Step by step import with Data Migration Framework - AX 2012

Continuation to my previous article “AX 2012 Data Migration Framework”

In this article, we are Importing the LedgerGeneraljournal into AX 2012. 

Demo Files are available at:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Data Migration Framework (Beta)\DemoFiles

This is the beta release and therefore there will be bugs, issues and it’s not a complete offering. With that, when we start to look at the use of this framework, we must start with the types of sources we can work from. We do this from the Data Migration Framework > Setup > Source Data Formats. 

Apart from flat file, MS is planning to add Ax and ODBC types to the framework.

We can see that there are plans then for allowing both ODBC source types, as well as enabling AX-to-AX, source-to-target usage of this framework. Since this is file based on source types for the Data Migration Framework, out-of-the-box usage for the framework is limited. It’s powerful, and has a lot of great possible value, specifically when the AX and ODBC types are fully added. DMF is work well with the file sources, as I have tested and imported some of the data. If your source data is in flat files then you can start getting a lot of use from the framework.

1. Click on Data Migration Framework > Setup > Source data formats to set up your source data format.

2. Applications:  you can select your dimensions. The Dimension code lookup is a multiselection lookup (tick the selection box on the left of the lookup and ok).

3. Click on Data Migration Framework > Common > Processing group. Create a new record and give it a name and description

4. From the Processing group form, click on Entities.

Create a new record for the LedgerGeneraljournal. If we are selecting data from demo flat files, select the path in The Sample file path field or else you want to select (modify) the fields then leave The Sample file path field will be blank.

If you use the Demo files, then skip steps 5, 6 and 7. If you want to modify the columns, then do steps 5, 6 and 7, as it will ask you if you want to modify the existing file format.

5. Generate a sample file by clicking on Generate source file button. Follow the wizard and select the fields to import.

6. Then click the Generate sample file button. This will open up the sample file in notepad.

Click Finish when done.

7. Now fill in your data on the txt file.

8. Back on the main form click the Generate source mapping button. This will analyse the file and do the mapping between the file and the stagging table.

9. Now you can open and view the mapping by clicking on the Modify source mapping button.

It should looks something like this. The Source is your txt file and the Staging is your staging table in AX. If 

your source file is messed up, you should be able to see it here.

10. Now validate the setup by clicking the Validate button on the main form.

11. View target mapping. This is a mapping between the Staging to the Target table. This should already be predefined. You can however modify the mapping.

The Function options on the left. These are predefined methods in the class to allow you to execute business logic. The example below, when you pass in a string of dimensions A-B-C, the GenerateDefaultDimension function splits the string up and generates a DefaultDimension RecId.

12. When we check the Entities from, Click the Preview source file button. This loads up the file, to give you a preview of your file.

13. In Processing group form and click the Get staging data. This opens up a dialog with the processing group, click OK. You will then get this form.

Click on the Run to run client side or Click on Run on AOS to run server side. Usually, the user account doing the import wont have access to SQL integration servers. Use the second option and it will run under the service account. This should run and complete with out errors.

14. Now you can see the staging table by going to the Execution history from the Processing group form. From there you click the View staging data button. You can modify the staging data before you process it to the target.

15. To process to the target, click on the Copy data to target button. Follow the options to execute the process.

It’s done, Now the data has been migrated to AX 2012.

That's it for now... :)