Transcript DIXF - The Partner Connections Event

AXC01
DIXF: The Microsoft Dynamics AX
Data Import and Export Framework
Viktor Lesiv | Celenia Software NA Inc
Introduction
• Purpose
– DIXF overview
– Data migration: alternative solutions
• Assumptions – Audience has:
– Technical implementation and development experience, AX 2012
• Target Roles
– TSAs
– Consultants
– Developers
Agenda
• DIXF
• Alternative Data Migration solutions
• Summary
Tools to Compare
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•
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•
DIXF
In product (dat/def)
Test Data Transfer Tool
Excel add-in
• AIF – not in scope
Survey #1 - Experience
• Which tool you have most of experience with?
–
–
–
–
–
DIXF
In product (dat/def)
TDTT
Excel add-in
AIF
DIXF
• Data Import Export Framework
– AKA DIEF and DMF
– Export and Import
– R3: compare and copy
• Data migration
– Numerous templates
DIXF: Benefits
• Multiple templates
• Multiple import sources
• Streamlines data migration
• Simplicity, Intuitive
DIXF: Key features
70+Entities
(150+ R3)
Parallel
execution
Number
sequence
Support
Mapper control
Multiple Data
sources
Error handling
Folder support
Role Base
Security
Multiple AOS
support
Import and
Export data
Compare Entity
Copy data (R3)
Custom entity
wizard
DIXF: Version history
AX 2012
• Add-on for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
• 70+ Entities
• Import / Export data
• Source: Flat files / XML / Excel
• Part of foundation layer
• 70+ Entities
AX 2012 • Import / Export data
R2 CU7 • Source: Flat files / XML / Excel
• Part of foundation layer
• 150+ Entities
AX 2012 • Import / Export / Copy / Compare data
• Source: Flat files / XML / Excel / ODBC
R3
• Role base security
DIXF: Data Flow
• Source
• Staging
• Target
DIXF: Data Flow
DIXF: Setup
• Source Data Format
• Target Entities
• Processing Groups
• Mapping
DIXF: Process
• Load Source data
file into the
intermediate
staging tables
Load Source Data
Staging Data
validation
• Validate Staging
Data for data
integrity
• Converting
Staging data into
actual Dynamics
AX table records
Process Staging data
into Target entities
DIXF: Pros and Cons
Pros:
• Support for import from files, ODBC data sources, and AX tables
• Process big data
• Synchronous processing
Cons:
• Does not process large data volumes
• Complex troubleshooting process
• Difficult to extend for complex data structures
DIXF: Demo
• Create custom target entity
• Import using DIXF
• Export using DIXF
DIXF: Hint
RefRecId:
Convert the natural key to a RecId for references
• Add a data source so that the referenced table can be added to
the target entity query.
• Create a function to handle the logic
DIXF: Recommendation
Recommended uses:
• Import data from another ERP system that uses
dissimilar data structures
• Import data that requires transformation
Non-recommended uses:
• When you work only with configuration settings
In-Product
• In-product Import/Export (.DAT/Def)
In-Product
• Built-in with AX
• Time tested
• Definition groups
In-Product: Demo?
• Create a definition group
• Import and Export
In-Product: Hint
RefRecId:
• Regenerate RefRecIds if import both
related and main tables.
• Save RefRecIds if import only related
table. RefRecIds will be not actual.
In-Product: Hint
TableId:
• Tables with the different name
and same table id.
• Tables with the same name
and different table id.
In-Product: Recommendation
Recommended uses:
• The source and target are AX instances.
• You are moving data from one company to another.
Non-recommended uses:
• Move configuration metadata to a new environment.
Test Data Transfer Tool
• Process
• Metadata
• Syntax
Test Data Transfer Tool
• Process
• Metadata
• Syntax
TDTT: Metadata
• Import the MetadataXMLGenerator.xpo.
• Run the MetadataXMLGenerator job.
• Copy Metadata.xml from temporary folder to the [List] subfolder
where the Test Data Transfer Tool is installed
TDTT: Syntax
• DP.exe direction directory database server
Parameter
Default value
Description
direction
EXPORT
Specify EXPORT to export data or IMPORT to import
data.
directory
The current directory
Specify the directory from which the data should be
exported or to which the data should be imported.
database
AXDB
The name of the database.
server
The current computer
Specify the computer name or instance name of the
SQL Server computer that is hosting the Microsoft
Dynamics AX database.
TDTT: Demo?
• Refresh data in DEV system
TDTT: Pros and Cons
Pros:
• Speed
• Saves RecId
• The data file format is text-based. Therefore, the data file can be
compared with earlier versions and can be stored in a version
control system.
• The tool enables export filtering.
• The tool updates entity IDs, so that the IDs match the IDs of the
target system.
TDTT: Pros and Cons
Cons:
• Importing data into a production environment is not supported.
• The tool does not make sure that any data that you export or
import is complete or coherent database.
TDTT: Recommendations
Recommended uses:
• Export or import a large multi-company data set in a non-production
environment.
• Move data between non-production AX environments that have
slightly different customizations.
• Store business data as a backup
• Export or import data without running an instance of AOS in a nonproduction environment.
Excel add-in
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•
•
•
Import
Publishing
RecId challenge
Recommendations
Excel add-in: Import
Excel add-in: Publish
Excel add-in: RecId
•
•
Relations between tables based on
RecIds are not supported.
Alternative keys can be used instead
Excel add-in: RecId
Excel add-in: Recommendations
Recommended uses:
• Low to medium data volumes (<10,000 records)
• No business logic is required outside an existing document service
Non-recommended uses:
• Large data sets
• Content that requires execution of business logic
• Data sets that require data cleansing
Best tool for Each Use
DIXF
Dat/Def
TDTT
Excel
Source types
AX, ODBC, CSV,
Excel, XML, Text
Dat + Def
Out + OutModel
+ XML
Excel
Import from another system
Best
Update data
Cross company copy
Possible
Best
Possible
Possible
Speed
Best
Save foreign keys
Possible
Best
Data entry
Best
Copy data to TEST or DEV
Best
Change data before import
Best
Validation
Best
Possible
Summary
• Data migration addressed
• Tools reviewed:
– DIXF
– In-product Import/Export
– Test Data Transfer Tool
– Excel add-in
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa834437.aspx
OPEN Q & A
Contact details
• Viktor Lesiv
– [email protected]
• Ganna Kupchenko
– [email protected]
• www.celenia.com
THANK YOU
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