Dynamics AX Companion Apps https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/axcompapp/feed.xml Latest information on tablet and phone apps. Wed, 17 Apr 2019 03:17:39 GMT en-US hourly 1 Source code released for Dynamics AX phone apps https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/axcompapp/source-code-released-for-dynamics-ax-phone-apps Tue, 09 Jun 2015 12:03:00 GMT https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/axcompapp/2015/06/09/source-code-released-for-dynamics-ax-phone-apps/ After releasing the sample code for the Dynamics AX Windows Store apps, we’ve had numerous requests to release the sample code for the Android and iPhone versions of the Dynamics AX app, which allows users to capture unreconciled expenses, and enter timesheets.

We’re pleased to share the sample code for both versions of the app with our partners and customers.

The source code samples for the Android and iPhone versions are now available on MSDN code gallery here: https://code.msdn.microsoft.com/Developing-iOSAndroid-Apps-3ee71056

We encourage Dynamics AX app developers to leverage these working samples in creating other awesome apps for Dynamics AX 2012.

]]> Source code released for Dynamics AX Windows Store Apps https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/axcompapp/source-code-released-for-dynamics-ax-windows-store-apps Fri, 20 Feb 2015 10:05:00 GMT https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/axcompapp/2015/02/20/source-code-released-for-dynamics-ax-windows-store-apps/ We’ve received a lot of feedback on our Approvals, Expenses, and Timesheets Windows Store apps since their initial release. We’ve actively been updating these apps. The two previous blog posts talk about several new features in the Expenses and Approvals apps.

However, we have also had requests to make available the source code for these apps so that partners can get a head start on building their own Windows Store apps!

The source code samples for all three apps is now available on MSDN code gallery here: https://code.msdn.microsoft.com/Developing-Windows-Store-d85c8012

We encourage Dynamics AX app developers to leverage these working samples in creating other awesome apps for Dynamics AX 2012.

]]> Customize the Approvals app with the latest update https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/axcompapp/customize-the-approvals-app-with-the-latest-update Wed, 18 Feb 2015 14:26:00 GMT https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/axcompapp/2015/02/18/customize-the-approvals-app-with-the-latest-update/ Along with the Expenses app, we’ve also released a an update for the Approvals app to support customization of different approval types. With this update, partners can choose which fields and charts to expose for different approval types.

The original version of the app shipped with immersive experiences for approving Expenses and Timesheets.   This update enables creating similar experiences for any workflow approval type.   It also enables customizing the Expense and Timesheets experiences.

This feature is explained in detail in the following whitepaper (https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/northamerica/deployment/documentation/msdaxcustomizedataapprowin).

 

 

]]> Update to the Windows Store Expenses App https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/axcompapp/update-to-the-windows-store-expenses-app Fri, 13 Feb 2015 15:14:00 GMT https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/axcompapp/2015/02/13/update-to-the-windows-store-expenses-app/ Over the last few months we’ve been working on adding more features to the Windows Store apps for Dynamics AX 2012. We’ll be doing a series of blog posts to cover these updates starting with the Expenses app.

On our partnersource page we have made available the following hotfix (http://support2.microsoft.com/hotfix/KBHotfix.aspx?kbnum=2963242).

Once applied, it will enable the following features for the Expenses app.

  1. Itemization
  2. Policy justifications
  3. Delegates
  4. Guests
  5. Various bugs fixes and other improvements
]]> Easily set up an Azure demo environment for mobile apps https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/axcompapp/easily-set-up-an-azure-demo-environment-for-mobile-apps Thu, 04 Sep 2014 11:26:00 GMT https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/axcompapp/2014/09/04/easily-set-up-an-azure-demo-environment-for-mobile-apps/ Trying out and demonstrating the Dynamics AX 2012 R3 companions apps just became a lot easier using Lifecycle Services for Dynamics AX to deploy AX 2012 R3 VMs on Azure.

1.  As a first step, LCS makes it very easy to deploy an Azure-based VM with AX 2012 R3 already installed.  Details are here http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn741581.aspx

 2.  Then simply follow the config steps to connect the AX phone and tablet apps to your  AX VM in Azure: https://mbs.microsoft.com/files/customer/AX/Downloads/Servicepacks/HowtoConnectMobileAppsNAXinAzurePartner.pdf

Now you'll have a trial / demo environment (accessible from anywhere) that you can tweak and use to explore the apps.   You can turn the VM on or off as needed.

