Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 CU8 to introduce platform, industry, Lifecycle Services enhancements

Microsoft will update Dynamics AX 2012 R3 in a range of areas with Cumulative Update 8 (CU8), which is due in December. Customers can expect an updated retail point-of-sale client, enhancements in warehouse and transportation management, and more flexible Azure deployment options.

The new Point-of-Sales client for Windows tablets and phones can run on Windows 10, as Microsoft Dynamics general manager Christian Pedersen demonstrated to the audience at Convergence 2014 Europe today. The interface will also work on a smartphone.

"It's truly role based and we can define [it's interface based on roles]. And it's interesting how retail stores define roles in different ways," he said, like managers, sales associates, and others. The catalog browsing features of the POS interface are more efficient, Pedersen said, and can be configured to allow for interactive features with the customer, including customer surveys, payment, and signatures.

AX 2012 R3 CU8 will also include streamlined warehouse and transportation operations, Microsoft platform support for Visual Studio 2013, and extended language support for mobile apps.

Microsoft also highlighted some new features and metrics for Lifecycle Services (LCS) for Dynamics AX.

"Businesses that use the service today are ...