Article

Microsoft Dynamics AX Training: The opportunities and the issues

by Don Riggs
Sr. AX Applications Architect, Business Process Improvement, Inc.

Many Dynamics AX customers and professionals question the effectiveness of their training. I happen to believe they should.

Microsoft has tried many ways to deliver a more effective training methodology. Unfortunately, it is a problem that Microsoft cannot solve as a universal offering. People have different motivations, different needs and different ways of learning. The solutions need to come from Dynamics AX professionals and the customers themselves.

In this article, I will attempt to identify these different types of training and tie them back to the needs of AX customers.

Different roles require different training

The first thing I believe you must understand is the range of training needs around Dynamics AX. Different types of people need training, and they fall into the following general categories:

  • End users. These individuals are usually not trying to be AX experts. They want to be able to do their jobs quickly and efficiently. Training that goes into too much detail may serve to just confuse them. These individuals need training that is specific to their jobs. It is most effective to offer them company-specific information in their training, which I explore in the next section. The most typical training here would be in the form of work instructions.
  • Company experts. Sometimes called subject matter expert (SMEs), these individuals are interested in a much more in-depth knowledge of specific areas of the AX. They typically will serve as train-the-trainer resources and are the first line of defense in dealing with issues within their areas of influence. They usually are involved in development of the work instructions. They should also be very heavily involved in the AX implementation process. They are interested in a much ...

    FREE Membership Required to View Full Content:

    Joining MSDynamicsWorld.com gives you free, unlimited access to news, analysis, white papers, case studies, product brochures, and more. You can also receive periodic email newsletters with the latest relevant articles and content updates.
    Learn more about us here

    Get full access
Dynamics AX
About Don Riggs

Don Riggs is a well-seasoned veteran with 25+ years of implementation consulting and 13+ years of Microsoft Dynamics AX experience. In his career, he has been involved in anything from helping design ERP systems, developing and marketing ISV solutions, to delivering a number of successful AX ERP implementations. As a regular participant in AXUG, he has delivered many courses and presentations. Don is considered by many to be an AX expert, particularly in the areas of inventory costing, manufacturing, AX project module, and implementation processes. Having attained APICS certification in the early 1980's, Don considerers himself a manufacturing consultant by trade and his love and enthusiasm for the industry has never waned. Always interested in new challenges, his branching out into other areas of the product has allowed him to become very knowledgeable in many areas. 

After a long and successful career, Don would like to share some of his hard won knowledge and experience, thereby giving back to an industry that has been very good to him. MSDynamicsWorld represents a most excellent vehicle to do that.

To learn more about Don and his company Business Process Improvement(BPI) visit their website at http://busproc.com. 

More about Don Riggs