Microsoft Dynamics AX Technical ConferenceFebruary 3–5, 2014Bellevue, WA

Extending the reach of Dynamics AX with Microsoft OfficeBRK409Chris GartySenior PM - Client & Office Interop

IntroductionWe are excited to share Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 with you…• This presentation contains Microsoft confidential information• Dynamics AX 2012 R3 is pre-release software and subject to change• Microsoft provides no license, express or implied, in this presentation• Please review and respect the disclaimer included in all printed

and electronically distributed materials

Session objectives and takeawaysSession objectivesIdentify the Office Interop possibilities in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2.Describe how the Office Interop capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 help it work with other business software.

Key takeawaysMicrosoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 can interop with Excel, Word, SharePoint, and Lync:• Read, analyze, summarize, and update Microsoft Dynamics AX data in Excel.• Generate Word documents from Microsoft Dynamics AX.• Store document templates and record attachments in SharePoint.• Communicate with contacts via Lync.

New in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2Responding to your feedback…

Document managementNew: SharePoint and SharePoint Online support

Excel Add-inNew: Office 365 support via export, filtering APIs, dimension descriptions, refresh on openImproved: Table support (40 to 95 percent), services support, user experience

Word Add-inNew: Generate from template to Office 365, template storage in SharePoint Online

LyncNew: Lync 2013 and Lync Online support

Session focus—scenarios

How to create ad hoc reports in Excel How to edit business data in Excel

How to create a document template in Word

How to import data into Microsoft Dynamics AX using Excel

Pains and challengesKevin, Sales ManagerEvery time I need a change to a report I need to involve the IT department

June, Product Division ManagerI plan my budget using Microsoft Excel, then need to copy it to my budgeting system

Prakash, Project ManagerI want to personalize the project quotations I send to important prospects

Simon, Systems ImplementerI need to gather data from functional team members and import it into Microsoft Dynamics AX

Kevin, Sales ManagerI want to initiate communications with contacts without leaving Microsoft Dynamics AX

SolutionsMeeting the challenge

Ad hoc reporting in ExcelKevin, the Sales Manager, analyzes his opportunities pipeline using Excel

Editing business data in ExcelJune, the Product Division Manager, organizes and edits budget information in ExcelCreate a document template in WordPrakash, the Project Manager, builds a project quotation in word that his team can useImport data using ExcelSimon, the Implementer, collects customer details in Excel and sends them to Microsoft Dynamics AXCommunicate using LyncKevin, the Sales Manager, can quickly initiate communications with colleagues and contacts

Generic Document Service

Metadata Service

Business Document Services

Architecture: Office add-insService-based interop with Office 2010 and 2013

Metadata

Services

Tables

Queries

Query Service

Architecture: SharePointInterop with SharePoint 2010 and 2013

Export to Excel

Templates

Exported workbooks

Document attachments Document management

Generate from template

Initiate communication

Architecture: LyncSDK-based interop with Lync 2010 and 2013

Contacts

Presence information

Contact details

Demo 1: Ad hoc reporting in Excel

Persona Pain points and challenges Features covered Results and benefits

Business User Self-service reporting.

Send to SharePoint.Read data from queries.Add fields.Filter data.Refresh data.

Build reports in a familiar tool.No need to involve IT or Developers.Security and localization built in.

• Export the opportunities list page

• Extend it with additional fields

• Add formatting and pivots• Refresh as conditions change

Highlights for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2: ExcelFresh data automaticallyAdded a user option and an OpenXML API to allow refresh of a workbook on open to retrieve fresh data.

Send to Office 365Added support for sending exports to SharePoint and SharePoint Online to enable use of Office 365 Excel.

Localize itAdded support for localized templates via column and field label support.

Easier to useImproved the add-in user experience.

Demo

Ad hoc reporting

in Excel

Demo 1: Ad hoc reporting in Excel

Demo 2: Editing business data in Excel

Persona Pain points and challenges Features covered Results and benefits

Business User

Duplication of data between Excel and the budgeting system.Formulas and formatting in budgeting tools.

Write data to Services.Lock design.Dimensions support.

Store budget information where it belongs – Microsoft Dynamics AX.Flexible and familiar tools for forecasts and budgets.

• Build a template• Modify data• Publish changes

Highlights for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2: Excel editingFilter workbooks from codeAdded an OpenXML API for programmatic filter changes so workbooks can be customized to a user.

Lock it down when neededAdded an OpenXML API to optionally lock down the design of a workbook.

Dimensions explainedAdded the dimension descriptions as a field binding option and as a helper in lookups.

Matrix fields as editable aggregatesImproved the support for data entry in a matrix table via new “Add Row” dialog box

Demo 2: Editing business dataFind a budget plan in Microsoft Dynamics AX

Demo 2: Editing business dataEdit that budget plan in Excel

Demo 2: Editing business dataTemplates are designed using the add-in

Demo

Editing business data in Excel

Demo 3: Create a template in Word

Persona Pain points and challenges Features covered Results and benefits

Business User

Manual work and copy/paste to author documents.Consistent yet easily customized documents .

