Data-Warehouse-Automation.
aspx?Page=13 That Was the Year That Was: Major Data Warehousing Events of 2014 (and Predictions for 2015) – December
16, 2014, TDWI.org
DWA allows you to combine disparate pieces
of data quickly, take them through a comlete BI
development cycle, and deliver the result to the
business to see if it works.
Q1 2015 | 25
TJ Vassar is a senior program manager
with the Microsoft Dynamics AX
business intelligence (BI) and
reporting team. He’s been with
Microsoft since 1994, starting
out on Microsoft Money, and has been on the
Microsoft Dynamics AX team for the past seven
years. TJ focuses on the reporting framework and
BI visualizations using aggregate data, so we took
the opportunity to visit with him about BI today
and tomorrow.
AXUG®: How does your team approach BI and
reporting in Microsoft Dynamics AX?
TJ Vassar (TV): Our approach to BI and reporting
is focused on reducing technical barriers and
enabling broader adoption throughout enterprise
resource planning. We are deeply committed
to role-based BI while empowering people to
continue using familiar tools. Through persistent
Customer and Partner engagements, we are able
to identify new opportunities in the market and
routinely work with industry experts to help
redefine what it means to have an immersive BI
experience in ERP.
The road ahead is well-defined, and our goals
for the next release (dubbed Microsoft Dynamics
AX 7) are clear. Our passion revolves around
enabling people to be more productive in a
“mobile first, cloud first” business environment,
and this has a profound impact on the services
and tools we build. The world around us is quickly
changing, and we’re doing our best to make sure
we’re prepared to take advantage of all that it has
to offer.
AXUG: Let’s talk about the “mobile first” part
of that statement. Can you talk at all about
mobile advancements to Microsoft Dynamics
AX?
TV: We recognize that people are doing their
daily activities using multiple devices. Where
before, people were limited to a workstation, they
now have mobile phones, laptops, and tablets to
accompany their personal computer. Of course,
this dramatically changes the way that people
are conducting their business practices. And,
we’re working hard to support this evolution by
leveraging the power of the cloud to promote
smarter processes and improved methods for
completing tasks.
Specifically with reporting, we’re making sure
that Users have access to the information they
need, when they need it, and wherever they need
access to it.
AXUG: You mentioned that you’re engaged
with Customers and Partners to identify
opportunities. Tell us a little about those
engagements.
TV: By far, the two most influential sources of
information are our developer community and
our Customers. We spend a great deal of time
working directly with developers to understand
their challenges and get first-hand insights into
application requirements.
Beyond that, we talk directly with Customers,
both large and small. We’re not focusing just on
enterprise Customers, but also on small to mid-
size organizations as their requirements vary
greatly.
We truly value direct community feedback
through channels like Yammer groups, our MSDN
blog, and YouTube channels. In fact, I dedicate a
large percentage of my time to these communities
to keep a pulse on discussions that are trending in
the field.
AXUG: Let’s talk a little about Microsoft
Dynamics AX 7. How have the BI reviews
been from Users and Partners in the feedback
programs?
TV: I’m quite proud to say that the initial reviews
from Partners have been extremely positive. We
believe this is the result of three key advancements.
First is the fact that we’ve really made BI and
TJ Vassar
senior program manager
microsoft showcase
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26 | AXUG Magazine
aggregate data a first-class citizen of the
application. We’ve made huge leaps in
terms of making BI available to everyone
in an organization – not just those who
know how to construct complex business
models.
Second, we now offer a comprehensive
and easy-to-follow application methodology
through Microsoft Dynamics Lifecycle
Services, and people are finding it very
helpful as they prepare to gauge the amount
of work required to migrate to Microsoft
Dynamics AX 2012.
Finally, we’ve lowered the barrier
for deploying Microsoft Dynamics
AX, effectively reducing the overhead
in managing development, test, and
production environments. Just the idea
that you can outsource much of your
deployment IT offers Customers a huge
opportunity. Microsoft Dynamics AX 7
really is a best-of-breed platform allowing
businesses to scale deployments as the
organization grows.
AXUG: Do you have any advice for
Users who are looking to either improve
or begin a BI practice within their
organizations?
TV: It’s really about understanding a
process end to end, not just the technology
used to support it, but also the flow of
information and how to identify the
potential bottlenecks that exist.
It’s about bridging a holistic
understanding of business processes and
leveraging the right technology to simplify
Customers’ lives. We believe BI, when used
appropriately, will be intuitive to the User,
a natural part of the process, and ultimately
it should augment the experience, making
for more informed decisions throughout
the organization.
That’s BI in a nutshell. However, I must
stress that it takes a lot of thought and
planning upfront to provide people with
that type of experience.
AXUG: That’s for sure! Is there anything
else you’d like to share with Users?
TV: I’d like to reiterate how exciting it is to
witness how quickly things are evolving in this space, from services like Power BI to our ability
to support hybrid deployments, we’re on the verge of a major advancement in the world of ERP.
It’s a great time to get involved, and I’m excited to come to work every day so that I can be a part
of it. AXUG
Q1 2015 | 27
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Kristine Greenlee, director of enterprise business
solutions at Provide-Commerce, got some great
advice at Convergence 2014 and hasn’t looked back!
Kristine says, “My colleague and I were advised by fellow
Convergence attendees that they would never think
about going through a Microsoft Dynamics AX go-live without AXUG®.”
They got the hint, joined AXUG, and soon were hit by a wealth
of information impacting their use of Microsoft Dynamics AX.
“We haven’t regretted signing up so quickly,” says Kristine. “I really
appreciate the informative forums and website, plus the access to
other Microsoft Dynamics AX Users to learn from their experiences.”
In addition to routinely accessing information online, Kristine
recalls her most recent Academy learning experience with Murray
Fife. “Murray’s Configuration Series on AXUG Academy has been
invaluable to us.” She continues, “The timing is perfect as we prepare
for our initial go-live on Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3. And to top
it off, each class includes Murray’s Barebones Configuration guides
which are very detailed, step-by-step guides. That’s worth the price
of the training alone!”
Kristine is feeling more and more confident in her role by learning
how Microsoft Dynamics AX operates so she can make effective use
of it for her company. “AXUG Academy gives Users such a valuable
opportunity to really see how Microsoft Dynamics AX works for
specific roles. It’s quality hands-on training at a great price.” AXUG
learnfocus on education
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from a
KRISTINE GREENLEE
COLLEAGUE’S ADVICE
BUILDING CONFIDENCE
Q1 2015 | 29
Take a moment to visit your Profile and update your information. It will
help you make more meaningful connections, enable you to share your
experience and credentials and bring depth to your online presence.
Updating your profile only takes a few minutes and can make a great
difference in the connections you make in the Microsoft Dynamics AX
community. Visit www.axug.com today and get started. AXUG
The AXUG® website (www.axug.com) is a great place to find information,
register for events, access recorded webinars, and connect with others.
It also includes a Profile section where you can upload information about
yourself, control your account settings, and access your history with the
Microsoft Dynamics AX User Group community.
What’s New AXUG WebsiteFocus on Profile
Why is it important for me to update my Profile?
Updating your information is an important aspect of being part of the
Microsoft Dynamics AX community. In this area you control:
» Mailing Address » Billing Address
» Areas of Interest » Change Your Password
» Join Another User Group » Renew Your Existing Membership
You can also add your primary role and job title. This is especially
important for the Member Directory advanced search feature. The
more information you include, the more you increase your ability to
connect with other like-minded professionals. It’s a great way to build
your contacts and expand your network.
What is my Profile?
The Profile section of AXUG.com is a central place on the site for
all your information. This area contains your contact information,
registration history, community subscriptions, and company
information. It also includes biographical information that you’ve
chosen to include, such as education background, social networks,
and professional experience. You are the only one who can update
your profile and you control the privacy settings for who sees the
information.
Are there privacy settings?
Does the Profile section list events I am registered for as well as events I have attended?
Yes, the amount of information shared is controlled by each User. You can
choose to only share information with contacts you have made, with other
Members, make it open to the public, or choose the setting that only you
can see. These setting choices apply to each piece of information you have
included. To access your privacy settings:
» Sign into the www.axug.com site
» Click on Profile from the drop-down arrow in the top right (next
to the photo area)
» Scroll down the page and click on My Settings >> Privacy Settings
Yes, it includes your entire registration history with AXUG. You can
view upcoming events you are registered for and access a list of past
events. To access your registration history:
» Sign into the www.axug.com site
» Click on Profile from the drop-down arrow in the top right
(next to the photo area)
» Scroll down to the blue bar on the page and click My Registrations
When you view your upcoming events, you can click on Details for the
event and view your receipt or download an iCal/ICS reminder to your
calendar.
ON THE
30 | AXUG Magazine
Register today!
RENO TAHOE 2015●October 12-16, 2015
Learn more today about this must-attend event:
axugsummit.com
This is my third year attending AXUG Summit, and I have found it to be an invaluable source of knowledge. - Alison W.
“What she said...
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BACK TO THE BASICS:
ULRIK PEDERSON
COO, TARGIT
NOAH KLUGE
senior manager of business intelligence,
Armanino
DAVID WICKETT
director of analytics, Hitachi Solutions
Hot Business Intelligence Trends in 2015
AXUG®: What do you foresee being the next hot business intelligence (BI) topic in 2015?
Dave Wickett (DW): Let me start out by saying that I found it very helpful that Ulrik recently posted his BI predictions
for 2015 on his blog. So, there’s a little intro; Ulrik, you can go first.
Ulrik Pederson (UP): Haha! Thank you, Dave. Yes, I do have three predictions that I believe will get some press in 2015. 1.
Embedded BI, which is driven by mobile BI and wearable devices that I see pushed directly into manufacturing equipment,
point of sale systems, and also throughout the Microsoft Dynamics AX platform. 2. A larger focus and discipline on data
governance. And 3. User-driven data visualization and experimentation.
DW: Ulrik hits some great points, but I have a slightly different perspective on what’s next in 2015. All the big names are in
the game of BI; we have great User-interfaces, feature rich visualization and dashboards, and huge capability, but instead of
chasing the next shiny object, businesses will rationalize how to take their data and do something with it. I think they now
realize it’s time to stop opening the floodgates and shift to rationalize what data they can and should maintain. Once they
do that, they can reach the predictive modeling phase where mid-tier business tools are starting to match the capability of
Google and Facebook.
UP: Yes, I agree. Users are now beginning to understand that they can benefit greatly from access to external data that
means something to their business, like competitor intelligence and publicly available data, i.e. the U.S. Census Bureau.
Noah Kluge (NK): To expand on what Dave was saying, I think businesses will address the fundamentals more in 2015.
Ulrik shared a few forward-looking trends, but a lot of the companies aren’t even doing the basics. The economy is
starting to open up where companies can now feel comfortable tackling some fundamental projects. I think companies
will implement data warehousing to address the basics before they move on to the next “big” thing.
Nils Rasmussen (NR): Hotness comes in many different flavors. Instead of focusing on what will make the biggest headlines
like Dave and Noah mentioned, I think Users will focus on what’s hot in the real world. And that is self-service BI. In
2015, Users will expect to do it all on their own without much IT help. They need to: A. Be able to write their own reports
on demand and set up auto distribution of that data. B. They will be able to configure and manage their own budgeting
32 | AXUG Magazine
ROB SHILLINGER
consulting manager of analytics,
Hitachi Solutions
NILS RASMUSSEN
principal, Solver
forecasting models. C. They will be able to define and deploy their own dashboards and tools. And D. Be able to empower
their end-Users to answer their business questions on their own with minimal training using data-discovery tools.
Keith Peterson (KP): Yes, BI end-Users have become much more sophisticated. The demographic trend of hiring younger
MBAs that are more quantitative and more demanding of the tools means that general-purpose BI isn’t sufficient. So I
think providing and implementing tools targeted to their industry with KPIs and analytics that are specific to their
business and their job will take high priority. 2015 will also be much more predictive. We’ll see more KPIs and dashboards
based on forecasting algorithms.
Rob Shillinger (RS): I think the BI perspective is changing. It really comes down to “stories”. People are going to be telling
stories using data visualization versus numbers. Accomplishing this takes a lot of governance, so it’s easy to match up and
is accurate. Data governance is thus underlying the foundation of telling your story accurately with data. Businesses need
to see where they’ve been and where they’re going. That can only be achieved by teaming up a marketing person and a
data scientist to find the competitive advantage or trend that they can take advantage of.
KP: Yes, when we do reports or create stories for clients, they’re much more ROI-focused. Companies are starting to
leverage BI and focus on sales and operations planning. By bringing that data together, they are balancing sales and
demand forecasting with operational forecasting planning to be a more efficient business.
UP: Basic BI and P&L reporting is as important as ever in the understanding of a company’s vision. I, too, am still seeing
companies get basics in place to achieve predictive analytics. It’s not a new discipline by any means, but there is a new
focus on that recently.
KP: Now that organizations have plenty of data and technology to work with, there will be a much deeper focus on
leveraging algorithms and predictive analysis. This will take higher priority during ERP deployments.
DW: Predictive analytics is also getting much more visibility in the marketplace. Just look at all the cool stuff they do for
elections, bringing in real-time data along with social media information. It’s getting more main-stream and well-known.
Data sciences has made it easy for people to use data in a meaningful way, and this was a rare occurrence just five years ago.
KEITH PETERSON
CEO and president, Halo BI
Q1 2015 | 33
AXUG: How do we get Users back to the basics?
NR: Because the market is flooded with BI tools, it can be easy to lose track of a company’s core BI needs.
Users need to manage their processes in a simpler fashion through self-analysis of their business. The first
step is to figure out the highest area of ROI for a BI project and then find the right tool for the job. Pay
attention to the simplest way to deploy, maintain, learn, and use. Modern BI suites are starting to meet
those needs; if not in one solution, a few best-of-breed (BOB) products can do the trick.
DW: The questions they should always have front of mind are, “What is the objective? What business
problem are you trying to solve?”
NK: Users should never implement technology simply for the sake of it. Make sure you can state your
business reason for what you’re implementing. Knowing that will bring you to square one when it comes
to your data.
UP: Big data can confuse more people than help them. In the space we play in, it’s not all big companies.
So no matter how big your company is, make sure to dissect your data to see what actually affects revenue.
There’s no reason to pull in data that doesn’t affect your business.
KP: To add to that, Users need to blend big data with structured information and then manage that
efficiently. You can move data back and forth and yet never get to leverage that information effectively.
Blending big data and traditional data provides algorithms to address specific areas of business.
RS: Technology is no longer about the shiny objects. Avoid the distractions to really understand your
goals and the ROI that you want to achieve. And then define what information you need to help drive the
attainment of these goals, such as increasing revenue. This will then help define the technology needed to
support goal attainment.
NR: Yes, don’t get too distracted by shiny objects or sexy demos. There are lots of fancy dashboards and
“...don’t get too distracted by shiny
objects or sexy demos. There are lots
of fancy dashboards and visualization,
and it’s easy to get caught up in that.”
34 | AXUG Magazine
“The ‘one version of the truth’ has not
died out yet, and I don’t see that ever
falling to the wayside.”
visualization, and it’s easy to get caught up in that. Look inward first and see areas where you’re suffering,
prioritize them, and then look to see if there’s one complete BI solution or a BOB solution available.
AXUG: Looking back over the years, what has consistently been a high priority for Users when it comes to BI?
UP: The “one version of the truth” has not died out yet, and I don’t see that ever falling to the wayside.
DW: Definitely agree. Single source of the truth and the right data for the right purpose.
NK: Yeah, Ulrik hit it on the head. The initial focus of BI was to replace manual spreadsheets that companies
struggled with, better known as “Excel Hell.” The fundamental impact of BI technology today has taken
us out of that world or at least given us more options to deliver the objective of “one version of the truth”.
RS: Data quality and credibility. All clients need to see credible information.
KP: Yes, I agree. BI aggregates and displays, but it doesn’t always validate. Data quality is the key underlying
factor, especially when you’re pulling from multiple data sources. That’s always a priority, but it’s a hard
factor to streamline.
NR: Although these continue to be high priorities for Users, many variables have spanned the life of
BI making it what it is today. The ’90s were the birth of BI, focused more on completely automating
manual budgeting, reporting, and analysis tasks, and that is also when the first dashboards and
visualization were released. Then BI began to mature during the 2000s with data warehousing and
more web-based functionality. Now in the third decade of BI, self-service is a major requirement.
After the financial crisis of ’08 and ’09, finance teams have slimmed down and realized the need to do
things faster and on their own without BI experts. Through the use of modern Excel add-ins and web
portals, cloud deployments, and mobile apps, BI is getting easier and more accessible. Tools are now
built to be managed by business Users, not just IT people or dedicated product experts. We’re at a
great point in the evolution of BI! AXUG
Q1 2015 | 35
Make Your Own Rules
Experlogix CPQCo g re Pri e Q o e or
i ro o i i e experlogix o
learna c adem y cor ner
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G
Microsoft Dynamics AX
CONFIGURATION
SERIES
Microsoft Dynamics AX may seem like a
complex business system, but that doesn’t
mean it needs to be complicated. Join
Murray Fife, a Microsoft Dynamics AX
MVP, for the Microsoft Dynamics AX
Configuration Series as he shows you how easy it is to set up
a company within Microsoft Dynamics AX with all the core
elements to run your business. This is a great starting point
for your own ERP implementation as well as for gaining an
understanding of the key features within Microsoft Dynamics AX.
Through hands-on exercises, you will learn how to set up
your own Microsoft Dynamics AX company from scratch and
configure the base modules such as General Ledger, Accounts
Receivable, and Accounts Payable. You will continue to build
on what you have learned to configure Inventory Control,
Sales, and Purchasing, giving you a great foundation of the
capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics AX.
The AXUG® Academy Microsoft Dynamics AX
Configuration Series classes include:
» Company and General Ledger Setup
» Cash Management Setup
» Accounts Receivable Setup
» Accounts Payable Setup
» Financial Approvals and Workflows
» Inventory Management
» Sales and Marketing
» Purchase Order Management
Visit www.axug.com/academy for more details; the
“Get Help on This Page” link provides registration
information. Murray has developed additional training
resources and has made them available for download
from the Microsoft Dynamics AX Companions website
www.dynamicsaxcompanions.com. AXUG
Q1 2015 | 37
AXMentor is an international Microsoft
Partner that provides cross-vertical
solutions and advanced support
solutions for Microsoft Dynamics
AX. From manufacturing and
distribution, financial and professional services to
public sector, AXMentor has been the trusted advisor
for medium and large national and international
companies since 2006. AXMentor delivers a full
suite of services including Microsoft Dynamics AX
implementations, upgrades, and support as well
as Microsoft Cloud and Infrastructure Solutions.
AXUG: How did AXMentor get its start?
