What Is the Future of Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) in the Cloud? Being Upfront About the Obstacles

I am currently reading The Big Switch - Rewiring the world from Edison to Google by Nicholas Car. The book draws a colorful parallel between Thomas Edison's battle to power the world versus a "Google type" company's battle to power the emerging cloud computing technology shift. The book sounds a warning to the major on-premise solution providers such as Microsoft, IBM and Dell, as Nicholas Car ultimately declares that utility computing will forever change the computing landscape, and most important, is here to stay.

I mention this book because most of Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) was focused on Microsoft's Software-Plus- Services (S + S) strategy, especially as relates to Windows Azure, Microsoft Online Services, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, and Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS). At the heart of Microsoft's strategy is the "power of choice". The strategy differs from pure Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) by attempting to achieve server/services symmetry by allowing businesses to move parts of their applications to/from terrestrial servers into the cloud. If you are not exactly familiar with the term "cloud computing" or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), I have summarized the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) definitions below:

•Cloud computing is a model for enabling on-demand, metered access to a shared pool of location independent configurable computing resources that can be rapidly provisioned.

•Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is one of three (3) cloud computing delivery models where applications running on a cloud infrastructure are accessible from various client devices through a thin client interface such as web browser.


What is the future of SaaS for ERP applications like Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta)? What follows are some considerations.

Logically thinking about the typical procurement process for enterprise business applications such as Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta), the first and often most important decision is whether to own "capital expenditure" or rent "operational expenditure". This simple decision is often at the center of debate regarding on-premise vs. on-demand business applications. This single decision dictates how the transaction will be recorded on the company's financial statements. This single decision can actually have a tremendous impact on EPS (Earning per Share) financial ratios, EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) and ultimately, the company's ability to raise capital and borrow future funds.

It appears to me that most CFO's prefer operational expenditures, or OPEX, because they relate to current revenue streams and often represent flexible, non-physical assets that typically do not lose value or become obsolete. OPEX often also generate immediate tax benefits by reducing corporate taxable income. With elasticity, scalability, cost and accounting on the side of the cloud computing, it is easy to understand why this new computing model is becoming so popular, so quickly. For example, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, the only Dynamics product currently available either on-premise or on-demand, just hit the 1 million user mark. The "power of choice" appears to be working with functional line of business (LOB) applications such as CRM and XRM.

While all this would seem to bode well for major ERP applications like Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) moving to SaaS, it's not so simple. Unlike CRM and XRM, moving ERP, most often the "System of Record," into the cloud involves greater complexities and risk, especially for larger enterprises with existing security, control and infrastructure. ERP systems house tremendous amounts of critical and highly relational master data such as customer, vendor, employee and products. This data often represents a competitive advantage and are vital to a company's success.

In order for a SaaS ERP offering to work for larger enterprises, much will have to be done in the area of regulation, compliance and law. At present no 1, 2 or 3 companies can claim to be running "the cloud" and no single entity has taken it upon itself to attempt to regulate such promising technology, which by definition will connect global economies.

Whatever shape or form the cloud eventually takes, the recent collapse of Wall Street demonstrates the need to address key business risks and remain transparent. Corporate executives must be very confident in accessing and quantifying the risk of unauthorized access or lost data, not to mention how conflicting state, federal and global laws will apply.

Whether referring to computing and storage, infrastructure or applications, the cloud has tremendous potential, but it is not without risk. Unfortunately, when it comes to mission critical business applications such as ERP, the model appears to be bit immature for many customers, and with too many questions left unanswered regarding security, control, regulation and speed. Some recent comments from other major ERP suppliers point to the same thinking:

•"If you look at the leaders, they don't make very much money and they've been at it for almost ten years. It's hard to point to any (SaaS) provider that's doing a good job of improving their profitability. I think that's what we are focused on before we scale the business. The last thing we want to do is have a very large business that is not terribly profitable and drags our margins down. Larry Ellison, Oracle CEO

•"We believe in some forms of (SaaS) but not as a core business foundation for its typical customer. It just wouldn't work. It has taken us 36 years to build a ‘core' on which modern, global companies can run their businesses, which is tailored to specific industries and offers a huge partner ecosystem. These foundations are very important to companies, they like having control of data. They don't want to leave destiny in someone else's hands." Bill McDermott, SAP CEO

Enterprise business applications such as Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) already consume many web-services, from applications perfectly suited for the cloud, such as e-commerce, sales tax, credit card and electronic data interchange. Until many of the other issues I have discussed are resolved, though, I don't forecast the demand for enterprise business applications in the cloud will change and without demand I don't anticipate Microsoft offering Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) on-demand. Don't be surprised however,to see certain Microsoft Dynamics ERP web-services become available online at Microsoft Dynamics Online http://www.dynamicsonline.com.

About Advanced Systems Integration Inc (ASi).

Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.(ASi) is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) and Learning Solutions partner founded in 1991. ASi delivers comprehensive enterprise class applications that improve customer relations, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations. ASi also offers industry specific extensions integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) solution. Based in Orange County, California, ASi serves California including the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Alameda, Sacramento, San Francisco and Santa Clara. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.

3 Insider Tips for Evaluating Microsoft Dynamics ERP software

Written By Jeff Onesto, Director of Business Development, ASi (Originally released on MSDynamicsWorld.com)

As we move into the fall, parents everywhere have just finished the daunting task of getting their kids ready for the new school year. Microsoft Dynamics ERP partners go through a similar process as we get ready to kick-off the “Software Evaluation Season”. After almost 10 years in the channel, I hope to offer companies seeking a new ERP solution some useful tips when beginning their evaluation.

TIP#1 – Begin the evaluation with a business case

I have the unique opportunity to observe and participate in many ERP evaluations and I am constantly amazed how many companies begin evaluating software without a business case. The business case is a living document and will change as you become more familiar with ERP features and functions. Most importantly, the business case requires you to look past the obvious costs such as software and hardware, and consider internal costs such as backfilling key personnel.

TIP#2 – Evaluate standard license terms early

In my humble opinion (IMHO,) if corporate executives clearly understood the standard publisher warranty, disclaimers and/or damage limitations before beginning the evaluation process the players and process would look quite different and be performed with much more care. Software License Terms (SLT), in the case of Microsoft, End User License Agreement (EULA), in the case of SAP, and License & Services Agreement (LSA), in the case of Oracle can easily be ‘BING’-ed on the internet. As you can see below, Microsoft, SAP and Oracle are fairly consistent. Understanding your legal rights is very important and the very reason why taking the time to review is so important in the evaluation process. You cannot return ERP software and very few ‘IF ANY’ companies prevail in court.

TIP #3 Break the evaluation into 2 phases: 1) evaluation of application/platform; 2) evaluation of delivery partner

As you can see below, Microsoft, SAP or Oracle do not endorse and/or assume any liability resulting from the use of a certified partner and/or their certified software solutions/configurations such as Certified for Microsoft Dynamics (CfMD), Oracle Accelerate or SAP Business All-in-One. You do this entirely at your own risk. Following this simple tip you will answer the big question, “Is the sales partner the best delivery partner?” In some cases, maybe, in others, maybe not!

References:
Microsoft Dynamics Software Licensing Terms (SLT)
http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/en/us/licensing.aspx
SAP End User License Agreement (EULA)
http://www.carahsoft.com/contracts/eula/documents/SAP-EULA.pdf
Oracle License & Services Agreement (OLSA)
http://www.oracle.com/corporate/license/agreements.html

Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.(ASi) is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) and Learning Solutions partner founded in 1991. ASi delivers comprehensive enterprise class applications that improve customer relations, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations. ASi also offers industry specific extensions integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) solution. Based in Orange County, California, ASi serves California including the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Alameda, Sacramento, San Francisco and Santa Clara. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.

Connecting Microsoft Dynamics AX to Business Processes That Provide a Competitive Advantage

Written By Jeff Onesto, Director of Business Development, ASi (Originally released on MSDynamicsWorld.com)

The new release of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 is an exciting development in DAX ERP sophistication and advancement. So it is not surprising that much is being said about all the new features and functions of Microsoft Dynamics AX2009. But it is important for businesses to remember that an organization’s competitive advantage includes both people and business processes and NOT ONLY the number of available ERP features and functions.