Document template library.Document data sources.Word add-in.Generate from template.

Quick and easy generation of documents.Easy-to-build templates.

• Define template in Microsoft Word• Place the template in Microsoft SharePoint• Activate the template for use• Generate a document

Highlights for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2: Word

Store templates anywhereAdded SharePoint Online support for template storage.

Generate to SharePointAdded support for SharePoint as a document storage location.

Dimensions descriptionsAdded the option of including dimension descriptions in documents.

Demo

Create a template in Word

Demo 3: Create a template in Word

Demo 4: Import data using Excel

Persona Pain points and challenges Features covered Results and benefits

Business User

Data often needs transformation before import.Data import process can often require multiple steps.

Table selector.Write data to tables.Validation.

Users can massage data before importing - bulk edit, find/replace, calculations, and more.Flexible tool for data import.

• Select tables• Enter data• Import data

Highlights for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2: Excel import

Tables galoreImproved our support for surrogate foreign keys (SFK) to improve the percentage of tables supported for import/export from 40 to 95 percent.

Use services when neededAdded support for key services, such as LedgerGeneralJournalService and VendVendTableService.

Demo

Import data using Excel

Demo 4: Import data using Excel

Demo 5: Communicate via Lync

Persona Pain points and challenges Features covered Results and benefits

Business User

Communicating with contacts often means switching to another application.

Lync presence and contact information.Initiating IM and email communications.

Quick communication with contacts and colleagues.

• Set contact address• View contact presence info• Initiate communications

Highlights for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2: LyncLync 2013Added support for Lync 2013.

To the cloud!Added support for the latest version of Lync Online.

Skype supportAny contact that is supported by Lync is supported in Dynamics AX: Lync, Skype, Yahoo, etc.

Demo

Communicate via Lync

Demo 5: Communicate via Lync

Office interop capability summary

Excel read-onlyQueryExcel read-writeServicesTablesWord read-onlyQuery

Office add-ins

Export to ExcelStaticRefreshableSend to SharePointGenerate from templateWord docExcel workbook

Doc generation

PresenceInitiateIMEmail

Lync

Document storageDatabaseFile folderSharePoint

Doc management

OthersProject collaboration sites in SharePointOData feeds consumable by Excel/SharePoint

Office 365: Key scenariosSend exports to SharePoint OnlineSend static and refreshable workbooks to SharePoint Online for storage and collaborationStore document attachments in SharePoint OnlineSharePoint Online can be used as a document storage location for record attachments

Place templates in SharePoint OnlineStore templates in SharePoint Online for use with “Generate from template”

Collaborate through Lync OnlineYour local Lync client can use Lync Online as the serverView documents in the Excel and Word web applicationsDocuments stored in SharePoint Online will open in the web applications by default The Add-ins won’t run, but you can view documents and workbooks

Top tips from this sessionTake advantage of support for SharePointDocument management, content management, collaboration

Use Excel whenever neededAd hoc reporting, data analysis, editing data, data import

Use Word as a lightweight alternative to reportsStore templates in SharePoint, create good-looking templates, and add the “Generate from template” button wherever neededTake advantage of Lync for collaborationLive contact information and flexible communication options. Supports Skype as well.PerformanceJudicious filtering conserves system resources and saves time Use the data migration toolkit for large data migration efforts

In review: Session objectives and takeawaysSession objectivesIdentify the Office Interop possibilities in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2Describe how the Office Interop capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 help it work with other business software

Key takeawaysMicrosoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 can interop with Excel, Word, SharePoint, and Lync:Read, analyze, summarize, and update Microsoft Dynamics AX data in ExcelGenerate Word documents from Microsoft Dynamics AXStore document templates and record attachments in SharePointCommunicate with contacts via Lync

Key resourcesInformationSourcehttp://informationsource.dynamics.comMy blog – questions and commentshttp://blogs.msdn.com/chrisgarty

THANK YOU for attending! Your feedback is extremely important, please complete an evaluation using one of the following options:

• On the fly from the mobile event app• Communications Kiosks located in the Evergreen Foyer, Grand

Ballroom Foyer and Regency Foyer

• Via the Dynamics AX Technical Conference website: www.microsoft.com/dynamics/axtechconference

DisclaimerThis presentation contains Microsoft Confidential Information. Microsoft may use any suggestions, comments, or other feedback that you provide for any purpose without obligation. This presentation is provided for informational and training purposes only. It represents Microsoft’s view as of the presentation date. Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information after the presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted as a commitment on Microsoft’s part. This presentation is provided “as-is”.

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 is pre-release software under development. All dates, features, and descriptions specified are preliminary, are based on current expectations, and are subject to change at any time without notice.

Sample code included in this presentation is made available AS IS.  THE ENTIRE RISK OF THE USE OR THE RESULTS FROM THE USE OF ANY SAMPLE CODE REMAINS WITH THE USER.

MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION. NO LICENSE (EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, BY ESTOPPEL OR OTHERWISE) TO ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IS GRANTED BY THIS PRESENTATION.

© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

© 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

© 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.