Dynamics 365/AX 2012 Modern/Enterprise POS 'Speed Scanning' feature

I didn't realize that its somewhat unknown that there is a speed scanning feature in the POS for rapid item entry. I was answering some questions at AXUG for some end users and this was brought up. Then again as a use case for a customer. That prompted a post. 

If you are selling multiple units of something in a store (e.g. 4 bottles of wine) and don't want to scan the product, click change qty, and enter qty, you can instead do this handy little trick. 

USE CASE: We need to scan 4 of the same bottle as fast as possible.

SOLUTION: In the number pad, enter 4 and hit the '*' asterisk button. Then scan the barcode or enter the item. BLAM! That item with a qty of 4. 

Some notes to this: 

• You need to use the number pad control
• You can use the keyboard or the onscreen numpad. 
• You must enter a barcode or the item id either with a scanner or through the number pad
• Searching for an item will not allow this to work.
• When you enter the quantity and hit asterisk, the entry field clears out all of the fields. Its still there in the background so enter the item
• This works for all versions from AX 2012 FTP to D365 F&O 8.1
• Enterprise POS (EPOS) and Modern POS (MPOS) are supported for this

Rock on!

AX Retail - Require the user to enter in a price for a zero priced item

In the event you have a zero priced item (intentionally or unintentionally), you may want the user to key in the price if its zero. This can be setup store by store and is located in the POS Functionality Profiles record.

Requiring the zero priced item to have a new price can be helpful at the beginning of a project, but can also create a lot of headaches so make sure you have a process in place to identify zero priced items rather than rely on this setting. It shouldn't be used as a catch all magic button for those issues.

I always struggle to remember where the setting is so I'm posting about it for next time I put it in the search engine.

AX POS Error: Step 4: Creating Device Token failed

When I was trying to activate a cloud POS (CPOS) terminal, I was getting the error: 'Step 4: Creating Device Token failed' or something similar to that. I didn't take a screen shot of the image unfortunately. But it was similar to that.

The error is because the CPOS wasn't able to hit the AX '7' database. The CPOS uses a single AxDB database, in my case in the 'all in one' server, which the CPOS needs to have access to.

The environment was the AX 7 Update 1 using upgraded data from the AX 7 RTW release.

The Update 1 data changed in regards to some setup information. Event Viewer gave me some information into this essentially saying that the axruntimeuser wasn't able to access the DB. This, among other things, led me to believe the channel database setup was wrong.

To reconfigure the channel database 'connection string', you'll need the connection string (duh). I used Visual Studios Server explorer to create a connection to the database with the AxDB database for the CPOS, then clicked 'Properties'. The connection string will be right there. (Figure 1)

Paste this value into the appropriate connection string (Figure 2). Mine was the 'Default' one. Run the 1070 job (I think that's the channel job... if not, run that one).

You'll need to cycle the Retail Server application pool also (Figure 3 below).

There were a few other random settings I had to change from RTW configs to update 1 but the above was the main one. I think there were only 3-4 other places.

Hopefully this helps someone else jump past this issue!

AX 2012 R3 Retail Error when running a retail distribution job: 'Failed to create a session; confirm that the user has the proper privileges to log on to Microsoft Dynamics'

[Going through old notes in my retail folder and posting here]

I was attempting to run a Retail Data Distribution job in AX 2012 R3 to a POS and got the below error. It was 'Failed to create a session; confirm that the user has the proper privileges to log on to Microsoft Dynamics'. I recently ran the generate classes and create staging tables functions so there was new code in place. 

I did a little debugging as the error was not retail specific and it was odd it was being thrown where it was. Sure enough, the CIL wasn't recognizing my current user which is why it wasn't working... Obviously this isn't a bug but rather something within AX. Come to find out, I had previously built the classes and staging tables for the jobs in the USR layer, deleted them, then rebuilt them in the proper layer/model. That threw some issues into the system.

A compile, usage data clear allowed me to get the new error in Figure 3. Obviously that told me to do a full CIL build. I did that, problem solved!

 Figure 1 - The error in question

 Figure 2 - Line 51 is where the error was being thrown.

Figure 3 - The actual error in question. Its actually quite helpful!

Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Retail Error when running Distribution schedule job: 'Class RetailCDXChannelSpecificData_AX63 does not exist

Are you getting an error when attempting to run an AX 2012 R3 Retail data distribution scheduler job (Figure 1)? Is it 'Class RetailCDXChannelSpecificData_AX63 does not exist'? Does it look like the one in Figure 2 below? Do you like things actually working correctly? Hey, friend! If your answer was Yes to the questions above, I might be able to hook you up.

