Improving software configuration management across multiple Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 applications

Abstract: When working with software development in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 applications as an independent solution vendor (ISV) with more than a few products in the portfolio, the number of applications/installations to support the processes tends to be vast. Annata and To-Increase are both ISVs and face this situation; To-Increase for example has about 50 environments for one single version of Dynamics AX. Change is inevitable in the software industry, regardless if the need originates from new features, bug fixes or change requests from customers; it requires modifications to existing products. Uncontrolled changes to the products must be avoided and any modifications should be introduced without affecting existing functionality. This thesis investigates how two ISVs work with Dynamics AX and the existing tool Development Center and suggests improvements to the Software Configuration Management. The most beneficial change suggested is to create a single repository within the existing tool across the applications.