Microsoft’s big data and cloud analytics now within sight for Dynamics AX customers

Soon, every business will be able to do demand forecasting for raspberry iced tea.

Pre-built predictive models that can be trained by a combination of an organization's internal data and external sources will generate forecasts for soft drink demand - and any other product category, of course - to optimize inventory, improving both retail customer satisfaction and profitability. At Convergence 2014 Europe, Microsoft officials told attendees that predictive analytics and IoT capabilities will soon have the potential to influence businesses running Dynamics AX in a range of ways. In the not-so-distant future Dynamics AX will be incorporating some of the company's most advanced cloud-based tools like Azure Machine Learning, StreamInsight, HDInsight, and Bing, among other products. Predictions will be used to determine things like accurate order levels, product cross-sell and up-sell recommendations, field service needs, and more.

"Being able to introduce predictable models is one of the most significant frontiers," said Microsoft Business Solutions EVP Kirill Tatarinov at Convergence 2014 Europe on Tuesday. "Taking technologies like Azure Machine Learning for solving real needs is what we see our businesses embracing. It's no longer in the future, it's no longer something we dream and read about. It's something we see going today by harnessing the power of Azure Machine Learning."

After reviewing December's upcoming Dynamics AX 2012 R3 CU8 release at an AX keynote session, Microsoft Dynamics general manager Christian Pedersen was joined on stage by Microsoft Technical Fellow Mike Ehrenberg, who gave the audience a brief look ...