Lauge Mathiasen (LM): AXMentor started out
in 2006 focusing primarily on international clients,
addressing their unique needs for building Microsoft
Dynamics AX solutions that could be rolled out to
their subsidiaries in a fast and secure way. We all
had strong Microsoft Dynamics AX experience,
and given our European backgrounds, we opened
our first offices in Copenhagen and London. After
working closely with Microsoft and a few large
Microsoft Dynamics AX Customers, we established
a U.S. office in 2008, and I moved to California in
2009. We have been successful ever since due to the
Microsoft Dynamics AX market growth and with the
help of Microsoft’s product investments.
AXUG: Tell me a little about what AXMentor
does.
LM: First and foremost, we are solution advisors
to our clients. We help them navigate and deploy
what’s coming from Microsoft – new versions
of the product, the cloud, Microsoft’s product
roadmap, and more. We also build and deliver
end-to-end implementations for Microsoft
Dynamics AX, taking clients from discovery to
go-live with their solution. This includes upgrades
as well, since our clients look at upgrades as a
business case and almost as a re-implementation
to get all the benefits out of Microsoft’s R&D. We
also support our clients with a set of services to
help with installation management, performance
optimization, data management, and end-User
training. We are basically a one-stop support
desk for our clients, supporting more than
6,000 Users today. Additionally, we build and
design infrastructure while helping clients
choose between on-premises, cloud, or hybrid
deployments.
AXUG: Your passion for educating Users is very
apparent from AXUG eyes. You’ve been very
involved with us over the years.
LM: Yes, we’ve presented at AXUG Summit
every year since 2009. Like many years before, we
presented at AXUG Summit 2014 in St. Louis,
had 25 employees attend, and also sponsored 25
tickets to clients so they can stay knowledgeable
as to what’s current and what’s coming. We have
true partnerships with our clients and want to give
them the tools they need so they can keep learning,
and we find AXUG a valuable part of that.
We’ve also had the opportunity to present and
participate at chapter meetings in London, Rome,
COMPANY
AXMentor
INTERVIEWEE
Lauge Mathiasen, CEO
WEBSITE
www.axmentor.com
PHONE
646-201-4560
HEADQUARTERS
San Diego, California
ADDITIONAL OFFICES IN
Southern California
Seattle
London
Copenhagen
ESTABLISHED
2006
AXUG® PARTNER SINCE
2009
AXMentor
var partner member showcase
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38 | AXUG Magazine
Southern California, Utah, and throughout the Midwest. We find
these events to be very valuable because they provide great learning
environments in smaller groups, where attendees aren’t shy to ask
questions, and we, as presenters, get to go over real-world scenarios
and help Users find answers to questions that really matter to them.
AXUG: Since we’re focusing on business intelligence (BI) in this
issue, how does BI play a role in your implementations?
LM: When we look at BI, we basically start with a reporting
requirements conversation in general. BI means very different things
to different people. We begin by mapping reporting needs by persona,
using Microsoft’s role-driven reporting approach, to define what type
of needs people have across the organization. From there, we marry
reporting needs with the tools available within Microsoft Dynamics
AX as well as add-on tools. We typically see that in addition to
Management Reporter, Atlas is a very relevant tool. When it comes
to BI, we like the TARGIT solution, which we also use internally.
AXUG: You’ve seen Microsoft Dynamics AX through the years.
What do you love most about the product today?
LM: From a feature-set point of view, it’s now so rich. With the right
consulting advice, there’s so much you can do out of the box. It’s also
easier and faster to deliver now because of the new capabilities. It’s a
great time to be a User!
AXUG: What’s next for AXMentor in 2015?
LM: We’ll be heavily focused on building out frameworks to deliver
mobile capabilities, which is in line with Microsoft’s product roadmap
and strategy: mobile first, cloud first.
We’re excited about how we can leverage Microsoft’s Life Cycle
Services (LCS) to implement projects faster and safer to give clients
that one-portal view of the implementation, and how to manage their
environment after the solution is live.
Historically, we’ve always been the first to implement the new
versions of Microsoft Dynamics AX. Once Microsoft releases a new
version, we go live internally so we can learn all about the new solution
for our clients. We don’t just talk the talk; we also walk the walk. Our
goal is to be one of the first to go live with Microsoft Dynamics AX
7, currently set to release in Q4 of this year per Microsoft’s roadmap.
In order to get ready for that upgrade and to keep up with our steady
growth, we’re hiring additional top talent to join our team, especially
as we move into the cloud and the world of app development. 2015
will be and already is an exciting year for us! AXUG
“As our Partner since 2010, AXMentor truly lives up to its name by mentoring our
development team and our Users, an approach which brings long-term value, not
short-term fixes. With AXMentor’s assistance, we have been able to move the
majority of our business processes into Microsoft Dynamics AX, unlocking the
value of our investment in ERP. Additionally, Microsoft Dynamics AX provides a
comprehensive, yet flexible platform and an easy-to-leverage database. Together,
AXMentor and Dynamics AX give us a real advantage in the marketplace.”
Brian Millsap, senior vice president and chief information officer,Hampton Products International Corporation
Q1 2015 | 39
40 | AXUG Magazine
feature
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story by Luanne McPherson, AXUG Partner Member deFacto Global
illustration by Dave Swang
It’s no longer business as usual for business planners as new roles, tools, and methods have come
into play. The new normal is reflected in the new breed of CFOs, whose role has stretched beyond
the traditional boundaries of accounting and reporting and who are now responsible for guiding
the strategic direction of their organizations.
Effective decision making in today’s business environment requires the agility to respond rapidly
to changing business realities. To forecast, plan, budget, and manage their businesses, planners must be
able to not only track the flow of money throughout their organization, but also to build a comprehensive
model of the business that allows them to assess potential directions and weigh decisions.
Unfortunately, as Gartner reports,1 while the new breed of CFOs is assuming responsibility for steering
their organizations in forward-looking directions, the tools at hand are not always up to the task. CFOs,
Gartner explains, have been dealing with aging systems and struggling to make progress with business
intelligence (BI) and analytics.
Where Old Performance Management Tools Fall Short
Effective business planning requires assembling and analyzing a large set of data that tends to be spread
out across an organization in disconnected silos. While ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics AX
are able to collect certain types of data and perform processes like transaction processing, they lack the
business modeling and analysis capabilities of corporate performance management (CPM) tools that are
designed for business modeling and planning.
The current generation of aging performance tools is buckling under the weight of surging volumes of
data and data sources that must be aggregated and analyzed to make effective business decisions. The
systems’ inability to handle large volumes of data can cause several crippling problems:
» As data volume increases, the software’s performance suffers.
» As the number and variety of data sources grows, the systems become cumbersome to use and deliver
less reliable results.
» Because the window of opportunity to collect data tends to be small, more pressure is put on the
system, resulting in poor performance at the most important “crunch” times.
» End-Users must log out of the system while processing takes place, resulting in the loss of many hours
of productive work time.
The scalability and performance limitation of older performance management systems also restrict their
capability to perform analysis and planning at a granular enough level to make precise decisions and plans.
CPM ToolsNew Intelligent
Let You Follow the Money and Guide Your Business
Q1 2015 | 41
The New Reality Is Real Time
The traditional method of business planning has been a yearly exercise that has been hampered by a
long, laborious, and inefficient data collection process. By the time the data is collected, aggregated, and
analyzed, the data has become obsolete, and business conditions have changed.
In today’s rapidly moving environment, CFOs must not only have faster access to data, but also a new
generation of higher-performance CPM tools that can give them complete business models that can be
updated within minutes of new data becoming available. From a manufacturer’s point of view, that means
CFOs are making important operational decisions based on real-time market conditions impacting the shop
floor and throughout the entire supply chain. This need is reflected in Gartner’s latest CFO surveys, which
show that business applications and business analytics are the top two investment priorities of the CFO.2
Where Traditional BI and CPM Systems Fall Short
To achieve the best performance, every business must be able to quickly assemble and analyze a broad
range of internal and external factors that uniquely influence that business. Although BI systems are very
good at data visualization, they do not offer a complete and fully integrated approach for analyzing the
impact of decisions, strategic planning, and managing a business.
BI systems are limited in this capacity because they are intrinsically data-centric. They utilize standalone
sets of historical data that do not reflect all aspects of a business and require subjective interpretation.
Outdated CPM products are also a problem. For instance, in the case of one manufacturer, its aging
performance management tool was causing a number of impediments. It took hours to accrue and process
large volumes of data, sales and purchase data were out of sync, ad hoc reports were difficult to create, and
drilling down into data was not possible. All of these problems were alleviated when the manufacturer
switched to a modern performance management system.
New Intelligent Performance Management Tools
Fortunately, as Gartner, CPM Partners, TEC, and other analysts note, help is arriving in the form of a new
generation of business analytics tools that enable CFOs to analyze decisions and create plans based on all
influencing factors. Rather than operating on historical data, the tools provide a business model-centric system
that intrinsically represents the business. This model gives CFOs a single point of reference for analyzing the
financial impact of decisions, strategic planning, and managing their business to achieve the best performance.
The new generation of performance management tools complements and enhances many ERP systems,
including Microsoft Dynamics AX. In manufacturing operations, for example, the data can be rolled up through
the ERP system from the shop floor to the CPM system to calculate key performance indicators (KPIs) based on
almost any aspect of the production process, such as days of inventory, materials costs and usage, and margins.
Planners can also drill down into ERP systems to retrieve detailed information at the most granular
levels, such as invoices and cost-of-materials data. In each of these cases, the data flows back to the model,
so it gets updated automatically, as do all the calculations that use that data (KPIs, forecasts, budgets, etc.).
Universal Benefits
Businesses of every stripe can reap similar benefits. For media planners, real-time data can be accessed
continually to enable the most cost-effective media buying. Similarly, telecom, Internet, and cloud-infrastructure
providers can build complete business models that enable them to test end-to-end network scenarios.
By embracing the new generation of intelligent performance management tools, businesses across all
industries can build business models and perform analyses that enable them to achieve more accurate and
timely forecasting and planning capabilities. AXUG
1 2 Gartner, “Leveraging CPM Innovation With Leading Trends in Technology,” John E. Van Decker, Christopher
Lervolino, October 29, 2014.
The views expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the views of AXUG.
feature
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42 | AXUG Magazine
CERTIFIED FOR
AX 2012
of o in a ion o anda d nancin n o y o c od c ion d aand human resource in Microsoft Dynamics® AX.
u ort for ad hoc re enti e and condition ased maintenance Tools for warranty tracking and advanced fault analysis Mo ile client o timi ed for the maintenance worker Touch ased downtime registration client for the factory oor
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Structured downtime registration combined with our lant Maintenance rogram all directly available within our
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sponsorsAXUG SUMMIT EST. 2005
Celebrating 10 Years!
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ZAP Business Intelligence
We truly appreciate your support of the 2014 AXUG Summit in St. Louis.
The AXUG member experiences would not have been the same without YOU!
We look forward to seeing you all in Reno in 2015!
Please support our sponsors! 46 | AXUG Magazine
NAME THAT PHOTO
CONTEST
Caught in conversation, what do
you think these AXUG® Members
are discussing?
Simply email your submission to
[email protected]. The
winning submission will be printed
in the magazine’s next issue.
Q4 CONTEST WINNER:
VE Chip Thiel of
Ohio Gratings, Inc.
“Where’s the Filter button…?”
Q1 2015 | 47
ZAP is focused on delivering rapidly-
deployed, business-focused business
intelligence software and solutions
for Microsoft Dynamics.
AXUG: Tell me more about ZAP Business
Intelligence.
Garth Laird (GL): We specialize in the provision
of business intelligence (BI) solutions for the
Microsoft Dynamics AX and Microsoft Dynamics
CRM marketplace. ZAP is one of 25 global ISVs
working directly with Microsoft to provide
industry solutions and support for Microsoft
Dynamics AX development. Out of those 25,
we are the one and only global ISV for BI in the
Microsoft Dynamics AX space.
Our goal through this global ISV initiative is to
be the one-stop-shop for all Microsoft Dynamics
AX Customers, providing one BI solution so
Customers can avoid confusion when undergoing
discovery for their Microsoft Dynamics AX BI
implementation. By aligning our ZAP solutions
directly with Microsoft Dynamics AX, we mitigate
risk for Customers and streamline functionality
since it’s integrated directly to their ERP software.
AXUG: In 2013, Microsoft became a ZAP
Customer. Can you tell me a little bit about
that relationship?
GL: Yes, Microsoft purchased a ZAP solution to
assist with BI integration of Microsoft Dynamics
and non-Microsoft Dynamics data sources.
AXUG: What are the underlying trends or basic
needs for companies when it comes to their BI?
GL: As Microsoft Dynamics AX has matured over
the years, it has become a very complete ERP
solution, allowing smaller Customers right up
to large enterprises to successfully improve their
process flows and management of their financial
and operational systems. This is why AXUG and
the Microsoft Dynamics AX channel have grown
so much, but one underlying trend that results
from that is the need from Customers to see actual
outcomes produced by financial transactions and
supply chain processes that ultimately help Users
manage their business better. Customers are
looking for information to better manage their
business, and ZAP provides that quick and tangible
return for all parties with direct integration into
Microsoft’s solution.
AXUG: Given the complexity of Microsoft
Dynamics AX, how do you simplify BI for Users?
GL: Some may think you can buy Microsoft
Dynamics AX and then magically, BI will be
available out of the box. Unfortunately, that is not
the case. Microsoft Dynamics AX is much more
complex now, and most, if not all Customers, have
COMPANY
ZAP Business Intelligence
INTERVIEWEE
Garth D. Laird,
chief operating officer
PHONE
415-900 6769
WEBSITE
www.zapbi.com
HEADQUARTERS
San Francisco, California
ESTABLISHED
1999
AXUG® PARTNER
MEMBER SINCE
2011
ZAP Business
Intelligence
isv partner member showcase
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48 | AXUG Magazine
ISV solutions to complete their solution. In addition to that, lots of
Customers are customizing Microsoft Dynamics AX to their own
business processes. Once you’ve deployed all of that, the data model
is not standard.
We’ve spent years and lots of money to create a data environment
that perfectly aligns with a Customer’s entire solution, including all
ISV solutions and more. Only then can these Customers deliver real-
time information back to their organizations through KPIs, analytics,
and dashboards, including the integration of non-Microsoft
Dynamics AX data.
In addition, ZAP has spent four years integrating thousands of
analytics and calculations on top of Microsoft Dynamics AX, all
available out of the box, which can be deployed right away. The time
to value with ZAP solutions is so incredibly short, and our Customers
get instant value from it.
AXUG: What is the #1 reason Microsoft Dynamics AX Customers
love your solutions?
GL: We are very focused on aligning to Microsoft’s future to mitigate
risk for end-Users. With ZAP, Customers can get what they need in
terms of BI and implement it quickly without taking on the risks,
which makes a huge difference for all global Microsoft Dynamics
Customers.
AXUG: What’s next for ZAP in 2015?
GL: We’re starting to see a BI focus everywhere we turn. It’s becoming
a prerequisite for a Microsoft Dynamics AX Customer to understand
BI and what they can get from it. In 2015, I believe BI in Microsoft
Dynamics AX will take high priority and be central to the ERP
buying decision. This is exactly why we’re placing a strong focus on
community building to create more educated Customers that know
the best options for their business.
We’ll be making major announcements at Convergence in Atlanta
around product direction and getting more involved within AXUG
as well as providing a place for Customers to learn best practices for
BI. Stay tuned!
AXUG: What do you love most about the Microsoft Dynamics AX
community?
GL: The best part about AXUG and the Microsoft Dynamics AX
community is the focus on adding value back to the Customers, and
it’s wonderful to be a part of that.
The AXUG local chapters are really starting to take off, and it’s
becoming easier for Customers to find the information they’re seeking.
It’s also been a good catalyst for us as we get some great referrals
from the AXUG community. Other Customers recommending our
products tells us we’re doing something right. AXUG
“Apart from providing a product that continues to inspire, ZAP has a focus on
Customers that spans its entire business, and it is this aspect that makes us
believe we invested in the best solution for enterprise Microsoft Dynamics AX
Customers on the global market today.”
Al Mendes, senior vice president of information technology, Martignetti Companies
“Where ZAP excels for us is that it’s self-maintaining, so when we close a
month, we’ve already given the Users the reports. We no longer have to
publish every month.”
Gary Arnold, accounting director, Regal Entertainment Group
Q1 2015 | 49
5MINUTES
VOLUNTEER
Dawn was selected for the important role she played in
forming the AXUG® Public Sector Special Interest Group
(SIG). She was integral in coordinating the initial meetings,
helping this industry have a voice and opportunities to
learn from each other through intriguing meeting topics.
She ensured that Microsoft supported her efforts, and
most importantly, she helped spread the word to AXUG
Members in the public sector industry so that they were
aware of the opportunity to connect with each other.
Dawn’s efforts are the essence of what a great volunteer
entails: giving of time and knowledge for the betterment
of the community. Thank you, Dawn!
Who interests you on social media right now?
How could I live in Seattle and not be following the
Seahawks right now!
On my desk right now are...
An implementation of lean business processes and
alignment of those business processes with our
technology solutions, with a current focus on improving
the manner in which we leverage the functionality in
the Project Management and Accounting as well as the
Procurement modules.
My top three goals for 2015 are…
1. Continuing to promote awareness of Microsoft
Dynamics AX in the public sector.
2. A Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 CU8 upgrade.
3. Completing my Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
certification.
What I do when I’m not at work…
The list is so diverse! But at the top of it, I love being
with my grandkids, and if I can find a quiet moment, I’ll
read, write, pick up a skein of yarn to get creative with,
or even create my own skein of yarn. I’m definitely a fiber
enthusiast.
The best advice I ever received…
You can catch more flies with honey.
WITH AXUG’S
Dawn Johnson
senior business systems analyst
City of Redmond
OF THE QUARTER
50 | AXUG Magazine
Learn how to get it all, without all the clicks:
www.perceptivesoftware.com/withoutalltheclicksit all, without all the clicks:
software com/withoutalltheclicks
In your email, on your servers or in other systems—as much
as 80% of your business content lives outside of Microsoft
Dynamics AX. Perceptive Software helps you instantly
access every piece of information you need for every
process that depends on it, without leaving AX.
The result?
You work smarter and faster, with fewer clicks.
feature
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story by Michael Simms,
AXUG Partner Member Client Strategy Group, LLC
illustration by Dave Swang
Implementing data warehousing and business intelligence (BI) with Microsoft
Dynamics AX can be a challenge. There are a number of considerations to take
into account and any number of vendor solutions to chose from. At the heart of
any data warehouse/BI solution is one core concept: Timely delivery of actionable
information to decision makers within the business without depending on a technical
resource to provide the information.
