AX 2012 to D365 Upgrade FAQs

#FocusOnBestPractices

Are you looking to upgrade from Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 but have many questions concerning the same? You can upgrade if you’re on AX 2012 or AX 2012 R3. While assisting our customers with an upgrade from AX 2012 to D365, we found these commonly asked questions or concerns:

Between Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations and AX, which offers a superior user experience?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (F&O) user interface is more user-friendly and easier to use for complex business transactions. This is in addition to the richness of accessing the application through the web interface via laptop, tablet, or mobile.

Dynamics 365 F&O is associated with the Azure active directory and here, every system user is listed or registered. And it’ll be used as the basis for signing into Microsoft Dynamics 365 for F&O.

Dynamics 365 New UI Better than AX

Work from anywhere: Dynamics 365 Unified Interface is developed to help users to access the system from anywhere and from any device. Get a unified experience across mobile, web clients, and embedded.

Enhanced navigation and performance: The new UI will help users to jump between apps ensuring easy navigation with pinned and recent favorites. The difference is marked when it comes to better performance and includes:

  • Recovery of application metadata
  • Forms rendering
  • Minimized load times for grids and forms
  • Custom-made form ribbons

Now, we’ll walk you through the user interface (UI) components of  D365 finance and operations. Then, before you can navigate the app’s interface, it’s essential to learn about the names as well as functions of the components making the UI.

Please look into the below content and update it accordingly:

  • Action Pane:You can see the bar below the navigation bar. In this section, choose tabs to alter the records displayed on the page. Users can even change/edit and save the data here.
  • FactBox: Please view the information as well as follow the actions or activities of particular data/ information in this panel.
  • FactBox Pane: In this part, scroll through various aspects of any record to see in the FactBox.
  • Filter Pane:On a few pages, you have the liberty to choose Show filters to open this panel/pane. It lets you zero in on the outcomes or results noticeable to you on a page.
  • Navigation Bar: You will see a bar above the interface. It includes the Dynamics 365 portal, Search, company picker, Action center, Settings, Help & Support, and of course the user profile.
  • Navigation list:On a few pages, scroll through the pane to look for a particular record. Once selected, the particulars of that record will show on the page.
  • Navigation pane: It’s the leftmost pane. From this pane, look for any page related to the product.
  • Page:It’s the main focus of the interface. Choices made on the additional UI elements will affect what information or records are displayed here.
  • Pane: It’s the right-most pane. It will be in certain cases when aspects of a record need to be altered and stored.
  • Tab: When talking about the Action Pane, it's a menu of preferences showing up when you choose a given alternative in the Action Pane.

Q2. What are the latest/additional features or modules available in Dynamics 365 to justify the upgrade from AX 2012 to D365?

Why customers should care about the latest features:

Dynamics 365 to justify the upgrade
Do I need to move to Cloud
Do I need to move to Cloud

Q3. We are currently very happy with our AX application; do you still recommend an upgrade from AX 2012 to D365?

Yes, we would recommend an upgrade from AX to D365 because AX 2012 is no longer supported by Microsoft since the support is stopped in 2021 and the extended support is going to be stopped by 2023.

There are many advantages when you upgrade to cloud-based software, it signifies Dynamics 365 is updated and optimized regularly. Additionally, you will have access to a gamut of useful applications.

Upgrade from AX 2012 to D365 leads to:

  • Improved accessibility for all the users
  • Cross-platform UI support, D365 can run on any browser and device.
  • Reduced IT maintenance, no need for an IT team to maintain the servers and applications when you move to Cloud-based Dynamics 365 from AX
  • Easily stay up to date, updates are done automatically
  • Upgrade AX to D365 to get functional enhancements, Microsoft provided additional features and enhancements in the way transactions are handled, etc.
  • Real-time Business Intelligence
  • Platform innovations
  • Easy to integrate with 3rd party applications
AX Application

Q4. What are the Key benefits of moving to Cloud-based D365? How is it going to be less expensive?

