Development IV in Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0

Introduction

It covers both technical and application specific areas of Microsoft Dynamics AX. The technical section ensures that the student has obtained all necessary technical knowledge before progressing to the application specific section. It only covers areas that have not been included in Microsoft Dynamics AX Development classes I, II & III.

The application specific section aims at helping the student understand the more complicated processes within Microsoft Dynamics AX. The training material is useful as a reference when a refresher of the process is needed. It covers six key Microsoft Dynamics AX modules; Ledger, Trade, Inventory, Production, Project and Application Integration Framework, and goes into detail about the technical aspects of some of the main functions within each of these modules.

Audience

At Course Completion

• Be aware of the availability, functionality and use of some more advanced functions and procedures
• Feel comfortable with the more complex and involved processes within Microsoft Dynamics AX.
• Understand how the standard application has been designed and to apply similar design ideas to their own modifications.
• Know how to integrate modifications into Microsoft Dynamics AX correctly and efficiently
• Be able to apply the technical knowledge they already have to application design to produce consistent, efficient and workable solutions
• Be able to easily identify possible areas where changes need to be made due to modifications required or bugs found

Prerequisites

• Have completed Microsoft Dynamics AX Development III: X++ Advanced
• Be familiar with the development tool suite
• Be able to make changes to the Data Dictionary including best practices with regards to design and implementation
• Be able to create and implement forms
• Be able to manipulate data within forms, including building queries, display and edit methods,
• Be able to create and implement classes
• Understand the main concepts of Object Oriented Design (OOD), including inheritance, overriding & overloading, polymorphism, constructors and static methods.
• Be familiar with Exception handling
• Be familiar with foundation classes
• Be familiar with the RunBase set of classes
• Have a basic knowledge of the application

Microsoft Certified Professional Exams

Course Outline

Introduction

This chapter gives students a general overview of Microsoft Dynamics AX Development IV course.

Main Topic

• About this class
• What you will learn
• Pre-requisites

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Chapter 1: Development Guidelines

This chapter covers some advanced X++ functions that are used frequently in the application, and that the student may not be familiar with.

Main Topics

• Data Migration
• InitFrom
• Parm Tables

Labs

• Field initialized on salesLine from inventTable

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Make informed decisions about the method used during data migration
• Understand the reasons for using InitFrom methods
• Use ParmId and ParmTables

Chapter 2: Writing Secure Code

The Microsoft trustworthy computing goals are designed to deliver the level of trust and responsibility that people expect from the computing industry.

Main Topics

• Introduction to Trustworth Computing.
• Writing Secure X++ code.
• Server-bound Batch Processing
• Record Level Security
• Display and Edit Methods
• Explicit and Implicit Authorization Checks
• Best Practice Deviations
• Classes Protected by Permission Classes

Labs

• Using Secure Code Features

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Implement secure X++ code.
• Be familiar with security involved with protected classes
• Understand server-bound batch processing.
• Identifying disclosure threats in record level security.
• Performing implicit and explicit data authorization.

Chapter 3: Number Sequences

Number sequences are created and used by all programmers regularly. This chapter highlights the correct way to create a new number sequence and how to use a number sequence in code. It also explores the more advanced options available.

Main Topics

• Technical Overview
• Tables
• Classes
• Assigning a new number
• Continuous Number Sequences
• Format a Number
• Use of Number Pre-Allocation
• Clean Up Process
• Use of Form Handler
• Use of NumberSeqReference

Labs

• Create a new number sequence
• Use NumberSeqFormHandler in POS form

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Assign a New Number
• Use of Continuous Number Sequences
• Format a Number
• Use of Number Pre-Allocation
• Clean Up Process
• Use of Form Handler
• Use of NumberSeqReference

Chapter 4: Print Job Settings

Print Job Settings are used to control and retrieve settings when writing to a printer. This chapter details how to use these correctly.

Main Topics

• Setting Print Options
• Retrieving Print Options
• Use of Pack and Unpack to store Settings
• Use of SysPrintOptions

Labs

• Enable print options to be saved per POS register
• Print a receipt to the correct printer according to the logged in register
• Print a receipt with no user options

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Set Print Options
• Retrieve Print Options
• Use Pack and Unpack to store Settings
• Use SysPrintOptions

Chapter 5: Business Connector

When using the Microsoft Dynamics AX Business Connector, other applications can access Microsoft Dynamics AX as a .NET or COM object. This means that the application can gain access to the data and business logic of Microsoft Dynamics AX, which enables the use of such applications as front ends, to Microsoft Dynamics AX.

Main Topics

• Overview
• .NET Business Connector
• COM Business Connector
• Business Connector setup and configuration
• Business Connector Architecture

Labs

• Create an interface to a C# .NET Front end to the POS module

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Understand what the Business Connector can be used for.
• Distinguish between the .NET and the COM Business Connectors
• Know how to setup and manage the Business Connector.
• Be able to debug code through the Business Connector.
• Learn the architecture of the Business Connector and use its managed classes.
• List various uses of the Business Connector.

Chapter 6: XML

This chapter explores the use of XML within Microsoft Dynamics AX. It gives the student an idea of some of the possibilities available with XML and gives examples of where XML is used today.

Main Topics

• Creating XML files
• Reading XML files
• Schemas

Labs

• Enable print options to be saved per POS register
• Print a receipt to the correct printer according to the logged in register
• Print a receipt with no user options

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Make informed decisions about the method used during data migration
• Understand the reasons for using InitFrom methods
• Use ParmId and ParmTables

Chapter 7: ActiveX

In this chapter the student learns how to add Active-X controls, how to manipulate them and how to find more information about how to use other active-x controls.