Give it a try and we look forward to hearing your feedback!

]]> Windows Store App updates: Approvals notifications and Expenses guests/gifts https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/axcompapp/windows-store-app-updates-approvals-notifications-and-expenses-guestsgifts Fri, 09 May 2014 15:40:00 GMT https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/axcompapp/2014/05/09/windows-store-app-updates-approvals-notifications-and-expenses-guestsgifts/ We recently updated two of the Windows Store apps Dynamics AX 2012 Approvals and Dynamics AX 2012 Expenses.

Notifications were added to the Approvals app.  New approvals will show as a typical notification in the upper right corner in Windows 8.   This is similar to receiving an email or calendar notification.

Notifications from the Approvals app can be turned off within the PC Settings area like other Windows Store apps which are installed.

 

Guest and Gift features were added to the Expenses app edit experience.  This enables adding guests (name, company and title) for categories like meals or entertainment.   It also enables adding gift recipients and amounts for the gifts category.  Guest and gift recipients can also be (multi-) selected from the Windows 8 People app.  This is enabled by selecting the people icon when adding a new guest.

]]> Convergence 2014 and “Devices and Services Framework” https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/axcompapp/convergence-2014-and-devices-and-services-framework Thu, 13 Mar 2014 10:27:00 GMT https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/axcompapp/2014/03/13/convergence-2014-and-devices-and-services-framework/ As always it was awesome to spend time with AX customers and partners last week at Convergence 2014.   In addition to showing the apps that Microsoft has delivered, we saw several Windows 8 and phone apps for AX that were being developed using the approaches that we have been evangelizing.

If you didn’t have the opportunity to see it last week I encourage viewing of our session “Companion (mobile) apps in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 DDAX112-R2”.   The slides and recording are available by signing in to the Convergence
2014 site.   If you didn’t previously register, you can register for Virtual Convergence and view the session.   The session went into detail about how we developed the apps shipped by Microsoft and provides guidance for developers building apps for AX.

There is a lot of interest in the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 devices and services framework which was referenced at Convergence.  Following are the pieces which comprise that framework. 

  • AX Application Integration Framework (AIF) – which enables connecting to AX via services
  • A WCF-based listener (mobile connector), which sits on premises and listens to the Azure service bus and make calls to AX.   [Walkthrough document and code samples have been published – see  Get started developing mobile apps for Dynamics AX 2012]
  • Authentication using Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) [Walkthrough document and code samples have been published – see  Get started developing mobile apps for Dynamics AX 2012]
  • Azure service bus (config and samples provided)
  • Authentication using ADFS (config and samples provided)
  • Reference apps – install and use these apps ( Welcome to Dynamics AX Companion Apps )
  • VisualStudio 2013 (many samples available)

 Here’s a diagram that puts the pieces in context.

My previous blog post  Get started developing mobile apps for Dynamics AX 2012 has the references to several of these.    In addition following are the references provided in our session at Convergence 2014.

Now is the time for companion/mobile apps for AX.  We look forward to seeing what you build!!  Please share your experiences and learning by posting to the blog or sending to us directly.

References

Companion App info

 Windows Store Apps

AD FS

Azure Service Bus

Application Insights

 3rd Party resources

 Troubleshooting

 Local Storage

 Azure Mobile Services

 Project Siena

 

 

 

]]> AD FS Configuration – SSL certificate must be from a public certificate authority https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/axcompapp/ad-fs-configuration-ssl-certificate-must-be-from-a-public-certificate-authority Mon, 03 Mar 2014 14:10:00 GMT https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/axcompapp/2014/03/03/ad-fs-configuration-ssl-certificate-must-be-from-a-public-certificate-authority/ We’re seeing a lot of activity in configuring environments for use of the AX mobile apps.  One of the more complex steps in the configuration is setting up Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS).  One consistent issue we are seeing is lack of an SSL cert issued from a certificate authority (CA).   Since the mobile app is exchanging credentials and tokens with AD FS, SSL is used to avoid eavesdropping on that exchange.  

In some cases a “self-signed” or “self-issued” cert is being used.  Unfortunately in that case the mobile app won’t make an authentication request to AD FS since SSL isn’t correctly enabled. In order to use SSL, the site to which the mobile app is communicating (in this case AD FS) must have an SSL certificate issued from a recognized CA.  The CA validates that the certificate is being issued to the owner of the domain from which the mobile app requests authentication.   The cost for SSL certs ranges from less than 100 USD and up.