There are multiple benefits of moving to a cloud ERP system such as Dynamics 365 which is also known as D365:
  • Facilitate scalability and flexibility: Upgrade AX 2012 to D365 to reinforce your company’s development with no expensive adjustments to IT infrastructure. It includes the capability to fast motivate and deploy new users.
  • Enhance security, reliability, and privacy: Keep your vulnerable and confidential business data stored in safe, advanced data centers owned and run by the technology giant Microsoft. Access your data anytime with a 99.9 percent uptime SLA.
  • Improve productivity: Boost your IT productivity with AX 2012 to D365 upgrade by minimizing the intricacy related to overseeing software and hardware as well as providing IT support. Do away with tasks like upgrades, backups, patches, etc., to let your employees focus on strategic business planning or top-priority tasks.
  • Get a 365-degree business view: Usually, ERP and CRM have been maintained independently. With Dynamics 365, connect data to get an all-encompassing view of your company and access information from Microsoft 365 as well as Power BI.
  • Do more with Dynamics 365: Get the information and tools you require to succeed, compete, and outshine with D365 by having access to predictive analytics and AI.

Q5: Do I get any mobile app for Dynamics 365?

Yes, you’ll get Microsoft Dynamics 365 mobile app downloadable from Play Store and Apple Store. All you need to do is sign in with D365 credentials and access information anytime, anywhere. The best features of the app are:

  • Viewing and modifying customer data
  • Overseeing sales opportunities
  • Keeping track of customer service issues/incidents
  • Gaining access to Dynamics 365 for Outlook
  • Planning and managing meetings/activities

The Dynamics 365 mobile app will enable your business to make its processes accessible on mobiles. Once the IT admin activates the mobile workspaces for your enterprise, people can sign into the D365  application and start running business processes right away from their mobiles. The D365 mobile application has these features to boost productivity:

  • You can see, modify, and act on business information, even when they have occasional internet connectivity or if their smartphones are fully offline.
  • IT developers or admins can develop as well as publish mobile workspaces that have been customized to their company.
  • IT developers can choose to improve the offline capacities of workspaces by leveraging the Business logic extensibility framework. As information keeps on being processed when a mobile device is offline, your mobile settings stay powerful and smooth, even if mobiles don't have continuous internet connectivity.

Mobile App Elements

Mobile App Elements

Q6. What are the different kinds of dashboards/insights in Dynamics 365?

You’ll find two standard dashboards in Microsoft Dynamics 365. One is the user dashboard, and the other is the system dashboard. You can create any dashboard visible solely to you in your work zone or space including Marketing, Service, or Sales.

You will also get Microsoft Dynamics 365 Product Insights, a potential of Dynamics 365 Customer Insights. Measure and understand how your customers interact on your business website, apps, and all through your connected products.

Let’s learn about the key navigation concepts that include:

  • Dashboard
  • Navigation pane
  • Workspaces
  • Tiles
  • Navigation Search

When it comes to the dashboard, it’s a new conception, while the navigation pane, as well as workspaces, are updates to current concepts. To execute the navigation ideas, the UI model employs numerous typical page types. When you build an application, you need to adhere to the rules for those pages to provide a coherent user experience. The following illustration indicates an outline of the typical page types and how these come together.

Q7. What are the licensing charges for Dynamics 365 compared to AX?

There are two choices for the customer running the previous version of Dynamics AX. There are a few offers such as a 40% discount on Online license prices valid for 3 years, available at the time of publishing this blog.

  • For Dynamics AX 2012 RTM/R2 and Current on Annual Microsoft Licensing Renewals
  • For Dynamics AX 2012 to Dynamics 365 OnPrem migration, The “Named User” based licensing transfers AS-IS from Dynamics AX 2012 On-Premises to Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations On-Premises.
  • For Dynamics AX 2012 to Dynamics 365 Online migration, there is a discount of up to 40% on the per-user license on the published price on the Microsoft Website. This discount applies to the current active user count on your Dynamics AX 2012 only. Any additional user license will have the Full price as published on Microsoft Website.
  • For Dynamics AX 2009 and Current on Annual Microsoft Licensing Renewals
  • For Dynamics AX 2009 to Dynamics 365 OnPrem migration, The “Concurrent User” based licensing transfers to the Named User-based licensing model on Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations On-Premises.
  • For Dynamics AX 2009 to Dynamics 365 Online migration, there is a discount of up to 40% on the per-user license on the published price on the Microsoft Website. This discount applies to the current active user count on your Dynamics AX 2009 only. Any additional user license will have the Full price as published on Microsoft Website.

At the time of publishing this blog, the Online Per “Named User” Price is as below.

