What is Dynamics AX called now?

If you’ve been in the world of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, you have likely heard of Microsoft Dynamics AX (AX). In recent years, AX has undergone a significant transformation in both technology and branding. In this blog post, we’ll answer the question that’s on the minds of many: What is Dynamics AX called now? Let’s explore the evolution and find out how it has transformed into Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations.

Dynamics AX was a renowned enterprise resource planning software solution by Microsoft. This powerful ERP system was designed to meet the complex needs of businesses, particularly medium and large enterprises. It offered a wide range of features and capabilities, making it a favorite among businesses across various industries. AX was recognized for its robust capabilities, enabling businesses to efficiently manage and streamline a multitude of critical business operations. Some of its key capabilities included:

• Financial management
• Supply chain management
• Manufacturing
• Human resources and payroll
• Sales and marketing

In 2016, Microsoft undertook a significant rebranding effort to transition its portfolio of Dynamics products into a cloud-based suite of applications called Microsoft Dynamics 365. Among these applications was Microsoft Dynamics AX. The cloud-based version of AX initially became known as Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations. Over the years, Microsoft continued to refine and consolidate its offerings under the Dynamics 365 umbrella. As a result, Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations underwent another name change and was rebranded as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, commonly referred to as F&O or FinOps for short. In 2019, Microsoft split Finance and Operations into two separate applications – Dynamics 365 Finance and Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management; however, the two applications are still collectively referred to as Finance and Operations. 

With this transformation came the retirement of the original Dynamics AX name, and it is no longer available to new customers. Additionally, mainstream support has ended for all versions of Dynamics AX. This means that Microsoft no longer supports AX or releases new features, updates, or hotfixes. Businesses relying on AX must consider the transition to a more modern platform. Many organizations opt for migrating to Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations, as it is the cloud-based successor to Dynamics AX, to stay current and gain access to an enhanced suite of features and capabilities.

The decision to discontinue the sale of legacy Dynamics AX was part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to unify its business applications under the Dynamics 365 suite. So, in answer to the question, what is Dynamics AX called now? Dynamics AX is now called Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, also known as Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management.

Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations is the next generation of Dynamics AX. It is built on the same AX code framework and serves the ERP needs of enterprise-level customers. Comprised of Finance and Supply Chain Management, Dynamics 365 F&O is a powerful cloud-based enterprise resource planning system designed for medium to large organizations with broad or complex needs. This powerful platform brings a host of features and advantages that make it a transformative solution for businesses. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations builds upon the solid foundation of Dynamics AX, offering an even more powerful and feature-rich ERP solution. Some of the key areas where Finance & Operations excels above Dynamics AX include:

• Cloud-Based: Dynamics AX was available only as an on-premise solution. F&O is available either in the cloud or on-premise. The cloud-based solution enables businesses to access their data and applications from anywhere, with enhanced security and scalability.
• Integration: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations has more seamless integration with other Microsoft products, such as Office 365 and Power BI, to provide a unified and collaborative experience
• Advanced Analytics: The platform incorporates advanced analytics and AI capabilities, allowing businesses to make data-driven decisions and gain insights into their operations
• Scalability: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations caters to businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, with the flexibility to scale as needed

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations is more than just a name change from AX; it represents a significant advancement in the world of ERP solutions. With its seamless integration, cloud-based accessibility, advanced analytics, and scalability, it caters to the needs of businesses looking to thrive in the digital age. Its comprehensive set of features in financial management, supply chain management, human resources, and business intelligence make it a one-stop solution for organizations seeking to streamline their operations and gain a competitive edge.

Microsoft discontinued Dynamics AX and existing AX customers no longer receive hotfixes and updates with new features. Because of this, AX is rapidly become obsolete, harder to use, and reliant on outdated technology and hardware. Many AX users choose to migrate to Dynamics 365 F&O as it is the next generation of AX, built on the same framework, and supports the same ERP needs. With an intuitive UI, embedded intelligence, and automated processes, Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations is the ideal solution for fast-growing businesses. With cloud-based Finance and Supply Chain Management, your system will always be current allowing you to take advantage of the latest technology while reducing ongoing upgrade costs. Microsoft is continuously enhancing its solutions, with two release waves of new features per year that don’t interfere with customizations. A cloud migration can increase your business’s agility, and ability to stay current, scale, and roll out new capabilities quickly with automatic upgrades.

• Only pay for the applications and users you need
• Eliminate reliance on legacy infrastructure
• Security and compliance you can trust
• Seamless integration across the Microsoft universe

Rand Group is a technology consulting firm with over 20 years of experience helping companies select and implement the right technology solutions. We start by evaluating your existing solutions and processes as well as looking at related business systems to gain a holistic view of your current operations. From there, we will spend time with both strategic and operational members of your organization to gather information on corporate objects and goals. Finally, after extensive research and analysis, our software consultants will present multiple solutions and help you decide the most appropriate solution based on the factors that are most important to you. With Rand Group’s guidance, your migration from Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 F&O becomes a seamless and strategic endeavor, ensuring you make the most of the latest technological advancements.

Dynamics AX has undergone a significant transformation and is now known as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations. This evolution represents Microsoft’s commitment to providing businesses with a comprehensive and modern ERP solution. This rebranding not only enhances its capabilities but also integrates seamlessly with the broader Dynamics 365 suite. If you’re currently using AX or exploring ERP options for your business, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations is a powerful platform to consider. Its enhanced features, cloud-based capabilities, and integration with other Microsoft tools make it a compelling choice for businesses of all sizes. Contact Rand Group today to learn more or for assistance migrating to a new system.