There are several reasons for businesses to implement a data warehouse and/or BI system,
and this system should be customized to meet the analytical and reporting needs of the
organization. With so many options available, choosing the option that is correct for your
business can be nearly as daunting as selecting an ERP solution. Given this, and while there
are indeed many approaches to data warehousing and BI, there are three main approaches
that can be taken:
DATA WAREHOUSING
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
MICROSOFT DYNAMICS AX
and
with
52 | AXUG Magazine
Q1 2015 | 53
» Using the out-of-the-box cubes and key performance indicators (KPIs)
» Purchasing a data warehouse/BI solution
» Building a custom data warehouse
The approach ultimately should meet the information needs of the business now and in the
future. This requires involvement from the information consumers and business strategists in order
to understand the direction the business is taking in both the near and long term. For example, if
the business decides that it must forecast sales using data from Microsoft Dynamics AX and other
external systems, then the long-term data warehouse and BI strategy might be different than if the
data is single-sourced from Microsoft Dynamics AX.
Using the Out-of-the-Box Cubes and KPIs
Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 ships with a number of out-of-the-box cubes and KPIs. These are
extremely feature-rich and comprehensive in the respective Microsoft Dynamics AX modules. The
base cubes should be deployed in order to utilize role centers and some of the other base reporting
and analytical functionality. It is important to remember that the Microsoft Dynamics AX BI solution
is a framework; that is, the solution can be deployed as-is for the role centers, KPIs, and reports that
are part of the base offering, but they can and should be customized to utilize custom data and meet
individual client requirements. One of the first things to consider when utilizing the out-of-the-box
solution is if there are any dimensions, measures, and/or measure groups that can be eliminated in
order to simplify the end-User analysis.
Utilizing this model does not provide for a true data warehouse; the structures for the cubes and
reports are part of the OLTP production database. Scale considerations for this model should be taken
into account, and it is typically recommended that the cubes are deployed to a separate OLAP server.
Lastly, it can be difficult to incorporate non-Microsoft Dynamics AX data into the standard Microsoft
Dynamics AX cubes.
Purchasing a Data Warehouse/BI Solution
There are a number of solutions in the Microsoft Dynamics AX space with pre-designed data warehouse
and/or BI solutions. In addition to their own cubes based on Microsoft Dynamics AX metadata, many
leverage ETL (extract, transform, and load) to create a data warehouse. In some cases, this ETL is a
“simplified” interface that simply wraps SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS). In other cases, the data
warehouse/BI backend is a black box of proprietary software that must now be maintained.
These solutions, while providing excellent options, can present challenges to clients that purchase
them. Some of these challenges include:
» Learning the solution, including the analytics layer, reporting tier, ETL tier, and backend is
something that should be taken into consideration when purchasing a solution.
» Licensing is also something that should be closely analyzed prior to purchase. If the software has
a server component, for example, does that server component include ALL of the components
necessary for your businesses requirements or are there other “add-on” items that are necessary
to meet those business requirements?
» Flexibility and maintainability of the solution are other key components to analyze. Is it easy
to add or delete dimensions in the cube or to alter the ETL process? If the vendor offers pre-
The approach ultimately shouldnow and in the future. Th
consumers and business stratebusin
54 | AXUG Magazine
packaged cubes, how easy is it to
add additional cubes? How does the
solution accommodate the custom
data in your Microsoft Dynamics
database? How does the solution
meet your data latency requirements?
» Adding data from non-Microsoft
Dynamics AX data sources is
a key requirement for many
implementations. How well is this
handled in the purchased solution?
Building a Custom
Data Warehouse
Building a custom data warehouse
requires knowledge from a number of
different technical and business disciplines.
Database design, ETL design, and knowledge
of how to design cubes and reports are
the minimum requirements. At design
time, business requirements for the KPIs,
measures, and dimensions as well as any
reports must be obtained. In addition, key
decisions about non-Microsoft Dynamics
AX data integration, standardization, and
data latency requirements can begin to be
formulated.
Since there are so many considerations
for building a data warehouse/BI solution,
clients will many times ask for a “jump-
start”; that is, a knowledge transfer from
a vendor that builds the initial ETL
infrastructure and cubes to one of their
staff. Sometimes clients prefer to have an
outside vendor build and maintain their
data warehouse entirely. Other times,
clients have the luxury of being able to
handle this task themselves.
The tool utilized to build a data
warehouse in the Microsoft Dynamics
AX space is typically Microsoft SQL
Server and its components. This is also
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d meet the information needs of the businesshis requires involvement from the informationgists in order to understand the direction the
ness is taking in both the near and long term.
Q1 2015 | 55
referred to as the SQL Server stack and consists of Management Studio, Integration Services, Analysis
Services, and Reporting Services. There are very creative topologies currently deployed in the data
warehouse/BI space, ranging from SSIS to transactional replication to SQL Server AlwaysOn. But
again, all of these topologies and tools should be utilized with one goal in mind: Timely delivery of
actionable information to business Users without depending on a technical resource to provide the
information.
Planning for a Data Warehouse/BI Solution
This is perhaps the most important part of the project. Regardless of the approach, without proper
planning, the project will not meet its goals and may even fail. A data warehouse/BI solution is not about
tools; it is about actionable information. Just as you would not paint the shutters on a new house before
you actually drew up plans, built a foundation, and constructed the house, you should not choose a front-
end tool prior to understanding your business requirements. Just as maintenance and changes to your
house are never complete, your data warehouse/BI solution should not be viewed as finished but should be
looked at as continuously changing and adapting to business information needs.
As you build your strategy for your data warehouse/BI solution, consider the following:
» Executive “buy-in” is key for success in a data warehouse/BI initiative. The most successful projects
have strong executive buy-in. These business leaders have an understanding of the key metrics that
need to be measured and the action to be taken with that information.
» Set realistic expectations for the project and what a solution will provide to the business. A data
warehouse/BI solution is not a silver bullet; it will not magically solve business problems. It will,
however, provide insight into business problems and provide decision makers with information to
solve them.
» Understand the business requirements. Identifying comprehensive business requirements is key
to understanding the state of the business and solving business problems. Requirements should be
gathered across the entire enterprise so that the solution can provide the greatest impact.
» Understand your company’s data quality. Poor data quality is the hidden “gotcha” with reporting
and data warehouse/BI solutions. Everything starts with the data. If the source data is inconsistent,
missing, or just plain wrong, this will translate into the reports and/or solution. The GIGO (Garbage
In = Garbage Out) equation fits here. Poor data quality not only can cause business Users to lose
confidence in the solution, but it can also lead to disastrous business consequences. However, DO
NOT fix the data in the solution; fix it in the source system(s). A solution should not be utilized as
an authoritative data source.
» The data warehouse/BI solution build process is iterative and never really finished. However, you
do want to avoid “analysis paralysis”. Build the solution in phases and start small initially. Finance,
Sales, and Inventory cubes are a typical starting point for many organizations.
Conclusion
Undertaking the task of building a data warehouse/BI solution can provide a myriad of short-term
challenges and long-term rewards for a business. There are a number of different approaches to building
these solutions. Understanding your organization’s current and future requirements is the key to finding
the right solution for your organization. AXUG
Regardless of the approach,without proper plannng, the
project will not meet its goals and may even fail.
56 | AXUG Magazine
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variety of consumption platforms, like Microsoft Of ce, a visualization canvas app and mobile devices. Atlas provides secure, convenient and familiar access to your business systems unlocking their information potential.
mation from Microsoft Dynamics L databases and OLAP Cubes in a
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convenient and familiar access to your business systems unlockingtheir information potential.
ccessop
industry showcase
Public Sector: Established to Serve
From developing properties to ensuring occupational health and safety, the
public sector industry keeps society running without a hitch. Museums, housing
providers, pension fund organizations, and more, these AXUG® Members are
serving the public in a number of different ways.
JENAN REAL ESTATE
Saudi Arabia
Jenan Real Estate Company
was created to meet the
burgeoning demand for
stylish and contemporary,
yet affordably priced housing
for the young professional
Saudi Arabian. Jenan
develops properties to not
only meet, but to exceed
their expectations.
CANADIAN MUSEUM
FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Winnipeg, Manitoba,
Canada
The Canadian Museum for
Human Rights is the first
museum in the world solely
dedicated to the evolution,
celebration, and future of
human rights. Creating
inspiring encounters with
human rights, the Museum
provides an immersive,
interactive experience for
visitors of all ages.
HOUSTON FIRST
CORPORATION
Houston, Texas
Houston First is a local
government corporation
that manages more than
10 city-owned building,
plazas, and parking facilities.
Properties include Miller
Outdoor Theatre, the
Wortham Center, George R.
Brown Convention Center,
Jones Hall, and Hilton
Americas-Houston.
OREGON LOTTERY
Salem, Oregon
The Oregon Lottery was
established in 1984 by
Oregon voters. Since its
inception, more than $9
billion in lottery funds have
gone to support public
education, economic
development, state
parks, and watershed
enhancement.
STANDARDS
NEW ZEALAND
Wellington, New Zealand
Standards New Zealand
is New Zealand’s leading
developer of standards and
standards-based solutions.
They are governed by
the Standards Council,
an appointed body with
representatives from a wide
range of community sectors,
and operate under the
Standards Act of 1988.
OHIO POLICE & FIRE
PENSION FUND
Columbus, Ohio
The Ohio Police & Fire
Pension Fund (OP&F) was
created by the Ohio General
Assembly in 1965, replacing
454 separate local police and
firemen’s relief and pension
funds in Ohio. OP&F
members include more than
28,000 active police officers
and firefighters, more than
18,000 retired members, and
nearly 8,000 beneficiaries
and survivors.
FINNISH INSTITUTE
OF OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH
Helsinki, Finland
Finnish Institute of
Occupational Health (FIOH)
is a research and specialist
organization in the field of
occupational health and
safety. Creating solutions,
offering client service,
and influencing through
knowledge, FIOH aids both
public and private decision-
making.
YARLINGTON
HOUSING GROUP
Yeovil, United Kingdom
With a strong vision of
“Building Communities”,
Yarlington Housing Group,
one of the leading housing
providers in the southwest
United Kingdom, has a
commitment to enhance
the lives of its residents
and their neighbors, and
to provide communities
in which people choose to
live and work and have the
opportunity to improve
themselves if they so choose.
58 | AXUG Magazine
60 | AXUG Magazine
feature
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story by J. Brandon George, AXUG Partner Member Sunrise Technologies
illustration by Shawn Olson
When one thinks of business intelligence or analytics, many terms and technologies
come to mind. Yet the nature of how our thought patterns are formed around these
topics needs to evolve away from the old technical-driven conservations and toward
a new mantra: “How can I be more productive with my data?”
It is with this focus that we then can look at the trends that I believe will help
shape 2015. For sure the Chinese need to add a new zodiac member as 2015 will be marked as “the year of
data.” This includes all sides of what this might imply. From the newly-deployed end point, breathing its
first bits of Ethernet as it streams valuable data to the back office…further going toward the scale of massive
amounts of data, accessible and more readily able to help pose new questions and prescribe weighted
direction…finally to smarter, more contextual and mobile to wearable…all in the name of bringing forth a
true age of informed decision maker and engaged Customer base.
This then sets the tone for bringing forth the areas I believe will help create this vision: predictive
analytics, embedded analytics, streaming analytics, prescriptive analytics, and mobile data experiences.
Predictive Analytics
By far this area will see, as it already has seen, a huge lift into the common psyche of the end consumer
and information worker. Advancement in technology has eased the entry point in which the parsing and
production of predictive insights is becoming a reality for more and more companies.
Technologies like Microsoft’s Azure Machine Learning Services and Studio (http://azure.microsoft.
com/en-us/services/machine-learning/) and Analytics Platform System (www.microsoft.com/en-us/
server-cloud/products/analytics-platform-system) are making it possible for Partners and Users alike to
complete the perspective loop and add future, along with present and past. Finally through end-to-end
analytics platforms like MicroStrategy (www.microstrategy.com), from the boardroom to mobile sales,
predictive insights will be delivered proactively and with the correct context for understanding correlation
and causation.
Alongside the technology advancement exists the explosion of valid use cases as it relates to predictive
analytics. Understanding what business outcome a set of predictive metrics is meant to influence – and
further the direction in which a business will execute based on results – creates a road map for value.
Embedded Analytics
The ability to create value from data exists through the correct engagement with the Users whom need
to make informed decisions and take action. In order to achieve this, adoption rates of business intelligence
projects need to be high. The problem in the past for most patrons of the information age has been “yet
another thing” to engage with in a reactive manner.
Enter center stage the case and cause for embedded analytics (http://dataprimes.com/data/2014/12/16/
embedded-analytics-takes-center-stage-in-bi-adoption/). The concept is not that new, specifically as it
has been around for the Microsoft Dynamics ecosystem since 2008. Yet like all things, the need for valid
business use cases were absent. Combining the need for proactive engagement and being able to do so
within the natural workflow of the end consumer has given rise to such examples. Now through contextual
data association, products such as Microsoft Dynamics AX, with its well-known fact boxes, stand best-
suited for a stage of delivery for analytics.
This means having a Customer service representative interacting with a Customer in a new and engaged
way: Having contextual insights that in the past would take reactive report generation, which loses value
faster than a lemon sold at a used car lot. This deeper engagement is again further delivered through the
Microsoft stack with its Power BI capabilities and social engagement.
For retailers specifically, this concept of embedded analytics is taken even further to a new strategy focus
of “Customer engagement and brand loyalty” together as one. This means blurring the lines across the Omni-
Q1 2015 | 61
channel chasm into a more fertile land of revenue through deeper insights and embedded analytics, creating a
reality of a segment of one as a consumer relates to a brand or retailer.
Streaming Analytics
The typical perspective that most people work in as it relates to their data is the past. Reactive in nature, this
view of data is just one of three that needs attention through this continuous journey so aptly named business
intelligence. Another of extreme and equal importance is the present view of data through trends and goals.
This typically and correctly implies performance management concepts, tracking towards performance
indicators and how that relates to strategy and execution. What’s new in this perspective and will continue
to become widely used is the concept of streaming analytics.
Through the advent of everything becoming a valid target for data feeds – from toaster to towel
dispenser – streaming bits of data is taking off. Since this reality will only continue to expand
the ability for “as of now”, decision making will become critical. Going back to retail and fashion
companies as an example, the ability to engage with a customer is the driving force. Understanding
in-store customer patterns, mixed with customer-shared wish lists and activities, gives rise
to prescribing for consumers what pairs well with the wine they selected to the store manager
understanding new hot spots for associated product placement. Finally, capturing customer
sentiment through social engagement completes the transaction loop with feedback on product and
buying experiences. This is the nature in which streaming analytics operates and will have impact
in this year dominated by data.
Prescriptive Analytics
Proactive engagement means to have data interact with a User by role for events that need action. This
can cross the three perspectives of past, present, and future and should go beyond eluding or assumption.
Enter prescriptive analytics and its ability to build upon the maturity path for the business intelligence
journey a company is on. The result enables a new level of proactive engagement that turns a new page in
data productivity.
By far this and streaming analytics could easily star as new kids on the BI block. Like all the rest,
prescriptive analytics is now enjoying the ability to see real-world cases that drive towards value. Building
upon the establishment of questions being answers and goals achieved, using all three perspectives is a
requirement for truly being prescriptive with data. This means that typically predictive insights are in place
with a specific focus in which prescriptive can be used.
Understanding in-store customer patterns,
mixed with customer-shared wish lists and
activities, gives rise to prescribing for consumers
what pairs well with the wine they selected to the
store manager understanding new hot spots for
associated product placement.
62 | AXUG Magazine
Go from Source Data to OLAP Cubes
5 Times FasterRead more about DWA in this issue of AXUG magazine
and online at www.jetreports.com
Data Warehouse Automationwith Jet Enterprise
For more information on Jet Enterprise or any of the Jet Reports products visit us online or contact our sales staff here:
www.jetreports.com | [email protected] | +1 503 608 3602
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Not that all other analytic types are
needed, yet prescriptive only widens
its depth and ability to engage when
embedded, predictive, and streaming
analytics are employed. This means
combining sources from the streaming
and two to three predictive models to
direct Customer segmentation, product
marketing, and steps to reduce Customer
churn, all the while being consumed with
context via embedded analytics concepts.
Mobile Data
Experience
With the new being knowledge
spanning from streaming to prescribing,
mobile is the old man on the block. Yet
this dog has a lot of tricks it continues
to teach everyone. By itself the concepts
and topic of mobile business intelligence
could easily allow for endless theory, User,
and data experiences. It is this latter part
that we tie to our tone and which will be
impactful this year.
Mobile data experience spans beyond
the concepts of report delivery to a phone
or a dashboard rendering on a tablet.
This dives into the true app experience
of understanding how consumers engage
with such devices and their expectations.
This means taking an outside sales rep
from data-to-decision-to-action and
recording such action into a company’s
system of record.
Tailoring such experience to the context
and role of a given User, be that internal
or external, vendor or Customer, across
channels and throughout the given supply
chain is key. This builds from the other
areas highlighted and takes embedded
analytic concepts to a new level, one
where Users may not even be aware of
what they are seeing. This is actually
business intelligence at its finest. Success
is helping them make data-informed
decisions that have positive impacts
on business outcomes, further helping
shape that Customer engagement and
brand loyalty strategy that is literally the
forefront of brand advocate development
and enrichment.
To find out more, connect with me through
social media, my blog (www.dataprimes.com), or at Microsoft Convergence 2015 in Atlanta. I would be
more than happy to continue on these topics and many more. AXUG
J. Brandon George is a Microsoft MVP and director of business intelligence at Sunrise Technologies,
Inc. (www.sunriseconsult.com/BI). He can be reached at [email protected], @
DynamicsERP, and www.dataprimes.com.
Q1 2015 | 63
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BAXUG®: What are your top best practices for implementing BI in your business?
Chris Gray (CG): When you’re gathering the needs of your Users, don’t just deliver reports. For example, we
had lists of specific reports but found once we got that data, it wasn’t actionable, and we had to redevelop
our cubes and data warehouse. When gathering Users’ needs, look beyond the near-term deliverable.
Franz Kistner (FK): As strange as it may sound, find out if you even have the data and dimensions in the
system that you want to aggregate. Identify what type of problems you want to solve or which metrics you
want to see and what action should come from your data. People will ask for a million reports, but once
you have the data, what are your decision points? Asking these questions will streamline the design of the
cubes and ensure the BI tool will actually help you make the right business decisions.
Steve Hart (SH): A couple of things come to mind for me. 1. Involvement at the highest levels of
management makes a big difference. 2. Depending on the size of your IT, don’t bite off more than you can
chew. That means doing one thing at a time. Validation of the data takes the longest, but it is definitely the
most important. Sometimes you will realize the quality of your data isn’t good, and you need to change the
processes of inputting data to make that consistent and valid.
CG: Exactly! You can never do too much validation. It’s the most critical piece of the process.
SH: It takes a long time to pick through data, but once you have it, you have so much power and can rely
on it. After we realized how much more accurate our cubes were than old reports from a few years ago,
HaloBI became our gospel instead of the reports.
