Reporting Challenges in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012

Global Data 365
March 26, 2021

Introducing a new ERP system requires a huge amount of resources; time, money, and the company’s overall energy. Most times, the business’s essential day-to-day operational needs, such as monitoring and general data, are fulfilled by the legacy ERP system, which has developed with years. Despite these challenges, businesses can opt to replace legacy ERP systems with a more modern, versatile ERP system to adapt to evolving business needs, take advantage of technological advances, and help propel the company forward. Similarly, Reporting in Dynamics AX can be difficult, particularly after the release of AX 2012 introduced a more complex underlying data structure, increasing the table count from an average of 1800 to 6400.

The feedback gathered from hundreds of implementing partners and users around the world about reporting and analytics in Dynamics AX 2012 is that it takes time, money, and unreliability at best. SSRS is the most popular native tool for reporting from Dynamics AX 2012. As the reset tool, all regular out-of-the-box operational reports need the use of a technical resource who is familiar with Visual Studio, SSRS, report design, and the Dynamics AX database structure. If you’ve been using Dynamics AX 2012 for some period of time in your daily operations activities, you’re probably familiar with the process of generating and exchanging reports. If you’ve been using Dynamics AX 2012 for some period of time in your daily operations activities, you’re probably familiar with the process of generating and exchanging reports.

Reporting Challenges in Dynamics AX 2012

You may have noticed that your organization is not getting all of the information it requires when it comes to reporting. So what challenges arise when it comes to Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 implementation?

Complex underlying AX 2012 data.
No skilled AX developers.
Dependency on consultants and cost of facilities.
No simple way to integrate additional data sources.
Inability to get a single, accurate, real-time view of your data.
Lack of available out-of-the-box cubes.

These challenges lead to business leaders thinking about whether they need a new reporting solution, a huge ERP upgrade, but an ERP system upgrade won’t fix the reporting and data visibility obstacles. Listed below are the four main areas in Dynamics AX 2012 reporting and analytics that take time, money, and effort. We will start by breaking down the problems and then presenting a solution to help save Dynamics AX users’ time and money.

SSRS Programming

The problem in programming in the SSRS setting is that it is slow and expensive. Because of the large volume of data in the system and the requisite linking properties, conventional programming (SSRS) can be slow, bottlenecked, and costly when it comes to reporting in Dynamics AX 2012.

So what is the solution? With an easy-to-use, faster front-end reporting platform designed for Dynamics AX, data is better organized. A data warehouse that automates and optimizes data from Dynamics AX along with a user-based front-end reporting tool, such as Jet Analytics from Global Data 365, enables non-technical users to generate and distribute reports and dashboards quickly and easily.

Building OLAP Cubes

The problem is time consuming and expensive. Because of the complex tools and resources needed to use them, generating or changing data cubes in Dynamics AX 2012 is time-consuming and costly. You can’t write a new query if you lack resources to understand both SSAS data cubes and Dynamics AX 2012.

So what is the solution? Easy backend cube management system. The Jet Data Manager, which automates the building of SQL code and data movement monitoring for you, makes handling cubes in Dynamics AX 2012 much simpler and faster. Any database administrator on your team can change data cubes using Jet Analytics’ drag-and-drop or point-and-click features, enabling you to be more effective in getting the data you need, whenever you need it, without the need for costly experts or delays.

Managing Ungoverned Data in Excel

The problem is fragmented and inaccurate data. Microsoft Excel is the most common and widely used reporting tool, but it is not regulated or safe. Without hold over Microsoft Excel, each employee in a company has their own spreadsheets, each of which has been compiled with data in their own specific way and only resides on their PC; as a result, everyone has their own version of the facts.

So what is the solution? Controlling Microsoft Excel. Implementation of MDM and a data warehouse to organize your data will secure it and act as one operational place for your reporting needs. Jet Analytics helps you to use Excel for all of your reporting needs while still handling the delivery, security, and run-time of these reports through a single source and data management framework.

