EFaru Dynamics AX Customization Projects and Sure Step

May 16, 2011 - PRLog -- Now it is part of the Microsoft Dynamics.  According to Microsoft Sure Step classification this is the only ERP system from Dynamics family recommended for Enterprise projects.  We’ll elaborate the classification in paragraphs below.  Some words about AX – it is available worldwide and it is localized and translated to major foreign languages, so if you are multinational corporation with subsidiaries in such countries and regions as Brazil, Russia, China, Europe and you are currently implementing AX in US based headquarters – in the future you could add your international subsidiaries to the AX installation.  This ERP is also recommended in global logistics and Supply Chain Management, as well as in Process Manufacturing (food, meat processing, mining, where exact output is not defined discretely as opposite it is specified in so-called discrete manufacturing).  Please, note, that this publication is not for programmers, it is rather for managerial personnel to help with decision making on next ERP system selection and its flexibility to custom business processes.  Let’s take a look at details:

1.   Microsoft Sure Step Project Management technology.  For its Dynamics family Microsoft Business Solutions introduced Sure Step, where they have project classification, its phases and other parameters, as well as elements of classic project management theory.  Each MBS partner is now required to be certified in Sure Step and we recommend you to ask this question when you are shopping for AX among local or regional resellers

2.   Project Type and Axapta.  It is generally not recommended for small projects, classified as Rapid, where number of users is less than twenty five and no customization required.  And along with GP, SL and NAV it is recommended for Agile projects, where future business processes could not be defied at the initiation and custom requirements are defined in Springs with modifying or even changing game plan for the implementation.  Also AX is recommended for Standard project type (this project may expect up to 150 hours of custom programming and number of Sites is up to three).  And now Enterprise projects, where discussed application is recommended exclusively (plus Microsoft CRM).  These projects typically require more than 250 users, more than 250 hours of custom coding, four or more integration interfaces to be implemented, more than three sites with site specific implementation

3.   Customization Scope and processes mapping.  If you are established domestic or multinational corporation, we do not recommend you to decide to do Agile project.  Some uncertainty, especially coming from your managers in foreign countries might support your decision to do Agile project, but we suggest you rather exercise hierarchy of control (where Headquarters decides on which business processes are required in the subsidiaries, and only local tax and business related regulation is up to foreign manager).  In Enterprise projects you should expect your consulting firm to do Analysis phase with such outcome as Fit Gap Analysis.  Following Design phase should produce Solution Design Document with such addendums as Functional Design Document Customizations and its detailed meta code for programmers – Technical Design Document (and in their turn software developers will know how to translate it into MorphX programming and deploying other tools)

4.   Why Sure Step and all these long lines of project management?  Well, in large corporation you as manager would like to exercise implementation control, which is based on Project Manager and Project Management practice.  If you do not have internal project manager we recommend you to hire the one, as the salary cost is not significant, comparing to the project failure risks.  We also recommend you to get the idea on Project Management Certifications and get the one with appropriate certification.  If your chosen PM prefers different methodology consulting firm should be able to follow the project plan, suggested by your PM

5.   Please call us 1-866-304-3265, 1-269-605-4904. help@efaru.com  We have local presence in Chicagoland, Southern California, West Michigan, Houston and Dallas areas of Texas.  We serve customers USA, Canada, Mexico nationwide and internationally via web sessions and phone conferences (Skype is welcomed).  Our consultants speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese


Andrew Karasev is Great Plains Certified Master, MVP, help@efaru.com 1-866-304-3265, 1-269-605-4904.  He is also the initiator of eFaru project http://www.efaru.com and founder of Alba Spectrum information space