Generate list of customer addresses with purposes

Recently I was asked by one of the customers to generate the list of all customer addresses with their purpose. The job below retrieves the information with ease.

static void GetCustomerExtract(Args _args)

{

    CustTable custTable;

    DirPartyTable dirPartyTable;

    LogisticsPostalAddressView postAddress;

    LogisticsLocationRole logisticsLocationRole;

    LogisticsLocationParty logisticsLocationparty;

    int iCount = 0;

    CommaIo file;

    ;

    file = new CommaIo(@"FILEPATH","W");

    file.write("dirPartyTable.Name","dirPartyTable.RecId","custTable.AccountNum","custTable.InvoiceAccount","custTable.TaxGroup","custTable.SalesGroup","custTable.DataAreaId","logisticsLocationRole.Name","postAddress.LocationName","postAddress.County","postAddress.District","postAddress.PostBox","postAddress.Address","postAddress.BuildingCompliment","postAddress.City","postAddress.CountryRegionId","postAddress.Latitude","postAddress.Longitude","postAddress.State","postAddress.Street","postAddress.StreetNumber","postAddress.TimeZone","postAddress.ZipCode","postAddress.PostalAddressRecId","postAddress.PostalAddress","postAddress.DistrictName","postAddress.ISOCode);

   

         

        while select custTable

        join dirPartyTable where (custTable.Party == dirPartyTable.RecId)

        join logisticsLocationparty where (custTable.party == logisticsLocationparty.Party)

        join postAddress where (logisticsLocationparty.location == postAddress.Location)

        join logisticsLocationRole where (logisticsLocationparty.LocationRole == logisticsLocationRole.RecId)

       

    {

        file.write(dirPartyTable.Name,dirPartyTable.RecId,custTable.AccountNum,custTable.InvoiceAccount,custTable.TaxGroup,custTable.SalesGroup,custTable.DataAreaId,logisticsLocationRole.Name,postAddress.LocationName,postAddress.County,postAddress.District,postAddress.PostBox,postAddress.Address,postAddress.BuildingCompliment,postAddress.City,postAddress.CountryRegionId,postAddress.Latitude,postAddress.Longitude,postAddress.State,postAddress.Street,postAddress.StreetNumber,postAddress.TimeZone,postAddress.ZipCode,postAddress.PostalAddressRecId,postAddress.PostalAddress,postAddress.DistrictName,postAddress.ISOCode);

        iCount++;

    }

    info(int2str(iCount)+" Records exctracted");

}

Division by zero error Sales Order Invoice Postings

Recently, came across an issue with the customer where they were getting an error as below everytime generating an invoice for the sales orders. { Division by zero. - (S)\Classes\SalesInvoiceDP\insertIntoSalesInvoiceTmp - line 123 }

I discovered there was an unhandled exception in the line of code for \classes\SalesInvoiceDP\insertIntoSalesInvoiceTmp method on a certain line of code as below

Line 122 of the method states

salesInvoiceTmp.SalesPrice =   _custInvoiceTrans.SalesPrice / (_custInvoiceTrans.LineAmount +_custInvoiceTrans.LineAmountTax) * _custInvoiceTrans.LineAmount;

Changing that line of code to below resolves the issue

// changes made to avoid division by zero error.
if((_custInvoiceTrans.LineAmount +_custInvoiceTrans.LineAmountTax) * _custInvoiceTrans.LineAmount == 0)
     salesInvoiceTmp.SalesPrice = 0 ;
else
     salesInvoiceTmp.SalesPrice =   _custInvoiceTrans.SalesPrice / (_custInvoiceTrans.LineAmount +_custInvoiceTrans.LineAmountTax) * _custInvoiceTrans.LineAmount;

Update Variant Sizes based on Configuration

Recently in a project, there was a scenario where the sizes had an incorrect display order imported when the configuration was imported. On the size groups, the data seemed correct. To tackle that, the following job was created. It looks at the correct display order from the configuration and populates it to the variant configuration.

static void UpdateProductSizeDisplayOrder(Args _args)

{

    InventTable inventTable;

    EcoResProductMasterDimensionValue dimValue;

    EcoResProductMasterSize prodMasterSize;

    EcoResDistinctProduct disProduct;

    RetailSizeGroupTrans retailSizeGroupTrans;

    CommaIo file;

    int iCount=0;

    ;

    file = new CommaIo(@"\\XXX\ProdSizes_PROD_NEW"+".csv","W");

    file.write("ItemId","Size","sizeRecId","DisplayOrder","SizeGroup","CorrectDisplayOrder","ChangeMade");

    while select inventTable // where inventTable.ItemId == 'B4E2200'

    {

        while select forupdate prodMasterSize where prodMasterSize.SizeProductMaster == inventTable.Product

