Article

Connecting Microsoft Dynamics AX to Business Processes That Provide a Competitive Advantage

by Jeff Onesto
Director of Business Development, ASi Inc.,

The new release of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 is an exciting development in DAX ERP sophistication and advancement. So it is not surprising that much is being said about all the new features and functions of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009. But it is important for businesses to remember that an organization's competitive advantage includes both people and business processes and NOT ONLY the number of available ERP features and functions.

I have personally been involved in situations where both customers and partners have cited the lack of ERP functionality as a primary cause for implementation troubles. However, the key to successful implementations is knowing how to leverage available features with desired process automation - this is where true value is created.

Interestingly, Microsoft, like both SAP and Oracle, has signed an agreement with Business Process Management (BPM) leader, IDS Sheer, and publisher of the ARIS BPM Platform. The next generation of model-driven architecture codenamed ‘Oslo' will leverage the work done by IDS Sheer via BizTalk server.

I see many companies struggling with business processes like financial close, material requirements planning and order-allocation-not necessarily key processes, but essential building blocks for such competitive advantages as new product development, customer service and supply chain planning. Consider:

  • If you can't close your books - how do you know what products to produce?
  • If you can't accurately forecast demand and maintain acceptable inventory accuracy levels - how are you going to satisfy customer orders?
  • If you can't provide raw material inventory visibility or transmit the necessary EDI documents to supply chain partners - how are you going to lower inventory carrying costs and increase overall profitability?

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BI and Reporting Customer Relationship Mgmt Dynamics AX EDI Inventory Management Product Lifecycle Mgmt Supply Chain Management
About Jeff Onesto
Jeff Onesto is the Director of Business Development at Advanced Systems Integration. He is responsible for software sales and the development and management of strategic alliances. Jeff brings over 15 years of enterprise software sales and delivery experience with companies such as Price Waterhouse, Oracle and JD Edwards. Jeff holds a B.S. Business Administration- Accountancy from California State University, Northridge.

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