RSMUS.comCustomer master data is the basic requirement of any ERP master data. When you have to upload large amount of customer master data with information such as names, addresses (invoice, delivery), customer groups, etc., it needs to be ensured that the data migration tool is capable to handle this. Microsoft Dynamics AX’s Data Import Export Framework (DIXF) is one such tool that on onset seems little overwhelming but when used methodically is quite easy to use.
The trick to use this tool is to break it up in three easy steps as listed below:
- Create a file to be used for upload. The file type I recommend is a CSV file that should be uploaded into the staging environment.
- Take advantage of the data validation within the staging environment.
- Upload the data from staging environment to target database.
I will now demonstrate how to upload Customer Master data in Dynamics AX using Data Import Export Framework tool.
Open Data Import Framework and Setup Source data formats. Make the following selection.
Step 1: The next step is to go to Processing Group under Common
Step 2: Click Entities and you will see the following screen
Step 3: Make sure that all the boxes are filled in as shown above. There is importance of checking the two check boxes. The Run business logic in insert or update methods does not allow you to upload data in Dynamics AX that has not been validated.
Step 4: Click Generate Source File and you will see a wizard screen pop up.
Step 5: Click Next on the wizard.
Step 6: Select all the fields that you want to upload to Dynamics AX from your template. It is very important to make sure that the fields are in the same order as your template. You can use the up and down button to move the fields so that all fields here align with the fields in the CSV file and click Finish when complete.
Step 7: Select the Sample file path.
Step 8: Click on Generate Source Mapping. Once you click that you should see the following infolog.
Step 9: Click on Modify Source Mapping. You will see the following screen. The screen displays the fields from the CSV document and how they relate to the staging environment which is where the data is first imported into Dynamics AX. From this staging environment, we can verify and clean the data before we proceed to import this data to our target company.
In this example, the account number will be used based on our old account numbers. The mapping details gives the following view. Mapping visualization is shown in the second screen shot below. The auto numbering is checked off so that we can use the account numbers that existed in our CSV file. Click close when you are satisfied with the review.
Step 10: We are now ready to upload data into our Company. Click on Get Staging Data. The Job ID will be defaulted but you will need to enter a job description. Click Ok. It is important to make sure that the CSV file path is specified correctly. Click Run and OK.
Step 11: An infolog will appear that your data has been inserted into staging. This is a temporary holding stage. At this time the data is ready to be validated and we can still make changes to the data if necessary.
Step 12: To verify the data that is in staging. Click on Execution History. See the tab on above screen shot.
Step 13: T0 view the data that is now in staging environment, click view staging data from the execution history screen. I recommend clicking the Validate All button to make sure that the information on rows of data is correct prior to importing the data into Dynamics AX to prevent early detection of errors. After you make your corrections, click Ok.
Step 14: Click Copy data to Target. Select the appropriate job ID. Click Ok and run.
Your data has now been uploaded in to Dynamics AX.
In my next blog I will cover how to resolve Error on Data Uploads in Dynamics AX. RSM is nationally recognized partner in the mid-market ERP and CRM market. If you’d like to learn more about this solution or how we can help you with you implementations of Microsoft Dynamics AX, please contact our professionals at erp@rsmus.com or by phone at 855.437.7202.
By: Sunit Parikh – New York Microsoft Dynamics AX partner