FK: You also have to be clear and specific to what people are looking to aggregate. For example, we didn’t
use canned TARGIT cubes; we created one huge cube that includes all different aspects of the business.
This allows me to correlate data across pretty much everything.
CG: It’s also important to manage User expectations. Maybe the numbers won’t match exactly every minute
of every single day, but our Users know they have one version of the truth at specific points in time they can
trust. They also understand where that data is coming from.
AXUG: You all use BI ISVs to gain more insight. How would you recommend other Users find the
right BI tool for their business?
CG: Really talk to your upper management and Users to find out what their needs are and to keep everyone
on the same page. Try to predict the future by asking, “What are my long-term goals?”, “What am I looking
to get out of this?”, and “Where are the gaps?” Having those answers laid out and working closely with your
Business Intelligence (BI)
Implementation TipsUSERS’PERSPECTIVES
64 | AXUG Magazine
BIBIBPartner to point you in the right direction is a good starting point.
SH: In our experience, make sure to shop around and compare tools in the marketplace. We were wary of
vendors who said you can take everything out of the box and be ready in a matter of weeks. It’s a red flag
if vendors say that.
FK: Yes, you can get a head start out of the box, but businesses aren’t the same. I would say it’s criteria for
disqualification if your BI implementer says it would only take two weeks.
SH: It’s more honest to say a solution can get you 60 percent of the way, but building custom cubes is how
you can get data that means something to your business.
CG: And the key there is to get beyond that sales process, too. Talk to technical people with the company
and relay your needs to get a feel for how they solve problems.
AXUG: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned (maybe the hard way) through your
experience of implementing BI at your organization?
CG: The main lesson we learned is, as Steve mentioned earlier, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Do
one thing at a time, and do it well. We did our ERP implementation in parallel with our BI system, and it
was a painful mess. We definitely learned a lot, but it was painful.
FK: That sounds dangerous, building something on top of something that wasn’t there yet.
CG: Exactly! I wouldn’t recommend it.
SH: To expand on that point, we aimed for one cube to begin with. Having that one success was a big pay-
off once Users saw the tool and realized the data they would have access to. It immediately established trust
and ultimately increased User adoption.
FK: It’s imperative you have a system that Users trust. The minute they point out holes in your data, you
lose the trust very quickly. The way we’ve found to establish that trust is giving Users the ability to drill into
the data so they can see what makes up that number.
CG: That initial validation process is just so critical. Take the time to do that correctly from day one so
Users can see that it’s correct.
SH: That’s what it’s all about. I’m amazed at how common assumptions are blown out of the water when
you can prove your data.
CG: Numbers don’t lie!
FK: At least that’s what we’re trying to get to! AXUG
CHRIS GRAY IT director at Swiss Farms: Customer
of TARGIT BI and on Microsoft
Dynamics AX 2009 for Retail
Key Takeaway
“Include your Users in the process,
especially your power Users. They
should become part of your team
and share in the vision as opposed
to having to live with whatever is
delivered. When they’re part of the
process, they’re in it with you and
have the same expectations.”
FRANZ KISTNERvice president of IT at Argo International
Corporation: Customer of TARGIT BI and
on Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009
Key Takeaway
“Try to establish specific calls to action.
‘If my data shows me this, these are the
actions and tasks I can take’. Also keep
in mind that the roll-out of the product
is only 10 percent of the work. Ninety
percent is creating a good and valid
cube. If you deliver incorrect or unreliable
data, management and Users will lose
trust quickly and not use it.”
STEVE HARTdirector of IT at Xtek: Customer of
HaloBI and on Microsoft Dynamics
AX 2009
Key Takeaway
“Start by focusing on one key cube.
Spend the time to thoroughly validate
the data. Score a success with this
first cube. Gain the trust and build on
the enthusiasm of the Users as they
realize the potential of the product.”
Q1 2015 | 65
Data Masons Software has been a Premier Sponsor of AXUG
Summit for the past five years and had an excellent show in St.
Louis for Summit 2014. With attendance numbers reaching record
highs, Dennis Bruce was happy to connect with as many Microsoft
Dynamics AX Users and Partners as he did. He recalls, “There were
so many great things to share about Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
R3 and how our product supports the new version. We could also
address Users’ questions about how our technology model supports
Microsoft’s upcoming frequent roll-out strategy for Microsoft
Dynamics AX updates. That really enhanced the conversations.”
Data Masons had the opportunity to hold two Partner showcases
for Microsoft Dynamics AX to feature their products and took an
approach that brought value to attendees. “We brought in a few
Customers of ours that do what attendees do, day in and day out.
Their stories explained perfectly how our solutions helped with
their business problems.” Dennis explains, “It’s one thing if I get
up and tell attendees the benefits, and something entirely different
(and more valuable) if our Customers speak for us. That helps us
build trust with the community and gives us a credibility that we
could never get to by simply promoting what we do.”
In addition to sponsoring AXUG Summit 2014, Data Masons
had a major presence as a sponsor of both NAVUG™ Summit
and GPUG® Summit in St. Louis. The company co-sponsored the
MVP Party with Fastpath and the AXUG Premier Party with RF-
SMART, and its very own Jon Rivers presented about leveraging
LinkedIn to the Microsoft Dynamics Partner community. “We
make a big investment around Summit, and it’s proven to be well
worth the money and time we spend,” Dennis shares.
That investment has a lot to do with the value Summit brings
Users each and every year. “As a User attending Summit, you can
AXUG® Summit 2014 was Chris Gawronski’s
second time attending the conference. Leading up
to Summit 2014, Chris added two employees to his
team and experienced an acquisition where Fluidigm
had to integrate its IT operations across two entities.
Needless to say, Chris had a lot on his mind and
AX
UG
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CHRIS GAWRONSKI
enterprise IT systems
Fluidigm
took a more strategic approach as an attendee than he had
in the past. “In 2013, I focused more on the sessions,” shares
Chris. “In 2014, I really needed to check the pulse of the
community specific to the risks other Users were seeing as well
as the opportunities and successes they were having relative to
the small ecosystem.”
As Chris worked to build his Microsoft Dynamics AX team
internally and Fluidigm matured as a company, he needed to
check in on the Microsoft Dynamics AX ecosystem to gauge
its growth and stability, as this impacts his planning from a
big-picture point of view.
“My experience at Summit 2014 helped further strengthen
my plan to build internally and to become more self-reliant in
delivering solutions for our Users at Fluidigm.” Chris continues,
“It helped solidify what I should look for when hiring talent
as well as what to include in our Partner network to diversify
ourselves and be successful.”
In addition to enjoying time with his new team while in St.
Louis, Chris had the opportunity to have lunch with a few
Microsoft folks and was interested to hear the paradigm that
Dan Brown, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics AX R&D,
put forth regarding how Microsoft approaches the allocation
of its resources. Like all of us, Microsoft must manage the
trade-offs between gaining market share with new products
against keeping Customers happy and supported with existing
products. Every dollar they put into extending the life of
support for older products is a dollar they cannot invest in
the current and future products. Chris adds, “It was helpful to
understand their point of view.”
Summit 2015 is only a three-hour drive for Chris and his
team, so Fluidigm plans to have an even bigger presence in
Reno. They are also less focused on upgrading as they have
been in the past. “Going live on Microsoft Dynamics AX
2012 R3 has us in a stable place, so we won’t be distracted
by those questions or concerns.” Chris says, “Instead, we
can use Summit 2015 to really dig into how to enhance our
environment and leverage our current solution. I’m looking
forward to!”
DENNIS BRUCE
director of business development
Data Masons Software
go in expecting to talk with other Users. This is the one
place, nine out of 10 times, that you’re meeting someone
that does something similar to you. Users are accessible
and everywhere.” Dennis continues, “Other conferences
don’t provide the time to drill down on how the product
can affect you, but at Summit, you can learn specific details
about your process and how technology can help. It’s no
wonder the User Groups are growing at a rapid rate!”
As a Premier Sponsor again for AXUG Summit
2015 in Reno, Dennis looks forward to continuing
the valuable interactions with Users. “We know it
often takes multiple visits to our booth to get a feel
for what we do and to see if timing is right.” Dennis
concludes, “It’s exciting to see people year after year
and to build on those conversations each time.”
66 | AXUG Magazine
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C O N T E S T
logofind the
Congratulations to our Q4 2014 contest
winner, Jonelle Hockenberry from
Oatey SCS/William Harvey Company!
Jonelle found the logo on page 11 of the
Q4 2014 issue of AXUG® Magazine. Let’s
play again. Hidden somewhere between the
covers of this magazine is our AXUG logo.
Can you find it?
While our logo shows up throughout the
magazine in conventional spots, it’s hidden
in only one place.
When you’ve found it, send an email to [email protected] with an
explanation of where and on what page it’s
at. We’ll choose a winner at random and
will highlight him/her in the next issue of the magazine.
APi Group
Bedrock
Manufacturing Co,
LLC
Blendtec
Bowles Fluidics
Corporation
Canadian Red Cross
Decore-ative
Specialties
Del-Air
Delmar International
Inc.
Fläkt Woods
Forest City Trading
Group, LLC
Forex Capital
Markets
Fresh Mark, Inc.
Genesys Networks
Inc.
Kent Sporting
Goods Company,
Inc.
KiZAN Technologies,
LLC
Lehman’s
Mannheimer
Swartling
Advokatbyrå AB
Mesa Associates
Inc.
Modul-Systems HH
AB
Mott Corporation
Ovako AB
PCM INC.
Physician Partners
of America
Primera Technology,
Inc.
Safari House
General Trading
Company
Seagull Scientifi c,
Inc
SGS INTL
Skellefteå Kraft
Stralfors
SweDeltaco AB
TEAM Industrial
Services
Team Olivia AB
TenCate Advanced
Composites
Terra Drive Systems,
Inc.
The Shepherd
Holding Company
United Stationers
Supply Co
Wachter Inc.
Woodland Foods
Welcome to one
of our newest
Members...
Borusan
Mannesmann Pipe
Borusan Mannesmann Pipe (BMP), an internation-
ally-recognized pipe manufacturer, is headquartered in
Istanbul, Turkey. Th e company’s U.S. offi ce is located in
Houston, Texas, and its U.S. manufacturing plant is lo-
cated in nearby Baytown, Texas.
BMP began U.S. operations in the spring of 2014 and
is implementing Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012. Th e
Baytown plant is a state-of-the-art facility, using the lat-
est in pipe manufacturing equipment technology. At full
capacity, the plant will produce 300,000 tons of pipe an-
nually for the energy industry.
Janet Siltanen, FP&A manager, and the BMP team use
AXUG to reach out to other Users for issue resolution
and how-to scenarios.
“We look forward to meeting other Users at our local
AXUG meetings to learn their successes with situations
we may want to explore,” says Janet. AXUG
User Members Added
Last Quarter
AXerp Solutions
Cobalt
Dynamics Edge, Inc.
Integral USA
JBWS Tech
Consulting llc
Red Maple
Sonata Software
Limited
Strategic Solutions
NW, LLC
Partner Members Added
Last Quarter
membersw e l c o m e t o o u r n e w m e m b e r s
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Welcome to the new Members who have invested in AXUG® User
and Partner membership this year! Each new Member adds value
not only to their own organization, but also to the entire AXUG
community as they share their knowledge and experiences.
Q4 2014 | 11
ussasaaaansaaaaasaa
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n Mannesmann Pipe (BMP), an internation-
gnized pipe manufacturer, is headquartered in
Turkey. Th e company’s U.S. offi ce is located in
Texas, and its U.S. manufacturing plant is lo-
earby Baytown, Texas.
egan U.S. operations in the spring of 2014 and
menting Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012. Th e
plant is a state-of-the-art facility, using the lat-
e manufacturing equipment technology. At full
the plant will produce 300,000 tons of pipe an-
the energy industry.
ltanen, FP&A manager, and the BMP team use
reach out to other Users for issue resolution
to scenarios.
ok forward to meeting other Users at our local
eetings to learn their successes with situations
want to explore,” says Janet. AXUG
Q4 2014 | 11
68 | AXUG Magazine
Table of Contents
Industry...................Page 70
Horizontal................Page 75
Services...................Page 82
Introducing The List MOBILENow you can get The List To Go!
Search for the products and services
you need with the new Mobile version of
The List! Add it to your home screen from:
www.thelistmobile.com or simply
scan the QR code below:
The List from The Partner Channel® is your tool for finding the solutions available from Microsoft Dynamics® Partners. Review the various industry, horizontal, and
service offerings available and you may just find exactly what you’ve been looking for! The List is unique in that it shares only those solutions and services that
work with the Microsoft Dynamics product line. We want you to spend time using the solution, not looking for it. If you have a product or service that you would
like included on The List, please contact [email protected].
NOTE: The Partner Channel and Dynamic Communities offers no expressed or implied warranty or guarantee for any of the products included in this directory. Support and quality assurance of these software products and services are solely the responsibility of each Microsoft Dynamics Partner.
*Due to the nature of the “classified” format used for The List, Microsoft Dynamics brand guidelines may not have been followed. We encourage Partners NOT to follow the example we are setting!
KEY: Axapta Great Plains Navision Solomon Customer Relationship Management Retail Management System Point of Sale
70 | AXUG Magazine
Commodity Trades
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/commodity-trading-module • 425-931-9972 Commodity Trading Complete solution for Commodity Trading companies. Key Features: Contracts, Bulk Logistics, Allocations, Risk Management – Position, ForEx, Futures Hedging, Mark to Market Reports, Track Costs and Accruals.
Consumer Packaged Goods
Business Systems Integrators
http://www.BusinessSysInteg.com 866-871-2097 EDI BSI provides superior EDI solutions for AX & GP, both on-premise & SaaS.
Data Masons Software
http://www.datamasons.com • 866-575-1631 Vantage Point EDI for Dynamics Data Masons helps companies lever-age EDI into a competitive advantage by providing tight integration with Dynamics, without customizations.
Flintfox International Limited
http://www.flintfox.com • 844-876-4276 TPM for Dynamics Suite Flintfox solutions provide a single, integrated platform to manage all trade promotion activity, from client relationships to the financial execution; streamlining information and managing complex pricing with ease.
RockySoft http://www.RockySoft.com 970-493-0868 ext. 106 Inventory Management and Supply Chain Planning Pack Light Supply Chain Mgmt Suite-Forecasting, Inventory Mgmt, Purchase Order Planning, Vendor Lead Time Mgmt, Retail Store Planning and S&OP.
Total Dynamics Solutions, LLC
http://www.totaldynamicssolutions.com 877-855-8860 CPG Toolkit for Your Entire Organization • NO User/Seat Licensing Costs• Item & Customer Profitability• Multiple Scenario Analysis• Variance Reporting• Top-down/Bottom-up planning by skew, cust, category etc.
Cross Industry Solution
Altec http://www.altec-inc.com 800-997-9921 ext. 1255 doc-link, Integrated Document Management Capture, workflow, output & archive w/doc-link, Doc. Mgmt. for Dynamics.
Arbela Technologies http://www.arbelatech.com • 949-291-4777 Master Data Centralization For Dynamics AX Arbela's Master Data Centralization for Dynamics AX manages product, customer, vendor, employees, and COA master data and their fields across multiple companies for better shared services. Gain from our experience!
Ariett http://www.ariett.com • 781-826-1120 Enterprise Purchasing & Expense/Azure Cloud/On Premise Requisition, PO/Contract Mgmt., AP Automation, Travel/Expense Reporting.
AssureSign LLC
http://www.assuresign.com • 407-670-0400 AssureSign Electronic Signature Software Integrated cloud or on-premise enterprise class Electronic Signatures.
Business Systems Integrators
http://www.BusinessSysInteg.com 866-871-2097 EDI BSI provides superior EDI solutions for AX & GP, both on-premise & SaaS.
Concur https://www.concur.com • 425-590-5020 Travel Expense and Invoice Management Integrated travel expense and invoice software for Microsoft Dynamics.
DATABASICS, Inc.
http://www.data-basics.com • 314-282-9561
NEW: DATABASICS Time, Expense and Invoice Reporting DATABASICS offers SaaS solutions for Expense Reporting, Time Tracking and Vendor Invoice Management. Flexible, powerful, easy to use.
Datahaven for Dynamics http://www.datahaven4dynamics.com 757-222-2000 Datahaven for Dynamics Datahaven is the only scanning, OCR, and workflow solution natively embed-ded—not simply integrated—throughout the Microsoft Dynamics user experience and available to non-Dynamics users from Microsoft Outlook.
docSTAR http://www.docstar.com • 888-docSTAR docSTAR eclipse Smart AP Automation docSTAR is the premier AP Automation solution provider for small to mid-size enterprises. Streamline your AP invoice processing with intelligent data capture, workflow, and integration with Microsoft Dynamics ERP.
Greenshades Software
http://www.greenshades.com/ 888-255-3815 ext. 2 Greenshades Year End Forms Electronic distribution, print to blank paper, and fully automated mailing services help thousands of Greenshades clients create, distribute and electronically file their 1099, W-2 and 1095-C forms.
Higher Logic http://www.higherlogic.com • 202-360-4402 Connected Community The leading cloud-based commu-nity platform used by organizations worldwide to bring people together in secure communities designed to ignite knowledge sharing, drive content creation and solve problems.
Isis, Inc.
http://www.getpg.net • 804-762-4200 Praetorian Guard User Auditing, Network Monitoring & Network Admin for ALL businesses.
IndustryIN
DU
STR
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Agriculture
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/commodity-trading-module • 425-931-9972 Commodity Trading Complete solution for Commodity Trading companies. Key Features: Contracts, Bulk Logistics, Allocations, Risk Management – Position, ForEx, Futures Hedging, Mark to Market Reports, Track Costs and Accruals.
Apparel/Footwear
Sunrise Technologies http://www.sunriseconsult.com • 336-722-6741 Apparel & Footwear Template Extends the native apparel and footwear functionality in Microsoft Dynamics AX. Order Matrix, Season Codes, Color/Size/Configuration Scales, Customer Ship-To/Mark-For Addresses, Master Production Orders.
Automotive
CuroGens, Inc. http://www.curogens.com • 317-815-8120 Vehicle Management System for Microsoft Dynamics® AX 2012 VMS provides a comprehensive solution for automotive manufacturing compa-nies that works from order placement over VIN/HIN assignment in production to sales/service and managing dealer networks.
Data Masons Software
http://www.datamasons.com • 866-575-1631 Vantage Point EDI for Dynamics Data Masons helps companies lever-age EDI into a competitive advantage by providing tight integration with Dynamics, without customizations.
Chemicals
Horizons International
http://www.qualityessentialssuite.com 866-949-9504 ext. 811 Quality Essentials Suite Quality Mgt. System offers decimal preci-sion, cert. of analysis, non-conformance, material holds, reporting, data export. Integrated to Dynamics, Horizons Manufacturing, also non-integrated application avail.
