Coronavirus tis impacting many IT project for Dynamics AX customers migrating from legacy versions of Ax 4/2009/2012 to dynamics 365.
Be aware that extended support plans for Dynamics AX 2009 Service Pack 1, AX 2012, and AX 2012 R2 are due to end on October 12, 2021. AX 2012 R3 users have until January 10, 2023. And Microsoft is advising customers these dates will remains in place, at least for now.
A Microsoft spokesperson provided this statement:
There is currently no plan to extend support further; however, we continue to monitor market needs including impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic related to support for Dynamics AX 2009 and Dynamics AX 2012.
So while the legacy versions are robust they will increasingly be incompatible with the latest versions of operating systems and browsers, and SQQL database and be increasingly vulnerable to malware and cybercrime. The coronavirus pandemic is affecting projects in many ways especially for global projects, for example: travel/quarantine, lockdowns and curfews on working, the need for remote collaboration, and e learning, and for global rollout more use of local partners.
There is no immediate end in sight so projects and timelines will be impacted for at last another year in which case we strongly advise you start your preparations for migration as early as possible. there is mush to consider: the on premise vs on cloud decision is now of greater importance, environmental sizing for cloud or on premise needs is significantly different as is new licensing and features for D365, new security set ups, code and data migration, project methodology via LCS , budgetting and project planning all take a lot of time.
The new challenges are accelerating different ways of working and some Business Process re-engineering should also be considered- e-commerce, Robotic Process automation, Lean manufacture, cross platform and application processes, self service, vendor collaboration, Customer portals, increased use of smart phones and mobiles from bar cod e driven WMS operations to Advanced analytics on your phone anytime anywhere any devices. To compete needs omni channel tailored services – there has never been a greater need for increased cost control, efficiency, and customer service. Start the process now while you can – as deadlines get nearer there will be backlog of customers seeking to upgrade and shortage of available resources both internally and externally.
