What's new in Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations (AX7), Part 1: Supply chain

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a new approach to business applications which brings together Dynamics CRM, AX, NAV and Office 365 strengths with a unified application platform and a common data service (known until very recently as a "common data model").

Common data service is going to be the backbone and foundation of entire Dynamics 365 offering as an out-of-box business database for storing and managing business entities. With additional capabilities coming from Azure, Power BI, Cortana Intelligence, Azure Machine Learning, Microsoft Flow and Microsoft PowerApps, this new form of business-critical application is expected to scale new heights and empower businesses to focus and grow like never before.

In this and a second article, I intend to share some new features related to supply chain; common data service; Microsoft Flow; AppSource; new warehousing and transportation; hybrid/on premise deployments and a few select platform/architecture capabilities. 

First, let us explore supply chain enhancements expected in Dynamics 365 for Operations (formerly Dynamics AX7).

Vendor consignment inventory 

Consignment inventory is owned by a vendor, but stored at your site. When you are ready to consume or use the inventory, you take over its ownership. Until now, Dynamics AX customers with consignment inventory from vendors or with their customers had to come up with workarounds like zero-dollar inventory and moving it from one warehouse to another in the system, and many other manual steps on PO Invoicing.

None of these workarounds is required now.