KEY: Axapta Great Plains Navision Solomon Customer Relationship Management Retail Management System Point of Sale
Q1 2015 | 71
Liaison Software Corp
http://www.liaisonsc.com 800-811-4618 ext. 201 Liaison Messenger EDD Batch email, fax, print, archive Invoices, Statements, Sales Orders, Purchase Orders to customers, vendors, sales. Attach supporting documentation. Use existing reports (GP report writer, SSRS, Crystal).
PaperSave http://www.PaperSave.com • 877-727-3799 PaperSave PaperSave is a complete document management, electronic workflow and invoice automation solution, Certified for Microsoft Dynamics GP, SL, AX, & CRM.
Paramount Technologies
http://www.paramounttechnologies.com 800-725-4408 WorkPlace eProcurement Solutions for Requisition, Purchasing & Invoice Automation. Options include PunchOut, Check Request, Budget Compliance, RFQ, Requisition, PO Generation, Receiving, Invoice Matching & Vendor Contract Compliance.
Paramount Technologies
http://www.paramounttechnologies.com/Solution_InvoiceAutomation.aspx 800-725-4408 WorkPlace AP Invoice Automation Enforce spend management and ap-provals for PO and non-PO Invoices.
Perceptive Software https://www.perceptivesoftware.com/products/perceptive-interact/application-integration/microsoft-dynamics-ax.html • 800-941-7460 Perceptive Software Interact for Microsoft Dynamics AX Interact for Microsoft Dynamics AX brings integrated document capture and retrieval technology to the AX environment. Locate relevant content quickly and easily based on a customer-defined folder hierarchy.
ReQlogic http://www.reqlogic.com • 734-302-2316 ReQlogic ReQlogic is a browser-based employee productivity suite providing solutions for eProcurement, requisitions, vendor invoices, time & expense, and advanced workflow.
Solver
http://www.solverusa.com • 310-691-5300 Solver - BI360 Suite Both Excel & Web-based Financial & Operational Reporting, Budgeting, Dashboards, & a pre-configured Data Warehouse w/ direct integration to Microsoft Dynamics.
Equipment Dealers
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au • 425-931-9972 Enterprise Asset Management Maintain operations and ensure cru-cial assets are not offline. Features: Scheduling, Failure Mgmnt, Warranty, Downtime and Maintenance Analysis.
Equipment Rental and Leasing
SYCOR GmbH http://www.sycor-group.com/rental +49 551 490 2491 Sycor.Rental AX 2012 solution for individual & bulk rentals, trade of mobile goods. Full rental lifecycle with key features: graphical scheduling, transport mgmt., service & maintenance, fleet mgmt., flexible billing methods, BI
Finance/Banking
AssureSign LLC
http://www.assuresign.com • 407-670-0400 AssureSign Electronic Signature Software Integrated cloud or on-premise enterprise class Electronic Signatures.
Isis, Inc.
http://www.getpg.net • 804-762-4200 Praetorian Guard PG will allow your institution to meet the stringent regulations and auditing guidelines including Sarbanes Oxley, FINRA and more.
Perceptive Software https://www.perceptivesoftware.com/products/perceptive-interact/application-integration/microsoft-dynamics-ax.html • 800-941-7460 Perceptive Software Interact for Microsoft Dynamics AX Interact for Microsoft Dynamics AX brings integrated document capture and retrieval technology to the AX environment. Locate relevant content quickly and easily based on a customer-defined folder hierarchy.
Fleet Management
SYCOR GmbH http://www.sycor-group.com/fleet +49 551 490 2491 Sycor.Fleet AX 2012 solution for fleet management. Key features: graph. scheduling, trans-port mgmt., service & maintenance, vehicle data mgmt., vehicle history (costs, repairs, damage), BI & reporting, flexible billing methods
Food and Beverage
Altec http://www.altec-inc.com 800-997-9921 ext. 1255 doc-link Integrated Document Management Capture, workflow, output & archive w/doc-link, Doc. Mgmt. for Dynamics.
Appolis http://www.appolis.com • 612-343-0404 WithoutWireTM Warehouse Barcode mobile traceable lot serial tracked inventory for Manufacture Distributor Pharma Chemical CPG Food Beverage-Field-Supply Chain-Ship-WMS.
Arbela Technologies http://www.arbelatech.com • 949-291-4777 Arbela Technologies Our specialties can align with all your industry-specific and evolving business needs. With minimum customizations, we tailor Dynamics AX to effectively reduce costs and improve efficiency. Gain from our experience!
ASC Software http://www.ascsoftware.com • 937-429-1428 ASCTrac Award winning, scalable, Warehouse Management Solutions (WMS) designed to support the demanding requirements of Distribution, Manufacturing and 3PL operations, covering the entire Supply Chain cycle.
Blue Horseshoe http://www.bhsolutions.com 317-573-2583 Supply Chain Suite for Dynamics AX Gold Certified ERP Partner providing Tier-1 end-to-end implementation services as well as Industry Leading software to fully optimize your Supply Chain. See what’s new in the Supply Chain Suite for Dynamics AX.
Business Systems Integrators
http://www.BusinessSysInteg.com 866-871-2097 EDI BSI provides superior EDI solutions for AX & GP, both on-premise & SaaS.
Horizons International
http://www.qualityessentialssuite.com 866-949-9504 ext. 811 Quality Essentials Suite Quality Mgt. System offers decimal preci-sion, cert. of analysis, non-conformance, material holds, reporting, data export. Integrated to Dynamics, Horizons Manufacturing, also non-integrated application avail.
Metafile Information Systems, Inc.
http://www.metaviewer.com • 507-286-9232 MetaViewer Paperless ERP for Microsoft Dynamics Enhance your AX, GP, NAV & SL solu-tions by adding integrated scanning, OCR, eInvoicing, workflow, and AP/AR Automation.
RockySoft http://www.RockySoft.com 970-493-0868 ext. 106 Inventory Management and Supply Chain Planning Pack Light Supply Chain Mgmt Suite-Forecasting, Inventory Mgmt, Purchase Order Planning, Vendor Lead Time Mgmt, Retail Store Planning and S&OP.
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/commodity-trading-module • 425-931-9972 Commodity Trading Complete solution for Commodity Trading companies. Key Features: Contracts, Bulk Logistics, Allocations, Risk Management–Position, ForEx, Futures Hedging, Mark to Market Reports, Track Costs and Accruals.
Government
Isis, Inc.
http://www.getpg.net • 804-762-4200 Praetorian Guard User Auditing, Network Monitoring & Network Admin for ALL businesses.
Healthcare
InterDyn BMI http://www.erp4health.com • 866-264-3249 ERP4Health® Financial Management Software pow-ered by Microsoft Dynamics.
Isis, Inc.
http://www.getpg.net • 804-762-4200 Praetorian Guard PG will allow your healthcare organization to meet the stringent HIPAA auditing needs across your entire organization. You can also help to eliminate risk of malpractice litigation by recording your user's actions.
IND
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KEY: Axapta Great Plains Navision Solomon Customer Relationship Management Retail Management System Point of Sale
72 | AXUG Magazine
Kronos Incorporated http://www.kronos.com • 800-225-1561 Workforce Central® Suite Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Dynamics to completely automate the essential timekeeping, human resources and financial processes.
Paramount Technologies
http://www.paramounttechnologies.com 800-725-4408 WorkPlace for Healthcare Drive down costs, control purchases and manage your materials. Supports single and multi-site facilities. Integrate Requisition through Invoice Automation and Inventory processes. Record items using barcode scanners.
Sierra Workforce Solutions
http://www.sierraws.com • 800-822-0973 Sierra Workforce Solutions Time & labor management solutions optimizing productivity and data in-tegration for payroll, HR & job costing using biometrics, badge, WEB or PC based time clocks. Includes employee manager self service.
Vertical Solutions, Inc.
http://www.vertsol.com • 513-891-7997 VServiceManagement CfMD enterprise field service for Asset Management, Contracts/Warranties & BPM, Dispatch & Mobility. On-premises or private/public cloud.
High Tech and Electronics
Experlogix, Inc. http://www.experlogix.com 805-504-9729 ext. 712 Experlogix CPQ (Configure Price Quote) for Microsoft Dynamics CRM & ERP Experlogix CPQ solutions meet the demands of today’s competitive mar-ketplace by simplifying the process of selling customized products, accelerat-ing proposal development times and increasing quote-to-order ratios.
QBD Systems http://www.qbdsys.com • 800-743-9003 Universal PLM Integration Integration w/ PLM s/w incl. Agile, Arena, Aras, Solidworks EPDM & more.
Red Maple http://www.redmaple.com • 972-980-6963 Red Maple's Advanced Trade and Pricing Adv Trade extends pricing capabilities to include complex pricing structures, extends billing, billing schedules and revenue recognition of complex transac-tions. Contracts can be generated and managed easily.
Home Furnishings
Sunrise Technologies http://www.sunriseconsult.com • 336-722-6741 Microsoft Dynamics AX for Home Furnishings Sunrise provides expertise in managing the complex home furnishings supply chain: container assembly and tracking, product families and sets, item master flexibility, product configuration, and mobile order entry.
Industrial Equipment
Experlogix, Inc. http://www.experlogix.com 805-504-9729 ext. 712 Experlogix CPQ (Configure Price Quote) for Microsoft Dynamics CRM & ERP Experlogix CPQ solutions meet the demands of today’s competitive mar-ketplace by simplifying the process of selling customized products, accelerat-ing proposal development times and increasing quote-to-order ratios.
mcaConnect http://mcaconnect.net • 866-622-0669 Microsoft Dynamics AX for Industrial Equipment Manufacturers Leveraging a clear manufacturing industry focus, mcaConnect provides innovative Dynamics AX solutions and services for mid-market and enterprise-size manufacturers, enabling clients to achieve competitive supremacy.
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au • 425-931-9972 Enterprise Asset Management Maintain operations and ensure cru-cial assets are not offline. Features: Scheduling, Failure Mgmnt, Warranty, Downtime and Maintenance Analysis.
Vertical Solutions, Inc.
http://www.vertsol.com • 513-891-7997 VServiceManagement CfMD enterprise field service for Asset Management, Contracts/Warranties & BPM, Dispatch & Mobility. On-premises or private/public cloud.
Insurance
AssureSign LLC
http://www.assuresign.com • 407-670-0400 AssureSign Electronic Signature Software Integrated cloud or on-premise enterprise class Electronic Signatures.
Lean Manufacturing
mcaConnect http://mcaconnect.net • 866-622-0669 Areteium from mcaConnect Our Lean Enterprise solution bridges the gap between ERP and Lean. Backed by our breakthrough Lean toolkit, Areteium, we enable clients to make data-driven decisions to improve processes and enhance profitability.
Life Sciences
Armanino http://www.amllp.com/microsoft-dynamics • 925-790-2600 Armanino A Gold Certified ERP/CRM Partner, we provide award-winning implementation and support for Dynamics to meet your industry-specific needs.
Perceptive Software https://www.perceptivesoftware.com/products/perceptive-interact/application-integration/microsoft-dynamics-ax.html • 800-941-7460 Perceptive Software Interact for Microsoft Dynamics AX Interact for Microsoft Dynamics AX brings integrated document capture and retrieval technology to the AX environment. Locate relevant content quickly and easily based on a customer-defined folder hierarchy.
Maintenance Management
eRPortal Software Group LLC
http://www.erportalsoftware.com 413-233-5404 eRPortal CMMS Software Suite The eRPortal Software Group provides high performance, web-enabled, Asset Management, Maintenance Management, and Materials Tracking software solu-tions for managing strategic assets and operations.
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au • 425-931-9972 Enterprise Asset Management Maintain operations and ensure cru-cial assets are not offline. Features: Scheduling, Failure Mgmnt, Warranty, Downtime and Maintenance Analysis.
Manufacturing
Altec http://www.altec-inc.com 800-997-9921 ext. 1255 doc-link Integrated Document Management Capture, workflow, output & archive w/doc-link, Doc. Mgmt. for Dynamics.
Arbela Technologies http://www.arbelatech.com • 949-291-4777 Arbela Technologies Our specialties can align with all your industry-specific and evolving business needs. With minimum customizations, we tailor Dynamics AX to effectively reduce costs and improve efficiency. Gain from our experience!
Armanino http://www.amllp.com/microsoft-dynamics • 925-790-2600 Armanino A Gold Certified ERP/CRM Partner, we provide award-winning implementation and support for Dynamics to meet your industry-specific needs.
ASC Software http://www.ascsoftware.com • 937-429-1428 ASCTrac Award winning, scalable Warehouse Management Solutions & MFG operations.
docSTAR http://www.docstar.com • 888-docSTAR docSTAR eclipse Smart AP Automation docSTAR is the premier AP Automation solution provider for small to mid-size enterprises. Streamline your AP invoice processing with intelligent data capture, workflow, and integration with Microsoft Dynamics ERP.
eNSYNC Solutions, Inc. http://www.ScanWorkX.com • 913-647-8640 ScanWorkX for Dynamics AX Extend Dynamics AX to nearly any mo-bile device. More than 75 standard DAX functions with and without barcoding. Custom transactions available.
Experlogix, Inc. http://www.experlogix.com 805-504-9729 ext. 712 Experlogix CPQ (Configure Price Quote) for Microsoft Dynamics CRM & ERP Experlogix CPQ solutions meet the demands of today’s competitive mar-ketplace by simplifying the process of selling customized products, accelerat-ing proposal development times and increasing quote-to-order ratios.
HighJump Software
http://www.highjump.com 800-328-3271 ext. 4 EDI and WMS Solutions from Highjump EDI and Warehouse Management Solutions for Microsoft Dynamics that streamline the flow of inventory & information from supplier to store shelf. Our adaptable solutions manage the needs of 14,000+ global customers.
Kronos Incorporated http://www.kronos.com • 800-225-1561 Workforce Central® Suite Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Dynamics to completely automate the essential timekeeping, human resources and financial processes.
Liaison Software Corp
http://www.liaisonsc.com 800-811-4618 ext. 201 Liaison Messenger EDD Batch email, fax, print, archive Invoices, Statements, Sales Orders, Purchase Orders to customers, vendors, sales. Attach supporting documentation. Use existing reports (GP report writer, SSRS, Crystal).
IND
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RY
KEY: Axapta Great Plains Navision Solomon Customer Relationship Management Retail Management System Point of Sale
Q1 2015 | 73
Metafile Information Systems, Inc.
http://www.metaviewer.com • 507-286-9232 MetaViewer Paperless ERP for Microsoft Dynamics Enhance your AX, GP, NAV & SL solu-tions by adding integrated scanning, OCR, eInvoicing, workflow, and AP/AR Automation.
RF-SMART http://ax.rfsmart.com • 904-399-8500 RF-SMART Data Collection #1 brand of mobile solutions for AX warehousing, manufacturing, & retail inventory control. "Your Supply Chain: Mobile. Accurate. Real time."
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/commodity-procurement-for-manufacturing • 425-931-9972 Procurement for Manufacturing Procurement of raw materials for manu-facturing with integrated MRP. Key Features: Contracts, Bulk Logistics, Allocations, Risk Management – Position, ForEx, Futures Hedging, Track Costs and Accruals.
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/advanced-production-scheduling-module 425-931-9972 Advanced Production Scheduling Review and adjust Prod. Schedule from the Gantt Chart. Key Features: Dashboard View, Additional sort sequences, Reroute to alt. work centers.
Sierra Workforce Solutions
http://www.sierraws.com • 800-822-0973 Sierra Workforce Solutions Time & labor management solutions optimizing productivity and data in-tegration for payroll, HR & job costing using biometrics, badge, WEB or PC based time clocks. Includes employee manager self service.
Sunrise Technologies http://www.sunriseconsult.com • 336-722-6741 Microsoft Dynamics AX for Manufacturing Deep expertise in supply chain imple-mentations. Get a tier 1, omni-channel, global solution for the lowest cost on the market, backed by Sunrise Global Support.
Vertical Solutions, Inc.
http://www.vertsol.com • 513-891-7997 VServiceManagement CfMD enterprise field service for Asset Management, Contracts/Warranties & BPM, Dispatch & Mobility. On-premises or private/public cloud.
Media and Entertainment
KORE Software http://www.KOREsoftware.com • 480-240-5662 KORE ProSports™ More teams in the NFL, MLB, NBA & NHL use KORE than any other software. CRM for sponsorships, ticket sales, premium seating & media trafficking.
Non-Profit Organizations
Paramount Technologies
http://www.paramounttechnologies.com 800-725-4408 WorkPlace for Non-Profits Requisition & Expense with GL Distribution, Encumbrance & Audit Trails.
Sierra Workforce Solutions
http://www.sierraws.com • 800-822-0973 Sierra Workforce Solutions Time & labor management solutions optimizing productivity and data in-tegration for payroll, HR & job costing using biometrics, badge, WEB or PC based time clocks. Includes employee manager self service.
Oil and Gas
mcaConnect http://ax4energy.com • 877-244-6980 AX4energy Oil & Gas Solutions AX4energy provides a package of soft-ware and services designed for Oilfield Services companies and Downstream/Upstream operations. Includes Upstream Exploration & Production and Joint Venture Accounting.
Pharmaceuticals
Armanino http://www.amllp.com/microsoft-dynamics 925-790-2600 Armanino A Gold Certified ERP/CRM Partner, we provide award-winning implementation and support for Dynamics to meet your industry-specific needs.
ASC Software http://www.ascsoftware.com • 937-429-1428 ASCTrac Award winning, scalable, Warehouse Management Solutions (WMS) designed to support the demanding requirements of Distribution, Manufacturing and 3PL operations, covering the entire Supply Chain cycle.
Concur https://www.concur.com • 425-590-5020 Travel Expense and Invoice Management Integrated travel expense and invoice software for Microsoft Dynamics.
Horizons International
http://www.qualityessentialssuite.com 866-949-9504 ext. 811 Quality Essentials Suite Quality Mgt. System offers decimal preci-sion, cert. of analysis, non-conformance, material holds, reporting, data export. Integrated to Dynamics, Horizons Manufacturing, also non-integrated application avail.
Retail
Arbela Technologies http://www.arbelatech.com • 949-291-4777 Arbela Technologies Our specialties can align with all your industry-specific and evolving business needs. With minimum customizations, we tailor Dynamics AX to effectively reduce costs and improve efficiency. Gain from our experience!
Avalara, Inc.
http://www.info.avalara.com/TheList 877-780-4848 Avalara for Sales Tax Automation Automate and eliminate the complex-ity of sales tax management with Avalara. A cloud-based sales and use tax calculation, exemption certificate management, filing and remittance solution for Microsoft Dynamics.
HighJump Software
http://www.highjump.com 800-328-3271 ext. 4 EDI and WMS Solutions from Highjump EDI and Warehouse Management Solutions for Microsoft Dynamics that streamline the flow of inventory & information from supplier to store shelf. Our adaptable solutions manage the needs of 14,000+ global customers.
