Migrating an ISV solution from Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 to D365 Finance and Operations: A practical approach

In this article we will look at a practical approach to moving an ISV solution from Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 to Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (D365FO) using Life Cycle Services (LCS). LCS offers services and tools that perform some of the work and provide an ISV with the information needed to successfully complete a migration effort.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure that AX 2012, together with the ISV solution, is already upgraded to R3 with the latest cumulative update. Next, we need to export the AX model store that contains all ISV code modifications. Once the model store is exported, convert it into a zip file. If you don't already have an LCS account, set one up and access Azure DevOps (formerly known as Visual Studio Team Services, or VSTS), Below is a list of prerequisites:

1. Upgrade AX 2012 modelstore to R3 and latest cumulative update
2. Access to LCS
3. Access Azure DevOps
4. A D365FO development environment (in our case we will be using a VM deployed in the local environment)

Using code upgrade tool in LCS

Log into LCS. Either create a new project or open an existing project and go to hamburger icon -> code upgrade and the Microsoft code upgrade service dashboard will open. Click on add on lower bottom left to add a new code upgrade job. Give it a name, description and select AX 2012 in Release you are upgrading from dropdown and select the latest version (8.1 as of writing of this article) in release you are upgrading to dropdown.