I have personally been involved in situations where both customers and partners have cited the lack of ERP functionality as a primary cause for implementation troubles. However, the key to successful implementations is knowing how to leverage available features with desired process automation – this is where true value is created.

Interestingly, Microsoft, like both SAP and Oracle, has signed an agreement with Business Process Management (BPM) leader, IDS Sheer, and publisher of the ARIS BPM Platform. The next generation of model-driven architecture codenamed ‘Oslo’ will leverage the work done by IDS Sheer via BizTalk server. I see many companies struggling with non-key business processes such as financial close, material requirements planning and order-allocation which are necessary building blocks for competitive advantages such as new product development, customer service and supply chain planning.

• If you can’t close your books – how do you know what products to produce?
• If you can’t accurately forecast demand and maintain acceptable inventory accuracy levels – how are you going to satisfy customer orders?
• If you can’t provide raw material inventory visibility or transmit the necessary EDI documents to supply chain partners – how are you going to lower inventory carrying costs and increase overall profitability?

This model driven architectural concept is great news for Microsoft Dynamics AX customers but what do companies do about improving their existing systems? It is critical for companies to continually ‘invest’ in their business process as they upgrade or improve their systems. If you are on DAX 4.0 or earlier there is much you can begin doing now before upgrading to Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009. First, begin with an honest self-assessment regarding how your organization compares with other mid-market ‘best in class’ organizations in basic areas of Use of Technology and Business Process Automation. The following metrics were taken from the 2007 Aberdeen Group Sector Insights Report:


Mid-Market Direct Access to ERP Data by Business Role:
• C-Level: 85% have direct access
• VP-Level: 50%
• Director-Level: 64%
• Manager-Level: 82%
• Other-Level: 55%

Mid-Market Automated (Workflow) Enabled Communication:
• Intra-Company Communication (Between departments/function) 27%
• External Communication (Between customers/partners) 23%
(Note: Mid-Market is defined at organizations with sales revenue between $50.0M -$1.0B)

Depending upon how you score you might consider reviewing the Dynamics Client for Office solution to improve direct access to ERP data (see my May article, Microsoft Dynamics Snap brings AX Data to the Extended Enterprise). In the area of automated communication, I would suggest you become familiar with Windows Workflow Foundation (WWF). True market leaders are constantly seeking the best talent and identifying and optimizing their key business processes/competitive advantages. Many of these organizations have created Centers-Of-Excellence (COE) on how to apply business processes and when to modify them and leverage technology to quickly deploy them. Becoming ‘best in class’ takes a serious investment in human resources both in time and effort. For ‘best in class’ organizations, new features and functionality are really ‘just icing on the cake’.

For more information on Microsoft Model-Driven Architecture see http://www.microsoft.com/soa/products/oslo.aspx and for more information on Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) see our website at http://www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.

Using Managed Services to Expand Competitive Advantages Using Microsoft Dynamics AX

The concept of "Managed Services" is not new. As a matter of fact, many companies have come to the stark reality that creating and maintaining an internal Center of Excellence (COE) is a bit like chasing your tail.

And just when you think you have a handle on the application, out comes a new version and back to square one -- or maybe square two if you are lucky. Also, don't forget about employee turnover and the fierce competition with larger companies and deeper pockets for attracting and holding any A-Grade talent. Is this really the best use of company time and resources? Yet on the flip side, ERP should be the backbone of you company and outsourcing that knowledge can't be good, right?

Having been on both the delivery side and the operational side throughout my career, I have become a strong believer in managed services. True sustainable competitive advantages, in my opinion, are only achieved in the areas of domain expertise, intellectual property, product innovation, people, speed-to-market, integrated supply chains, customer service, and not necessarily from ERP maintenance. The more difficult the business process is to copy, the more significant the advantage.

The X++ code, in the case of Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions, Axapta), and application settings are easily duplicated and, therefore, will not solely keep out your competition. In fact, many of the mid-market solutions from SAP/Oracle are nothing more than copies of larger enterprise deployments that have been allegedly certified by the publisher. The reason why this works in some situations is that the product supply chain for a $1.0B consumer products distributor can and often may look very similar to the product supply chain of a $250M consumer products distributor.

A key challenge for many companies is freeing up resources to use ERP to build on existing competitive advantages. What follows are key considerations in using managed services to free up resources or costs:

1. Does the partner offer flexible packages (remote application support, infrastructure support and/or total support)?

2. Does the partner support one ERP solution or many solutions?

3. Does the partner have relevant industry expertise?

4. Does the partner use outside contractors or can they demonstrate continuity of service and employee tenure?

5. Does the partner have experience servicing publically traded companies subject to SAS70 and Sarbanes Oxley 404/302?

6. Does the partner have a history of doing the right thing?

The value of managed service offering is having access to a team of subject matter experts that have years of relevant, proven experience delivering tangible return on investment for your specific business application. As the US economy contracts at unprecedented levels, many companies are rethinking their competitive advantages. Outsourcing some or all of your Microsoft Dynamics AX support needs just may free up additional time and resources necessary to rethink your distribution strategy, lean out your global supply chain, or increase your level of customer service allowing your business to gain a true competitive advantage.

About Advanced Systems Integration Inc.

Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.(ASi) is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics AX and Learning Solutions partner founded in 1991. ASi delivers comprehensive enterprise class applications that improve customer relations, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations. ASi also offers industry specific extensions integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX solution. Based in Orange County, California, ASi serves the Southern California greater area including the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.

Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) Responds To Market Demand With New Managed Services Support Options For Microsoft Dynamics AX (Axapta)

Advanced Systems Integration (ASi), a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics AX partner, is pleased to announce its new Managed Services support plans for Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta). Microsoft Dynamics AX is Microsoft's most scalable and flexible enterprise-wide resource planning (ERP) application. ASi's flexible Service Level Agreement (SLA) offering was designed specifically for Microsoft Dynamics AX customers seeking to simplify their ownership experience yet still desiring control over their company information.

ASi's new offering compliments Microsoft's North American Business Ready Enhancement Plan and provides AX customers a local partner delivered support alternative to Microsoft's Premier Support offering. Microsoft and Advanced Systems Integration are both dedicated to helping existing customers save money and unlock tangible business benefits which will ultimately enable additional capital availability for new innovation and growth.

Some of the immediate benefits companies are able to attain with a Managed Services support plan from ASi include:

Simplified IT operations
Reduced IT investments
Predictable monthly costs
Access to best-of-breed IT capabilities and highly-skilled personnel
Access to 24x7 IT administration services (if desired)

Tom Kim, a Senior Vice President at ASi, commented recently, "The team at ASi already supports many of the most recognizable manufacturing and distribution companies in the U.S. using Dynamics AX. We saw a growing interest in outsourcing at this past Convergence (Microsoft's annual Dynamics user event). With Microsoft clearly behind partner hosted (Software + Services) ERP offerings, we feel the time couldn't be better to formalize our Managed Service offering which includes remote support, service pack administration, and upgrade planning services."

Kirill Tatarniov, corporate vice-president of Microsoft Dynamics Business Solutions, spoke at Convergence and revealed, "We just aren't seeing a demand for Microsoft hosted ERP (Software-as-a-Service), we plan to continue with our traditional licensing model wherein our Dynamics ERP partners host, implement and customize our solutions. The model is working quite effectively." ASi agrees.

About ASi
Advanced Systems Integration, Inc. (ASi) is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics AX and Learning Solutions partner founded in 1991. ASi delivers comprehensive enterprise class applications that improve customer relations, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations. ASi also offers industry specific extensions integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX solution. Based in Orange County, California, ASi serves the Southern California greater area including the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino. For more information, visit www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.

About Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics is a line of financial, customer relationship and supply-chain management solutions that helps businesses work more effectively. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business. For more information, visit http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/ax/default.mspx

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. For more information, visit www.microsoft.com

Microsoft Dynamics AX (Axapta) Positioned as Leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant 4Q09

Microsoft Dynamics AX (Axapta) positioned as a leader in Midmarket and Tier 2-Oriented ERP Magic Quadrant. Despite mergers and acquisitions, there are many ERP offerings for midmarket companies and firms deploying Tier-II ERP systems. This Magic Quadrant evaluates products that have a global presence and are specifically tailored for product-centric midmarket companies with roughly 100 to 1,000 employees.



Magic Quadrants depict markets in the middle phases of their life cycle by using a 2 matrix that evaluates vendors based on their completeness of vision and ability to execute. The Magic Quadrant has 15 weighted criteria that plot vendors based on their relative strengths in the market. This model is well suited for high-growth and consolidating markets where market and vendor differentiations are distinct.

The Magic Quadrant is not intended to be an exhaustive analysis of every vendor in a market, but rather a focused analysis. Inclusion criteria consist of market share, revenue, number of clients, types of products or services, target market, or other defining characteristics that help narrow the scope of the research to those vendors that we consider to be the most important or best suited to our clients' needs.

Leaders provide mature offerings that meet market demand as well as demonstrate the vision necessary to sustain their market position as requirements evolve. The hallmark of leaders is that they focus and invest in their offerings to the point that they lead the market and can affect its overall direction. As a result, leaders can become the vendors to watch as you try to understand how new offerings might evolve.

Leaders typically possess a large, satisfied customer base (relative to the size of the market) and enjoy high visibility within the market. Their size and financial strength enable them to remain viable in a challenging economy. Leaders typically respond to a wide market audience by supporting broad market requirements. However, they may fail to meet the specific needs of vertical markets or other more-specialized segments.

About Advanced Systems Integration Inc.
Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.(ASi) is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics AX and Learning Solutions partner founded in 1991. ASi delivers comprehensive enterprise class applications that improve customer relations, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations. ASi also offers industry specific extensions integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX solution. Based in Orange County, California, ASi serves the Southern California greater area including the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino.

Microsoft Dynamics Snap brings AX Data to the Extended Enterprise

Written By Jeff Onesto, Director of Business Development, ASi (Originally released on MSDynamicsWorld.com)

According to a recent report released by AMR Research entitled “The Enterprise Resource Planning” as much as 85% of an organization’s users do not have access to the corporate ERP system. Microsoft’s Office Business Applications (OBAs) is working hard to change this paradigm. The Microsoft Line-Of-Business-Interoperability (LOBi) strategy positions Microsoft Office as the front-end for accessing back-end ERP functionality.

For those not aware, Microsoft has already begun delivering some very interesting solutions around the Microsoft Dynamics AX solution via an OBA offering called Microsoft Dynamics Snap. These new snap-in programs are packaged as part of the Microsoft Dynamics Client for Office. Microsoft Dynamics Client for Office is available in either standard version using Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) or the premium version using Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS). The premium version adds a license of Office SharePoint Server 2007 which provides an integrated suite of server capabilities with comprehensive content management, search, business process management and information sharing.

The Microsoft Dynamics Client for Office allows AX data to be viewed by the extended enterprise (non AX users) via rich client Office Business Applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word. Theses snap-in programs are distributed on the Codeplex website (www.codeplex.com) under the Microsoft Public License Agreement. This license agreement is the least restrictive Microsoft source code license that allows partners and/or customers to view, modify and redistribute source code for either commercial or non-commercial purposes. The following AX snap-in programs are currently available for download:

• Business Data Search-Delivers powerful search capabilities that allow an information worker to search for information across Microsoft business systems including Microsoft Dynamics AX and SharePoint Server portals from within Microsoft Office Outlook as simple as searching email.

• Business Data Lookup - Allows business workers to use the Microsoft Dynamics AX task pane to search and browse Microsoft Dynamics AX data using Microsoft Office Word, Microsoft Office Excel or Outlook, and to copy selected data into Office 2007 documents or attach the Office documents to Microsoft Dynamics AX records.

• Timesheet Management - Allows users to use Microsoft Outlook to view or submit time entries for tasks that are performed on a periodic basis. This solution links Microsoft Dynamics AX time entries with Outlook appointments and meetings, automatically filling in the data and helping track changes the user makes to linked appointments or meetings.

• Vacation Management - Allows users to submit vacation requests using Microsoft Outlook. This triggers an e-mail to the approver, who can view details of the request along with the requestor’s vacation history, and approve or reject the request. The vacation time entry is then automatically updated into the Microsoft Dynamics AX time and attendance module.

• Expense Management-Allows an information worker to easily create, submit and approve or reject expense reports in SharePoint, without having to log into Microsoft Dynamics AX directly.

• Customer Journal -Enables a salesperson to take an offline InfoPath record of all pertinent customer information to a sales meeting, access that information from their desktop, revise that information as needed then synchronize their changes in the Microsoft Dynamics AX system once they are back online.

Lastly and in keeping with many companies ‘green’ directives, the latest AX snap-in program in development aims to help companies measure their carbon footprint as defined by the Global Reporting Institute (GRI). For those not familiar with GRI, this not-for profit governing body, made up of both corporate and individual members, is responsible for creating the Sustainability Reporting Framework (G3 Guidelines). These guidelines which includes, industry indicators, reporting guidance and required country-level disclosures have become the de-factor standards for environmental sustainability reporting. The new Microsoft Dynamics Environmental Sustainability Snap program will provide organizations visibility via dashboard to Core Environmental Performance Indicators (CEPI) such as Direct and Indirect Energy Consumption, and Direct, Indirect and Other Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Microsoft is doing some great things around connecting information workers to Microsoft Dynamics AX (Axapta). For more information regarding Microsoft Dynamics Snap solutions or other Microsoft Dynamics AX solutions, I always recommend starting with your partner. For more information about ASi, please see our website at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.

Advanced Systems Integration Successfully Implements Microsoft Dynamics AX for Food Specialty Manufacturer

Microsoft Business Ready Licensing Program Enables Small to Mid-Sized Manufacturers Access to Microsoft Dynamics AX Business Software


LAKE FOREST, CA – April 22, 2008 – Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) is pleased to announce the success of its recent implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) at Earthrise Nutritionals, a world-leader in the production of microalgae for use in food and dietary supplement (branded as Earthrise Spirulina).

ASi completed the implementation in January of 2008 utilizing the Microsoft Sure Step Methodology. Michael Forte, Senior Consultant of ASi, explains, “This approach along with Microsoft’s Business Ready Licensing for its Microsoft Dynamics business software product lines has enabled many smaller and mid-sized businesses and manufacturers the ability to now purchase Microsoft’s most comprehensive, scalable and flexible ERP system, Microsoft Dynamics AX.” Business Ready Licensing streamlines pricing for Microsoft Dynamics AX by moving from a pricing model based on hundreds of modules to a new model based primarily on the number of concurrent users who actually use the software.

Earthrise Nutritionals, located in Irvine, CA and with farms and production in the California Sonoran Desert, benefited immediately from the fully integrated ERP system, Microsoft Dynamics AX. Adrian Hsu, Controller at Earthrise Nutritionals explains, “Our previous legacy system did not allow the visibility and real-time views into production and reporting as the new Microsoft Dynamics AX system.”

Mr. Hsu also felt the ease, speed and success of the implementation was directly related to the implementation methodology and experience of ASi. The Microsoft Sure Step Methodology defines process phases, milestones roles, artifacts, cross-phase-processes, and additional project management processes. Earthrise specifically benefited from the structure put in place by both Microsoft and ASi. Mr. Hsu commented, “The timelines and tools provided by ASi and the Microsoft Sure Step Methodology made it easy to keep on schedule and track the project progress even with limited resources and an accelerated implementation timeline.”

