Microsoft Dynamics AX is being used in our Asia region for logistics and used across multiple departments in the region for sales. The application is robust enough to serve the users even with high latency connection and low bandwidth while achieving high availability and stability that our users need in the region. It is also compliant with various ASEAN countries regulations for data access and integrity and provide secure access to our team members in the region.
Pros
Microsoft Dynamics AX's scalability to meet our regional office needs provide flexibility to the team's requirements.
Combined with Citrix Xenapp, the application offers seamless access for users on high latency unreliable network connection to the application.
Application maintenance and updates are easy which makes it possible for us to manage remotely considering the servers are located in a remote Asia site.
Cons
Application version upgrade could be simpler to provide easy way to backup config and settings and allow in-place upgrade.
Support of newer and latest operating systems could use improvement in matching the roadmap of other Microsoft products.
Better support of mobile devices and non-Microsoft operating systems without reliance on third-party platforms such as VMware or Citrix products.
Users mention desire for wider support of printing devices and ease of formatting printouts.
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft Dynamics AX is well suited for medium to smaller branch offices or operations where SAP products are not suitable due to lack of resources. It interfaces well with SAP for data configuration to have seamless transactions with our main ERP and BI teams, yet still allow smaller branch and satellite offices to do their job. For larger facilities (500 or more employees) we find Microsoft Dynamics AX to be limiting in features and robust role assignments as well as granular workflow to cover the entire operations in manufacturing and refining.
VU
Verified User
Administrator in Information Technology (10,001+ employees)
We use AX as our main system to manage logistics, purchasing, sales, accounting, reporting, controlling, production and quality. AX is our main system because all the company processes are traced inside. We create orders, trace production; accept material for quality point of view and we generate invoices and manage general accounting transactions.
Pros
Has an easy interface for users so training and learning is fast
The module organization allows an easy integration between processes
It's easy to be customized both on the interface and in adapting the processes to business needs
Cons
Self-reporting for users - the available report seldom fits the users need and often needs to be customized
Definition of standard process workflows - this implies there is too much flexibility
The available documentation, manuals or instructions are very rare and not well designed
MRP run time is too high
Likelihood to Recommend
Well suited in an organization with a clear set of internal processes already mapped and consolidated. You cannot count on the well-defined preset processes in the system. AX is flexible and if a company doesn't have clear processes there is a risk of losing control.
VU
Verified User
C-Level Executive in Information Technology (1001-5000 employees)
Microsoft Dynamics AX is being used as our ERP system by order entry, production, finance, procurement and other departments across the whole organization.
Pros
It is a stable software that generally performs well.
It is integrated well with Microsoft Excel with relative ease of downloading tables, reports, and queries into Excel.
Adaptable to meet business needs.
Item master is comprehensive.
Cons
Our current version (2009) has a complex security setup.
Our older version lacks some in innovation and features.
Our older version cannot share reports and queries across companies.
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft Dynamics AX is well suited for a comprehensive ERP system for a small to mid-size organization. It is a solid, base core system with well-designed architecture. From the overview of the upgrade, it contains additional functionality and features. It may be less appropriate for very large, complex organizations. I would not recommend for use as a reporting and/or analysis software.
VU
Verified User
Analyst in Finance and Accounting (1001-5000 employees)
All departments of the company use Microsoft Dynamics AX, including Sales, Sales Operations, Sales Planning, Logistics, Accounting, Finance, Production.
Pros
Microsoft Dynamics AX can export data directly from the system to an Excel spreadsheet just by a click.
Microsoft Dynamics AX allows us to switch entity while still keeping our customized view of display.
Microsoft Dynamics AX is easier for FX conversion.
Cons
Microsoft Dynamics AX has all data, however, converting data to a report needs to go through via another solution. We used Sales Cube (very slow and not user friendly in settings), then we switched to Anaplan.
Bringing new fields into the current data set is sometimes confusing.
It would be better if we could schedule some daily refresh data saved automatically from Microsoft Dynamics AX to the public drive by end-users themselves.
Likelihood to Recommend
In the past we used ADS as the company's ERP system, the data extract was super complicated.
It is saved on a public drive, as a txt file, and then needs to be cut manually.
With the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX, it is so easy for us to get the raw data extracted just by clicking Ctrl+G.
We use Dynamics AX across the entire enterprise as our only ERP system. We have it integrated with our PLM system (Windchill), and this works very well. We use AX for managing resources, inventories, planning, purchasing, scheduling, and production. Dynamics AX is a modern ERP system that does well communicating real-time information to every department that uses it. This addresses the problem of our departments working together seamlessly.
Pros
Dynamics AX is reasonably intuitive and easy to learn and use, even for workers who aren't extremely computer savvy.
Dynamics AX integrates and communicates well with our PLM system in real time.
Dynamics AX ties the information and data created and used by various departments together immediately, making needed data available to the people who need it.
Cons
Dynamics AX could be a little more visual. It's very text-based.
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft Dynamics AX is best suited for medium to large manufacturers and allows communication between various departments in the company, as well as different locations globally. Data is integrated in real time where it can be accessed across the enterprise. I think it is not well suited for small companies. It would be too expensive in that regard, so would not be cost effective. It's also more power than most small companies would need.
VU
Verified User
Administrator in Product Management (1001-5000 employees)
We use AX from the very beginning of an order all the way to the end. Our sales reps use AX to enter orders (As well as check order status, inventory, etc.). We use it to track production, produce goods and ship/invoice orders.
D365 is utilized as the backbone of the business. We run all of our production, Customer Service, Quality System, warehouse management and Finance through the system. It allows us to see the overall picture of work to produce, work in progress and inventory status. Tracking of customer information and orders is easily accessible. Also, data analysis through embedded Power Bi reports makes tracking current capacity and financial information easily accessible and readable.
Pros
User setup is easy when tied to an Azure AD.
Task recordings create wonderful training tools for new hires.
Integrated Power Bi reports fit seamlessly into the environment.
Out of the box Data Entities are easy to connect to.
End user tasks are pretty straightforward.
Cons
Integrations for not included functionality can be expensive.
Sorting and searching Work Orders for starting and tracking can be cumbersome.
Error Reporting on transactions is awful and requires development to be of any use.
Speed can be inconsistent.
Cost.
Likelihood to Recommend
Due to its cost I am not sure a company much smaller than us, 200+ employees, would be cost-effective. The user costs combined with break fix problems on top of tweaking the system to work for "YOU" are no small sum. It really does require development to make it work for each company. However, for larger companies, its integration with other MS products makes it very attractive.
