Using Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
Andreas Luszczak Using Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Updated for Version R2 3rd Edition
Dr. Andreas Luszczak Vienna, Austria ISBN 978-3-658-01708-8 DOI 10.1007/978-3-658-01709-5 ISBN 978-3-658-01709-5 (ebook) The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie; detailed bibliographic data are available in the Internet at http://dnb.d-nb.de. Library of Congress Control Number: 2013946307 Springer Vieweg Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden 2009, 2012, 2013 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. Exempted from this legal reservation are brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis or material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the Copyright Law of the Publisher s location, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer. Permissions for use may be obtained through RightsLink at the Copyright Clearance Center. Violations are liable to prosecution under the respective Copyright Law. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. While the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication, neither the authors nor the editors nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made. The publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein. Printed on acid-free paper Springer Vieweg is a brand of Springer DE. Springer DE is part of Springer Science+Business Media. www.springer-vieweg.de
Preface When looking for a business management solution supporting business processes in mid-sized and large companies, Microsoft Dynamics AX is likely to be your favorite. Because of its deep functional and technological integration, it is also a good choice for universities teaching ERP systems. Reading this Book The primary purpose of this book is to provide you with a good knowledge of the standard application concept and functionality, enabling you to run business processes in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012. This book applies to you, if you are an end user, student, or consultant interested in learning how to use Dynamics AX. Going beyond the operations on the user interface, you will also learn how the different parts of the application work together. As a result, you will also take advantage from learning the end-to-end application concept, if you are a system administrator, developer, IT executive or experienced consultant not knowing the complete application already. Actually working in an application is the best way to learn it. This book therefore includes exercises building up on each other in a comprehensive case study. If you need support for the exercises, a free download of sample solutions is available. The current edition of this book is based on Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 and includes the core changes of Dynamics AX 2012 in the initial version and in R2. It is an update of the previous edition Using Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 published in 2012. Since Dynamics AX is a very comprehensive business solution, it is not possible to cover all parts of the application in a single book. In order to provide a profound understanding of the core application, this book addresses the primary functionality in supply chain (including trade, logistics and production control) and finance management. It shows the application, but does not cover tasks in system administration and development. If you want to learn more about the concepts and options for implementing Dynamics AX, the book Implementing Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 with Sure Step 2012 by Keith Dunkinson and Andrew Birch might be interesting for you. Applicable Settings In Dynamics AX, you can individually choose the language of your user interface. Descriptions and illustrations in this book refer to the language EN-US. Whereas
VI Preface it is obvious that the Dynamics AXX client displays differentt labels whenn choosing languages like Spanish or Russian, there are also differencess when selecting British English. For example, the label for the field Sales tax is VAT in British English. Other differences between your application and the descriptions in the book are possibly caused by your permissions, by applicable local features, f or by specific modifications and features implemented in your Dynamics AX A system. In order to benefit from the explanations, it is recommended too access a Dynamics AX application. A separate test application for executing e the exercises minimizes the risk of affecting actual company data. The exercises and illustrations refer to a sample company Anso Technologies Ltd., whichh shows a simple setup limited to the described functionality. In order to grant flexibility for selecting the training environment, the tasks in the exercises are specified in a way that you can also use the Microsoft standard demo environment ( Contoso ) or any other test environment. This book has been updated for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2. If