About ASi: Advanced Systems Integration, Inc. is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics™ AX and Learning Solutions partner founded in 1991 that delivers comprehensive enterprise class applications that improve customer relations, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations. ASi also offers industry specific extensions integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX platform (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta). ASi uses its industry focus, enterprise software domain expertise and transparent agile implementation methodology to provide its clients an enterprise class solution that is implemented properly the first time. ASi is based in Lake Forest, CA and has sales offices strategically located throughout the United States. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.

About Earthrise Nutritionals: In 1979, after years of research, Earthrise introduced Spirulina to the natural foods market. Then, in 1982, the visionaries at Earthrise built the first U.S. Spirulina farm to grow this green superfood in pure California desert sunshine using ecological, earth-friendly methods. Today, Earthrise Nutritionals' farm is the world’s largest Spirulina farm. Earthrise products are marketed in the USA and in 30 countries on six continents. http://www.earthrise.com/

About Microsoft Dynamics AX: Microsoft Dynamics AX is an adaptable business management solution that enables companies and their workers to make business decisions with greater confidence. Microsoft Dynamics AX works like and with familiar Microsoft Office software, with comprehensive features that help automate and streamline business processes, and connect users with global customers, business partners and subsidiaries in a way that helps drive business success.
http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/ax/default.mspx.

About Microsoft: Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com

For more information on this release, please contact:
Lisa Aschenbrenner
Marketing Manager
Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.
(949) 597-2170
lisaa@advancedsystemsintegration.com


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Felt Bicycles “Breaks Away from Pack” with New E-Commerce Solution

Advanced Systems Integration advances Felt Bicycles’ dealer communication with an integration of Microsoft Dynamics AX and Sparc Retails’s order management tool


Lake Forest, CA — January 13, 2010 — Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) is pleased to announce Felt Bicycles’ integration of Hubsoft to its existing Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP solution. Sparc Retail, publishers of Hubsoft which is a comprehensive order management portal, worked in partnership with Advanced Systems Integration to create a tightly integrated e-commerce solution for Felt.

Felt Bicycles selected Hubsoft for its ability to provide additional and robust functionality to its ERP Microsoft Dynamics AX system (formerly known as Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) via an e-commerce customer portal. Felt’s new portal provides 24/7, real-time access to product catalogs, inventory as well as the ability to place and track orders and view invoices. Through the complex, multi-touch integration, Felt and its dealers are able to access and view critical business intelligence easily and in real-time.

Felt takes its commitment to providing “speed” seriously whether it’s in its products or service. By providing direct 24/7 access to an array of product and order management tools, Felt is making it easier to do business with them. But, it’s not just about moving fast, Felt’s new e-commerce portal allows their dealers to focus on the complexities of growing their business, rather than merely conducting it.

Microsoft Dynamics AX is an advanced comprehensive business-management solution for fast growing, midsize-to-large companies that offers a high-degree of scalability, adaptability, and industry-specific functionality making it ideal for this e-commerce integration.

About Felt Bicycles
Felt Bicycles is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of its own proprietary branded premium quality bicycles, framesets, components and accessories. The company U.S. office is located in Irvine, CA and its European office is in Edewecht, Germany. Felt Bicycles is an internationally recognized brand whose bicycles and products are currently sold in over 30 countries, worldwide. Athletes on Felt products have won numerous National and International events including World Championships, Olympic Games, ESPN X-Games, and other major national and international competitions. For more information on Felt Bicycles call (949) 452-9050 in the U.S. or (49) 4405-928015 in Europe, or visit Felt online at www.feltbicycles.com or www.feltbmx.com.

About Advanced Systems Integration Inc.
Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics™ AX and Learning Solutions partner founded in 1991 that delivers comprehensive enterprise class applications that improve customer relations, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations. ASi also offers industry specific extensions integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX platform (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta). ASi uses its industry focus, enterprise software domain expertise and transparent agile implementation methodology to provide its clients an enterprise class solution that is implemented properly the first time. ASi is based in Lake Forest, CA and has sales offices strategically located throughout the United States. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.

About Sparc Retail:
Headquartered in Laguna Beach, CA, Sparc develops integrated B2B portals to keep a brand’s sales force and dealer network plugged in. Sparc creates immersive environments designed to deliver a brand’s truth and passion, create loyal crusaders, and streamline sales order management and communications. www.sparcretail.com

About Microsoft Dynamics AX
Microsoft Dynamics AX is an adaptable business management solution that enables companies and their workers to make business decisions with greater confidence. Microsoft Dynamics AX works like and with familiar Microsoft Office software, with comprehensive features that help automate and streamline business processes, and connect users with global customers, business partners and subsidiaries in a way that helps drive business success. http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/ax/default.mspx.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com
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For more information on this release, please contact:
Lisa Aschenbrenner
Marketing Manager
Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.
(949) 597-2170
lisaa@advancedsystemsintegration.com

Microsoft Releases New Case Study Highlighting Successful Partnership between Advanced Systems Integration and Zurn

Advanced Systems Integration Helps Empower Major Plumbing Manufacturer with Successful Implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX


LAKE FOREST, CA – December 10, 2007 – Advanced Systems Integration, Inc. (ASi) a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics AX Solution & Training Partner is pleased to announce the release of a new Microsoft authorized case study on its recent Microsoft Dynamics AX implementation and training support at Zurn.

The new case study, funded and written by Microsoft, highlights the immediate benefits and cost savings that Zurn was able to achieve after the successful implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) by ASi, including:
• Maintaining Low Total Cost of Ownership
• Eliminating Redundancies and Automating Processes
• Increasing Inventory Visibility

Zurn, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, manufactures commercial-grade plumbing products and accessories. The company’s three incompatible enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems (including Oracle) made it difficult to efficiently share information across business units. Upper management was left without a real-time enterprise view of sales and warehouse data, resulting in costly redundancies. With help from Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Advanced Systems Integration, Zurn deployed Microsoft Dynamics AX business management software, which addressed IT concerns at Zurn and provided the IT team the means to fix, operate, and customize the ERP system on its own.

For complete details and a copy of the November 30, 2007 released case study, please visit the ASi website at: www.advancedsystemsintegration.com or Microsoft Case Studies at: http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/casestudy.aspx?casestudyid=4000001073.


About ASi: Advanced Systems Integration, Inc. is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics™ AX partner founded in 1991 that delivers comprehensive enterprise class applications that improve customer relations, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations. ASi also offers industry specific extensions integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX platform (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta). ASi uses its industry focus, enterprise software domain expertise and transparent agile implementation methodology to provide its clients an enterprise class solution that is implemented properly the first time. ASi is based in Lake Forest, CA and has sales offices in strategically located throughout the United States. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.

About Zurn: Zurn was founded in 1900 in Erie, PA. Zurn originally manufactured a patented backwater valve, and now manufactures and distributes one of the largest plumbing products packages in the world! Zurn includes: the Specification Drainage Operation, AquaFlush flush valves, AquaSense sensor-operated plumbing products, AquaSpec commercial faucets, Wilkins, Zurn Light Commercial, Flo-Thru, the Chemical Drainage Systems, Zurn PEX Plumbing Systems and Zurn Radiant Heat. This wide variety of products and its commitment to quality make Zurn a leading manufacturer of plumbing products and accessories. Please visit the company’s web site at www.zurn.com.

About Microsoft Dynamics AX: Microsoft Dynamics AX is an adaptable business management solution that enables companies and their workers to make business decisions with greater confidence. Microsoft Dynamics AX works like and with familiar Microsoft Office software, with comprehensive features that help automate and streamline business processes, and connect users with global customers, business partners and subsidiaries in a way that helps drive business success. http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/ax/default.mspx

About Microsoft: Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com


For more information on this release, please contact:
Lisa Aschenbrenner
Marketing Manager
Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.
(949) 597-2170
lisaa@advancedsystemsintegration.com

Why some organizations might be slow in planning an upgrade to Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009

Written By Jeff Onesto, Director of Business Development, ASi (Originally released on MSDynamicsWorld.com)

At ASi, we are fortunate to have many years of experience with working with Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta). So, after returning from the AXUG User summit, I wondered, with mainstream support ending for Microsoft Dynamics AX version 3.0 in January of 2009 why does it seem so many customers have delayed planning their upgrade?