Single Source View in Power BI

The problem is that it is hard to use and organize. Power BI is a common visualization tool, but it’s difficult to use and maintain in Dynamics AX 2012 without the correct underlying data solution. Because of all the data, combining and mapping needed to construct a single view, putting together views is difficult. It also does not allow data segmentation.

So what is the solution? Implementation of an underlying data solution. Jet Analytics provides the right framework to reap the benefits of Power BI‘s powerful visualization tools by planning the data first with easy-to-access, structured data cubes. It eliminates the need for joins or locks by storing all of your data in one location and instead relies on links. With Jet Analytics, a process that would usually take two days takes just half an hour, and any regular user can do it.

Takeaway

With a reporting and analytics platform built for ease and reliability, you can help the Dynamics AX users become more self-sufficient. Implementing Jet Reports for Dynamics AX is a simple, versatile self-service reporting tool that allows any employee in your company to generate and exchange financial and operational reports directly from inside Excel.

Schedule a Demo with our Experts

Share this blog on:

Search Blog

About Us

Global Data 365 is composed of highly skilled professionals who specialize in streamlining the data and automate the reporting process through the utilization of various business intelligence tools.

Related Resources

Power Automate vs Power BI

January 25, 2025

Automated Forecasting with Jet Reports

April 3, 2021

How To Automate Reporting From Dynamics GP?

March 26, 2021

Interact Live with Dashboards

Increase efficiency and deliver success now with Microsoft Power BI. Enjoy a 20% discount on all Power BI services.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Reporting Challenges in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Read More »

Jet Basics vs Jet Reports – Should You Upgrade?

Global Data 365
March 26, 2021

Jet Basics is a free introductory and extensional reporting tool, part of insightsoftware’s Jet software product line, available with Microsoft Dynamics which works with Dynamics NAV and Dynamics GP to create basic financial reports and business queries inside of Microsoft Excel.

While it serves as an excellent starting point, Jet Basics is not a comprehensive solution for complex reporting and analytical needs. Understanding its limitations is crucial for determining when to upgrade to Jet’s premium offerings.

Understanding Jet Basics

Jet Basics is an exploratory tool intended to familiarize users with Dynamics NAV or GP while working within Excel. It delivers accurate and consistent data, helping businesses streamline basic processes and maintain a competitive edge. However, attempting to use Jet Basics beyond its scope can be counterproductive. Some limitations of Jet Basics include:

Inability to handle multiple companies or data sources.
Lack of support for multiple currencies.
No self-service reporting or advanced analytics capabilities.
Limited options for process automation.

If you find yourself frustrated with these limitations, it’s time to explore why Jet Basics might not meet your needs and consider upgrading.

However it is important to note that one should not take Jet Basics for what it is not, i.e. a fully operational reporting or analytic tool which a company needs for thorough reporting and analyses. It is an exploratory tool meant to acquaint one with Dynamics NAV or GP while working in Excel, which if used correctly and not overestimated, provides accurate and consistent data to stay on top of competition and streamline processes.

What is counterproductive to that goal of creating accurate reports is using Jet Basics for what is does not accommodate, for example, multiple companies, sources of data and currencies, self-service reporting and analysis, and streamlining processes.

If you’re struggling with using Jet Basics for your reporting needs, first you should find out the most common explanations behind those difficulties, and then we at Global Data 365 will provide you a better-suited solution.

Why Jet Basics Is Not Meeting Your Needs?

It should be kept in mind that as Jet Basics is a ‘freemium’ product, it is not built as a complete solution to a company or organization’s reporting and analytical reporting needs. While there is an inexhaustible number of users who can use Jet Basics as an introductory product, users forget that there is a limit to its capabilities, and to work around that often look for quick fixes such as making it work with corrupt, unstable and oft-times ancient software, and thus invest more time than is needed on this product which is not meant to do what the user is trying to make it do.

