What’s New for IT Pros in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Joris de Gruyter – MVP, MCT Sikich, LLP

Joris de Gruyter Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in Dynamics AX Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) for Dynamics AX Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) in Dynamics AX 10+ years of experience in Dynamics AX Manages Dynamics AX Development Team at Sikich LLP Blog: Twitter: Forums: community.Dynamics.comcommunity.Dynamics.com

What’s New for IT Pros in AX 2012 Application Object Server (AOS) Client Reporting Security Enterprise Portal Services (AIF) Deprecated Features

Application Object Server (AOS)

Application Object Server (AOS) 64-bit, Managed Runs X++ in.NET CLR Batch jobs, AIF runs in CLR Workflow Now runs natively on AOS since it’s a managed service, no longer needs IIS as a host for the.NET Workflow Foundation WCF AIF services hosted in the AOS process (net.tcp)

Application Object Server (AOS) Application files gone – mostly Layer files moved into SQL “Model Store” Label files “maintained” in model store Labels & Binaries for CIL code (DLLs) downloaded at startup Model Store – separate in R2 SQL database containing source code and binaries Layers divided into models – extra config step to log into right model on top of layer Code Deployment Object IDs are “Installation Specific” Layers divided into “models” which can be deployed (in binary form) Model Store can be moved as a whole (no more compile!)

Application Object Server (AOS) Code Deployment Object IDs are “Installation Specific” Layers divided into “models” which can be deployed (in binary form) Model Store can be moved as a whole (no more compile!) Some issues with downloaded artifacts not being downloaded at startup (labels seem to be the biggest issue) Management utilities

Demo AOS application files, SQL model store

Client

Client Still 32 bit x86 program files – be aware of config files and shortcuts for 32 bit client systems Unmanaged – no CIL execution Trips to server can be “transferred” into CIL (this can be turned off – ssshhh!) DLL deployment Per-user, VSAssemblies folder – can cause issues when connected to multiple environments at

Client Pre-caching In R2, forms can be “preloaded” – known issues in R2 and R2 CU1, fixed in CU6 (there’s no CU 2-4) Pre-caching was introducted due to performance concerns, a lot on fact boxes Caching problems Existed in previous releases as well, but not as obvious or problematic

Demo Factboxes, pre-loading, VSAssemblies

Reporting

Reporting MorphX reports available for backwards compatibility All standard reports are SSRS reports New deployment features for SSRS and SSAS SSAS cube configuration greatly simplified – “disabled” tables still in SQL resolving a lot of issues

Security

Security Completely replaced Security keys etc gone Out of the box Roles, Duties, Privileges Some free tools available Information Source Record-level security gone in favor of “XDS Policies” Still exists, but performance issues XDS really flexible but needs a developer

Enterprise Portal

Enterprise Portal SharePoint 2010/2013 (R2) 64 bit! Deployment of new code easier WCF vs.NET Business Connector List Pages

Services (AIF)

Services AIF setup greatly simplified Natively hosted NET.TCP WCF services Azure Service Bus support in R2

Demo AIF setup

Deprecated Features CHM help files Data Crawler For source control: Visual SourceSafe support dropped Team ID Server

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