Microsoft's expanded Dynamics AX supply chain portfolio: Will it boost competitiveness?

In July, supply chain management solutions provider Blue Horseshoe of Carmel, Indiana, announced a collaboration agreement with Microsoft that included the acquisition of the former's Warehousing for AX (WAX) and Transportation for AX (TRAX) solutions.

This new development is expected to help Microsoft accelerate the Dynamics AX supply chain management roadmap, "with plans to make the functionality available to the broader Dynamics AX channel partner and customer community," according to Blue Horseshoe.  But will this acquisition be enough to change perception and win deals?

WAX and TRAX are products within its Blue Horseshoe's Supply Chain Suite for Dynamics AX. The solutions embed industry-specific functionality directly into the business layer of Microsoft's Dynamic AX architecture to offer identical performance, user-interface, and business logic as Dynamics AX. The acquisition of this IP will help Microsoft boost the standard distribution and warehouse operations capabilities of Dynamics AX through improved inventory control; embedded radio frequency; improved inbound and outbound warehouse operations; rate, route, and load planning; and freight reconciliation.

Belinda Griffin-Cryan, global supply chain executive program manager at Capgemini Consulting, says Microsoft's acquisition of Blue Horseshoe's WAX and TRAX solutions is likely one small step in the former's effort to fold more supply chain management capabilities under the Dynamics AX umbrella.

Beyond its own supply chain IP built into AX, it is important to note that Microsoft is also augmenting its supply chain capabilities - among other areas - indirectly via its Global ISV (GISV) program that includes a range of industry-specific offerings, typically from established players in their respective spaces who have chosen to ...