To fix the issue, navigate to the Retail Channel Schema (hint: its on the Scheduler job setup in the field 'Retail Channel Schema'. You can right click on this field for the job in question and go straight to the record and form to generate those magic classes the error has told you all about.

NOTE: This process will generate code in AX AOT so you'll want to be in the correct layer/model for this process

When you click 'Generate classes' (Figure 3), you'll be prompted to what it will do (Figure 4) so make sure you are in the right layer and it will generate the classes you need as you'll see in the AOT (Figure 5).

You will need to do the Incremental CIL build after this or you may get weird issues, but I always do a full as I still don't trust the incrementals from earlier experiences.

Figure 1 - Running the Data Distribution Scheduler job manually

Figure 2 - A delightful little nugget of goodness raining on your parade

Figure 3 - The 'Generate classes' button in the Retail Channel Schema form

Figure 4 - The confirmation for generating the scheduler job classes

Figure 5 - The classes generated in the AOT

Figure 6 - Go grab a beer and celebrate. Or get back to work...

Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Retail Error when syncing metadata: 'The table [Table] does not exist'

You may see the error 'The table NoSaleFiscalDocumentTransaction_BRT does not exist' when attempting to sync the metadata via the 'Sync Metadata' (Figure 1) in AX 2012 R3 Retail (Figure 2)

This is because the temporary table for the tables in question need to be run. The '...T' at the end of the error (.._BRT in this case) indicates its temporary for the main table. The tables where these are created are determined through the subjobs for that PJob. So you'll need to do this when you add tables to sync back/forth between the POS and AX.

You generate these temporary tables by clicking on the 'Create staging table' button in the scheduler job form (Figure 3). You only need to do this for 'Pull' type schedule jobs. You can determine which these are via the 'Is Upload' check box. Best practices dictates that your Pjobs should always be named with the prefix 'P-...' if the 'Is Upload' box is checked.

NOTE: When you click 'Create staging table', there are AOT objects created. Make sure you are in the correct layer/model where you want these created.

Upon clicking on the 'Create staging table' button, you will see the information in Figure 4. The tables are created in the AOT. You can verify if you want. Then go back and hit the 'Sync metadata' button and you'll see the successful sync in Figure 5.

Figure 1 - 'Sync metadata' button on the Retail Scheduler parameters

 Figure 2 - The Error thrown when attempting to sync the metadata

Figure 3 - The P-Job with 'Create Staging table' button

Figure 4 - The TempDB tables created from 'Create Staging table' button

Figure 5 - What you see when you successfully sync metadata

New DAX Dude Dynamics AX Windows Store App now available!

I was tinkering around with mobile apps and tools available and created a DAX Dude Dynamics AX mobile app. Pretty sweet and pretty easy to do! Just tried to keep it simple and use various aspects of social media and consumable content.

You should check it out and leave me some stars. It is what it is. Nothing too crazy or dynamic but is my app so I'm proud of it.
http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-tt/app/dax-dude-dynamics-ax/b86258e4-d782-412f-8dae-abe8f90dcbaa 

It is also available in the Windows Phone store. For those that don't know, there are currently two stores you need to submit your apps to: Windows App Store and Windows Phone Store. I submitted to both.

It's in C#/XAML and used Windows App Studio as a spring board. Check out Windows App Studio: http://appstudio.windows.com/en-us

Would like to finally publish one in javascript/HTML5. They are currently just taking up space on my D: Drive. Maybe when I can get my head above water from other hobbies.

As some information, Windows App Studio and Project Siena are two ways to quickly build windows apps but there are many differences. No one has compared the two and I'm not really interested in spending the time to compare the two quantifiably but each have their pros and cons for different applications. The biggest thing is that WAS is C# based and Siena is Javascript. That will be the guiding decision maker for a lot of people I think. Both allow you to get the project files to take your apps to the next level so thats not a factor.

On a non-AX related side note:
I got a Grestch 12-string acoustic guitar over the holidays so I'm feeling awfully creative these days. That is a great thing as it pushes me to do new thing in other aspects of my life like creating apps and stuff. Behind that and finally getting back on the slopes snowboarding 9 weeks after snapping my arm, I have more energy. Life is good! Be good to others and pay it forward!

Retailing in the modern world Pt III - The careful balance in maximizing profits

The goal of a business is to make profit. You need to increase profit in order to grow or sustain a business. You can increase profit by lowering costs and/or increasing revenue. How do you do this? That can literally be the million dollar question. It can also be the question standing between your business and prosperity. The answer can vary from industry to industry and the key to finding it depends on number of factors ranging from timing to personalities to ideologies. The answer will also change as the retail landscape continues to evolve at an ever increasing rate. 

