Plan data import, export, and migration [AX 2012]

I think this topic is very useful with AX new Implementation and all points mentioned here should be taken into our consideration.

This topic describes the tools and strategies that you can use when you are planning to import or export Microsoft Dynamics AX data. The topic also describes how to plan to move data from one enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to another. Finally, the topic describes performance and security considerations when you import and export data. read more

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Data Import/Export Framework standalone version for AX 2012 R2 without installing full CU7

We have recently released the new version for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Data Import/Export Framework as part of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 CU7. We received lot of requests to get the new version for AX 2012 R2 (Base R2 and/or CU1, CU6, hotfixes) without taking full CU7. To make this happen, we have released an application hotfix for DIXF which can be installed on AX 2012 R2 (Base R2 and/or CU1, CU6, hotfixes).  The hotfix does not contain the binary files for the Data Import/Export Framework. You must install the binary files for the Data Import/Export Framework by using the CU7 update installer.

Application Components

The application hotfix contains the application files for the version of the Data Import/Export Framework that was released with cumulative update 7.

Important: This hotfix does not contain the binary files for the Data Import/Export Framework. You must install the binary files for the Data Import/Export Framework by using the CU7 update installer.

Download:

Application files for the Data Import/Export Framework, cumulative update 7 version

Instructions:

To install the Data Import/Export Framework:

1. Install this hotfix using the installer that it ships with.
2. Complete the software update checklist.

Binary Components

You must install the binary files for the Data Import/Export Framework by using the CU7 update installer.

Download:

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 Cumulative Update 7 (KB2885603 )

Instructions:

Install Data import export framework Client, AOS and Service components.

http://technet.microsoft.com/EN-US/library/hh538446.aspx%23InstallCU7

CU 7: Install the Data Import/Export Framework (binary)

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As of cumulative update 7, you can install the Data Import/Export Framework from the update installer. For an overview of the Data Import/Export Framework, see Data import/export framework user guide ( (DIXF, DMF).

Caution

If you have previously installed the Data Import/Export Framework from InformationSource, you must fully uninstall it before installing again with cumulative update 7 for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2. This includes removing all binary files by using Add/Remove Programs, and the uninstalling Data Import/Export Framework model. For more information see How to: Remove (Uninstall) a Model.

1. Browse to the location where you extracted the files for the update, and then double-click AxUpdate.exe.
2. On the Welcome to Microsoft Dynamics AX Update Setup page, click Next.
3. On the Software license terms page, review the license terms, and then click Accept and continue.
4. On the Select packages to update page, select the components of the Data Import/Export Framework that can be installed on the local computer, and then click Next.
5. The prerequisite validation check runs. Address any issues that the prerequisite check finds outside the installer, and then restart the validation check. When all prerequisites have been found, click Next.
6. If you are installing on the computer that runs Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services, specify a service account and the version of SQL Server that is running. We recommend that you use the AOS service account.

–or–

If you are installing on the AOS computer, specify the name of the server that is running SQL Server Integration Services.

1. On the Review updates to be installed page, click Next.
2. On the Ready to install page, review the summary, select the Automatically restart the AOS instances after installation check box, and then click Install.
3. After the installation is completed, verify that the updates were installed successfully, and then exit the wizard.

 

Imparted from here

Step by step import with Data Migration Framework [AX 2012]

Follow the steps on msdn to install the Data Migration Framework.

http://technet.microsoft.com/EN-US/library/jj225595

Once you have install, there is also a user guide on msdn but not very detailed. I did my first walk through today and took some notes along the way.

There are demo files you should look at. http://technet.microsoft.com/EN-US/library/jj225593

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Data Migration Framework \DemoFiles\Delimited

1. Click on Data Migration Framework > Setup > Source data formats to set up your source data format.

Currently there is on flat file imports available with possible future enhancements from Microsoft to support other types.

2. Under the Applications content, you can select your dimensions. The Dimension code lookup is a multi selection lookup (tick the selection box on the left of the lookup and ok).

3. Click on Data Migration Framework > Common > Processing group. Create a new record and give it a name and description

4. From the Processing group form, click on Entities.

Create a new record. In this example I created one for a Vendor import. The Sample file path field will be blank.

Note: You can use the demo file located under the installed folder. C:\Program Files\Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Data Migration Framework\DemoFiles

If you use the Demo files, then skip steps 5 to 7. If you want to modify the columns, then do steps 5 to 7, as it will ask you if you want to modify the existing file format.

5. Generate a sample file by clicking on Generate source file button. Follow the wizard and select the fields to import.

6. Then click the Generate sample file button. This will open up the sample file in notepad.

Click Finish when done.

7. Now fill in your data on the txt file.

8. Back on the main form click the Generate source mapping button. This will analyze the file and do the mapping between the file and the staging table.

9. Now you can open and view the mapping by clicking on the Modify source mapping button.

It should looks something like this. The Source is your txt file and the Staging is your staging table in AX. If your source file is messed up, you should be able to see it here.

10. Now validate the setup by clicking the Validate button on the main form.

11. View target mapping. This is a mapping between the Staging to the Target table. This should already be predefined. You can however modify the mapping.

Notice a the Function options on the left. These are predefined methods in the class to allow you to execute business logic. The example below, when you pass in a string of dimensions A-B-C, the GenerateDefaultDimension function splits the string up and generates a DefaultDimension RecId. A similar thing happens with the GenerateParty, which creates all the required global address book records to return a Party RecId.

12. Back on the main form.Click the Preview source file button. This loads up the file, to give you a preview of your file..

13. Go back to the Processing group form and click the Get staging data. This opens up a dialog with the processing group, click OK. You will then get this form.

Click on the Run to run client side or Click on Run on AOS to run server side. Usually, the user account doing the import wont have access to SQL integration servers.

Use the second option and it will run under the service account. This should run and complete with out errors.

14. You can now see the staging table by going to the Execution history from the Processing group form. From there you click the View staging data button.

You can modify the staging data before you process it to the target.

15. To process to the target, click on the Copy data to target button. Follow the options to execute the process.

You are now done. The result should be the vendor record created.

Imparted from here