Kronos Incorporated http://www.kronos.com • 800-225-1561 Workforce Central® Suite Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Dynamics to completely automate the essential timekeeping, human resources
and financial processes.
Metafile Information Systems, Inc.
http://www.metaviewer.com • 507-286-9232 MetaViewer Paperless ERP for Microsoft Dynamics Enhance your AX, GP, NAV & SL solu-tions by adding integrated scanning, OCR, eInvoicing, workflow, and AP/AR Automation.
Red Maple http://www.redmaple.com • 972-980-6963 Red Maple's Advanced Credit Cards PCI validated CC solution native to AX and Retail for AX. We integrate to 13+ processors. Take payments in SO, AR or Projects. Tokenization is available. Process CC in multiple countries. Handle complex transactions.
Red Maple http://www.redmaple.com • 972-980-6963 Red Maple's Advanced Credit Cards for Retail Adv. CC for Retail allows you to process credit cards in retail environments and directly integrate into AX. PCI validated CC solution native to AX. Red Maple has many processor options for CC for Retail.
Total Dynamics Solutions, LLC
http://www.totaldynamicssolutions.com 877-855-8860 Retail Toolkit for Your Entire Organization • NO User/Seat Licensing Costs• Integrated Store/Merch Planning• Ticket/item/employee detail• Corporate & Store level P&Ls• Inventory analytics/optimization • Product life-cycle management
Software
Concur https://www.concur.com • 425-590-5020 Travel Expense and Invoice Management Integrated travel expense and invoice software for Microsoft Dynamics.
Corporate Services
http://www.corpservice.com • 800-293-6822 TrakQuip and RTMS Software Solutions Whether you own, rent, or utilize equip-ment, TrakQuip & RTMS make it easy to track & manage your assets, automate routine business operations, & produce excellent financial information to ac-curately run your business.
Software Manufacturers
NMB Solutions http://www.nmbsolutions.ca • 800-563-1007 Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Integration for UPS and FedEx Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Shipping Solution Integration: The NMB Solution Module is written using standard Dynamics AX objects and is designed to allow easy interac-tion with FedEx, DHL and UPS .
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KEY: Axapta Great Plains Navision Solomon Customer Relationship Management Retail Management System Point of Sale
74 | AXUG Magazine
Red Maple http://www.redmaple.com • 972-980-6963 Red Maple's Advanced Trade and Pricing Adv Trade extends pricing capabilities to include complex pricing structures, extends billing, billing schedules and revenue recognition of complex transac-tions. Contracts can be generated and managed easily.
Transportation
NMB Solutions http://www.nmbsolutions.ca • 800-563-1007 Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Integration for UPS and FedEx Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Shipping Solution Integration: The NMB Solution Module is written using standard Dynamics AX objects and is designed to allow easy interac-tion with FedEx, DHL and UPS .
Warehouse Management
Appolis http://www.appolis.com • 612-343-0404 WithoutWireTM Warehouse Barcode mobile traceable lot serial tracked inventory for Manufacture Distributor Pharma Chemical CPG Food Beverage-Field-Supply Chain-Ship-WMS.
ASC Software http://www.ascsoftware.com • 937-429-1428 ASCTrac Award winning, scalable, Warehouse Management Solutions (WMS) designed to support the demanding requirements of Distribution, Manufacturing and 3PL operations, covering the entire Supply Chain cycle.
eNSYNC Solutions, Inc. http://www.ScanWorkX.com • 913-647-8640 ScanWorkX for Dynamics AX Extend Dynamics AX to nearly any mo-bile device. More than 75 standard DAX functions with and without barcoding. Custom transactions available.
HighJump Software
http://www.highjump.com 800-328-3271 ext. 4 EDI and WMS Solutions from Highjump EDI and Warehouse Management Solutions for Microsoft Dynamics that streamline the flow of inventory & information from supplier to store shelf. Our adaptable solutions manage the needs of 14,000+ global customers.
NMB Solutions http://www.nmbsolutions.ca • 800-563-1007 Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Integration for UPS and FedEx Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Shipping Solution Integration: The NMB Solution Module is written using standard Dynamics AX objects and is designed to allow easy interac-tion with FedEx, DHL and UPS.
Wholesale Trade: Durable Goods
Data Masons Software
http://www.datamasons.com • 866-575-1631 Vantage Point EDI for Dynamics Data Masons helps companies lever-age EDI into a competitive advantage by providing tight integration with Dynamics, without customizations.
Flintfox International Limited
http://www.flintfox.com • 844-876-4276 TPM for Dynamics Suite Flintfox solutions provide a single, integrated platform to manage all trade promotion activity, from client relationships to the financial execution; streamlining information and managing complex pricing with ease.
RockySoft http://www.RockySoft.com 970-493-0868 ext. 106 Inventory Management and Supply Chain Planning Pack Light Supply Chain Mgmt Suite-Forecasting, Inventory Mgmt, Purchase Order Planning, Vendor Lead Time Mgmt, Retail Store Planning and S&OP.
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/landed-cost-module • 425-931-9972 Landed Cost Manage Multiple Vendors/PO's as a shipment to improve efficiency/vis-ibility. Key features: Accruals, Auto Cost Allocation, in transit costing.
Wholesale Trade: Non-durable Goods
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/landed-cost-module • 425-931-9972 Landed Cost Manage Multiple Vendors/PO's as a shipment to improve efficiency/vis-ibility. Key features: Accruals, Auto Cost Allocation, in transit costing.
IND
UST
RY
“The List provides a fast and easy way for Microsoft Dynamics users to fi nd the perfect solutions to fi t their needs. All
the leading solutions are there in one place. Having access to The List on your mobile device makes fi nding what you
need easy no matter where you are—at the airport, in a meeting, or on the road.”
Karen TranChargeLogic
Learn why Karen with ChargeLogic likes The List:
KEY: Axapta Great Plains Navision Solomon Customer Relationship Management Retail Management System Point of Sale
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Accounting
Perceptive Software https://www.perceptivesoftware.com/products/perceptive-interact/application-integration/microsoft-dynamics-ax.html • 800-941-7460 Perceptive Software Interact for Microsoft Dynamics AX Interact for Microsoft Dynamics AX brings integrated document capture and retrieval technology to the AX environment. Locate relevant content quickly and easily based on a customer-defined folder hierarchy.
Analytics
Arbela Technologies http://www.arbelatech.com • 949-291-4777 Arbela Technologies Our specialties can align with all your industry-specific and evolving business needs. With minimum customizations, we tailor Dynamics AX to effectively reduce costs and improve efficiency. Gain from our experience!
Kronos Incorporated http://www.kronos.com • 800-225-1561 Workforce Central® Suite Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Dynamics to completely automate the essential timekeeping, human resources and financial processes.
Asset Maintenance/MRO/EAM
eRPortal Software Group LLC
http://www.erportalsoftware.com 413-233-5404 eRPortal CMMS Software Suite The eRPortal Software Group provides high performance, web-enabled, Asset Management, Maintenance Management, and Materials Tracking software solu-tions for managing strategic assets and operations.
Vertical Solutions, Inc.
http://www.vertsol.com • 513-891-7997 VServiceManagement CfMD enterprise field service for Asset Management, Contracts/Warranties & BPM, Dispatch & Mobility. On-premises or private/public cloud.
Backup & Recovery
Isis, Inc.
http://www.getpg.net • 804-762-4200 Praetorian Guard PG will backup your PCs and Servers across your entire organization.
Barcode Data Collection
eNSYNC Solutions, Inc. http://www.ScanWorkX.com • 913-647-8640 ScanWorkX for Dynamics AX Extend Dynamics AX to nearly any mo-bile device. More than 75 standard DAX functions with and without barcoding. Custom transactions available.
MT Mobility http://www.mt-mobility.com 641-753-5999 ext. 151 MT Mobility Mobile WMS integrating iOS app & rugged iOS device to extend Dynamics.
RF-SMART http://ax.rfsmart.com • 904-399-8500 RF-SMART Data Collection #1 brand of mobile solutions for AX warehousing, manufacturing, & retail inventory control. "Your Supply Chain: Mobile. Accurate. Real time."
Budgeting
deFacto Global, Inc.
http://www.deFactoGlobal.com 203-894-1789 ext. 221 deFacto Performance Management Premier “All-in-One”Dynamics Financial & Operational Budgeting, Forecasting, Consolidation, Analysis and Reporting, Excel/Web-based. Powerful, Affordable.
Perceptive Software https://www.perceptivesoftware.com/products/perceptive-interact/application-integration/microsoft-dynamics-ax.html • 800-941-7460 Perceptive Software Interact for Microsoft Dynamics AX Interact for Microsoft Dynamics AX brings integrated document capture and retrieval technology to the AX environment. Locate relevant content quickly and easily based on a customer-defined folder hierarchy.
Solver
http://www.solverusa.com • 310-691-5300 Solver - BI360 Suite Both Excel & Web-based Financial & Operational Reporting, Budgeting, Dashboards, & a pre-configured Data Warehouse w/ direct integration to Microsoft Dynamics.
Total Dynamics Solutions, LLC
http://www.totaldynamicssolutions.com 877-855-8860 Budgeting & Planning ToolKit for Your Entire Organization • NO User/Seat Licensing Costs• Financial & Sales Planning • Procurement Planning• Trade Management• Secure input, consolidation, and Versioning; top-down/bottom-up
Business Intelligence
Client Strategy Group http://www.csgax.com • 216-524-2574 Dynamics AX Done Right! CSG has proven expertise in: AX Performance Tuning, Business Intelligence, and AX 2012 Upgrades.
deFacto Global, Inc.
http://www.deFactoGlobal.com 203-894-1789 ext. 221 deFacto Performance Management Premier “All-in-One” Dynamics Financial & Operational Budgeting, Forecasting, Consolidation, Analysis and Reporting, Excel/Web-based. Powerful, Affordable.
Halo Business Intelligence
http://www.halobi.com • 888-300-0219 Halo Business Intelligence Any source, data quality, rapidly deploy, predict, collaborate & mobile.
Solver
http://www.solverusa.com • 310-691-5300 Solver - BI360 Suite Both Excel & Web-based Financial & Operational Reporting, Budgeting, Dashboards, & a pre-configured Data Warehouse w/ direct integration to Microsoft Dynamics.
Sunrise Technologies
http://www.sunriseconsult.com • 336-722-6741 Sunrise BI Put data to work anytime, on any device, anywhere; enabling companies to make decisions and take action, empower-ing users beyond BI. Provides mobile, analytics, and extension/completion of transactional systems.
Total Dynamics Solutions, LLC
http://www.totaldynamicssolutions.com 877-855-8860 Business Intelligence Plus Toolkit for Your Entire Organization • NO User/Seat Licensing Costs• Dynamic Cubes (GL/Profit/&More)• Web-based Reporting• Dashboards• Admin Tools: Security/Scenarios/ Hierarchy/ & More
ZAP http://www.zapbi.com • 415-889-5740 ZAP Business Intelligence ZAP provides 'Buy, Not Build' busi-ness intelligence for companies using Microsoft Dynamics AX, CRM and NAV. With 1000+ pre-packaged analytics, our BI deployments are rapid and deliver immediate business outcomes.
Business Process Management
Altec http://www.altec-inc.com 800-997-9921 ext. 1255 doc-link Integrated Document Management Capture, workflow, output & archive w/doc-link, Doc. Mgmt. for Dynamics.
docSTAR http://www.docstar.com • 888-docSTAR docSTAR eclipse Smart AP Automation docSTAR is the premier AP Automation solution provider for small to mid-size enterprises. Streamline your AP invoice processing with intelligent data cap-ture, workflow, and integration with Microsoft Dynamics ERP.
Metafile Information Systems, Inc.
http://www.metaviewer.com • 507-286-9232 MetaViewer Paperless ERP for Microsoft Dynamics Enhance your AX, GP, NAV & SL solu-tions by adding integrated scanning, OCR, eInvoicing, workflow, and AP/AR Automation.
Perceptive Software https://www.perceptivesoftware.com/products/perceptive-interact/application-integration/microsoft-dynamics-ax.html • 800-941-7460 Perceptive Software Interact for Microsoft Dynamics AX Interact for Microsoft Dynamics AX brings integrated document capture and retrieval technology to the AX environment. Locate relevant content quickly and easily based on a customer-defined folder hierarchy.
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Check Printing
Liaison Software Corp
http://www.liaisonsc.com 800-811-4618 ext. 201 Liaison Messenger DD Batch email password protected Direct Deposit Statements to Employees.
MHC Software, Inc.
http://www.mhcsoftwareinc.com 952-882-3341 Document Express Accounts Payable & Payroll MICR Check Printing MICR checks print to blank stock from standard Dynamics output. Ideal for unique customizations- print virtu-ally any data available in Dynamics on checks. Digitized signatures, positive pay, secure remote printing.
Collaboration Platform
Higher Logic http://www.higherlogic.com • 202-360-4402 Connected Community The leading cloud-based commu-nity platform used by organizations worldwide to bring people together in secure communities designed to ignite knowledge sharing, drive content creation and solve problems.
Commissions
Red Maple http://www.redmaple.com • 972-980-6963 Red Maple's Advance Commissions Adv Commissions is flexible and handles complex commissions. Commissions can be calculated based on many criteria and can be paid at invoice, upon pay-ment or periodically. It can be used in SO, Projects, AR & AP.
Compliance
Altec http://www.altec-inc.com 800-997-9921 ext. 1255 doc-link Integrated Document Management doc-link electronic document solutions support compliance mandates.
Arbela Technologies http://www.arbelatech.com • 949-291-4777 Arbela Security Manager Arbela Security Manager allows you to focus on your business and not your technology needs. On average, our customers have gained 90% efficiency in managing and auditing processes. Gain from our experience!
Greenshades Software
http://www.greenshades.com/ 888-255-3815 ext. 2 Greenshades Year End Forms Electronic distribution, print to blank paper, and fully automated mailing services help thousands of Greenshades clients create, distribute and electronically file their 1099, W-2 and 1095-C forms.
Isis, Inc.
http://www.getpg.net • 804-762-4200 Praetorian Guard PG will allow your institution to meet the stringent regulations and auditing guidelines including Sarbanes Oxley, FINRA and more.
Cost Accounting
Corporate Renaissance Group
http://www.crgroup.com • 613-232-4295 Cost Allocator Perform multi-level account allocations using 1 of 4 methods: percentage values, fixed amounts, cost drivers/measures, or account balance. Integrates with Dynamics, other ERP solutions or as a stand-alone system.
Credit Card/Check Processing
Ariett http://www.ariett.com • 781-826-1120 Enterprise Travel & Expense Reporting/Azure Cloud/On Premise Personal & Corporate Credit Cards, Currency, Reconciliation & Receipts.
Red Maple http://www.redmaple.com • 972-980-6963 Red Maple's Advanced Credit Cards PCI validated CC solution native to AX and Retail for AX. We integrate to 13+ processors. Take payments in SO, AR or Projects. Tokenization is available. Process CC in multiple countries. Handle complex transactions.
Red Maple http://www.redmaple.com • 972-980-6963 Red Maple's Advanced Credit Cards for Retail Adv. CC for Retail allows you to process credit cards in retail environments and directly integrate into AX. PCI validated CC solution native to AX. Red Maple has many processor options for CC for Retail.
Customer Relationship Management
Armanino http://www.amllp.com/microsoft-dynamics 925-790-2600 Armanino A Gold Certified ERP/CRM Partner, we provide award-winning implementa-tion and support for Dynamics to meet your industry-specific needs.
eBridge Connections
http://www.ebridgeconnections.com 800-755-6921 eBridge for CRM Cloud solution for seamless integration of customer & opportunity data.
Experlogix, Inc. http://www.experlogix.com 805-504-9729 ext. 712 Experlogix CPQ (Configure Price Quote) for Microsoft Dynamics CRM & ERP Experlogix CPQ solutions meet the demands of today’s competitive mar-ketplace by simplifying the process of selling customized products, accelerat-ing proposal development times and increasing quote-to-order ratios.
mcaConnect http://mcaconnect.net • 866-622-0669 CRM We are a global leader in delivering Dynamics CRM/XRM solutions. Our success is exemplified by multiple Microsoft Partner of the Year awards and numerous customer success stories.
Data Integration
eBridge Connections
http://www.ebridgeconnections.com 800-755-6921 eBridge Integration Solution The leading cloud integration platform for EDI, eCommerce & CRM systems.
Distribution
Arbela Technologies http://www.arbelatech.com • 949-291-4777 Arbela Technologies Our specialties can align with all your industry-specific and evolving business needs. With minimum customizations, we tailor Dynamics AX to effectively reduce costs and improve efficiency. Gain from our experience!
ASC Software http://www.ascsoftware.com • 937-429-1428 ASCTrac Award winning, scalable Warehouse Management Solutions & MFG operations.
Blue Horseshoe http://www.bhsolutions.com 317-573-2583 Supply Chain Suite for Dynamics AX Gold Certified ERP Partner providing Tier-1 end-to-end implementation services as well as Industry Leading software to fully optimize your Supply Chain. See what’s new in the Supply Chain Suite for Dynamics AX.
NMB Solutions http://www.nmbsolutions.ca • 800-563-1007 Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Integration for UPS and FedEx Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Shipping Solution Integration: The NMB Solution Module is written using standard Dynamics AX objects and is designed to allow easy interac-tion with FedEx, DHL and UPS.
RockySoft http://www.RockySoft.com 970-493-0868 ext. 106 Inventory Management and Supply Chain Planning Pack Light Supply Chain Mgmt Suite-Forecasting, Inventory Mgmt, Purchase Order Planning, Vendor Lead Time Mgmt, Retail Store Planning and S&OP.
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/landed-cost-module • 425-931-9972 Landed Cost Manage Multiple Vendors/PO's as a shipment to improve efficiency/vis-ibility. Key features: Accruals, Auto Cost Allocation, in transit costing.
Document Management
Altec http://www.altec-inc.com 800-997-9921 ext. 1255 doc-link Integrated Document Management Capture, workflow, output & archive w/doc-link, Doc. Mgmt. for Dynamics.
Ariett http://www.ariett.com • 781-826-1120 Enterprise AP Document Management/Azure Cloud/On Premise Invoice Capture & Approval, Accrual Reports, Intercompany, PO Matching.
CuroGens, Inc. http://www.curogens.com • 317-815-8120 SharePoint Document Connector for Microsoft Dynamics® AX 2012 SharePoint Document Connector for Microsoft Dynamics® AX 2012 is a customized solution that enables companies to merge the best features of Microsoft SharePoint seamlessly with Microsoft Dynamics® AX 2012.