When determining what path to take, remember that there is a delicate balance between reducing costs and increasing revenue. As an example, If you reduce costs by using cheaper parts, you may be making an inferior product. This may result in fewer purchases and more returns thus lower revenue. On the other hand spending too much money on something, like a mobile app for your company, can increase your costs and thus lower your profits.  

How do you know where to skimp and where to splurge?

As stated in previous posts in this series, the answer is different from channel to channel and industry to industry. What may work for the restaurant industry may not work for the wine industry. What works for a textile producer may not work for a clothing manufacturer. From a consultants perspective, how will you know how to advise your clients' positioning for optimal revenue growth? 

The key here is to really know your client's business intimately. Even if you know their industry, do you know your client's secret sauce? Do those industry secrets change the way various sales channels should be leverage? More than likely, its a resounding yes. Truly understanding an organization is a key component to turning a good strategy into a great one.

The next series of posts will analyze the various retail channels mentioned in Pt 1 of the Retailing in the modern world series: http://daxdude.blogspot.com/2014/05/retailing-in-modern-world-pt-i-business.html

Retailing in the modern world Pt II - Omni-channel vs Multi-channel buzz words

It is a big buzz word to say 'omni-channel retail' in today's world but what does that mean? Is it the same as multi-channel? No. Then what is the difference? Depends on interpretation.

    Multi-channel retail – involves both the sales and supply chain aspects of a retail channel independent of any other channel

    Omni-channel retail – same definition as multi-channel but involves integrating the various channels to create a seamless, 360 degree experience for the customer. For example, it is creating a wish list on the website and continuing your order from any other channel.

Really, omni-channel is an evolved iteration of multi-channel that was created as time went by and systems didn’t have to be disjointed solutions. When technologies like mobile first came out, they were completely separate worlds from existing retail channels that relied heavily on integrations and imports/exports. There were commonly large lags and discrepancies in data due to physical and data limitations of the time. Now that the concepts have been around for a while now and limitations reduced, solutions for that retail channel can be improved with interfaces reduced and optimized if existent at all.

Omni-channel is also a bit of a sales buzz word. Elements of the 360 view existed in systems that were dubbed multi-channel at the time. When things improve significantly, it helps to have a new name or something to distinguish it as new and an improvement. For instance, omni-channel sounds better than multi-channel. Xbox 360 is better than Xbox. PS4 is better than PS2.

However you define and view it, it all boils down to improving a seamless customer experience to assure a consistently exceptional experience. How do you best accomplish this? Have a centralized location for your ‘One version of the truth’.

What are the aspects of the seamless experience?

·         Branding

·         Pricing, Discounts, Shipping, and Taxes

·         Channel Management & Publishing

·         Catalog Management Enrichment & Publishing

·         Customer Management

·         Merchandising

·         EOD & Financials

·         Order Management & Fulfillment

·         BI/Reporting

·         Payment Processing

·         Inventory & Replenishment

As an example of a fully integrated omni-channel situation, if a customer has special pricing for an item at 9am on a specific day, they should be able to engage any retail channel at 9am and see consistent pricing across the board. It doesn’t seem like a big deal until you are encounter a situation where it isn’t working. These incongruences between systems is where some internet discount sites get their ‘hacker’ pricing or discounts. When I see these, it always makes me as a consumer second guess if I’m truly getting the best price from the same company.

Retailing in the modern world Pt I - Business marketing and sales channels

I'm going to write a series of posts relating to various retail channels and concepts in each. I hope they are informative to you. This is part one but look for the rest of the series to come out in the next few weeks. That being said, here is post one:

People generally specify marketing channels into two classifications: 1) Business to Business (B2B) and 2) Business to Consumer (B2C). Both channels are geared towards enticing increased revenues by optimizing the sales in retail channels via strategic planning for certain customers. They often share the same retail channels types to accomplish this.

What are the 3 big differences between B2B and B2C channels?

Customers: B2B channels are sales avenues between businesses while B2C are typically sales avenues for end-users of a product or service

Marketing: B2B sales are typically marketed through trade shows or mutual business associations while B2C are marketed through advertising, retail channels, or word of mouth.

Revenue: Generally, B2B transactions are larger in revenue and volume. The volume may be higher in this avenue but at the expense of margin (sales price). Quick note: Overhead may be lower in an organization with no brick and mortar and just B2B via portals and catalog sales

What are the different channels of B2B and B2B retailing?

1. Brick and Mortar stores
2. Online (E-commerce) stores (including B2B portals)
3. Call Centers (telephone orders/support)
4. Mobile stores
5. Kiosks 
6. Catalogs
7. 3rd party direct sales

As the 'Retailing in the modern world' series goes on, we will look into the above channels in deeper detail in regards to increasing revenue, brand awareness, and leveraging technology to optimize these channels (my favorite topic!).  Stay tuned for more in this series!