In looking back and talking to other colleagues, in many situations, the reasons are a combination of the following:

1. Organizational viability (Going Concern)
2. The processes supported by Microsoft Dynamics AX (Axapta) are not mission critical
3. The business benefits (new features and functionality) are not clearly understood
4. New hardware and operating/database requirements
5. Optimism that Microsoft will extend this mainstream support date for older versions
6. Number of customizations in system increase the difficulty of estimating upgrade cost

For brevity, let’s take a closer look at four of the above considerations that might be delaying some customer’s plans for upgrading to Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009.

Organizational Viability

We all know what is currently happening on “Wall Street” and the spill-over affect to “Main Street”, particularly sectors such as industrial equipment, automobiles, building suppliers, aerospace, and the list goes on and on. When a decision needs to be made between payroll and keeping the lights on or upgrading the ERP system, I am somewhat certain the former come first. This probably explains the relationship between fast growing companies and their likelihood of upgrading. Growth companies require flexibility and scalability which are core attributes of Microsoft Dynamics AX. It is not uncommon to see 200%, 300% year-over-year growth in many of the consumer package goods (CPG) segments served by ASi such as “soft goods; apparel” and “hard goods; action sport equipment”. In our experience, these fast growing companies often understand that utilizing the latest software version gains them some competitive advantage and ultimately, helps them ride the growth curve longer.

 
Mission Critical Processes or Not

Microsoft Dynamics AX in certain situations has been implemented as a “hub and spoke” solution. Large enterprises may run other ERP applications at the corporate level yet use Microsoft Dynamics AX at the plant/division level. I have seen this “point solution” concept taken much further than originally intended where companies have actually only implemented GL or AP (trade) and nothing more. These smaller implementations of Microsoft Dynamics AX often highlight a direct relationship between the size of the Microsoft Dynamics AX footprint and likelihood of upgrading. Bottom line, companies with a larger footprint of AX that supports many mission critical processes tend to upgrade sooner and with greater frequency than those without.

Mainstream Support

At the AXUG Summit, Microsoft briefly mentioned that they are considering the extension of the mainstream support date for Version 3.0. This may entice some companies to wait longer to upgrade. For those not familiar with the Microsoft Product Lifecycle Support Policy, please see the following Microsoft site: http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=6212. As of today Microsoft Dynamics AX Version 3.0 mainstream support is scheduled to end Jan 13th 2009. I have attached the following diagram that provides information on what support is offered by Microsoft.


Number of Customizations

The flexible platform characteristics of Microsoft Dynamics AX and the available X++ source code layers creates an interesting relationship between the number of customizations and the likelihood of upgrading. The more customizations an organization has implemented may make it increasingly difficult to estimate the actual cost of upgrading and therefore, creating a delay in the decision to upgrade. At ASi, several of our customers will be moving from 3.0 to 2009, we are optimistic that the improved tools in 2009’s upgrade cockpit including comparative tools, estimation reports and the element usage log will help reduce future decision delays on on-going Microsoft Dynamics AX releases.

ASi has been using Microsoft Dynamics AX internally for almost 10 years , hence, we run our entire professional services organization on the solution. We are in the middle of performing our own internal upgrade to AX 2009 utilizing our Upgrade, Migration & Optimization Services (UMOS) methodology and tools. For help understanding how many of the new features in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 can benefit your organization, contact your partner. For more information on Advanced Systems Integration upgrade expertise and tools, see our website www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.

Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) Launches New Website

New Site Features Comprehensive Product Information on Microsoft Dynamics AX and Boasts Streamlined Navigation with a New Appearance


LAKE FOREST, CA – October 19, 2007 – Advanced Systems Integration, Inc. (ASi) a Microsoft Dynamics AX Gold Certified Partner is delighted to announce it has recently launched an all new website. The company’s website address has remained the same www.advancedsystemsintegration.com, but the new site features new and detailed product information on Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) as well as streamlined navigation menus with an all new appearance.

The new site was designed to include something for all visitors seeking additional and detailed information on Microsoft Dynamics AX and Advanced Systems Integration.

• Customers just starting their ERP software search will find the full offering of Microsoft Dynamics AX product literature and valuable on-demand product demonstrations. The key product features and benefits for Microsoft Dynamics AX can also be reviewed by company role such as IT/technical versus sales and marketing. Typically, each business area in an organization has unique and specific areas of interest.
• Site visitors seeking more information on ASi and its success in the Microsoft Dynamics AX partner channel will find the company background, key executive bios, client testimonials, and important case studies now included on the site.
• For those companies already using Microsoft Dynamics AX, the new site features information on the AX-SMART training facility. Website visitors can search for courses applicable to their role in the organization, review the detailed course outline, obtain hotel and driving direction to ASi, and register online for a Microsoft Dynamics AX end user training course.

“Response to the new site has been exceptional,” say Jeff Onesto, Director of Business Development for ASi. Jeff goes on the indicate, “The site was built using the feedback of current ASi customers and was modified to answer the most common questions and areas of interest typically encountered as business professionals are learning, researching and navigating the complex ERP business software market. Jeff notes that a website can not replace the important role of live person-to-person interaction and product demos but he adds, “A useful website is important as it fulfills the needs of customers seeking 24/7 availability of information and connectedness in today’s fast paced business environment.”


About ASi: Advanced Systems Integration, Inc. (ASi) is a Microsoft Dynamics™ AX Gold Certified Business and Learning Solutions Partner. Founded in 1991, ASi delivers comprehensive enterprise-class applications that improve customer relations, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations. ASi also offers industry specific extensions integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX platform. ASi uses its industry focus, enterprise software domain expertise, and transparent agile implementation methodology to provide its clients an enterprise-class solution that is implemented properly the first time. ASi is based in Lake Forest, CA and maintains sales offices in strategic locations throughout the United States. Please visit the company’s newly redesigned web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com

About Microsoft Dynamics™ AX: Microsoft Dynamics AX is an adaptable business management solution that enables companies and their workers to make business decisions with greater confidence. Microsoft Dynamics AX works like and with familiar Microsoft Office software, with comprehensive features that help automate and streamline business processes, and connect users with global customers, business partners and subsidiaries in a way that helps drive business success. http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/ax/default.mspx

About Microsoft: Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com

For more information on this release, please contact:
Lisa Aschenbrenner
Marketing Manager
Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.
(949) 597-2170
lisaa@advancedsystemsintegration.com

Felt Bicycles SPEEDS through implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX with Advanced Systems Integration

Global Bicycle Manufacturer/Distributor selects Microsoft Dynamics AX over competitors for its ease of use, scalability and manufacturing capabilities.

Lake Forest, CA — October 9, 2008 — Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) is pleased to announce Felt Bicycles is live with Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly known as Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta). Felt Bicycles selected Microsoft Dynamics AX over SAP and other ERP solutions to standardize business processes and offer real-time visibility into their supply chain. Microsoft Dynamics AX is an advanced comprehensive business-management solution for fast growing, midsize-to-large companies that offers a high-degree of scalability, adaptability, and industry-specific functionality.

Felt Bicycles, with U.S. headquarters in Irvine, CA, designs a complete spectrum of bicycles including road, triathlon, mountain, lifestyle and BMX. The company is widely known for its performance level products including bicycles that have been successfully raced at the highest level including the Olympic Games, World Championships and Tour de France. Felt distributes its own proprietary products through a network of globally authorized distributors and dealers. With a mission of ‘designing, developing and delivering the best bicycles in the world’, Felt knew it needed a scalable, adaptable integrated business-management solution that would help them quickly implement standard processes, collaborate with a network of global suppliers and dealers, and provide immediate and real-time insight to help them with sales and operational planning.

