Extending Microsoft Dynamics AX with Mobile Sales
When you import the ApplicationObjects.xpo file that is provided with Mobile Sales, you will extend the functionality of Microsoft Dynamics AX with mobile capability. For more information about how to import the ApplicationObjects.xpo file, see How to: Import Integration Objects into Microsoft Dynamics AX in the Microsoft Dynamics Mobile Installation and Configuration Guide.
The mobile capability is available in Microsoft Dynamics AX from new and existing forms. New fields or tables are added to the existing forms. For an overview of additions to Microsoft Dynamics AX, see New and Modified Forms with Mobile Sales Application Objects in Microsoft Dynamics AX.
Application Objects for Mobile Sales
The components listed in the following are available in Microsoft Dynamics AX when you import the ApplicationObjects.xpo file.
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Document Handlers
A document handler is a class programmed to extract data from the request document and create the appropriate business logic in Microsoft Dynamics AX. This enables you to process request documents, such as create sales order and create activity sent from the mobile device to the business solution.
Note You must set a document type for the handler you will be using for the request document.
For more information, see Working with Mobile Sales Document Requests, Handlers, and Types in Microsoft Dynamics AX.
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Pricing Campaigns
This includes a number of tables and forms for setting up pricing campaigns. Pricing campaigns provide a way to run special offers to customers.
For more information, see Pricing Campaigns in Microsoft Dynamics AX.
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Customer/Item Prices Update
This feature enables you to update mobile devices with the latest customer and price information.
For more information, see Updating Customer Item Prices for Mobile Devices in Microsoft Dynamics AX
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Visit Patterns
Visit Patterns provide a way to add activities in the CRM module in Microsoft Dynamics AX.
For more information, see Setting Up Visit Patterns in Microsoft Dynamics AX.
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Item Subgroups
This feature is an enhancement to the Item Groups feature of Microsoft Dynamics AX, which lets you create subgroups to item groups.
For more information, see Setting Up Item Subgroups in Microsoft Dynamics AX.
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Mobile Sales Order Comments
This feature enables you to include comments that are sent with a sales order from a mobile in Microsoft Dynamics AX.
For more information, see How to: Store Mobile Sales Order Comments in Microsoft Dynamics AX.
Microsoft Dynamics AX Functionality Not Supported in the Mobile Sales Orders
The Mobile Sales device application does not offer the full set of features that are available when creating orders in Microsoft Dynamics AX. The following list covers some of the main Microsoft Dynamics AX functionality which is not supported by orders in the Mobile Sales client:
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Changing delivery address
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Changing invoicing account
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Changing currency
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Changing mode of delivery
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Changing warehouse
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Changing delivery terms and reason
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Changing payment terms
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Dimensions on items
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Quantity on trade agreements
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Min/max order quantity
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Standard order quantity
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Discounts
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Delivery date control
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Warehouse availability
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Adding same item several times to same order.
Workarounds in Mobile Sales Orders
There are multiple ways of finding workarounds to the missing Microsoft Dynamics AX functionality.
| Approach | Description |
|---|---|
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Required fields |
If specific fields are required when you create orders, you should make sure that the CreateSalesOrder document handler uses default values that can be specified on the customer. In general the handler's code can be changed to accommodate specific requirements. For more information about document handlers, see Working with Mobile Sales Document Requests, Handlers, and Types in Microsoft Dynamics AX. |
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Changing order information |
You can create new tasklets for the Mobile Sales client application and add these to the order wizard orchestration to add features such as changing invoicing account, choosing payment terms, and so on. For information about how to develop tasklets, see Developing Tasklets in the Microsoft Dynamics Mobile Device SDK. For information about wizards, see Defining a Wizard in the Microsoft Dynamics Mobile Orchestration Guide. |
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Standard quantity |
Add the information to the staging database and include the field in either the list view or detail sections of the order wizard. By doing this the user will be able to see the information when picking items for the order. |
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Dimensions on Items |
Define default dimensions on the items to the extent that this is possible. These will be used when you import the sales order line. Alternatively, extend the SSIS package so that it doesn't include items with dimensions to prevent mobile users from ordering these items. |