What are the benefits of add-ons?

 

I have recently been working with a new functional consultant who has joined us from the US, where she has been a revelation for us. The main revelation has been her use of real time development to overcome issues which arise, as opposed to our more basic UK passion for the use of add-ons. The start of my enlightenment came when the client decided that there is not an adequate report writing capability within AX 2009.

 

Having personally pushed the idea of using an under-utilised permanent member of the team who is an SQL guru, and allowing him to show his talents off with his ability to use SSRS, however the client was more encouraged to purchase Frx Reporter which although an additional cost was one he was happy to take.

 

Our VAR was also keen for us to use an add-on and was very happy to go and find a replacement for PerformancePoint Management Reporter which they seem to be the only ones I have met who have a longing for PerformancePoint. This gave my American colleague the chance to develop a new system in which the AX data has been added to the models she has created after we go live.

 

This therefore allows for our client to have one source of reporting data with the added advantage of being able to show both historical and current data. How much did this cost our client? 6 days of some fairly hardcore work but what has it saved them, potentially thousands of pounds, so what have I learnt?

 

Something I had learnt at University but over the years I had forgotten, if you get the chance to develop your our solution, it will always be cheaper in the long run, so I hope to hear of more “self remedies”