Microsoft AX for Retail- Exploring the User Interface
Microsoft recently announced Microsoft AX for Retail- a new end-to-end solution for midsized specialty retailers that offers a deep level of integration across point of sale, store management, supply chain, merchandising and financials to address business productivity, while enhancing customer service.
Microsoft’s main selling point to retailers is that Dynamics AX for Retail integrates with the Microsoft solution stack. It’s designed for midsize retailers, supporting various functions, such as merchandising, point-of-sale, store management and supply-chain operations.
According to a demonstration at the 2010 Worldwide Partner conference in July, the product enables role-tailored user interfaces, showing a different software view depending on an employee’s role in the organization. The UI can be customized and deployed across store locations.
Most point of sales do a basic set of functions and some do more advanced functions. Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail has the basic functions covered very well and has some incredible advanced functionality. One of the most attractive aspects is the user interface offers the ability to make changes in a snap. The user is able to right click a button and not only re-label it but also trigger a completely different function. The user can change the Edit Line Item button to be a Void Transaction button, decide how many buttons, rows and columns are needed, as well as what colors they should be.
For example, your top selling items can be located in a separate button – or top selling categories can each be an individual button (e.g. Men’s Shoes, Men’s shirts, Women’s Shoes, Women’s shirts, etc.) with different categories color coded separately. In addition, users can create multiple layouts and based on the user or role, can assign the layout which is retrieved by the individual person when he/she logs in. These advanced features enable you to have the same machine show a lay out for a customer service supervisor who works with returns, credits, warranties, and exchanges while a sales clerk focuses on the sale. Therefore, you do not need to setup a machine specifically for customer service and another one specifically for checkout. Any machine can be used for any role and adjusts to who logs in.
The versatility of this Retail Solution is what makes it so appealing. Most point of sale products do not offer the flexibility of different screen layouts that can all be accessed on the same machine. Each layout can be assigned and accessed by logging in. Finally, the software can be deployed quickly without complicated customizations or lengthy implementations. The user interface is built to work with a touch screen so it will natively support a self-service Kiosk touch pad and a dual screen.
Tags: Advanced Distribution Parterns, Dynamics AX for Retail
Ashley Pardue
Marketing Specialist