        {

            select retailSizeGroupTrans where retailSizeGroupTrans.size == EcoResSize::find(prodMasterSize.Size).Name

            && retailSizeGroupTrans.sizeGroup == EcoResProductMaster::find(prodMasterSize.SizeProductMaster).RetailSizeGroupId;

            if(prodMasterSize.RetailDisplayOrder != retailSizeGroupTrans.DisplayOrder)

            {

                file.write(

                            inventTable.ItemId,

                            EcoResSize::find(prodMasterSize.Size).Name,

                            prodMasterSize.RecId,

                            prodMasterSize.RetailDisplayOrder,

                            EcoResProductMaster::find(prodMasterSize.SizeProductMaster).RetailSizeGroupId,

                            retailSizeGroupTrans.DisplayOrder,"YES"

                            );

                ttsBegin;

                prodMasterSize.RetailDisplayOrder = retailSizeGroupTrans.DisplayOrder;

                prodMasterSize.update();

                ttsCommit;

                iCount++;

            }

            else

            {

                file.write( inventTable.ItemId,

            EcoResSize::find(prodMasterSize.Size).Name,

            prodMasterSize.RecId,

            prodMasterSize.RetailDisplayOrder,

            EcoResProductMaster::find(prodMasterSize.SizeProductMaster).RetailSizeGroupId,

            retailSizeGroupTrans.DisplayOrder,"NO");

            }

        }

    }

        info("Finished");

}

Update Product numbers for Released and Product Master

In one of my projects, there was a requirement for bulk renaming the released products and the product master. Luckily, the numbers for both released and master were kept the same for me to filter on the PKs conveniently. Used the code below to achieve that.

static void RenameInvenTableProdsPK(Args _args)

{

    InventTable inventTable;

    str oldDisplayNumber,newDisplayNumber;

    int iCount;

    CommaIo file;

    ;

    file = new CommaIo(@"\\XXXXX\file.csv","W");

    While select ItemId from InventTable where inventTable.ItemId like 'B4*'

    {

        try

        {

            oldDisplayNumber = inventTable.ItemId;

            newdisplayNumber = "O_"+inventTable.ItemId;

            inventTable.ItemId = newdisplayNumber;

            inventTable.renamePrimaryKey(); //old method of product renaming

           

            //using the service to rename product master

            EcoResProductNumberRenameService::newFromProduct(

            EcoResProduct::findByProductNumber(oldDisplayNumber).RecId,

            oldDisplayNumber,

            newdisplayNumber,NoYes::Yes).rename(); //one of the attributes allows us to include product variants in the renaming process

            iCount++;

    }

    

    catch{

        file.write(oldDisplayNumber);

        continue;

    }

    }

   info(strFmt("Done - %1",iCount));  

}

Dynamics AX R3 | List of all tables with details

In one of the recent projects, I had to pull the details of all the tables with their current record counts and if they are the part of any country specific localisation. I used the following code to pull those details. Nice simple code got the job done well.

static void GetTablesDetails(Args _args)

{

    #AOT

    #File

    #Properties

    CommaIo csvIO;

    str description;

    TreeNode tables;

    int total, counter;

  ;

    csvIO = new CommaIo(@"c:\AX_tables_details.csv", #IO_WRITE);

    csvIO.write("No","TableName", "ID","LegacyId","SaveDataPerCompany","TableGroup","FormRef","CountryRegionCodes","RecordsCount");

    tables = TreeNode::findNode(@"\Data Dictionary\Tables");

    total = tables.AOTchildNodeCount();

    tables = tables.AOTfirstChild();

    for(counter = 1; counter <= total; counter++)

    {

       

        csvIO.write(counter,tables.AOTgetProperty("Name"),tables.AOTgetProperty("ID"),tables.AOTgetProperty("LegacyId"),tables.AOTgetProperty("SaveDataPerCompany"),tables.AOTgetProperty("TableGroup"),tables.AOTgetProperty("FormRef"),tables.AOTgetProperty("CountryRegionCodes"),SysDictTable::casRecordCount(tables.AOTname()));

        tables = tables.AOTnextSibling();

     }

    info("Done");

}

Many times I have been asked by customers to copy the personalization settings of one user to another. It could just be relating to one form or to replicate the whole user settings from one to another. The code below would just do that job. If it is selective copy then either elementName or designName fields can be filtered. I have been using this code on regular basis and has been quite helpful and updating personalization.

static void copyUserPersonalisations(Args _args)

{

    str userFrom = "";//userId to copy from

    str userTo = ""; //userId to copy to

    SysLastValue sysLastValueTo, sysLastValueFrom;

    int iCount=0;

    ;

    //refreshes all the records for the destination user.

