Microsoft rolls out Dynamics AX ERP in the cloud

Microsoft's Dynamics AX 2012 R3 ERP product is generally availabile as of this week, as Microsoft officials said it would be. And it's also available for deployment on Microsoft Azure, as well.

Dynamics AX 2012 R3 is the third of Microsoft's four ERP products that the company has made available for hosting on a Windows Server virtual machine on Azure. Like Dynamics GP and Dynamics NAV, Dynamics AX is available on Azure via Microsoft partners, and not directly from Microsoft.

May 1 marked not only the general availability of Dynamics AX 2012 R3, but also a new apps and services framework for developing "Modern," a k a Windows 8/Windows Store apps that connect to Dynamics AX. Microsoft officials announced at Convergence in March 2014 plans to make this framework available to third-party developers for free.

Companion apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone are part of the Dynamics AX 2012 R3 release, as well. Among the "Modern"/Windows Store deliverables are timesheet, expense, approvals, business analyzer and shop floor apps; the phone apps include time and expense and paystub apps.

Dynamics AX 2012 R3 adds new warehouse and transportation management capabilities. It also includes new e-procurement and budget-planning features. A 25-page downloadable PDF details the new Dynamics AX 2012 R3 features, including the new Modern apps and framework.

Microsoft is continuing to license Dynamics AX using its server plus client-access license (CAL) model. Customers have a choice among four tiers of CALs with options to license by device or user. While Microsoft doesn't publish pricing for Dynamics AX, given it varies considerably by user, officials did note that there will be a price increase for the Server license with the latest release, given the addition of new capabilities.