What's next for warehousing and transportation with Microsoft Dynamics AX

In a recent Gartner report, the research firm's analysts noted that the Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Transportation Management Systems (TMS) capabilities presented in AX 2012 R3 are "comprehensive" for most midmarket needs. The analysts point out that the Dynamics AX WMS and TMS capabilities, based on an IP acquisition from the Blue Horseshoe, offers a starting point for many companies.

"In some cases, parts were rewritten, and efforts were restricted to wider, industry-agnostic functionality," the analysts write. "This is relevant for customers expecting the full industry depth of Blue Horseshoe's WAX and TRAX extensions when licensing AX."

For companies assessing their WMS and TMS needs, the right level of investment may not be obvious. Dynamics AX has improving warehouse and transportation capabilities out of the box. At the same time, third party providers continue to provide richer and more comprehensive solutions. Companies running Dynamics AX need to measure these options against their own operational and financial targets.

Where It All Began

In July 2013, Microsoft announced that it has acquired Blue Horseshoe's Warehousing for AX (WAX) and Transportation for AX (TRAX) solutions.

"This technology will help Microsoft accelerate its Microsoft Dynamics AX supply chain management roadmap with plans to make the functionality available to the broader Dynamics AX channel partner and customer community," Blue Horseshoe wrote in a blog post at the time.

Bill Ducat, Blue Horseshoe's