Viktor Lesiv | Celenia Software NA Inc

AXC01DIXF: The Microsoft Dynamics

AX Data Import and Export Framework

• Purpose– DIXF overview– Data migration: alternative solutions

• Assumptions – Audience has:– Technical implementation and development experience, AX 2012

• Target Roles– TSAs– Consultants– Developers

Introduction

• DIXF

• Alternative Data Migration solutions

• Summary

Agenda

Tools to Compare

• DIXF• In product (dat/def)• Test Data Transfer Tool• Excel add-in

• AIF – not in scope

Survey #1 - Experience

• Which tool you have most of experience with?– DIXF– In product (dat/def)– TDTT– Excel add-in– AIF

DIXF

• Data Import Export Framework– AKA DIEF and DMF – Export and Import– R3: compare and copy

• Data migration – Numerous templates

• Multiple templates

• Multiple import sources

• Streamlines data migration

• Simplicity, Intuitive

DIXF: Benefits

DIXF: Key features70+Entities(150+ R3)

Multiple Data sources

Mapper controlParallel

execution

Number sequence Support

Role Base Security

Custom entity wizard

Import and Export data

Error handling

Multiple AOS support

Folder support

Compare Entity Copy data (R3)

• Add-on for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012• 70+ Entities • Import / Export data• Source: Flat files / XML / Excel

DIXF: Version history

AX 2012

AX 2012 R2 CU7

• Part of foundation layer• 70+ Entities • Import / Export data• Source: Flat files / XML / Excel

AX 2012R3

• Part of foundation layer• 150+ Entities • Import / Export / Copy / Compare data• Source: Flat files / XML / Excel / ODBC• Role base security

• Source

• Staging

• Target

DIXF: Data Flow

DIXF: Data Flow

• Source Data Format

• Target Entities

• Processing Groups

• Mapping

DIXF: Setup

DIXF: Process

• Load Source data file into the intermediate staging tables

Load Source Data

• Validate Staging Data for data integrity

Staging Data validation • Converting

Staging data into actual Dynamics AX table records

Process Staging data into Target entities

Pros:• Support for import from files, ODBC data sources, and AX

tables• Process big data• Synchronous processingCons:• Does not process large data volumes• Complex troubleshooting process• Difficult to extend for complex data structures

DIXF: Pros and Cons

DIXF: Demo

• Create custom target entity• Import using DIXF• Export using DIXF

RefRecId: Convert the natural key to a RecId for references • Add a data source so that the referenced table can be

added to the target entity query.• Create a function to handle the logic

DIXF: Hint

Recommended uses: • Import data from another ERP system that uses

dissimilar data structures• Import data that requires transformation

Non-recommended uses: • When you work only with configuration settings

DIXF: Recommendation

In-Product

• In-product Import/Export (.DAT/Def)

• Built-in with AX

• Time tested

• Definition groups

In-Product

In-Product: Demo?

• Create a definition group• Import and Export

RefRecId: • Regenerate RefRecIds if import both

related and main tables.• Save RefRecIds if import only related

table. RefRecIds will be not actual.

In-Product: Hint

TableId: • Tables with the different name

and same table id.

• Tables with the same name and different table id.

In-Product: Hint

Recommended uses: • The source and target are AX instances.• You are moving data from one company to

another.

Non-recommended uses: • Move configuration metadata to a new

environment.

In-Product: Recommendation

Test Data Transfer Tool

• Process

• Metadata

• Syntax

Test Data Transfer Tool

• Process

• Metadata

• Syntax

• Import the MetadataXMLGenerator.xpo.• Run the MetadataXMLGenerator job.

• Copy Metadata.xml from temporary folder to the [List] subfolder where the Test Data Transfer Tool is installed

TDTT: Metadata

• DP.exe direction directory database server

TDTT: Syntax

Parameter Default value Description

direction EXPORT Specify EXPORT to export data or IMPORT to import data.

directory The current directory Specify the directory from which the data should be exported or to which the data should be imported.

database AXDB The name of the database.

server The current computer Specify the computer name or instance name of the SQL Server computer that is hosting the Microsoft Dynamics AX database.

TDTT: Demo?

• Refresh data in DEV system

Pros:• Speed• Saves RecId• The data file format is text-based. Therefore, the data file

can be compared with earlier versions and can be stored in a version control system.

• The tool enables export filtering.• The tool updates entity IDs, so that the IDs match the IDs of

the target system.

TDTT: Pros and Cons

Cons:• Importing data into a production environment is not

supported.• The tool does not make sure that any data that you export

or import is complete or coherent database.

TDTT: Pros and Cons

Recommended uses: • Export or import a large multi-company data set in a non-

production environment.• Move data between non-production AX environments that

have slightly different customizations.• Store business data as a backup• Export or import data without running an instance of AOS in

a non-production environment.

TDTT: Recommendations

Excel add-in

• Import • Publishing • RecId challenge• Recommendations

Excel add-in: Import

Excel add-in: Publish

Excel add-in: RecId

• Relations between tables based on RecIds are not supported. • Alternative keys can be used instead

Excel add-in: RecId

Recommended uses: • Low to medium data volumes (<10,000 records)• No business logic is required outside an existing document

serviceNon-recommended uses: • Large data sets• Content that requires execution of business logic• Data sets that require data cleansing

Excel add-in: Recommendations

Best tool for Each UseDIXF Dat/Def TDTT Excel

Source types AX, ODBC, CSV, Excel, XML, Text Dat + Def Out + OutModel

+ XML Excel

Import from another system Best

Update data Possible Possible

Cross company copy Best Possible

Speed Best

Save foreign keys Possible Best

Data entry Best

Copy data to TEST or DEV Best

Change data before import Best Possible

Validation Best

Summary

• Data migration addressed• Tools reviewed:

– DIXF– In-product Import/Export – Test Data Transfer Tool– Excel add-inhttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa834437.aspx

OPEN Q & A

Contact details

• Viktor Lesiv – vle@celenia.com

• Ganna Kupchenko – gak@celenia.com

• www.celenia.com

THANK YOUPlease fill out your evaluation