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Datahaven for Dynamics http://www.datahaven4dynamics.com 757-222-2000 Datahaven for Dynamics Datahaven is the only scanning, OCR, and workflow solution natively embed-ded—not simply integrated—throughout the Microsoft Dynamics user experience and available to non-Dynamics users from Microsoft Outlook.
docSTAR http://www.docstar.com • 888-docSTAR docSTAR eclipse Smart AP Automation docSTAR is the premier AP Automation solution provider for small to mid-size enterprises. Streamline your AP invoice processing with intelligent data cap-ture, workflow, and integration with Microsoft Dynamics ERP.
Esker Inc http://www.esker.com • 800-368-5283 Document Process Automation Addressing processes like accounts payable, accounts receivable, and sales order processing, Esker solutions enable companies to automate the reception, processing and sending of documents with one platform.
Liaison Software Corp
http://www.liaisonsc.com 800-811-4618 ext. 201 Liaison Messenger EDD Batch email, fax, print, archive Invoices, Statements, Sales Orders, Purchase Orders to customers, vendors, sales. Attach supporting documentation. Use existing reports (GP report writer, SSRS, Crystal).
Metafile Information Systems, Inc.
http://www.metaviewer.com • 507-286-9232 MetaViewer Paperless ERP for Microsoft Dynamics Enhance your AX, GP, NAV & SL solu-tions by adding integrated scanning, OCR, eInvoicing, workflow, and AP/AR Automation.
MHC Software, Inc.
http://www.mhcsoftwareinc.com 952-882-3341 MHC Image Express Electronically archive vendor invoices, HRdocs, POs & more. Automated docu-ment entry. Retrieve documents from Dynamics screens or web browser. Retrieve related documents with a single click. Workflow & Report imaging
PaperSave http://www.PaperSave.com • 877-727-3799 PaperSave PaperSave is a complete document management, electronic workflow and invoice automation solution, Certified for Microsoft Dynamics GP, SL, AX, & CRM.
E-commerce
Avalara, Inc.
http://www.info.avalara.com/TheList 877-780-4848 Avalara for Sales Tax Automation Automate and eliminate the complex-ity of sales tax management with Avalara. A cloud-based sales and use tax calculation, exemption certificate management, filing and remittance solution for Microsoft Dynamics.
Computer Pundits Corporation
http://www.eCommerce21.com • 888-786-3487 eCommerce21® Patented B2B and B2C database driven eCommerce, fully integrated with Dynamics, for automated production of Web Storefront with intuitive navigation, SEO and full Shopping Cart for easier sales from your website.
eBridge Connections
http://www.ebridgeconnections.com 800-755-6921 eBridge for eCommerce Cloud integration with 20+ eCommerce platforms eg. Magento, Amazon, eBay
k-eCommerce http://www.k-eCommerce.com 855-k-eCommerce k-eCommerce Integrated B2B, B2C & Sales Portal websites deployed on premise or in a PCI Certified cloud. Built-in CMS, SEO, multilingual / multicurrency capabilities & responsive web design to support mobile & tablet devices.
Vertex SMB http://www.VertexSMB.com/TheList 855-221-5885 Vertex SMB Cloud-based, fully automated sales & use tax calculation and returns solution for Microsoft Dynamics with pay-as-you-go pricing.
EDI
AIM Computer Solutions, Inc.
http://www.aimcom.com • 586-439-0300 AIM Vision AutoSys EDI, AIAG barcode labels, Demand Mgmt, Release Acctg., MMOG-LE/TS16949.
Business Systems Integrators
http://www.BusinessSysInteg.com 866-871-2097 EDI BSI provides superior EDI solutions for AX & GP, both on-premise & SaaS.
Data Masons Software
http://www.datamasons.com • 866-575-1631 Vantage Point EDI for Dynamics Data Masons helps companies lever-age EDI into a competitive advantage by providing tight integration with Dynamics, without customizations.
eBridge Connections
http://www.ebridgeconnections.com 800-755-6921 eBridge for EDI Cloud EDI solution, no transaction fees, 1000+ trading partners.
HighJump Software
http://www.highjump.com 800-328-3271 ext. 4 EDI and WMS Solutions from Highjump EDI and Warehouse Management Solutions for Microsoft Dynamics that streamline the flow of inventory & in-formation from supplier to store shelf. Our adaptable solutions manage the needs of 14,000+ global customers.
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/electronic-document-interchange • 425-931-9972 EDI Streamline communications between customers/vendors. Key Features: Auto transfer between parties, Orders, Invoices, ASN’s & Multi location.
Electronic Document Delivery (Email)/Faxing
Altec http://www.altec-inc.com 800-997-9921 ext. 1255 doc-link Integrated Document Management Capture, workflow, output & archive w/doc-link, Doc. Mgmt. for Dynamics.
Datahaven for Dynamics http://www.datahaven4dynamics.com 757-222-2000 Datahaven for Dynamics Datahaven is the only scanning, OCR, and workflow solution natively embedded ”not simply integrated” throughout the Microsoft Dynamics user experience and available to non-Dynamics users from Microsoft Outlook.
Liaison Software Corp
http://www.liaisonsc.com 800-811-4618 ext. 201 Liaison Messenger EDD Batch email, fax, print, archive Invoices, Statements, Sales Orders, Purchase Orders to customers, vendors, sales. Attach supporting documentation. Use existing reports (GP report writer, SSRS, Crystal).
Electronic Signatures
AssureSign LLC
http://www.assuresign.com • 407-670-0400 AssureSign Electronic Signature Software Integrated cloud or on-premise enterprise class Electronic Signatures.
Expense Solutions
Ariett http://www.ariett.com • 781-826-1120 Enterprise Travel & Expense Reporting/Azure Cloud/On Premise Expense Reports, Travel, Receipts, Credit Cards, Currency, Any Device.
Concur https://www.concur.com • 425-590-5020 Travel Expense and Invoice Management Integrated travel expense and invoice software for Microsoft Dynamics.
DATABASICS, Inc.
http://www.data-basics.com • 314-282-9561
NEW: DATABASICS Time, Expense and Invoice Reporting DATABASICS offers SaaS solutions for Expense Reporting, Time Tracking and Vendor Invoice Management. Flexible, powerful, easy to use.
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Gorilla Expense
http://www.gorillaexpense.com 877-973-6737 Gorilla Expense The Gorilla Expense T&E solution includes mobile apps, purchase card & corpo-rate credit card reconciliation, project accounting expenses, multi-currency, VAT/GST capture & robust integration with GP, NAV, AX & SL.
Paramount Technologies
http://www.paramounttechnologies.com 800-725-4408 WorkPlace Expense Web-based Travel Request and Expense entry. Mobile expense and receipt capture with integration to AP and Projects.
ReQlogic http://www.reqlogic.com • 734-302-2316 ReQlogic Expense Management ReQlogic’s Expense Management module enables employees to enter expense reports using a browser or phone interface, or Import expense transactions from a bank or credit card account. Real time integration.
Field Service Management
FieldConnect, Inc.
http://www.fieldconnect.com • 949-428-1540 FieldConnect Mobile Workforce Solutions FieldConnect produces web-enabled tools for mobile field service automa-tion. Work orders, timesheets, dispatch boards, quoting tools and customer portals integrate directly with Dynamics for maximum efficiency.
FieldOne Systems
http://www.fieldone.com • 201-252-8900 FieldOne Sky An end-to-end platform supporting all phases of field service management including routing and scheduling, work process automation, communications, and business intelligence with support
for any mobile device.
Vertical Solutions, Inc.
http://www.vertsol.com • 513-891-7997 VServiceManagement CfMD enterprise field service for Asset Management, Contracts/Warranties & BPM, Dispatch & Mobility. On-premises or private/public cloud.
HR Management
Corporate Renaissance
Group http://www.employee-performance.com 877-711-0367 emPerform Award-winning employee performance management for Microsoft Dynamics GP & AX HR. Online performance reviews, 360° assessments, goal management, succession planning, pay-for-performance, reporting & social feedback.
Kronos Incorporated http://www.kronos.com • 800-225-1561 Workforce Central® Suite Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Dynamics to completely automate the essential timekeeping, human resources and financial processes.
Paychex http://mystaffingpro.com • 800-939-2462 myStaffingPro Applicant Tracking System Recruiting software to qualify applicants, track jobs, and select hires.
Inventory Management
Armanino http://www.amllp.com/microsoft-dynamics 925-790-2600 Armanino A Gold Certified ERP/CRM Partner, we provide award-winning implementa-tion and support for Dynamics to meet your industry-specific needs.
ASC Software http://www.ascsoftware.com • 937-429-1428 ASCTrac Award winning, scalable Warehouse Management Solutions & MFG operations.
Cutwater http://www.cutwatersolutions.com 800-564-8806 (AIM) Advanced Inventory Manager Reporting categories to allow users to gain insight into the cost and efficiency of current stocks. Reports also track order history and analyze and monitor purchasing trends across vendors and product groups.
eNSYNC Solutions, Inc. http://www.ScanWorkX.com • 913-647-8640 ScanWorkX for Dynamics AX Extend Dynamics AX to nearly any mo-bile device. More than 75 standard DAX functions with and without barcoding. Custom transactions available.
RockySoft http://www.RockySoft.com 970-493-0868 ext. 106 Inventory Management and Supply Chain Planning Pack Light Supply Chain Mgmt Suite-Forecasting, Inventory Mgmt, Purchase Order Planning, Vendor Lead Time Mgmt, Retail Store Planning and S&OP.
Invoicing Enhancement
Concur https://www.concur.com • 425-590-5020 Travel Expense and Invoice Management Integrated travel expense and invoice software for Microsoft Dynamics.
Red Maple http://www.redmaple.com • 972-980-6963 Red Maple's Advanced Trade and Pricing Adv Trade extends pricing capabilities to include complex pricing structures, extends billing, billing schedules and revenue recognition of complex transac-tions. Contracts can be generated and managed easily.
Job Costing
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/workforce-planning • 425-931-9972 Shift & Roster Management Design and implement rosters to meet complex requirements of 24/7 opera-tions. Key Features: Roster Positions, Shift Calendar, Sub Contractors.
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/workforce-planning • 425-931-9972 Timesheet - Labor Costing Management Allow real time visibility of costs to current projects. Key Features: Payroll Integration, Workflow Approvals, Total hours or start/end times.
Sierra Workforce Solutions
http://www.sierraws.com • 800-822-0973 Sierra Workforce Solutions Time & labor management solutions optimizing productivity and data in-tegration for payroll, HR & job costing using biometrics, badge, WEB or PC based time clocks. Includes employee manager self service.
Manufacturing Enhancement
eNSYNC Solutions, Inc. http://www.ScanWorkX.com • 913-647-8640 ScanWorkX for Dynamics AX Extend Dynamics AX to nearly any mo-bile device. More than 75 standard DAX functions with and without barcoding. Custom transactions available.
Horizons International
http://www.qualityessentialssuite.com 866-949-9504 ext. 811 Quality Essentials Suite Quality Mgt. System offers decimal preci-sion, cert. of analysis, non-conformance, material holds, reporting, data export. Integrated to Dynamics, Horizons Manufacturing, also non-integrated application avail.
Multi-Entity Management
Arbela Technologies http://www.arbelatech.com • 949-291-4777 Master Data Centralization For Dynamics AX Arbela's Master Data Centralization for Dynamics AX manages product, customer, vendor, employees, and COA master data and their fields across multiple companies for better shared services. Gain from our experience!
Payables Enhancement
Altec http://www.altec-inc.com 800-997-9921 ext. 1255 doc-link Integrated Document Management Capture, workflow, output & archive w/doc-link, Doc. Mgmt. for Dynamics.
Ariett http://www.ariett.com • 781-826-1120 Enterprise AP Invoice Automation/Azure Cloud/On Premise Invoice Capture & Approval, Intercompany, Currency, New Vendor Mgmt.
Concur https://www.concur.com • 425-590-5020 Travel Expense and Invoice Management Integrated travel expense and invoice software for Microsoft Dynamics.
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Esker Inc http://www.esker.com • 800-368-5283 Document Process Automation Addressing processes like accounts payable, accounts receivable, and sales order processing, Esker solutions enable companies to automate the reception, processing and sending of documents with one platform.
Liaison Software Corp
http://www.liaisonsc.com 800-811-4618 ext. 201 Liaison Messenger EFT Batch email & fax EFT Remittances to Vendors pref. Archive internal copy.
MHC Software, Inc.
http://www.mhcsoftwareinc.com 952-882-3341 Electronic Payment Notifications Email and/or fax remittance advices to vendors rather than printing and mailing. System also can be used for employee reimbursements. Huge cost and time savings. Fast ROI.
ReQlogic http://www.reqlogic.com • 734-302-2316 ReQlogic ReQlogic is a browser-based employee productivity suite providing solutions for eProcurement, requisitions, vendor invoices, time & expense, and advanced workflow.
Payroll Enhancement
Greenshades Software
http://www.greenshades.com/ 888-255-3815 ext. 2 Greenshades Year End Forms Electronic distribution, print to blank paper, and fully automated mailing services help thousands of Greenshades clients create, distribute and electronically file their 1099, W-2 and 1095-C forms.
Liaison Software Corp
http://www.liaisonsc.com 800-811-4618 ext. 201 Liaison Messenger DD Batch email password protected Direct Deposit Statements to Employees.
MHC Software, Inc.
http://www.mhcsoftwareinc.com 952-882-3341 Electronic Direct Deposit Delivery Email direct deposits to employees rather than printing/distributing. Password protected PDF attachments are emailed to employee. Fast ROI.
Sierra Workforce Solutions
http://www.sierraws.com • 800-822-0973 Sierra Workforce Solutions Time & labor management solutions optimizing productivity and data in-tegration for payroll, HR & job costing using biometrics, badge, WEB or PC based time clocks. Includes employee manager self service.
Portals
Experlogix, Inc. http://www.experlogix.com 805-504-9729 ext. 712 Experlogix CPQ (Configure Price Quote) for Microsoft Dynamics CRM & ERP Experlogix CPQ solutions meet the demands of today’s competitive mar-ketplace by simplifying the process of selling customized products, accelerat-ing proposal development times and increasing quote-to-order ratios.
Pricing
Flintfox International
Limited http://www.flintfox.com • 844-876-4276 TPM for Dynamics Suite Flintfox solutions provide a single, integrated platform to manage all trade promotion activity, from client relationships to the financial execution; streamlining information and managing complex pricing with ease.
Procurement Management
Ariett http://www.ariett.com • 781-826-1120 Enterprise Purchasing & Expense/Azure Cloud/On Premise Requisition, Catalogs, PO, Contract Mgmt., Budgeting & Receiving.
Liaison Software Corp
http://www.liaisonsc.com 800-811-4618 ext. 201 Liaison Messenger EFT Batch email & fax EFT Remittances to Vendors pref. Archive internal copy.
Paramount Technologies
http://www.paramounttechnologies.com 800-725-4408 WorkPlace eProcurement Solutions for Requisition, Purchasing & Invoice Automation. Options include PunchOut, Check Request, Budget Compliance, RFQ, Requisition, PO Generation, Receiving, Invoice Matching & Vendor Contract Compliance.
Red Maple http://www.redmaple.com • 972-980-6963 Red Maple's Purchase Rebates Purchase Rebates tracks your rebates receivable. Rebates can be triggered and calculated on many criteria. Rebates can be calculated per invoice or over time. Promotional rebates can be calculated as well.
ReQlogic http://www.reqlogic.com • 734-302-2316 ReQlogic ReQlogic is a browser-based employee productivity suite providing solutions for eProcurement, requisitions, vendor invoices, time & expense, and advanced workflow.
Product Lifecycle Management
QBD Systems http://www.qbdsys.com • 800-743-9003 Universal PLM Integration Integration w/ PLM s/w incl. Agile, Arena, Aras, Solidworks EPDM & more.
Production Planning
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/commodity-procurement-for-manufacturing 425-931-9972 Procurement for Manufacturing Procurement of raw materials for manufacturing with integrated MRP. Key Features: Contracts, Bulk Logistics, Allocations, Risk Management – Position, ForEx, Futures Hedging, Track Costs and Accruals.
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/advanced-production-scheduling-module 425-931-9972 Advanced Production Scheduling Review and adjust Prod. Schedule from the Gantt Chart. Key Features: Dashboard View, Additional sort sequences, Reroute to alt. work centers.
Productivity
Isis, Inc.
http://www.getpg.net • 804-762-4200 Praetorian Guard Audit your users and ensure they are productive in their work. Locate inef-ficiencies and take proactive steps to increase productivity.
Project Accounting
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/workforce-planning • 425-931-9972 Shift & Roster Management Design and implement rosters to meet complex requirements of 24/7 opera-tions. Key Features: Roster Positions, Shift Calendar, Sub Contractors.
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/workforce-planning • 425-931-9972 Timesheet - Labor Costing Management Allow real time visibility of costs to current projects. Key Features: Payroll Integration, Workflow Approvals, Total hours or start/end times.
Purchase Order Processing Enhancement
Altec http://www.altec-inc.com 800-997-9921 ext. 1255 doc-link Integrated Document Management Capture, workflow, output & archive w/doc-link, Doc. Mgmt. for Dynamics.
Ariett http://www.ariett.com • 781-826-1120 Enterprise Purchasing & Expense/Azure Cloud/On Premise Requisition, Catalogs, PO, Contract Mgmt., Budgeting & Receiving.
Paramount Technologies
http://www.paramounttechnologies.com 800-725-4408 WorkPlace Requisition and Purchasing Includes PunchOut, Check Request, Budget Compliance, RFQ, Requisition, PO Generation, Receiving, Invoice Matching & Vendor Contract Compliance.
Red Maple http://www.redmaple.com • 972-980-6963 Red Maple's Purchase Rebates Purchase Rebates tracks your rebates receivable. Rebates can be triggered and calculated on many criteria. Rebates can be calculated per invoice or over time. Promotional rebates can be calculated as well.
Quality Control
Horizons International
http://www.qualityessentialssuite.com 866-949-9504 ext. 811 Quality Essentials Suite Quality Mgt. System offers decimal preci-sion, cert. of analysis, non-conformance, material holds, reporting, data export. Integrated to Dynamics, Horizons Manufacturing, also non-integrated application avail.
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Reconciliation
Gorilla Expense
http://www.gorillaexpense.com • 877-973-6737 Gorilla Expense The Gorilla Expense T&E solution includes mobile apps, purchase card & corpo-rate credit card reconciliation, project accounting expenses, multi-currency, VAT/GST capture & robust integration with GP, NAV, AX & SL.
Reporting
deFacto Global, Inc.
http://www.deFactoGlobal.com 203-894-1789 ext. 221 deFacto Performance Management Premier “All-in-One” Dynamics Financial & Operational Budgeting, Forecasting, Consolidation, Analysis and Reporting, Excel/Web-based. Powerful, Affordable.
Solver
http://www.solverusa.com • 310-691-5300 Solver - BI360 Suite Both Excel & Web-based Financial & Operational Reporting, Budgeting, Dashboards, & a pre-configured Data Warehouse w/ direct integration to Microsoft Dynamics.