youu are using the initial version of Dynamics AX 2012 or the Dynamics AX A 2012 Feature Pack, a limited number of features and settings work different. Notes in the book show the differences between thee initial version and R2, enabling youu to use this book in all versions of Dynamics AX 2012. If you want to know in which w version you are working, click the button Help / About Microsoft Dynamics AX in thee command bar of the Dynamics AX client if you are in the Feature Pack or R2, it is displayed. Available Support In order to download solutions s to the exercisess in this book and other r applicable resources, please access the online service of the publisher orr following web site: http:// /axbook.addyn.com If you have comments or questions regardingg the book or o the exercises, please contact me through the web site mentioned above or via e-mail to lua@addyn.com. Acknowledgements Many people have been involved in finalizing this book, directly d and indirectly, from the first edition in German to the current English edition. I want to thank all of them. In particular, I would like to mention: Matthias Gimbel (Senior Consultant at STZ IT-Business Consulting) C Ingo Maresch (Solution Architectt at Semantax Business Consulting) C Keith Dunkinson (Owner at ERPP advisers) Thank you also to editorial team Bernd Hansemann and Maren M Mithöfer. Finally, my special thanks go to my family Sonja, Felix and Caroline. Andreas Luszczak
Table of Contents 1 What is Microsoft Dynamics AX?... 1 1.1 Axapta and the History of Dynamics AX... 1 1.2 Dynamics AX 2012 Product Overview... 2 1.2.1 Functional Capabilities... 2 1.2.2 Business Intelligence... 3 1.2.3 Collaboration Features... 4 1.2.4 Implementation... 4 1.3 Technology and System Architecture... 4 1.3.1 Development Environments... 5 1.3.2 Layer Technology... 6 1.3.3 Three-Tier Architecture... 7 1.3.4 Data Structure... 7 1.3.5 Voucher Principle... 8 2 Getting Started: Navigation and General Options... 9 2.1 User Interface and Common Tasks... 9 2.1.1 Logon and Authentication... 9 2.1.2 User Interface... 10 2.1.3 Navigation... 18 2.1.4 Home Menu... 22 2.1.5 Working with Records... 24 2.1.6 Filter, Find and Sort... 31 2.1.7 Help System... 37 2.1.8 Case Study Exercises... 39 2.2 Printing and Reporting... 40 2.2.1 Printing Reports... 40 2.2.2 Copy/Paste and Microsoft Office Add-Ins... 45 2.2.3 Case Study Exercise... 47 2.3 Advanced Options... 47 2.3.1 User Options and Personalization... 48 2.3.2 Record Information and Templates... 50 2.3.3 Case Study Exercises... 54
VIII Table of Contents 2.4 Global Address Book... 55 2.4.1 Parties and Addresses... 55 2.4.2 Address books... 56 2.4.3 Case Study Exercise... 58 3 Purchasing... 59 3.1 Business Processes in Purchasing... 59 3.1.1 Basic Approach... 59 3.1.2 At a Glance: Purchase Order Processing... 62 3.2 Vendor Management... 64 3.2.1 Vendor Records... 64 3.2.2 Payment Terms and Cash Discount... 69 3.2.3 Ledger Integration... 71 3.2.4 Case Study Exercises... 73 3.3 Product Management for Purchasing... 73 3.3.1 Procurement Category Management... 74 3.3.2 Product Master Data for Purchasing... 76 3.3.3 Purchase Price and Discount... 80 3.3.4 Case Study Exercises... 84 3.4 Purchase Orders... 85 3.4.1 Basics of Purchase Order Processing... 85 3.4.2 Planned Purchase Orders... 87 3.4.3 Purchase Requisitions... 90 3.4.4 Requests for Quotation... 92 3.4.5 Purchase Order Registration... 94 3.4.6 Change Management and Purchase Order Approval... 101 3.4.7 Canceling and Deleting Purchase Orders... 103 3.4.8 Purchase Order Confirmation and Printing... 104 3.4.9 Purchase Agreements... 107 3.4.10 Case Study Exercises... 108 3.5 Item Receipt... 109 3.5.1 Basic Steps for Item Receipt... 109 3.5.2 Receipts List... 110 3.5.3 Inventory Registration... 110 3.5.4 Product Receipt... 113 3.5.5 Receiving a Deviating Quantity... 116 3.5.6 Order Status and Inquiries... 118 3.5.7 Case Study Exercises... 121
Table of Contents IX 3.6 Invoice Receipt... 122 3.6.1 Different Ways for Processing Vendor Invoices... 122 3.6.2 Posting Vendor Invoices... 124 3.6.3 Order Status and Inquiries... 128 3.6.4 Case Study Exercises... 130 3.7 Credit Notes and Item Returns... 131 3.7.1 Crediting Purchase Orders... 132 3.7.2 Inventory Valuation for Separate Credit Notes... 134 3.7.3 Case Study Exercise... 134 4 Sales and Distribution... 135 4.1 Business Processes in Sales and Distribution... 135 4.1.1 Basic Approach... 135 4.1.2 At a Glance: Sales Order Processing... 138 4.2 Customer Management... 140 4.2.1 Basic Data and Comparison to Vendors Records... 140 4.2.2 Case Study Exercises... 144 4.3 Product Management for Sales... 144 4.3.1 Product Records and Categories in Sales... 144 4.3.2 Sales Price and Discount... 146 4.3.3 Case Study Exercises... 151 4.4 Sales Orders and Quotations... 151 4.4.1 Basics of Sales Order Processing... 152 4.4.2 Sales Quotations... 153 4.4.3 Sales Order Registration... 155 4.4.4 Sales Prices and Discounts... 160 4.4.5 Managing Charges... 162 4.4.6 Sales Order Confirmation... 165 4.4.7 Case Study Exercises... 165 4.5 Distribution... 166 4.5.1 Basics and Setup for Picking and Shipping... 166 4.5.2 Pick Form and Picking List... 169 4.5.3 Output Order and Shipment... 171 4.5.4 Packing Slip... 173 4.5.5 Case Study Exercises... 174 4.6 Invoicing... 175 4.6.1 Invoicing Sales Orders... 175 4.6.2 Collective Invoice... 177 4.6.3 Free Text Invoices... 180
