Microsoft Dynamics AX 7 will launch on Azure first, with promises of better upgrade experience

The initial release of Microsoft Dynamics AX 7 - expected in late 2015 - will be for Microsoft Azure, with the on-premise version expected six months later. The capabilities of AX 7 as compared to 2009 are so strong, says Microsoft's AX R&D general manager Dan Brown, that you may be more than willing to make the quantum leap - with a little help from Microsoft Dynamics Lifecycle Services (LCS).

An upgrade, especially one that skips a major release, will depend upon the needs of your business. The good news is that if you're an AX 2009 user, you don't have to rush. Customer support has been extended until 2018, Brown told attendees at AXUG Focus 2015 this week.

For AX 2012 customers, an upgrade to AX 7 on Azure has been designed to be simpler and more efficient than past upgrade processes. You can set up your business model with LCS in as little as 20 minutes. The LCS toolset will also help track and manage the use of ISV solutions, custom code, and licensing, which Microsoft expects will make the AX 7 upgrade process easier for partners to manage as well.

Users weigh the upgrade decision 

On average, most businesses choose to upgrade their ERP systems every 10 to 15 years, mainly because they don't realize the value of upgrading, says Hal Howard, executive director at Dynamic Communities and former R&D chief for Microsoft Dynamics ERP.

Users have mixed emotions when it comes to upgrades. If they've recently purchased software, ...