AX Architect and User
March 30, 2015

AX Architect and User

Jay Omdahl | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Reseller

Software Version

AX 3, X 4, AX 2009, 2012 r2, 2012 r3

Modules Used

  • Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
  • Inventory, Finance (GL, AP, AR, Bank), Project Accounting, HR, Fixed Assets, Dashboards/Role Centers

Overall Satisfaction with Microsoft Dynamics AX

Microsoft Dynamics AX is used across various departments with our customers. In some cases there are separate systems for inventory, A/R and the integration and management of bi-directional data is easy to setup and maintain. It addresses costing of inventory, speeds the time to close for the finance teams, and with inter-operability with Office (Word, Excel, Visio) it is fast to train new users.

Pros

  • GL and use of dimensions allows for a 'lighter' chart of accounts and dynamic use of data categorizations for reporting and budget control.
  • The entire ERP system is integrated, so Inventory in particular is straight forward to create (items can be inventory, service or BOMs) and the costing options are flexible enough to offer different costing (FIFO, LIFO, Standard...) for different groups of inventory and pricing (cost and/or sales) can be different based on site/WH designation.
  • Cash and Bank management is now an independent module and offers better tools to manage cash flow. This is true for Budgeting as well as this functionality makes setting, managing and updating budgets easy as it works seamlessly with Excel.
  • Data and ERP system updates at the transactional level is less complex as you can export and then import data via Excel into AX as long as your security rights give you access to the tables/data in question.
  • Project service and project accounting is deep in functions as it will work with Project Server, Invoice with time and material or fixed fee projects and works great for projects internal or external in managing/capturing all time for a specific initiative.

Cons

  • MRP can be slow to adapt to changes in actual production or supply chain transactions.
  • Setting up number sequences seems a trivial matter, but these numbers ID transactions once they are in the ledger and are key--easy to miss this point in the implementation process.
  • Bank rec being easily automated and able to quickly plug into a bank back end to get data is not the best.
  • Payment processing can be 'clunky' based on checks, ACH, Wires...as some of these items are not triggered out of the box in AX, bur are easily added --talking ACH and Wires specifically.
  • Clients have seen better cost containment on inventory based on better on hand management and supply chain visibility.
  • Faster closing process for the finance team, where by day 3 of 4 you can generate a trial balance and look to balance ledger to sub-ledger.
  • Better reporting allows for real time analysis and can get to predictive metrics in certain areas.

SAP--there is no way to compare these as SAP is large and complicated as it is not a single integrated system - but many system underneath the GUI / Cover of SAP. No process flexibility that is so needed in our competitive world where global competition requires change at a constant pace in order to compete.

All ERP technologies (SAP, Oracle, QuickBooks, Sage...) and delivery methods (tablet, web, phone) are way behind and most (as in 99%) are not built with a framework to facilitate ease of use. Think about all the 'apps' we have on our phones and that is the direction ERP systems have to head or they will die. AX is already set with a tablet/phone framework and has tools to convert web-parts to phone apps in that there is a wizard to do the conversion for you. That puts this product years if not decades ahead of others in use today.

It is strong tool for manufacturing, supply chain, project services and retail. I would say highly engineered businesses where CAD and unique billing/project types are demanded are tougher to have AX baseline functions work as customers need.

I have seen AX work well in a 'hub and spoke' model where it operates certain business divisions but not all. The integrations and interfaces are easy to set and manage/monitor.

Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued Feature Ratings

8.0
Accounts payable
8
Accounts receivable
8
Subledger and Financial Process ()
Not Rated
8.3
Inventory tracking
9
Automatic reordering
8
Location management
8
7.8
Pricing
9
Order entry
7
Credit card processing
7
Cost of goods sold
8
6.3
Pay calculation
8
Benefit plan administration
5
Direct deposit files
6
10.0
Dashboards
10
Standard reports
10
Custom reports
10
10.0
API for custom integration
10
Plug-ins
10
9.5
Role-based user permissions
9
Single sign-on capability
10
Grants Management ()
Not Rated
Project Financial Management ()
Not Rated
Project Execution Management ()
Not Rated
Procurement ()
Not Rated
Risk Management ()
Not Rated
Logistics ()
Not Rated
Manufacturing ()
Not Rated
Supply Chain ()
Not Rated
Product Lifecycle Management ()
Not Rated

Microsoft Dynamics AX Implementation

Users in some cases were busy and not engaged, so those areas went slower. Configuration by the consultants was good, but at time complicated.
  • Vendor implemented
  • Professional services company
Trusted Advisors, Junction Solutions
Change management was a big part of the implementation and was well-handled - With Trusted Advisors Methodology, the users saw how they can do their jobs rapidly in the system - this allowed for users to see fast and share with others what the new system would do for them.
  • Data cleansing and migration
  • Testing of customizations

Comments

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