One of the biggest reasons to upgrade to Dynamics AX 2009 was that after its release the end user had the ability to support the Windows Server 2008 operating system and the SQL Server 2008 database, the idea behind this was that running the new code on the newer operating system and database will boost performance for many parts of the Dynamics AX stack by as much as 70 percent compared to prior AX, Windows, and SQL Server releases.

 

The data compression features in SQL Server 2008 can also allow companies to crunch down the size of their Dynamics AX 2009 databases by anywhere from 40% to 60%, according to Microsoft. Well, having just completed my first upgrade for a client in the UK to Dynamics AX 2009, I am not sure that these figures are as clear as that, we managed to achieve for the client a reduction of database to a size by about 25% through data compression.

 

This however had the effect of impairing the use of SQL Server 2008 whilst working with BizTalk Adapter on BizTalk Server 2009. It appears this is only overcome by using BizTalk Server 2006 R2, Enterprise edition. This is not a problem to work with and the client is happy, however my frustration was based around the constant chatter from Microsoft and from the VAR that they wanted to have the latest of each version of the Microsoft Stack used.

 

I am fully aware that we have to move forward, but if all of the internal “improvements “within the Microsoft Stack are not brought forward together, then there must be an argument to allow you to stay in the past for certain things.

 

It makes you yearn for the days of the bullet proof SQL Server 2000, or quite possibly my old age has kicked in and I am yearning for the time of chalk, slate and abacus.