The company evaluated a number of enterprise resource planning solutions to support its U.S. operations before selecting Microsoft Dynamics AX and Advanced Systems Integration (ASi). “We chose Microsoft Dynamics AX for multiple reasons,” said Bill Duehring, President, Felt Bicycles U.S.A., “including ease of use, the Microsoft look and feel that employees are accustomed to, the ability for the solution to adapt to our business processes, and the fact that it was an integrated and complete solution with native warehouse management (WMS), customer relationship management (CRM) and business intelligence (BI) capabilities.” Bill Duehring continues, “When it came to finding a partner we needed an organization that understood and could support the needs of a fast growing consumer product company like Felt. We needed a partner with proven abilities to help us manage the risk associated with implementing Microsoft Dynamics AX, and we knew we had found that partnership with Advanced Systems Integration.”

Advanced Systems Integration is honored to have been selected by Felt Bicycles. Jeff Onesto, Director of Business Development states, “Many of our branded consumer packaged customers are experiencing tremendous return on investment with Microsoft Dynamics AX. All joking aside, it looks like both Felt Bicycles and ASi (utilizing Microsoft Dynamics AX) have a very bright future designing products to make people go faster.“

About Felt Bicycles
Felt Bicycles is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of its own proprietary branded premium quality bicycles, framesets, components and accessories. The company U.S. office is located in Irvine, CA and its European office is in Edewecht, Germany. Felt Bicycles is an internationally recognized brand whose bicycles and products are currently sold in over 30 countries, worldwide. Athletes on Felt products have won numerous National and International events including World Championships, Olympic Games, ESPN X-Games, and other major national and international competitions. For more information on Felt Bicycles call (949) 452-9050 in the U.S. or (49) 4405-928015 in Europe, or visit Felt online at www.feltbicycles.com or www.feltbmx.com.

About Advanced Systems Integration Inc.
Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics™ AX and Learning Solutions partner founded in 1991 that delivers comprehensive enterprise class applications that improve customer relations, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations. ASi also offers industry specific extensions integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX platform (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta). ASi uses its industry focus, enterprise software domain expertise and transparent agile implementation methodology to provide its clients an enterprise class solution that is implemented properly the first time. ASi is based in Lake Forest, CA and has sales offices strategically located throughout the United States. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.

About Microsoft Dynamics AX
Microsoft Dynamics AX is an adaptable business management solution that enables companies and their workers to make business decisions with greater confidence. Microsoft Dynamics AX works like and with familiar Microsoft Office software, with comprehensive features that help automate and streamline business processes, and connect users with global customers, business partners and subsidiaries in a way that helps drive business success. http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/ax/default.mspx.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com
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For more information on this release, please contact:
Lisa Aschenbrenner
Marketing Manager
Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.
(949) 597-2170
lisaa@advancedsystemsintegration.com

Advanced Systems Integration Releases New Case Study on Inventory Management Solution for Microsoft Dynamics AX

Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) extends Microsoft Dynamics AX functionality with integration of Inventory II for global leader in apparel manufacturing, FFI.

LAKE FOREST, CA – April 20, 2010 – Advanced Systems Integration, Inc. (ASi), a Microsoft Dynamics AX Gold Certified Business Solutions and Learning Solutions training partner, is pleased to announce the release of a new Customer Case Study. This new case study highlights the success of the inventory management solution, Inventory II, with ASi’s high-volume, global apparel manufacturing customer, Fortune Fashions Industries, FFI.

FFI, the largest domestic screen-printer, produces over 100,000 garments per day – more than 35 million per year. Operating in the fast turnaround and low-margin world of retail fashion, FFI needed a solution that could manage their complex inventory and warehousing operations and enable capacity and manufacturing planning. The out-of-the-box inventory management solution tracked every movement of an item before and after manufacturing. For FFI, which is constantly moving a high-volume of inventory, this resulted in hundreds of thousands of transactions per month. Batch routines for inventory settlement and product costing took days or weeks to run. FFI CIO, Paul Arlin explains in the study, “We run our business by the numbers. If we can’t complete the reconciliation, we don’t know what our margins are.”

FFI turned to ASi for help. ASi recommended Inventory II, a third-party solution from FSB Development. ASi has trained and specialized in Inventory II and recognized the perfect fit for FFI. Inventory II extends the standard Microsoft Dynamics AX inventory module to provide inventory analytics, accurate costing, and intelligent reservation controls. The module’s innovative database ‘watermarking’ technology allows it to scale to very high transaction levels and enables companies to run analytics, reporting, and master scheduling routines during daily operation, with no degradation in performance even on very large databases.

Inventory II has dramatically increased the performance of FFI’s ERP system, delivering faster reporting and queries while reducing the demands on hardware and software. With production planners querying the “on-hand” inventory tables many times each day to allocate or reserve merchandise to upcoming productions, even incremental improvements in performance can add up. Arlin comments in the case study, “Given the number of inquiries that hit our systems, being able to get that information in front of the user quickly and accurately is extremely important,” “Inventory II makes our system much more efficient and consistently shaves seconds of every transaction, day after day. We now spend less time waiting and more time working.”

For complete details or a copy of the case study or for more information on Inventory II, please visit the Advanced Systems Integration website www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.

About ASi: Advanced Systems Integration, Inc. is a Microsoft Gold Certified Dynamics™ AX Partner founded in 1991 that delivers comprehensive enterprise class applications that improve customer relations, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations. ASI also offers industry specific extensions integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX platform. ASI uses its industry focus, enterprise software domain expertise and transparent agile implementation methodology to provide its clients an enterprise class solution that is implemented properly the first time. ASI is based in Lake Forest, Calif and has sales offices in strategic locations throughout the United States. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com

About Fortune Fashions Industries: Founded in 1991, Fortune Fashions Industries is a global leader in the manufacturing and distribution of branded, licensed, and private label apparel and accessories. www.fortunefashions.com
FSB Development: The developer of Inventory II, FSB Development has more than a decade of experience working with Microsoft Dynamics AX. FSB Development is a certified Microsoft Independent Software Vendor. www.fsbdev.com

About Microsoft Dynamics AX: Microsoft Dynamics AX is an adaptable business management solution that enables companies and their workers to make business decisions with greater confidence. Microsoft Dynamics AX works like and with familiar Microsoft Office software, with comprehensive features that help automate and streamline business processes, and connect users with global customers, business partners and subsidiaries in a way that helps drive business success. http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/ax/default.mspx

About Microsoft: Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com

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For more information on this release, please contact:
Lisa Aschenbrenner
Marketing Manager
Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.
(949) 597-2170
lisaa@advancedsystemsintegration.com

Advanced Systems Integration is a Featured Column Contributor for MSDynamicsWorld.com™

MSDynamicsWorld.com is Launched as New, Independent Authority for Microsoft Dynamics

LAKE FOREST, CA – January 29, 2008 – Advanced Systems Integration, Inc. (ASi) a Microsoft Dynamics AX Gold Certified Business Solutions and Learning Solutions Partner is pleased to be a featured column contributor for the newly launched MSDynamicsWorld.com website.

Jeff Onesto, Director of Business Development, will write thought-provoking and informative monthly columns focused primarily on Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) utilizing ASi experienced and tenured background with complex and varied Microsoft Dynamics AX implementations, consulting, and training.

Online media company, GuidePoint Media LLC, is behind the technology-focused website, MSDynamicsWorld.com. The new site is aiming to become recognized as the leading independent authority covering the world of Microsoft Dynamics. The Microsoft Dynamics product suite includes such packages as Dynamics CRM, Dynamics GP Dynamics AX, and Dynamics NAV. Visitors to the site can access the site’s wide range of resources, including:
• News and analysis about key Dynamics developments and trends;
• Columns from leading industry experts;
• White papers;
• Case studies
• Product-demos
MSDynamicsWorld.com is independent of Microsoft Corp. This independence enables MSDynamicsWorld.com to act as a platform for industry leaders to provide unbiased assessments of Dynamics products, third-party software and tools. ASi is excited to be part of the exciting new resource for ERP users and those researching the Microsoft business product channel.