Main Topics

• ActiveX in Microsoft Dynamics AX

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Use ActiveX control in Microsoft Dynamics AX
• Understand the possibilities of using ActiveX controls
• Find more information on using specific ActiveX controls

Chapter 8: DLL

This chapter discusses DLL’s. It describes what they are, how they are created and how to use them in Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0.

Main Topics

• Creating a DLL
• Implementing DLL’s in Dynamics AX
• ChartFX

Labs

• Create a graph of customer balance over time

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Understand what DLL’s are and what they can be used for
• Find more information about individual DLL’s
• Understand how and where the use of DLL’s has been implemented in Microsoft Dynamics AX.
• Write Microsoft Dynamics AX methods to make using DLL’s easier

Chapter 9: CLR Integration

TBD

Main Topics

• Reference CLR Assemblies in the AOT
• Adding assemblies to the Global Assembly Cache or client.
• Leverage CLR Managed Code within X++ Code.
• InteropPermission class.

Labs

• CLR Interoperability
• After completing this module, students will be able to:
• Reference CLR assemblies in Microsoft Dynamics AX AOT.
• Add to the Global Assembly Cache
• Write X++ code that interacts with managed code in external applications.
• Be familiar with the CLRInterop classes

Chapter 10: Ledger

This chapter helps the student understand two methods of posting transactions to the General Ledger. Due to the many varied situations that this could occur, there are a number of ways to approach this.

Main Topics

• LedgerVoucher
• Instantiation of LedgerVoucher
• Instantiation of LedgerVoucherObject
• Registering the LedgerVoucherObject with the LedgerVoucher
• Instantiation of LedgerVoucherTransObject
• Providing the transaction text
• Registering the LedgerVoucherTransObject with the LedgerVoucher
• Finalizing the posting
• LedgerJournal
• Creating the Journal
• Creating Lines
• Posting Journals

Labs

• Write an End of Day routine for the POS Module
• Import opening balances into ledger

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Understand the concepts behind the two main methods of posting transactions to the general ledger
• Determine which is the best method to use in the different situations faced while making modifications
• Make decisions regarding voucher numbers, currency, transaction types etc.

Chapter 11: Trade

The most common area for modifications in Microsoft Dynamics AX is the sales and purchase updates. This chapter explores the FormLetter constructs, and takes the students throught the code. There are also an number of journals associated with these modules and the are also be discussed.

Main Topics

• TableType and LineType
• Post and Print Document Updates
• Posting Transactions
• Settlement
• Trade Agreement

Labs

• Post payments to AR
• Post the sales order invoice when posting payments
• Settle invoice and payment transactions
• Calculate a special offer campaign price

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Use SalesTableType, SalesLineType, PurchTableType, and PurchLineType
• Post and Print Document Updates
• Post Transactions
• Use Settlements
• Use Trade Agreements

Chapter 12: Inventory

This chapter explores both ways in which to post inventory transactions, and also how to manipulate inventory dimension during both posting and when retrieving data. Inventory dimension are discussed in detail and once the student has seen examples of how to use them, they will understand the concept easily.

Main Topics

• Inventory Journals
• Creating an Inventory Journal
• Creating the Journal Header
• Creating Lines
• Posting Journals
• Inventory Dimensions
• InventMovement
• InventUpdate
• InventUpd_Reservation
• InventSum
• InventAdj

Labs

• Add inventory dimensions to the POS form
• Create a reservation classification function

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create and post inventory journals
• Use inventory dimensions
• Use InventMovement
• Use inventUpdate
• Use inventSum
• Use InventAdj

Chapter 13: Production

This chapter introduces the student to the workings of the production module. The update of production order status is introduced as well as the requirement calculation

Main Topics

• ProdMulti
• ProdStatusType
• ProdUpd
• Scheduling

Labs

• Initialise a field on the BOM journal lines from the production order
• Initialise a field on production table from sales lines, in requirement calculation

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Use of ProdMulti
• Use of ProdStatusType
• Use of ProdUpd
• Scheduling production orders

Chapter 14: Project

This chapter introduces the project module and some of the basic constructs within it. The student will learn to create the different types of journals, how invoice proposals are created and how invoices are posted.

Main Topics

• Design
• Transactions
• Forecast
• Invoice Proposal
• Invoice
• ProjTrans Class
• Posting Transactions
• Invoice Proposal
• Invoice

Labs

• Stamp timesheets with a warranty item
• Enable an invoice proposal to be put on hold

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Understand the structure and design of the project module
• Post transactions to the project module
• Make modifications to the project invoice proposal procedure
• Make modifications to the project invoice procedure

Chapter 15: Application Integration Framework

In this chapter the student will learn about how Microsoft Dynamics AX integrates with other applications by exchanging XML documents.

Main Topics

• AIF Architecture
• Outbound Document Flow
• Inbound Document Flow
• AIF Document Structure
• The AxdBase Class
• The AxInternalBase (Ax) Class
• The Query
• The Axd Wizard
• Security

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Understand the overall AIF Architecture.
• Understand the outbound document flow.
• Understand the inbound document flow.
• Become familiar with the XML document structure.
• Become familiar how to modify an existing XML Document.

Chapter 16: Case Study

This chapter outlines the case study that will be undertaken throughout the course. As the different technical and application specific areas are taught, the POS module is developed. This chapter introduces the initial basic design from which the student will build the module, and the students contribute to their own final design.

Main Topics

• Introduction to Point-of-Sales Module
• POS Module basic design

Labs

• Create basic design elements

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Practice using the knowledge and skills of this course in developing a Point-of-Sale (POS) module.