As described in an earlier section, there are hundreds of out-of-the-box SSRS reports, more than 15 cubes, and hundreds of list pages and inquiry forms that come with the Dynamics AX application. You would be surprised to know how many reports can be delivered using just the information on the forms and the AX standard reports. For analytical reporting, you can leverage the default cubes to deliver reporting requirements for your project.
Work with business users to evaluate out-of-the-box reports, cubes, list pages, and EP Role Center pages, and identify reports that can be directly replaced, reports that need modifications, or which need to be built. For reports that need to be built, select the correct tool set. The following table shows how to collect the required information:
Report name |
Standard AX report |
Fit/Gap |
Additional comments |
---|---|---|---|
Sales invoice report |
Sales invoice |
Gap |
There is a need to change the layout. The following additional fields need to be added to the report. Country-specific versions need to be created. |
Customer statement |
Customer statement |
Gap |
Layout changes are required. |
Purchase order |
Purchase order |
Gap |
There is a need to minimize the header information. There is a need to print ship to, bill to, and vendor address in different columns. |
Customer details |
Excel Add-ins Customer list page |
Fit | |
Ad hoc margin analysis |
Sales Cube |
Fit |
The controller wants to review the margin by different dimensions, such as product categories, product lines, customer segments, sales divisions, and so on |
Customer P&L |
Management Reporter |
Fit |
The customer is also configured as financial dimension (costs are tracked and allocated in GL by customers). Build a reporting tree in MR to combine related accounts for reporting. |