Sales Order Processing Enhancement
Altec http://www.altec-inc.com 800-997-9921 ext. 1255 doc-link Integrated Document Management Capture, workflow, output & archive w/doc-link, Doc. Mgmt. for Dynamics.
Experlogix, Inc. http://www.experlogix.com 805-504-9729 ext. 712 Experlogix CPQ (Configure Price Quote) for Microsoft Dynamics CRM & ERP Experlogix CPQ solutions meet the demands of today’s competitive mar-ketplace by simplifying the process of selling customized products, accelerat-ing proposal development times and increasing quote-to-order ratios.
Liaison Software Corp
http://www.liaisonsc.com 800-811-4618 ext. 201 Liaison Messenger EDD Batch email, fax, print, archive Invoices, Statements, Sales Orders, Purchase Orders to customers, vendors, sales. Attach supporting documentation. Use existing reports (GP report writer, SSRS, Crystal).
Red Maple http://www.redmaple.com • 972-980-6963 Red Maple's Advanced Trade and Pricing Adv Trade extends pricing capabilities to include complex pricing structures, extends billing, billing schedules and revenue recognition of complex transac-tions. Contracts can be generated and managed easily.
Security
Arbela Technologies http://www.arbelatech.com • 949-291-4777 Arbela Security Manager Arbela Security Manager allows you to focus on your business and not your technology needs. On average, our customers have gained 90% efficiency in managing and auditing processes. Gain from our experience!
Isis, Inc.
http://www.getpg.net • 804-762-4200 Praetorian Guard PG will allow your business to better secure your users & network.
Shipping/Manifesting
Arbela Technologies http://www.arbelatech.com • 949-291-4777 Master Data Centralization For Dynamics AX Arbela's Master Data Centralization for Dynamics AX manages product, customer, vendor, employees, and COA master data and their fields across multiple companies for better shared services. Gain from our experience!
NMB Solutions http://www.nmbsolutions.ca • 800-563-1007 Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Integration for UPS and FedEx Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Shipping Solution Integration: The NMB Solution Module is written using standard Dynamics AX objects and is designed to allow easy interac-tion with FedEx, DHL and UPS.
Supply Chain Management
Arbela Technologies http://www.arbelatech.com • 949-291-4777 Arbela Technologies Our specialties can align with all your industry-specific and evolving business needs. With minimum customizations, we tailor Dynamics AX to effectively reduce costs and improve efficiency. Gain from our experience!
Arkieva http://www.arkieva.com • 302-738-9215 (APS) Advanced Planning and Scheduling An integrated solution set that fully supports an organization’s Sales and Operations Planning needs. Modules include Demand & Supply Planner, S&OP, Single & Multi-Echelon Inventory Analyzer and Finite Scheduler.
Armanino http://www.amllp.com/microsoft-dynamics 925-790-2600 Armanino A Gold Certified ERP/CRM Partner, we provide award-winning implementa-tion and support for Dynamics to meet your industry-specific needs.
ASC Software http://www.ascsoftware.com • 937-429-1428 ASCTrac Award winning, scalable, Warehouse Management Solutions (WMS) designed to support the demanding requirements of Distribution, Manufacturing and 3PL operations, covering the entire Supply Chain cycle.
Blue Horseshoe http://www.bhsolutions.com 317-573-2583 Supply Chain Suite for Dynamics AX Gold Certified ERP Partner providing Tier-1 end-to-end implementation services as well as Industry Leading software to fully optimize your Supply Chain. See what’s new in the Supply Chain Suite for Dynamics AX.
Data Masons Software
http://www.datamasons.com • 866-575-1631 Vantage Point EDI for Dynamics Data Masons helps companies lever-age EDI into a competitive advantage by providing tight integration with Dynamics, without customizations.
HighJump Software
http://www.highjump.com 800-328-3271 ext. 4 EDI and WMS Solutions from Highjump EDI and Warehouse Management Solutions for Microsoft Dynamics that streamline the flow of inventory & in-formation from supplier to store shelf. Our adaptable solutions manage the needs of 14,000+ global customers.
NMB Solutions http://www.nmbsolutions.ca • 800-563-1007 Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Integration for UPS and FedEx Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Shipping Solution Integration: The NMB Solution Module is written using standard Dynamics AX objects and is designed to allow easy interac-tion with FedEx, DHL and UPS .
RockySoft http://www.RockySoft.com 970-493-0868 ext. 106 Inventory Management and Supply Chain Planning Pack Light Supply Chain Mgmt Suite-Forecasting, Inventory Mgmt, Purchase Order Planning, Vendor Lead Time Mgmt, Retail Store Planning and S&OP.
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/landed-cost-module • 425-931-9972 Landed Cost Manage Multiple Vendors/PO's as a shipment to improve efficiency/vis-ibility. Key features: Accruals, Auto Cost Allocation, in transit costing.
System Enhancement
Isis, Inc.
http://www.getpg.net • 804-762-4200 Praetorian Guard User Auditing, Network Monitoring & Network Admin for ALL businesses.
System and Network Management
Isis, Inc.
http://www.getpg.net • 804-762-4200 Praetorian Guard User Auditing, Network Monitoring & Network Admin for ALL businesses.
Tax
Avalara, Inc.
http://www.info.avalara.com/TheList 877-780-4848 Avalara for Sales Tax Automation Automate and eliminate the complex-ity of sales tax management with Avalara. A cloud-based sales and use tax calculation, exemption certificate management, filing and remittance solution for Microsoft Dynamics.
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Greenshades Software
http://www.greenshades.com/ 888-255-3815 ext. 2 Greenshades Year End Forms Electronic distribution, print to blank paper, and fully automated mailing services help thousands of Greenshades clients create, distribute and electronically file their 1099, W-2 and 1095-C forms.
Vertex SMB http://www.VertexSMB.com/TheList 855-221-5885 Vertex SMB Cloud-based, fully automated sales & use tax calculation and returns solution for Microsoft Dynamics with pay-as-you-go pricing.
Time and Attendance
DATABASICS, Inc.
http://www.data-basics.com • 314-282-9561
NEW: DATABASICS Time, Expense and Invoice Reporting DATABASICS offers SaaS solutions for Expense Reporting, Time Tracking and Vendor Invoice Management. Flexible, powerful, easy to use.
Kronos Incorporated http://www.kronos.com • 800-225-1561 Workforce Central® Suite Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Dynamics to completely automate the essential timekeeping, human resources and financial processes.
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/workforce-planning • 425-931-9972 Shift & Roster Management Design and implement rosters to meet complex requirements of 24/7 opera-tions. Key Features: Roster Positions, Shift Calendar, Sub Contractors.
Scalable Data Systems http://www.scalable.com.au/products/workforce-planning • 425-931-9972 Timesheet - Labor Costing Management Allow real time visibility of costs to current projects. Key Features: Payroll Integration, Workflow Approvals, Total hours or start/end times.
Sierra Workforce Solutions
http://www.sierraws.com • 800-822-0973 Sierra Workforce Solutions Time & labor management solutions optimizing productivity and data in-tegration for payroll, HR & job costing using biometrics, badge, WEB or PC based time clocks. Includes employee manager self service.
Trade Promotion Management
Flintfox International Limited
http://www.flintfox.com • 844-876-4276 TPM for Dynamics Suite Flintfox solutions provide a single, integrated platform to manage all trade promotion activity, from client relationships to the financial execution; streamlining information and managing complex pricing with ease.
Travel Expense Management
Gorilla Expense
http://www.gorillaexpense.com 877-973-6737 Gorilla Expense The Gorilla Expense T&E solution includes mobile apps, purchase card & corpo-rate credit card reconciliation, project accounting expenses, multi-currency, VAT/GST capture & robust integration with GP, NAV, AX & SL.
Warranty and Claims Management
Red Maple http://www.redmaple.com • 972-980-6963 Red Maple's Warranty Management Red Maple Warranty Management allows companies to automatically track the purchase and sales of items from vendor to distributor to end user. Generated claims can be tracked and managed.
Vertical Solutions, Inc.
http://www.vertsol.com • 513-891-7997 VServiceManagement CfMD enterprise field service for Asset Management, Contracts/Warranties & BPM, Dispatch & Mobility. On-premises or private/public cloud.
Workflow / Notifications
Altec http://www.altec-inc.com 800-997-9921 ext. 1255 doc-link Integrated Document Management Capture, workflow, output & archive w/doc-link, Doc. Mgmt. for Dynamics.
Datahaven for Dynamics http://www.datahaven4dynamics.com 757-222-2000 Datahaven for Dynamics Datahaven is the only scanning, OCR, and workflow solution natively embed-ded—not simply integrated—throughout the Microsoft Dynamics user experience and available to non-Dynamics users from Microsoft Outlook.
docSTAR http://www.docstar.com • 888-docSTAR docSTAR eclipse Smart AP Automation docSTAR is the premier AP Automation solution provider for small to mid-size enterprises. Streamline your AP invoice processing with intelligent data cap-ture, workflow, and integration with Microsoft Dynamics ERP.
Esker Inc http://www.esker.com • 800-368-5283 Document Process Automation Addressing processes like accounts payable, accounts receivable, and sales order processing, Esker solutions enable companies to automate the reception, processing and sending of documents with one platform.
Integrity Data
http://www.u-linc.com 217-732-3737 ext. 0203 U-LINC®, Powered By Integrity Data Workflow and notifications anytime, anywhere in Microsoft Dynamics. Works seamlessly within and across your existing system, is flexible and easy to use, improving organizational performance.
Metafile Information Systems, Inc.
http://www.metaviewer.com • 507-286-9232 MetaViewer Paperless ERP for Microsoft Dynamics Enhance your AX, GP, NAV & SL solu-tions by adding integrated scanning, OCR, eInvoicing, workflow, and AP/AR Automation.
MHC Software, Inc.
http://www.mhcsoftwareinc.com 952-882-3341 MHC Workflow Easily route documents needing ap-proval- invoices, HR docs, etc. electroni-cally. Ensures they are not lost, stalled or misplaced.
PaperSave http://www.PaperSave.com • 877-727-3799 PaperSave PaperSave is a complete document management, electronic workflow and invoice automation solution, Certified for Microsoft Dynamics GP, SL, AX, & CRM.
Red Maple http://www.redmaple.com • 972-980-6963 Red Maple's Advanced Workflow Email Client Adv. Workflow Email Client allows you to approve, reject or redirect workflows from mobile devices that use Microsoft Exchange Server without having to launch AX. Red Maple's Adv. Workflow is required.
Red Maple http://www.redmaple.com • 972-980-6963 Red Maple's Advanced Workflow Adv Workflow enables workflows to launch automatically on defined criteria or events. Includes 50+ predefined Types (2012)/Templates (2009) to expedite rollouts. New records can be locked during approval process.
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Application Service Provider/Hosting
MG Technology Group
http://www.mgtechgroup.com/about-us/partner-program/ • 866-350-9310 Dedicated Dynamics ERP Hosting Services - 99.999% SLA, SSAE16 11+ years experience, you own the customer relationship, 100% US support.
Myappsanywhere
http://www.myappsanywhere.com 888-636-HOST Premier Cloud Computing Provider Myappsanywhere provides a complete go-to-market integrated cloud solution delivering 99.999% uptime, customiza-tions, no minimums and secure storage in its privately-owned SSAE 16 Type 2 data center facilities.
RoseASP http://www.roseasp.com • 858-794-9403 RoseASP Hosted Microsoft Dynamics on Azure/Private/Hybrid Cloud Solutions. Comprehensive pricing model for SPLA or Subscription Licensing with financially backed uptime guarantee. SSAE-16 audited data centers/SOX compliance.
WatServ http://www.watserv.com 866-531-2598 ext. 2311 Hosting and Cloud Computing for Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM WatServ is one of North America's largest, most experienced providers of Cloud Computing services for Dynamics AX, NAV, GP, SL & CRM.
Cloud Computing
Data Resolution, LLC
http://www.dataresolution.net • 877-878-9108 ERP Clouds Data Resolution is dedicated to delivering private ERP cloud services branded as the partners brand. We keep all of our cloud customers optimized & working 24 hours a day, worldwide for the last 12 years.
Reviora http://www.reviora.com • 813-344-1600 Cloud ERP hosting Cloud hosting for Dynamics ERP/CRM. Enterprise-class delivery.
WatServ http://www.watserv.com 866-531-2598 ext. 2311 Hosting and Cloud Computing for Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM WatServ is one of North America's largest, most experienced providers of Cloud Computing services for Dynamics AX, NAV, GP, SL & CRM.
Custom Development
NMB Solutions http://www.nmbsolutions.ca • 800-563-1007 Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Integration for UPS and FedEx Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Shipping Solution Integration: The NMB Solution Module is written using standard Dynamics AX objects and is designed to allow easy interac-tion with FedEx, DHL and UPS.
Sierra Workforce Solutions
http://www.sierraws.com • 800-822-0973 Sierra Workforce Solutions Time & labor management solutions optimizing productivity and data in-tegration for payroll, HR & job costing using biometrics, badge, WEB or PC based time clocks. Includes employee manager self service.
HR & Payroll Implementation & Consulting
Sierra Workforce Solutions
http://www.sierraws.com • 800-822-0973 Sierra Workforce Solutions Time & labor management solutions optimizing productivity and data in-tegration for payroll, HR & job costing using biometrics, badge, WEB or PC based time clocks. Includes employee manager self service.
Implementation Services
Armanino http://www.amllp.com/microsoft-dynamics 925-790-2600 Armanino A Gold Certified ERP/CRM Partner, we provide award-winning implementa-tion and support for Dynamics to meet your industry-specific needs.
Client Strategy Group http://www.csgax.com • 216-524-2574 Dynamics AX Done Right! CSG has proven expertise in: AX Performance Tuning, Business Intelligence, and AX 2012 Upgrades.
NMB Solutions http://www.nmbsolutions.ca • 800-563-1007 Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Integration for UPS and FedEx Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Shipping Solution Integration: The NMB Solution Module is written using standard Dynamics AX objects and is designed to allow easy interaction with FedEx, DHL and UPS.
Sierra Workforce Solutions
http://www.sierraws.com • 800-822-0973 Sierra Workforce Solutions Time & labor management solutions optimizing productivity and data in-tegration for payroll, HR & job costing using biometrics, badge, WEB or PC based time clocks. Includes employee manager self service.
Managed Services
mcaConnect http://mcaconnect.net • 866-622-0669 Managed Services for AX mcaConnect customers utilize our indus-try experts to maximize resources and AX ROI. Our proactive and disciplined approach makes processes repeatable and predictable. Includes AO, Optimization, and Reporting.
Marketing Planning & Services
Looking Glass Marketing
http://www.lookingglassmarketing.com 614-453-5927 Cost-effective Marketing Solutions for Microsoft Dynamics Partners Award-winning outsourced marketing services including lead generation, nurture marketing, email marketing, web design/SEO, content development.
The Partner Marketing Group
http://www.thepartnermarketinggroup.com 605-574-9432 Microsoft Approved Vendor for Dynamics & R2R Marketing Consulting From strategic marketing plan develop-ment to the critical daily execution, this Microsoft experienced team can help fill your sales pipeline.
Tornado Marketing, Inc.
http://www.tornado-marketing.com 608-213-0377 Marketing Consulting Tornado Marketing offers high-impact, highly effective marketing consulting. 10+ years in the channel. Websites. SEO. Copywriting.
Member Organizations
ERP Software Blog
http://www.groupbloggers.com • 888-800-0999 ERP Software Blog/CRM Software Blog Group blog sites for VAR/ISV partners to increase SEO, web traffic,leads
OnDemand Trials
RoseASP http://www.goERPcloud.com • 855-ERP-CLOUD ERP Cloud Trials Test drive preconfigured Microsoft Dynamics industry specific demo environments with integrated ISV so-lutions built for the web. goERPcloud trials help users understand the power of Dynamics and the cloud.
Partner Support Service
Plumbline Consulting, LLC.
http://www.PlumblineConsulting.com 419-581-2300 Partner Support Services Leverage our Partner Support Services, including Support, Custom Development & Implementation Assistance to expand your offerings. 25+ yrs.
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Sales Tax Management Service
Avalara, Inc.
http://www.info.avalara.com/TheList 877-780-4848 Avalara for Sales Tax Automation Automate and eliminate the complex-ity of sales tax management with Avalara. A cloud-based sales and use tax calculation, exemption certificate management, filing and remittance solution for Microsoft Dynamics.
Vertex SMB http://www.VertexSMB.com/TheList 855-221-5885 Vertex SMB Cloud-based, fully automated sales & use tax calculation and returns solution for Microsoft Dynamics with pay-as-you-go pricing.
SharePoint Development
Armanino http://www.amllp.com/microsoft-dynamics 925-790-2600 Armanino A Gold Certified ERP/CRM Partner, we provide award-winning implementation and support for Dynamics to meet your industry-specific needs.
Social Media
The Partner Marketing Group
http://www.thepartnermarketinggroup.com 732-237-8795 Butterfly Publisher Join Dynamics partners on Butterfly, a publishing & lead capture platform that makes your social, blog & newsletter marketing more effective!
Strategic Services
mcaConnect http://www.mcaconnect.net • 866-622-0669 mcaConnect Strategic Services Strategic Services allow our clients to strategically leverage technology to achieve competitive supremacy. Offerings include: business transforma-tion, Lean/manufacturing excellence, and Strategic BI services.
Training
NMB Solutions http://www.nmbsolutions.ca • 800-563-1007 Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Integration for UPS and FedEx Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Multi Carrier Parcel and LTL Shipping Solution Integration: The NMB Solution Module is written using standard Dynamics AX objects and is designed to allow easy interac-tion with FedEx, DHL and UPS .
Upgrades
Armanino http://www.amllp.com/microsoft-dynamics 925-790-2600 Armanino A Gold Certified ERP/CRM Partner, we provide award-winning implementation and support for Dynamics to meet your industry-specific needs.
Client Strategy Group http://www.csgax.com • 216-524-2574 Dynamics AX Done Right! CSG has proven expertise in: AX Performance Tuning, Business Intelligence, and AX 2012 Upgrades.
CuroGens, Inc. http://www.curogens.com • 317-815-8120 Dynamics AX Upgrade Assessor for Microsoft Dynamics® AX In just minutes, Dynamics AX Upgrade Assessor for Microsoft Dynamics® AX will estimate costs for your company to upgrade to the most recent version of Microsoft Dynamics® AX, including the latest cumulative update.
InterDyn BMI http://www.interdynbmi.com • 866-264-3249 InterDyn BMI Microsoft Gold Certified provider of services and upgrades since 1985.
Writing/Documentation Services
The Partner Marketing Group
http://www.thepartnermarketinggroup.com 605-574-9432 Blogs, Case Studies, Infographics, Websites Use 'content marketing' to build your brand and drive prospects into your sales pipeline.
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