Dynamics 365 for Operations: Microsoft reveals AX 2009, 2012 upgrade tools, roadmap plans

Unveiling Dynamics 365 for Operations to a ballroom packed with Dynamics AX 2009 and 2012 users at AXUG Summit 2016, Microsoft pointed to its forward progress and future plans as evidence of the overall company's digital business vision.

With the question of an on-premise AX future apparently straightened out, Microsoft turned its attention to the ways in which it will build upon the foundation of AX 2012 R3 and the current AX 7 as the product transitions to Dynamics 365 for Operations starting November 1.

"The journey we've had through multiple releases has made us a better product and it's an exciting time," Dynamics 365 for Operations general manager Sri Srinivasan told AXUG Summit 2016 attendees from the general session stage.

Upgrade plans revealed

In addition to a range of incremental improvements in areas like Power BI usage, mobility, and industry features, Microsoft took time to walk through ways AX 2009 and 2012 users can start evaluating their upgrade options for the newly branded product.

Assisted upgrade tools for AX 2009 to Dynamics 365 for Operations are available now in preview. When they are released, the upgrade tools will have the ability to take a dimension structure in 2009 and convert it to the unlimited dimensions model of AX 7 and take care of other "heavy lifting" in the upgrade process.

Dynamics AX 2012 upgrade tools are expected in the first half of 2017, possibly by March, Microsoft said. Those tools will include code upgrade services that work with Visual Studio, and data upgrade tooling. Srinvasan stressed that because the schema and business logic of AX 7 are ...