  • A minimum of 20 Named Users is a must when subscribing to Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Online version.
  • The licenses are sold under 3 SKUs – Finance, Supply Chain, and Commerce.
  • If the User just needs Finance OR SCM or Commerce, the price is $180/user/month. As mentioned above, there is a 40% discount provided for customers who are opting for migration online.
  • If the User needs any combination of two out of the three modules, the price is $180 + $30 / user/month. As mentioned above, there is a 40% discount provided for customers who are opting for migration online.
  • If the User needs all three modules, the price is $180 + $30 + $30 /user/month. As mentioned above, there is a 40% discount provided for customers who are opting for migration online.
  • There are few more SKUs that are to be purchased as per the User’s role on the ERP. The below chart shows all the details:
FAQ Base License

Q8. Do I need to train my team to use Dynamics 365?

Yes, your team will need training on Dynamics 365. Though Microsoft Dynamics has many advanced features, it’s a little challenging for users to get a grasp of it. That is the reason why we recommend you choose varied training programs to help users master Dynamics 365. The training has many benefits including:

  • Defined team roles
  • Defined workflows
  • More scalability
  • Fewer support tickets
  • Improved productivity

Q9. What happens to my history data? Is it possible to move the data to Dynamics 365?

If you are in AX2009, only Master Data and Opening balances will be moved to Dynamics 365 F&O and if you are in AX 2012 R3, the historical data can be moved to Dynamics 365 F&O but still, it purely depends on the customizations, table modifications.

Q10. Some of the partners are recommending D365 Re-Implementation, why should we reimplement?

Dynamics 365 reimplementation might be a bit intimidating initially; however, many customers are interested in it. The majority of AX customers have been using the solutions for decades and therefore, much of the old business processes as well as code need cleaning. Upgrade AX to D365, as it presents an opportunity to modernize and streamline operations, leading to enhanced efficiency

D365 Reimplementation provides you with an opportunity to analyze, streamline, and clean business data. It helps you to bring only what you require. Then, moving transactional data is difficult and you’ll have no record of the recent version. Reimplementation has the following benefits:

  • Reexamine and modify internal processes
  • Eliminate outmoded alterations
  • Benefit from more functionality
  • Revamp data to better show business requirements

We recommend that you work with Dynamics AX or 365 Gold Partner during reimplementation for reducing the possibility of delayed implementation.

Q11. What is the difference between upgrading from AX 2012 to D365 and reimplementation and when it is applicable?

The upgrade from AX to D365 is performed by employing the tools provided by Microsoft. It will help in moving the personalization as well as data to Dynamics 365 F&O, but such personalization must be evaluated and rectified for platform-related needs. An Upgrade from AX to D365 is feasible only when a business is now using AX 2012 R3.

Reimplementation is similar to a new implementation; however, the process needs are partially achieved from your current systems, and everything related to your process changes, pain points, automation needs, etc. are gathered and taken into account for implementation. Master Data as well as Opening balances can be shifted to Dynamics 365 F&O employing the accessible tools but it is advised only depending on the excellence and precision of the information or data.

Q12. When we upgrade from AX to D365 , what will happen to a large number of customizations/integrations done in AX 2009 or 2012?

The method to reuse the current custom-built functionalities, reports, as well as integration elements vary on the intricacy of the personalization and the effect on the underlying processes. There are numerous functionalities and improvements developed into Dynamics 365 depending on the industry’s requirements. So, custom-built elements of the earlier versions needn’t be brought forward. Then, if there are any particular improvements you would like to integrate into Dynamics 365, such things have to be built. The majority of integrations may have to be modified as Dynamics 365 uses OData connections, JSON, RESTful web services, and DIXF.

Q13. What’s the standard/typical cost of the upgrade from AX 2012 to D365?

The upgrade from AX to D365 cost will vary on redesign conditions, customizations, data model adjustments, user and license numbers, necessary disapproved characteristics, and more variables. Additionally, there are execution, support, or managed services expenditures.

The typical cost concerning an upgrade from AX 2012 to D365 for a small or medium-sized enterprise is around $100,000 not including Microsoft license charges. For a big company in over 10 nations and interested in a reimplementation of a bespoke legacy ERP system, the cost could be around $1 million. The price approximations will also consist of change management as well as training.

KORCOMPTENZ is a Microsoft service provider headquartered in New Jersey with decades of experience improving business outcomes for our customers. We leverage end-to-end solutions involving the ongoing convergence of ERP, Azure Cloud, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and IoT. We specialize in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 range of products such as Dynamics 365 Business Central, Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, and Dynamics 365 CRM. Request a consultation today!

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