About ASi: Advanced Systems Integration, Inc. is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics™ AX and Learning Solutions partner founded in 1991 that delivers comprehensive enterprise class applications that improve customer relations, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations. ASi also offers industry specific extensions integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX platform (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta). ASi uses its industry focus, enterprise software domain expertise and transparent agile implementation methodology to provide its clients an enterprise class solution that is implemented properly the first time. ASi is based in Lake Forest, CA and has sales offices in strategically located throughout the United States. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.


About MSDynamicsWorld.com™: MSDynamicsWorld.com is owned by GuidePoint Media LLC, a publisher of online technology content. MSDynamicsWorld.com is its first product. MSDynamicsWorld.com is independent of Microsoft Corp. It was formed to benefit the users and partners of Microsoft Dynamics products. This independence enables MSDynamicsWorld.com to act as a platform for industry leaders to provide unbiased assessments of Dynamics products, third-party software and tools. MSDynamicsWorld.com also provides opportunities for independent software vendors, consultants, and partners to cost-effectively communicate with customers. Please visit the website for further information: www.msdynamicsworld.com.


About Microsoft Dynamics AX: Microsoft Dynamics AX is an adaptable business management solution that enables companies and their workers to make business decisions with greater confidence. Microsoft Dynamics AX works like and with familiar Microsoft Office software, with comprehensive features that help automate and streamline business processes, and connect users with global customers, business partners and subsidiaries in a way that helps drive business success. http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/ax/default.mspx.


About Microsoft: Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com


For more information on this release, please contact:
Lisa Aschenbrenner
Marketing Manager
Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.
(949) 597-2170
lisaa@advancedsystemsintegration.com

Solar Power, Inc. and Advanced Systems Integration Use Microsoft Dynamics AX to Connect Overseas Supply Chain

Vertically Integrated Solar Power Solutions Provider, Solar Power, Inc. Manages Global Operations with Microsoft Dynamics AX



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LAKE FOREST, CA – February 3, 2009 – Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) is pleased to announce the selection of Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) by Solar Power, Inc. (“SPI”) (OTCBB: SOPW). Microsoft Dynamics AX was selected by Solar Power, Inc. to better power its worldwide operations.

Solar Power, Inc., headquartered in Roseville, California, is a vertically integrated manufacturer, designer, and installer of Photovoltaic (PV) solar electric energy solutions and related components. The company sells and installs commercial and residential photovoltaic solar electricity systems within the United States. Residential customers are served by a growing franchise network of Yes! Solar SolutionsTM retail stores. Large commercial systems, like the one the company recently installed at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, are sold by Solar Power, Inc. SPI also sells its products throughout Asia and Europe to a network of turnkey distributors.

Chief Information Officer (CIO), Bob Wood, at SPI commented, “We needed a business application that was easy to use. It needed to be very scalable, highly configurable and provide the necessary tools to automate our entire global operations from design to build. After rigorous evaluations we selected Microsoft Dynamics AX.”

Microsoft Dynamics AX is multi-language, multi-currency, enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform built entirely on Microsoft technology. With native customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain management (SCM) functionality, Microsoft Dynamics AX provides manufacturers, distributors or service-based organizations the necessary tools to profitably manage their business. Solar Power foresees the following benefits from its implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX:

Support for growth. One of the primary objectives of the implementation is to provide Solar Power, Inc. with a technology that will allow management considerable growth.
Improved reporting. Microsoft Dynamics AX will enable the company to produce statutory accounting and management information more rapidly than before, allowing management to make business decisions that are more timely and effective.
Accuracy of data. Instead of relying on spreadsheets and multiple systems and processes, Solar Power, Inc. will take advantage of the Microsoft Dynamics AX capability to integrate many routines into one, eliminating repetitive data entry and thereby increasing accuracy.
Better planning. Both business planning and resources planning are expected to improve with Solar Power, Inc.’s new Microsoft technology.
More efficient supply chain management. Now it will be automated to a large extent, providing the company with the capability to support the larger and more complex manufacturing processes that it anticipates.
Solar Power, Inc. reviewed several channel partners before selecting Advanced Systems Integration. The company’s Controller, Peggy Jett, added, “We evaluated multiple partners and selected Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) because of their deep understanding of Microsoft Dynamics AX including project accounting and their familiarity with construction industry standards.”

Jeff Onesto, Director of Business Development at ASi, concluded, “We are extremely proud to have been chosen by Solar Power as their implementation partner in North America. As one of the original Damgaard Partners in the U.S. and supporting an estimated 1,500 concurrent users across North America, our team’s reputation for deployment success and doing the right thing without excuses the first time, has created on-going demand for our services and has enabled our customer base to expand even during this tough financial slowdown.”



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About Solar Power, Inc

Founded in 2005, Solar Power, Inc. (OTCBB: SOPW) is a vertically integrated solar energy solution provider offering the North American residential, commercial and public sector building markets a complete solution through a single brand. Solar Power, Inc. provides turn-key, design-build solutions through its Roseville, CA headquarters. Yes! Solar, Inc., DBA Yes! Solar Solutions, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Solar Power, Inc. Yes! Solar Solutions offers the U.S. residential and medium-to-small-sized business market segments turnkey solutions through a single brand. The Yes! Solar website can be visited at www.yessolarsolutions.com.

About Advanced Systems Integration Inc.

Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.(ASi) is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics AX and Learning Solutions partner founded in 1991. ASi delivers comprehensive enterprise class applications that improve customer relations, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations. ASi also offers industry specific extensions integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX solution. Based in Orange County, California, ASi serves the Southern California greater area including the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.

About Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics is a line of financial, customer relationship and supply-chain management solutions that helps businesses work more effectively. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business. http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/ax/default.mspx.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com

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UMOS (Upgrade, Data Migration & Optimization Services)

Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) Upgrade, Migration & Optimization Services for Microsoft Dynamics AX provide the perfect balance of cost, risk and quality.

Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly known as Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) like any Enterprise-wide Resource Planning (ERP) application must be periodically upgraded to new publisher supported versions and/or service packs. Many companies view these upgrades as being “technical” in nature and attempt to by-pass necessary project management and end-user testing. Many “Best in Class” companies tend to spend the majority of their time understanding the benefits, risk and flexibility before determining whether to upgrade the application or not.

As one of the original Damgaard Axapta Partners in the United States, ASi has over 10years of proven AX development, deployment and upgrade expertise. The ASi advantage is based upon a deep understanding of prior versions of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2.5/3.0/4.0 and how each line of custom code (business process) and custom data (business history) map into the latest version of Microsoft Dynamics AX.

ASi has proven and on-going experience upgrading the following versions of Microsoft Dynamics AX:

Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta V2.5
2.5 Service Pack 1
2.5 Service Pack 2
2.5 Service Pack 3
2.5 Service Pack 4
2.5 Service Pack 5

Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta V3.0
3.0 Service Pack 1
3.0 Service Pack 2
3.0 Service Pack 3
3.0 Service Pack 4
3.0 Service Pack 5
3.0 Service Pack 6

Microsoft Dynamics AX V4.04.0 Service Pack 1
4.0 Service Pack 2

The ASi approach, unlike the traditional approach to upgrading Microsoft Dynamics AX (Axapta) requires custom code review and optimization. When companies customize Microsoft Dynamics AX, the processes they support are often always critical.

Traditional Approach:

• Custom Code compiles
• Custom Code NOT optimized

Traditional Result:

• Code conflicts with new AX Logic
• Code deletes new/old records
• Code deletes new/old links
• Code locks/blocks records

ASi Approach:

• Custom Code compiles
• Custom Code optimized

ASi Result:

• NO code conflicts with new AX Logic
• NO missing records
• NO missing links
• NO locking & blocking of records

Learn More at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com

Microsoft Releases Partner Solutions Case Study on Leading Gold Certified Dynamics ERP Partner

Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) integrates Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step with existing framework to improve solution delivery and reduce risk

LAKE FOREST, CA – July 1, 2009 – Advanced Systems Integration, Inc. (ASi), a Microsoft Dynamics AX Gold Certified Business Solutions and Learning Solutions training partner, is pleased to announce the release of a new Microsoft Partner Solution Case Study featuring Advanced Systems Integration. This new case study, funded and written by Microsoft recognizes ASi’s history as one of the original U.S. Damgaard Axapta Partners (now Microsoft Dynamics AX) and highlights ASi’s successful use of various Microsoft Dynamics’ tools on its recent implementation at Felt Bicycles including the Microsoft Sure Step Methodology, Rapid Configurator Tool, Task Recorder and Microsoft Sure Step Business Modeler.

