Microsoft Announces Worldwide Availability of Dynamics AX for Retail

Published at Dynamicsworld

The release is being hailed by Microsoft as an "end-to-end" solution that addresses needs in all of facets of a retailer's business. One of the core focuses of the software is integration; specifically within point of sale, store management, supply chain, merchandising and financial data. Adaptability was high on developers' lists, too, and will be evident in the release. All of the features were created with one goal in mind: improving productivity and enhancing customer service.

Automation and the elimination of perfunctory administrative tasks is another selling-point of Dynamics AX for Retail. Businesses that previously had little control are certain to be bestowed with tools to help rid themselves of time-costing tasks, which is certain to pique the interests of those businesses that are drowning in paperwork.

Dynamics AX for Retail supports the currently available Payment Service, which enables customers to process payment transactions with payment processing service providers, including First Data Merchant Services Corp., from the Microsoft Dynamics ERP interface across multiple channels, including e-commerce, point-of-sale and call center transactions. The retail solution will also support Microsoft's not-yet-fully-released Commerce Service for different e-commerce opportunities such as business-to-consumer e-commerce marketplaces, dedicated e-commerce storefronts or built-in shopping cart functionality.

According to Microsoft's website:

"'Connected Experiences for Retail' is the Microsoft vision to empower retailers to connect people, processes and technologies to deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions and capabilities that resonate with consumers and lead to rich, lasting customer relationships...Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail [is] a powerful end-to-end retail solution that delivers this vision for midsized businesses. The new solution will help retailers gain insight into customer behavior and then use it to optimize the whole chain of operations-from sales to supply and distribution."

Further adding functionality is Microsoft's Retail Chain Manager for Microsoft Dynamics AX. This software allows users to manage supply chains, pricing, inventory, critical data and more, across the entirety of a retailer's chain.

The move toward retail comes as part of Microsoft's verticals strategy, which was announced in Sept. 2009. But this is just the most recent step for the company, which has been improving its positioning in the sector by acquiring solutions for process manufacturing, professional services and other retail-related needs. All of this is in addition to Microsoft's recently announced deal with retail specialist Aldata to resell and develop new vertical applications that will eventually be integrated into Dynamics AX for Retail. These soon-to-be-developed applications will address retailer needs in home electronics, do-it-yourself, fashion and other markets.