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My first Dynamics AX 2012 Windows 8 App

I have recently created my first Windows 8 App and I thought I would write about my experience.

My first starting point is to download this Starter Kit.

Dynamics AX 2012 Windows 8 App Developer Starter Kit

http://startwindaxapp.codeplex.com/

Then before you do this I would suggested you have a look at Martin’s blog. He has made some fixes.

http://dev.goshoom.net/en/2013/03/ax2012-win-8-starter-kit/

Create a custom web service

First task was to create a web service. I didn’t want to use a Document service. So, I created a custom service.

I wont go through the details of creating a contract or anything but I will show what the method I need is.

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Create a windows 8 app

With visual studio 2012 (latest update 3 installed) I created a new project of type Windows Store.

This Grid view will create 3 *.xmal pages. See the screenshot below there is a preview on the right hand side. It shows a Grid view, a Group view, and a Item detailed view.

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This is where we call the web service to retrieve the list. In my code I have not gotten into the detail but that is already in the sample. The sample uses a document service but I wanted some thing a bit more tightly coupled (custom web service).

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Now when you run it it will look like this below. The 3 *.xmal pages will work with the default code provided.

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The ease of creating the web service and external applications is leaps and bounds better than before. If you have people that are very capable with Win8 apps / mobile etc. Then they would love what there is to offer.

The other thing you have to realise also is – windows 8 is a lot more stronger with design aspect. They have rules and quality bars that you have to meet to release into the app store. I think this is a good step.

References:

Detail on creating a custom web service in AX.

http://tech.alirazazaidi.com/exploring-the-little-complex-custom-service-in-dynamics-ax-2012/

Dynamics AX 2012 Windows 8 App Developer Starter Kit

http://startwindaxapp.codeplex.com/

Then before you do this I would suggested you have a look at Martin’s blog. He has made some fixes.

http://dev.goshoom.net/en/2013/03/ax2012-win-8-starter-kit/

For secure web service via Azure follow these articles.
Developing Secure Mobile Apps for Dynamics AX 2012 - Connector
http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/Developing-Secure-Mobile-b6ba16a2
Developing Secure Mobile Apps for Dynamics AX 2012
http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/Developing-Secure-Mobile-02105158

Demo video with technical aspects – Interesting because they talk about the standard solution and what they did.

They used HTML file to make it flexible cross platform using their own libraries. Wish they released these libraries and projects the same way AX is open.
http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Build/2013/2-9193

Sample App with Code
http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/Developing-Secure-Mobile-02105158

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