2. AXC01 DIXF: The Microsoft Dynamics AX Data Import and Export Framework
Viktor Lesiv | Celenia Software NA Inc

3. Introduction Purpose Assumptions – Audience has: Target Roles
DIXF overview
Data migration: alternative solutions
Assumptions – Audience has:
Technical implementation and development experience, AX 2012
Target Roles
TSAs
Consultants
Developers

4. Agenda
DIXF
Alternative Data Migration solutions
Summary

5. Tools to Compare DIXF In product (dat/def) Test Data Transfer Tool
Excel add-in
AIF – not in scope

6. Survey #1 - Experience Which tool you have most of experience with?
DIXF
In product (dat/def)
TDTT
Excel add-in
AIF

7. Data Import Export Framework
DIXF
Data Import Export Framework
AKA DIEF and DMF
Export and Import
R3: compare and copy
Data migration
Numerous templates

8. DIXF: Benefits Multiple templates Multiple import sources
Streamlines data migration
Simplicity, Intuitive

9. DIXF: Key features 70+Entities (150+ R3) Parallel execution
Number sequence Support
Mapper control
Multiple Data sources
Error handling 
Folder support
Role Base Security
Multiple AOS support
Import and Export data
Compare Entity Copy data (R3)
Custom entity wizard

10. DIXF: Version history AX 2012 R3 AX 2012
Add-on for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
70+ Entities
Import / Export data
Source: Flat files / XML / Excel
AX 2012
R2 CU7
Part of foundation layer
70+ Entities
Import / Export data
Source: Flat files / XML / Excel
Part of foundation layer
150+ Entities
Import / Export / Copy / Compare data
Source: Flat files / XML / Excel / ODBC
Role base security
AX 2012 R3

11. DIXF: Data Flow
Source
Staging
Target

12. DIXF: Data Flow

13. DIXF: Setup Source Data Format Target Entities Processing Groups
Mapping

14. DIXF: Process
Load Source data file into the intermediate staging tables
Load Source Data
Validate Staging Data for data integrity
Staging Data validation
Converting Staging data into actual Dynamics AX table records
Process Staging data into Target entities

15. DIXF: Pros and Cons Pros:
Support for import from files, ODBC data sources, and AX tables
Process big data
Synchronous processing
Cons:
Does not process large data volumes
Complex troubleshooting process
Difficult to extend for complex data structures

16. DIXF: Demo Create custom target entity Import using DIXF
Export using DIXF

17. DIXF: Hint RefRecId: Convert the natural key to a RecId for references
Add a data source so that the referenced table can be added to the target entity query.
Create a function to handle the logic

18. DIXF: Recommendation Recommended uses: Non-recommended uses:
Import data from another ERP system that uses dissimilar data structures
Import data that requires transformation
Non-recommended uses: 
When you work only with configuration settings

19. In-Product
In-product Import/Export (.DAT/Def)

20. In-Product
Built-in with AX
Time tested
Definition groups

21. In-Product: Demo?
Create a definition group
Import and Export

22. In-Product: Hint
RefRecId:
Regenerate RefRecIds if import both related and main tables.
Save RefRecIds if import only related table. RefRecIds will be not actual.

23. In-Product: Hint TableId: Tables with the different name
and same table id.
Tables with the same name
and different table id.

24. In-Product: Recommendation
Recommended uses: 
The source and target are AX instances.
You are moving data from one company to another.
Non-recommended uses: 
Move configuration metadata to a new environment.

25. Test Data Transfer Tool
Process
Metadata
Syntax

26. Test Data Transfer Tool
Process
Metadata
Syntax

27. TDTT: Metadata Import the MetadataXMLGenerator.xpo.
Run the MetadataXMLGenerator job.
Copy Metadata.xml from temporary folder to the [List] subfolder where the Test Data Transfer Tool is installed

28. TDTT: Syntax DP.exe direction directory database server Parameter
Default value
Description
direction
EXPORT
Specify EXPORT to export data or IMPORT to import data.
directory
The current directory
Specify the directory from which the data should be exported or to which the data should be imported.
database
AXDB
The name of the database.
server
The current computer
Specify the computer name or instance name of the SQL Server computer that is hosting the Microsoft Dynamics AX database.

29. TDTT: Demo?
Refresh data in DEV system

30. TDTT: Pros and Cons Pros: Speed Saves RecId
The data file format is text-based. Therefore, the data file can be compared with earlier versions and can be stored in a version control system.
The tool enables export filtering.
The tool updates entity IDs, so that the IDs match the IDs of the target system.

31. TDTT: Pros and Cons Cons:
Importing data into a production environment is not supported.
The tool does not make sure that any data that you export or import is complete or coherent database.

32. TDTT: Recommendations
Recommended uses: 
Export or import a large multi-company data set in a non-production environment.
Move data between non-production AX environments that have slightly different customizations.
Store business data as a backup
Export or import data without running an instance of AOS in a non-production environment.

33. Excel add-in
Import
Publishing
RecId challenge
Recommendations

34. Excel add-in: Import

35. Excel add-in: Publish

36. Excel add-in: RecId Relations between tables based on
RecIds are not supported.
Alternative keys can be used instead

37. Excel add-in: RecId

38. Excel add-in: Recommendations
Recommended uses: 
Low to medium data volumes (<10,000 records)
No business logic is required outside an existing document service
Non-recommended uses: 
Large data sets
Content that requires execution of business logic
Data sets that require data cleansing

39. Import from another system Change data before import
Best tool for Each Use
DIXF
Dat/Def
TDTT
Excel
Source types
AX, ODBC, CSV, Excel, XML, Text
Dat + Def
Out + OutModel + XML
Import from another system
Best
Update data
Possible
Cross company copy
Speed
Save foreign keys
Data entry
Copy data to TEST or DEV
Change data before import
Validation

40. Summary Data migration addressed Tools reviewed: DIXF
In-product Import/Export
Test Data Transfer Tool
Excel add-in

41. OPEN Q & A

42. Contact details Viktor Lesiv Ganna Kupchenko www.celenia.com
Ganna Kupchenko

43. Please fill out your evaluation
THANK YOU
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