Dynamics AX 2012 R3 transportation capabilities will be enough for some, a starting point for others

Not historically strong in the transportation management systems (TMS) space compared to SAP and Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics AX threw its hat (further) into the supply chain software ring in July by acquiring Blue Horseshoe's WAX and TRAX solutions with a plan to incorporate them into Dynamics AX 2012 R3, due in early 2014.

"Interfaces between ERPs and warehousing solutions are usually major pain points during implementations," says Justin Carter, solution architect for Blue Horseshoe. "With AX 2012 R3, both the enterprise and supply chain components of the organization can interact in the same database. Organizations will be able to accomplish more within the Dynamics AX ERP out-of-the-box than ever before."

Among other things, the new IP from Blue Horseshoe will add a fully-featured RF solution that interfaces directly to handheld devices in the warehouses.

And while Carter points out that no solution is a "one size fits all," he believes the new functionality will be sufficient for some companies' warehousing and transportation needs while a great foundation for the others to build upon. "There should be many companies who find they no longer need separate warehousing and transportation system(s)," says Carter, "and can increase efficiency through implementing AX on its own."

Baby Steps

Whether other Dynamics AX professionals agree with Carter's assessment is yet to be determined - those we talked to are still awaiting a clear explanation of what the R3 release will bring.

But up to the latest release, AX 2012 R2, Microsoft's lack of transportation management functionality has been largely covered by outside software solutions, or "best of breeds," that work with ...