There is also another certificate involved in AD FS configuration known as the token signing cert.   The purpose of that cert is to sign the token which is being provided to the mobile app after authenticating the user’s credentials.   The token signing cert can be self-signed and does not need to be issued from a CA.

Following are some helpful references:

Here’s a link which explains the certificate requirements for AD FS http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd807040(v=ws.10).aspx. 

This article explains the process to request a cert from a CA  http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windowsazure/gg981937.aspx.

For general information about SSL, refer to this article http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa364691(v=vs.85).aspx.

Hopefully that will help clear up some of the confusion about SSL certs and AD FS.

]]> FAQ for Companion Apps https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/axcompapp/faq-for-companion-apps Mon, 03 Mar 2014 13:57:00 GMT https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/axcompapp/2014/03/03/faq-for-companion-apps/ As we see activity in configuring environments for AX mobile apps, we are seeing some common questions.   We’ll keep this post updated with frequently asked questions.   Feel free to post your questions.

Q. How do I set up Fiddler?

A. Fiddler is a great tool for debugging network traffic!

Here are some instructions on how to get Fiddler up and running.

Getting Started with Fiddler: http://docs.telerik.com/fiddler/configure-fiddler/tasks/configurefiddler

Monitor Windows Phone: http://www.spikie.be/blog/post/2013/01/04/Windows-Phone-8-and-Fiddler.aspx

Configure Fiddler for Windows 8 applications:  http://docs.telerik.com/fiddler/configure-fiddler/tasks/configurefiddlerforwin8

 

 Q. After installing the mobile apps hotfix and completing setup, the timesheet app times out and sends me back to the sign in page.

The event viewer log on the machine running the mobile connector shows the following errors:

Unhandled Exception calling Microsoft.Dynamics.Framework.RapidStart.Connector.Modules.AXMobile.TimeService.GetProjectDetails.
User: (domain\username(domainnamehere)).

System.ServiceModel.ActionNotSupportedException: The message with Action 'http://schemas.microsoft.com/dynamics/2011/01/services/TSTimesheet/getProjectDetails' cannot be processed at the receiver, due to a ContractFilter mismatch at the EndpointDispatcher. This may be because of either a contract mismatch (mismatched Actions between sender and receiver) or a binding/security mismatch between the sender and the receiver.  Check that sender and receiver have the same contract and the same binding (including security requirements, e.g. Message, Transport, None).

 A. This can happen in cases where the service was not deployed properly. Launching the AOT and redeploying the TimesheetServices under AOT\Service Groups\ will resolve this issue.

  

Q. After deploying the mobile apps hotfix and creating and configuring a new service bus. Logging into the mobile application gives me the following error (retrieved from fiddler):

ID4175: The issuer of the security token was not recognized by the IssuerNameRegistry. To accept security tokens from this issuer, configure the IssuerNameRegistry to return a valid name for this issuer.

A. In this particular instance, the ADFS setup was done correctly.

This error can be caused if the thumbprint was copy/pasted into the thumbprint field in the Connector for Mobile Applications. Deleting the thumbprint and manually retyping it fixes this issue.  It could
also be the case when using a self-signed token signing certificate, that certificate has not been imported into the certificate store of the machine running the mobile connector.    Importing the certificate will resolve the issue.

]]> Get started developing mobile apps for Dynamics AX 2012 https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/axcompapp/get-started-developing-mobile-apps-for-dynamics-ax-2012 Mon, 13 Jan 2014 11:50:00 GMT https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/axcompapp/2014/01/13/get-started-developing-mobile-apps-for-dynamics-ax-2012/ Our prior blog posts have focused on the mobile applications that Microsoft is shipping for Dynamics AX 2012.  In addition to those apps, we know there’s a need for developers to build lots of other great apps for AX.   We have captured what we learned in developing our apps, and have shared it with the AX community.  I wanted to remind developers of the information available to them.  These resources apply to phone or tablet apps and across windows, iOS and android platforms. 

Learn about the patterns and approaches used to develop the mobile apps in this whitepaper: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 WhitePaper: Developing Mobile Apps

Links to the code samples referenced in the above document

http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/Developing-Secure-Mobile-02105158

http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/Developing-Secure-Mobile-b6ba16a2

 

Build 2013 session on building the W8 apps for Dynamics AX 2012

https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Build/2013/2-9193

We’d love to hear about your AX mobile apps (developed or under development) so feel free to comment below.

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