X Table of Contents 4.6.4 Credit Notes and Item Returns... 181 4.6.5 Case Study Exercises... 185 4.7 Direct Delivery... 186 4.7.1 Processing Direct Deliveries... 186 4.7.2 Case Study Exercise... 188 5 Production Control... 189 5.1 Business Processes in Manufacturing... 189 5.1.1 Basic Approach... 189 5.1.2 At a Glance: Production Order Processing... 192 5.2 Product Data and Bills of Materials... 194 5.2.1 Product Master Data for Manufacturing... 194 5.2.2 Bills of Materials (BOM)... 196 5.2.3 Case Study Exercises... 201 5.3 Resources and Routes... 203 5.3.1 Production Units and Resource Groups... 203 5.3.2 Resources and Capabilities... 206 5.3.3 Routes and Operations... 209 5.3.4 Case Study Exercises... 216 5.4 Production Orders... 218 5.4.1 Basics of Production Order Processing... 218 5.4.2 Production Order Registration... 222 5.4.3 Processing Production Orders... 224 5.4.4 Case Study Exercises... 228 5.5 Production Journal Transactions... 228 5.5.1 Journal Transactions and Ledger Integration... 228 5.5.2 Picking List... 229 5.5.3 Working Time Registration... 231 5.5.4 Case Study Exercises... 232 5.6 Reporting as Finished and Ending Production... 232 5.6.1 Reporting as Finished... 232 5.6.2 Ending and Costing... 234 5.6.3 Case Study Exercise... 236 5.7 Subcontracting... 236 5.7.1 Outsourced Operation... 236 5.7.2 Purchased Service... 237
Table of Contents XI 6 Operations Planning... 239 6.1 Business Processes in Operations Planning... 239 6.1.1 Basic Approach... 239 6.1.2 At a Glance: Master Planning... 240 6.2 Forecasting... 241 6.2.1 Basics of Forecasting... 241 6.2.2 Forecast Settings... 242 6.2.3 Forecasts and Forecast Scheduling... 244 6.2.4 Case Study Exercises... 246 6.3 Master Planning... 247 6.3.1 Basics of Master Planning... 247 6.3.2 Master Planning Setup... 249 6.3.3 Item Coverage and Item Settings... 251 6.3.4 Master Scheduling and Planned Orders... 255 6.3.5 Case Study Exercises... 259 7 Inventory Management... 261 7.1 Principles of Inventory Transactions... 261 7.1.1 Basic Approach... 261 7.1.2 At a Glance: Inventory Journal Transactions... 264 7.2 Product Information Management... 266 7.2.1 Product Master Data... 266 7.2.2 Inventory Dimension Groups... 274 7.2.3 Item Model Groups... 277 7.2.4 Cost Price Settings... 279 7.2.5 Transaction and Inventory Inquiry... 280 7.2.6 Case Study Exercises... 285 7.3 Inventory Valuation... 286 7.3.1 Valuation Method... 287 7.3.2 Inventory Closing and Adjustment... 290 7.3.3 Case Study Exercises... 292 7.4 Business Processes in Inventory... 292 7.4.1 Inventory Structures and Parameters... 293 7.4.2 Journal Transactions... 295 7.4.3 Inventory Counting... 298 7.4.4 Quarantine and Inventory Blocking... 300 7.4.5 Transfer Orders... 302 7.4.6 Case Study Exercises... 303
XII Table of Contents 8 Finance Administration... 305 8.1 Principles of Ledger Transactions... 305 8.1.1 Basic Approach... 305 8.1.2 At a glance: Ledger Journal Transactions... 306 8.2 Setting up Finance... 307 8.2.1 Fiscal and Ledger Calendars... 307 8.2.2 Currencies and Exchange Rates... 309 8.2.3 Financial Dimensions... 312 8.2.4 Account Structures and Charts of Accounts... 314 8.2.5 Customer, Vendor and Bank Accounts... 321 8.2.6 VAT / Sales Tax Settings... 322 8.2.7 Case Study Exercises... 325 8.3 Business Processes in Finance... 326 8.3.1 Basics Setup for Journal Transactions... 326 8.3.2 General Journals... 328 8.3.3 Invoice Journals... 333 8.3.4 Payments... 337 8.3.5 Reversing Transactions... 341 8.3.6 Case Study Exercises... 342 8.4 Ledger Integration... 343 8.4.1 Basics of Ledger Integration... 344 8.4.2 Ledger Integration in Inventory... 345 8.4.3 Ledger Integration in Production... 349 9 Core Setup and Essential Features... 351 9.1 Organizational Structures... 351 9.1.1 Data Partitions... 352 9.1.2 Organization Model Architecture... 353 9.1.3 Organization Units... 353 9.1.4 Organization Hierarchy Structures... 356 9.1.5 Legal Entities (Company Accounts)... 357 9.1.6 Virtual Company Accounts... 359 9.1.7 Sites... 360 9.2 Security and Information Access... 362 9.2.1 Access Control... 362 9.2.2 User Management... 362 9.2.3 Role-based Security... 366 9.2.4 Securing the Global Address Book... 370
Table of Contents XIII 9.3 General Settings... 371 9.3.1 Number Sequences... 372 9.3.2 Calendars... 374 9.3.3 Address Setup... 374 9.3.4 Parameters... 375 9.4 Alerts and Workflow Management... 376 9.4.1 Alert Rules and Notifications... 376 9.4.2 Configuring Workflows... 378 9.4.3 Working with Workflows... 381 9.5 Other Features... 383 9.5.1 Document Management... 383 9.5.2 Case Management... 385 9.5.3 Task Recorder... 388 Appendix... 389 Setup Checklist... 389 Commands and Shortcut Keys... 394 Bibliography... 395 Index... 397