With over 10 years of exclusive focus on Microsoft Dynamics AX and many successful deployments of Microsoft Dynamics AX, the new study highlights ASi’s ability to use the right tool at the right time to achieve optimal results and with minimal risk. ASi has been featured in several other Microsoft Case Studies, including Sekisui Tapes and Adhesives – Leading Packaging Manufacturer Consolidates Processes to Control Costs and Pure Bioscience – Manufacturing Solution Eases Compliance for Anti-Microbial Manufacturer.

Jeff Onesto, Director or Business Development of ASi, commented, “Our delivery capabilities are based upon deep product knowledge of the Axapta platform, industry experience combined with strong project management disciplines. The ASi team continuously strives to refine its delivery capabilities and to improve the overall customer experience. We are grateful to be recognized by Microsoft for our years of dedication and honored to have been selected by our customers such as Felt Bicycles for our ability to deploy Microsoft Dynamics AX using Sure Step.”

For complete details or a copy of the case study, please visit the Advanced Systems Integration website. Or Microsoft Case Studies at:http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/Case_Study_Detail.aspx?casestudyid=4000004662.


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About Advanced Systems Integration Inc.

Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.(ASi) is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics AX and Learning Solutions partner founded in 1991. ASi delivers comprehensive enterprise class applications that improve customer relations, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations. ASi also offers industry specific extensions integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX solution. Based in Orange County, California, ASi serves the Southern California greater area including the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com


About Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics is a line of financial, customer relationship and supply-chain management solutions that helps businesses work more effectively. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business. http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/ax/default.mspx

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com

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For Microsoft Dynamics AX Development, Offshore Winds May Be Blowing Onshore

Written By Jeff Onesto, Director of Business Development, ASi (Originally released on MSDynamicsWorld.com)


Thomas L. Friedman wrote about the transition toward globalization in the best-selling book “The World is Flat - A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century”. This widely accepted metaphor of visualizing worldwide commerce and competition with equal opportunity to local competition has started to receive criticism. It is easy to challenge the ‘level playing field’ view by asking:
•Why has 90% of the world’s phone, web traffic and investment remained local?
•Why do global companies hire local professionals to run foreign operations?
•Why are more and more call centers coming back to the States?

While we cannot deny that the Internet and other business and political developments have enabled borders to be crossed and have expanded many companies’ reach, there remains a clear preference by many—especially smaller and mid-size companies—for local support and competition. It is safe to assume that certain business elements can be effectively purchased or performed abroad, while others should not.

Looking at manufacturing in general, fierce competition, industry pressures and cheap overseas labor continue to lure many manufacturers into trade agreements and/or contract manufacturing offshore. Yet, almost every company struggles with on-time deliveries from their Asian or Latin America resources. Because of this, custom, make-to-order or engineered-to-order production typically remains in the U.S while lower margin, make-to-stock type-production has transitioned to overseas.
Yet as budgets tighten in today’s ERP market, we are already beginning to see an increase in offshore development for Microsoft Dynamics AX. But, is it the right fit?

I know there are always exceptions to the rule, but my experience has found that most mid-market companies lack the time, expertise, and resources to safely evaluate and take advantage of Offshore Development Centers (ODCs). Under no circumstances should mission-critical Microsoft Dynamics AX development, defined typically as functional design specs, development design specs and/or any quality control be outsourced.

If you do decide to consider this option, I strongly recommend that you carefully review the Microsoft Dynamics AX partner’s local track record first. If the partner has trouble performing locally, you need not look any further. Microsoft Dynamics AX partners who do not have reputable onshore delivery models have no business venturing into these complex offshore models until organizational capabilities have matured.

Secondly, as a procurer of these services, I suggest you look closely at your own organization’s tolerance for risk and your internal available resources. Mid-market ODCs’ offerings do not have enough volume to warrant compliance or certifications with strict standards from Software Engineering Institute (SEI) such as Capability Maturity Model (CMM), International Standards Organization (ISO) or Six Sigma. This means that your company will most likely be responsible for managing the quality of these far-away resources. Any hourly price savings is quickly lost through only a small amount of project overruns or mis-steps.

Finally, make sure you review the components you are looking to outsource. Is this something that gives your organization a competitive advantage? And if so, is this something that you want your competition to have? With an open source code structure such as with Microsoft Dynamics AX, you can bet at least one disgruntled, underpaid offshore resource may be tempted to CUT/PASTE your code. And, any legal council will tell you that enforcing NDA’s internationally is expensive, and often more trouble than it’s worth.

In my eyes, the average volume of safe, non-critical Microsoft Dynamics AX customizations that can be shipped overseas for mid-market implementations of Microsoft Dynamics AX does not provide enough benefit via costs savings to outweigh the increased level of risk. If you want high quality, the answer probably begins and ends with your partner’s location, location, location!

ASi Offers New and Complete Business Intelligence Suite Powered by timeXtender for Microsoft Dynamics AX

Advanced Systems Integration and timeXtender form strategic alliance to offer comprehensive BI solution for Microsoft Dynamics AX users

Lake Forest, CA — June 7, 2010 — Advanced Systems Integration, Inc. (ASi), a Microsoft Dynamics AX Gold-Certified, Business Solutions and Learning Solutions training partner is pleased to announce its new, complete Business Intelligence solution, AX SMART BI, for Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta).

The new BI solution, powered by timeXtender, QuickCubes, and TARGIT, streamlines and simplifies the business intelligence design process by auto-generating the underlying project code - no need for hand-coding. David Payne, CEO of ASi, comments, “As a result, a BI project is ready to go live faster, requires less external support, and less implementation time. Companies can consolidate data from multiple companies in one data warehouse, obtaining a complete picture of their business – all without being an expert in the underlying Microsoft Dynamics AX database.”

ASi new BI Suite allows users to select from various templates and adapters designed to auto-generate data warehouses and cubes for Microsoft Dynamics AX using the visual drag and drop approach. The complete solution permits organizations to combine data from Microsoft Dynamics AX with information from other sources as well. The adapter synchronizes with your Microsoft Dynamics AX application, keeping information current at all times.

ASi new BI suite is compatible with most reporting tools but ASi recommends TARGIT for optimal performance and usability. Also, timeXtender is compatible with other ERP business systems such Microsoft Dynamics NAV or SAP.


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About Advanced Systems Integration Inc.

Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.(ASi) is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics AX and Learning Solutions partner founded in 1991. ASi delivers comprehensive enterprise class applications that improve customer relations, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations. ASi also offers industry specific extensions integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX solution. Based in Orange County, California, ASi serves the Southern California greater area including the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.

About timeXtender

timeXtender® is a dynamic and innovative Business Intelligence software house that develops the product timeXtender® – a SQL Server-based data warehousing and OLAP cube tool that requires no coding. timeXtender is also the creator of QuickCubes – predefined and easily deployed Business Intelligence solutions. A Microsoft Gold Partner since 2006, timeXtender reached a strategic milestone when it was named Microsoft ISV Partner of the year in Denmark in 2008. Headquartered in Denmark, with offices throughout Europe and in the USA, timeXtender is an international, partner- driven company. Read more at www.timextender.com and www.quickcube.eu.

About Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics is a line of financial, customer relationship and supply-chain management solutions that helps businesses work more effectively. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business. http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/ax/default.mspx.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com
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For more information on this release, please contact:


Lisa Aschenbrenner
Marketing Manager
Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.
(949) 597-2170
lisaa@advancedsystemsintegration.com