Getting the Most Out of Your Annual Dynamics AX Budget

Last week, Gartner analysts released findings that U.S. economic factors have deteriorated to the point where they are advising organizations to start considering reductions in IT spending.  Cutting IT can be a double-edge sword for those responsible for annual Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) IT budgets, for the simple reason that what is cut today can have a severe impact on where an organization lands tomorrow.

This doesn't mean executives can't save money in their AX budgets. I have had the opportunity to work with many senior technology executives and have recommended a number of creative methods and practices for getting more from enterprise systems and partners.  Following are four of the best I have found:

1. Review Shelfware Often. With Business Ready Licensing (BRL), Microsoft and most of the industry did away with Module Based Licensing (MBL).  Many companies implement modules in logical phases and often forget about or assign less value to many of these non-implemented modules that I refer to as "Shelfware".  It may be worth a second look.  One of the most overlooked modules in the Microsoft Dynamics AX Advanced Management Edition is Project 1.   For mid-market organizations juggling capital projects, this often ignored module can be easily implemented and will produce immediate and amazing value and insight into capital spending in the areas of R&D (innovation) and marketing. 

2. Review VAR Performance. Microsoft requires each Microsoft Dynamics customer to be associated with one partner (VAR-value added reseller).  Many customers do not know that a VAR can be changed without reason, 365 days a year.  Just because you purchased from a particular partner does not mean you ...