    delete_from sysLastValueTo where sysLastValueTo.userId == "XXX";

    while select sysLastValueFrom where sysLastValueFrom.userId == "XXX"

    {

        select forUpdate sysLastValueTo;

        ttsBegin;

        sysLastValueTo.company = sysLastValueFrom.company;

        sysLastValueTo.designName = sysLastValueFrom.designName;

        sysLastValueTo.elementName = sysLastValueFrom.elementName;

        sysLastValueTo.isKernel = sysLastValueFrom.isKernel;

        sysLastValueTo.recordType = sysLastValueFrom.recordType;

        sysLastValueTo.userId = userTo;

        sysLastValueTo.value = sysLastValueFrom.value;

        sysLastValueTo.insert();

        iCount++;

       

        ttsCommit;

    }

    info(strFmt("Records from %1 is copied to %2. \n\rTotal Records copied: %3",userFrom,userTo,iCount));

}

AX 2012 Shortcuts

Recently came across a nice and simple functional article.
http://jamesandthegiantaxproject.wordpress.com/ax-quick-reference-shortcuts

Get list of all Projects in AOT

There's many times when we tend to get the list of all the projects existing in the AOT. This is helpful to keep the development documentation up-to-date. The code below provides an easy list of all the projects and saves them in a csv file.

static void GetProjectNames(Args _args)

{

    #AOT

    #File

    #Properties

   

    TextIo csvIO;

    str description;

    TreeNode projects;

    int total, counter;

  ; 

    csvIO = new TextIo(@"C:\HBProjectsList.xls", #IO_WRITE);

    csvIO.write("Project Name\n");

    projects = TreeNode::findNode(@"\Projects\Shared");

   

    total = projects.AOTchildNodeCount();

    projects = projects.AOTfirstChild();

   

    info(int2str(Total));

   

    for(counter = 1; counter <= total; counter++)

    {

        description += projects.AOTname();

        description += "\n";

        projects = projects.AOTnextSibling();

    }

   

    csvIO.write(description);

}

DIXF / DMF Issue with Entities

Using DIXF requires a set of versatile skills from Excel to X++. I came across this issue where I kept getting the error below every time I uploaded various entities particularly Customer.

Results. Record ('XXX') . A record with RecId 0 does not exist.
Results. Record ('XXX') . Account  does not exist.
Results. Record ('XXX') . Update has been cancelled.

This issue was caused by incorrect lincence configuration when a field was passed on and the key was not enabled. Below code can be used to clean the data in the staging on the fly.

static void CLearCustomerEntityState(Args _args)
{
    DMFCustomerEntity cust;
    int counter;
    ;
        counter = 0;
    while select forUpdate cust where cust.TransferStatus == 2
    {
        ttsBegin;
             cust.State = "";
             cust.County = "";
        cust.AccountBalance = 0;
        cust.update();
        ttsCommit;

        counter++;
    }
    info(strFmt("Cleared : %1",counter));

}

Create Security Roles Using X++

There is times when we need to create security roles in a good number particularly to deal with workflow. The below code would do the job just well.

static void InsertSecurityRoles(Args _args)
{
SecurityRole role;
;
 ttsBegin;
  
        select forUpdate role;
        role.Name='SEC_Group'; 
        role.AOTName='SEC_Group'; 
        role.description='Description of the security role'; 
        role.insert();
 ttsCommit;

info("Groups Created");
}

Native boot Dynamics AX 2012 V3 VM

The latest version of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 is 3 (release Aug, 2013). The VM is made with Windows 2012 Server. After many tries, I discovered the native booting process has actually been simplified by Microsoft. It is just a very simplified process this time. The same restrictions apply that you need to have Windows 7 professional or above and later OS in order to boot the machine with a VM. Lets begin the journey.

1. Download and extract the VM on your hard drive.
   Partnersource (https://mbs.microsoft.com/customersource/downloads/servicepacks/AX2012DemoToolsMaterials.htm)
2. Right Click My computer and click Manage.
    
   
    
   
   
   
3. Computer Management window will pop up. Click on Disk Management in the right hand navigation. Under Action Menu click Attach VHD.
                                    
   
4. A dialog box will appear to browse the VM file.
                                
   
5. Once the VM is attached, it will appear in the lower left section of the window.
6. Just make a note of the drive letter. For assumptions I will use J: as my VM drive.
7. Open DOS prompt with Admin privileges
8. Type ‘bcdboot J:\windows’

That will add Windows 2012 Server as an option to your boot loaded and would enable you to boot with Windows 2012 VM.

Error "Account number for transaction type Purchase, receipt does not exist"

This error occurs when the item group of an item has not got a receipt account specified and this error appears when posting the invoice for the purchase order containing the item without the receipt account specified in the item group. Procedure to fix it is:

Solution:

Go to the item and check its item group. Under the tab Purchase Ledger, there's a field ''Receipt" for which we need to provide the account number. 