For example, users commonly export a table of data into Excel using Jet Basics, and then format the data using VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP and the more basic, primitive to be exact, functions such as ‘Find and Replace’ and ‘Copy and Paste’. Not only is this more time-consuming, but also results in data inaccuracies and errors which can negatively affect their reporting, and thus decisions based on those reports.

After Global Data 365 researched into why this was an issue, users admitted to using workarounds in Jet Basics and admitted they weren’t obtaining any accurate results and just wasting more time. So now we are going to offer a simpler solution to your reporting problems, which are our premium products.

When You Should Switch from Jet Basics to Jet Reports?

Instead of spending important resources (not fiscal) such as time on freemium products, users should be able to tell when to switch to Jet’s premium products, and have a stronger foundation for your reporting processes from the get-go rather than wasting multiple resources (yes, including fiscal).

We are going to give you three scenarios where a user should consider switching to Jet Reports or Jet Analytics:

- Flexible Formatting and Automation

When they need flexible formatting and automated processing, Jet Reports is the solution to their problem. With this product, users can automate and schedule real-time reports without any issues. In addition to that, there’s the option of building, formatting and updating reports with user-friendly tools.

- Self-Service Reporting and Analytics

When they need detailed self-service reporting and analytics and data governance, Jet Analytics is the solution to their problem. With this product, any beginner who does not possess technical expertise can build reports and dashboards in Excel and Power BI, and gain important understanding into data with pre-built cubes, a data warehouse and an extensive framework of dashboard and report structures. And lastly, they can manage, organize, share, compile and customize data a lot faster with the data warehouse automation tool.

- Multiple Companies or Multiple Data Sources

When users have multiple companies, or are working with multiple sources of data, they can upgrade to Jet Analytics from Jet Basics. Using Jet Analytics, they can easily integrate data from multiple sources and achieve complete data management and collaboration for reliable reporting and budgeting reports, and access data from the databases of multiple companies.

- Saving Time and Resources

Spending excessive time on manual tasks with Jet Basics can drain valuable resources. Upgrading to Jet Reports or Jet Analytics automates many of these processes, allowing your team to focus on strategic initiatives rather than repetitive tasks.

- Enhancing Collaboration Across Teams

For teams that require seamless sharing and collaboration, Jet’s premium tools allow users to easily share reports and dashboards. This ensures that all stakeholders have access to accurate, up-to-date information, improving efficiency and alignment.

Check out the detailed comparison between both of the products: Jet Basics vs. Jet Reports.

Key Differences: Jet Basics vs. Jet Reports

To help you make an informed decision, here is a detailed comparison of Jet Basics and Jet Reports:

Feature	Jet Basics	Jet Reports
Cost	Free	Premium Subscription
Real-Time Data Access	Limited to basic queries	Comprehensive and real-time
Automation	Manual processing required	Automated scheduling and distribution
Data Sources	Single source	Multiple sources and databases
Ease of Use	Beginner-friendly	Advanced but intuitive tools
Advanced Analytics	Not supported	Full analytics capabilities

Benefits of Upgrading

Upgrading to Jet Reports or Jet Analytics unlocks the full potential of your reporting capabilities. Benefits include:

Enhanced Accuracy: Automated processes reduce human error, ensuring reliable data.
Time Efficiency: Spend less time on manual workarounds and more on strategic decision-making.
Scalability: Handle complex reporting needs as your business grows.
Integration: Leverage data from multiple sources, creating unified and actionable insights.
Better Collaboration: Share reports seamlessly across teams using intuitive tools.

In Conclusion

Reporting doesn’t have to be a time-consuming task, provided you know when to upgrade from Jet Basics. Jet Reports offers the user to unlock full potential of the reporting tool, help create flexible reports and automate the distribution with Jet scheduler. While, Jet Analytics offers the user to combine data from multiple data sources, improve performance and use Power BI.