Dynamics AX 2012 Cumulative Update 2 is released

Last week Microsoft announced the Cumulative update 2 for Dynamics AX 2012. Please review the Support KB Article for more details. This cumulative update include

•  Cumulative Update 1 for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012.
• Translations in 29 languages for labels introduced since RTM. For customers wishing to install a Wave II language they will still require the Wave II Language Pack.
• 2 country specific updates.
• 114+ hotfixes released on AX 2012 RTM since Cumulative Update 1 for Dynamics AX 2012.

For more details on fixes included please review the Support KB Article. 

Debugging in Dynamics AX 2012 as a non-admin Role

To access breakpoints as a limited user:
1. open dynamics as admin
2. add yourself to your favorite role (in addition to admin)
3. shift control w to open a workspace.
4. insert a break point into a well know x++ class that the role accesses.
5. create a new job
6. insert this:
static void NonAdmin(Args _args)
{

securityutil::sysadminmode(false);
}
7. run job
8. control w to open regular workspace (or open it from the menus, sometimes its sticky)
9. Open the form/class via navigation

observe that you can now stop in debugger as "limited" user

Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step 2012 Launched

Microsoft Dynamics Sure step 2012 is officially launched, please read the following article for more details:

Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step 2012

Dynamics AX 2012 Design Patterns

Following are the design pattern for Dynamics AX 2012 development and smart customizations:

Instantiating Application Objects Design Pattern

Searching for Records Design Pattern
static find Method Design Pattern
static exist Method Design Pattern
Parameter System Design Pattern
Multiselection Design Pattern
Searching for Multiple Occurrences Design Pattern
Change Company Design Pattern
Partner Hooks Design Pattern
Pack-Unpack Design Pattern
Use the Type System Design Pattern
Storno Design Pattern
Persistent Data Storage Design Pattern
Data Validation Design Pattern

Set focus on specific control when opening form

To set the focus on specific control when form is open, you need to override the firstField() method of the form and set your desired control after super() call.

public void firstField(int _flags=1)

{
    ;
    super(_flags);
    desiredControlName.setFocus();
}

Dynamics AX 2012 SSRS reports patterns

Here are the design pattern/changes that we need to make sure for AX 2012 SSRS report development:

Functional Area	AX2009	AX2012
Input parameters (definition)	Report	Data contract (*)
Input parameters (validation)	Report	Data contract (*)
Input dialog (simple)	Report	Data contract (*)
Input dialog (complex)	Report	UI Builder (*)
Input parameters (modification)	Report	Controller (*)
Dynamic query	Report	Query
Report data	Report	Table (temp)
Business logic	Report	RDP
Report layout	Report	SSRS Report

Dynamics AX 2009 and Dynamics AX 2012 modules comparisons

Following are the enhancements made by Microsoft on Dynamics AX 2012:

For example, GL module in AX 2009 is now break into GL and Fixed assets in AX 2012.

AX 2009 Module	AX 2012 Module
General Ledger	General Ledger
	Fixed Assets (New)
Bank	Cash and bank management
Accounts Payable	Accounts Payable
	Procurement and sourcing (New)
Accounts Receivables	Accounts Receivables
	Sales and Marketing (New)
Inventory Management	Product information (New)
	Inventory  and warehouse management
Expense management	Travel and expense management
Production	Production control
Project	Project management and accounting
	Compliance and internal control (New)