Modules of Dynamics AX 2009 and AX 2012 R2

There is many of Dynamics AX 2009 users who will soon be transiting to AX 2012 R2 upgrades. After thousands of hours of analysis, Microsoft has simplified the modules and also has relocated many of the options within the modules to their more pertinent areas. The change has also occurred in module names and some modules have been further broken down 2 or 3 modules. Also, as before, this is an inter-related system where the forms of one module can still be accessed from the other module provided the permissions are granted. The below table give a brief overview of the naming and placement changes that Microsoft has brought in with AX 2012 R2 release:

MODULES IN Dynamics AX 2009	MODULES IN Dynamics AX 2012 R2
Inventory Management	·       Inventory Management ·       Product Information Management
Accounts Payable	·       Procurement and Sourcing ·       Accounts Payable
Accounts Receivable	·       Sales and Marketing ·       Accounts Receivable
General Ledger	·       General Ledger ·       Budgeting ·       Fixed Assets ·       Compliance and Internal controls
Cost Accounting	·       Cost Accounting
Bank	·       Cash and Bank Management
CRM	·       Moved to Sales and Marketing module
Master Planning	·       Master Planning
Production	·       Production control
Product Builder	·       Moved to Product Information Management
Shop floor Control	In 2012 R2, this modules has been splitted into three modules and is accessible through Home, Production Control and HR modules. ·       Time and Attendance  (HR) ·       Clock In and Out (Home) ·       Manufacturing execution (PC)
Human Resource	·       Human Resources
Questionnaire	·       Moved to Home
Expense Management	·       Travel and Expense
Projects	·       Project Management and Accounting (PSA)
Service	·       Service Management
Basic	·       Organizational Administration
Administration	·       System Administration

Delete ALL the transactional data in a company

It is interesting that there are times when we keep a TEST company even in production environments. This is a useful procedure but with ever increasing test transactions, the size of database becomes increasingly bigger. There is an in built class 'SysDatabaseTransDelete'. Just follow the steps below to actually delete all the company related transactions in the database.

1. In the AOT expand Classes node
2. Find the class 'SysDatabaseTransDelete' .
3. There is a Main method defined for this class so when you right click and select Open, a message box will appear to ask confirmation. Select Yes.
4. Depending on the volume of data, an info box will appear once the transactions are deleted.

Note: This only deletes the transactions related to the company selected under AOT. 

Labels in Version Control Environment | Dynamics AX 2012

In general understanding, label files are generally kept identical within a same layer but in reality they can contain different values even within the same layer. Came across a useful article to understand how label files behave when a version control mechanism is on. This can be read here.

Boot your computer with Windows 2008 R2 Virtual Machine (VM)

Note: To use this trick, you have to have windows 7 or later(other than student version) or Windows 2008 R2 (or later) installed natively on your computer.

I understand that most of us have had the difficulty in using the virtual machines because of the computer's resources not fully available to the VM. The computer usually slows down and both the host and the guest machines start dying. I discovered a convenient way of running the Windows 2008 R2 VM with all the power that your computer posses.

In this tutorial, I will explain how the VM that contains Windows 2008 Server R2 with Dynamics AX 2012 installed can be used to actually boot the computer so that the VM will consume the whole power of your computer. I will be using a Windows 7 Ultimate Edition of windows natively installed.

Required Softwares:

1. EasyBCD (http://neosmart.net/EasyBCD): It is a free for personal use software and enables to update the boot record of the computer to make it boot with the VM.
2. Virtual Box (http://www.virtualbox.com): This is a virtual machine platform that enables the user to run virtual machines.
3. Microsoft Windows 2008 R2 VM (Trial: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2021579 or from Microsoft Partnersource)

VirtualBox Configuration
Steps to follow:

1. Install both EasyBCD and Virtual Box on your machine.
2. Configure and run the Windows 2008 VM using Virtual Box as per below screen captures.
   
   
   
   
3. Once the machine is created, start it until the login screen appears.
   
4. Once the login screen appears, it is save to properly turn the machine off using the close button.
   

The reason for above set of steps is to ensure that the VM understands your computer and somewhat learns the hardware configuration. Now we configure the boot configuration records to actually make the computer dual boot.

Updating the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

1. Open EasyBCD and on the left panel click 'Add New Entry'.
2. In the highlighed area, provide the information of the VM.
   
3. Once done, press 'Add Entry' and press 'Edit Boot Menu'. You should see the screen like below:
   

Once you're done with both the sets of procedures, you can restart your computer. Select 'Windows 2008 R2' option. Based on your computer's power, Windows will take some time for the first time to initialize the hardware and software configuration.