SQL Server 2014 – Latest Builds end June 2015

June 27th, 2015 by Stephen Jones No comments »

Since Service Pack 1
Regardless of your branch or patch level, be sure to check KB #2964518 : Recommended updates and configuration options for SQL Server 2012 / 2014, which is full of useful advice. Please always perform full regression testing before installing any SQL Server update in production. It’s becoming more and more clear that you might find an issue Microsoft missed.

SQL Server 2014 Service Pack 1 was re-released after being pulled on April 15th due to an issue described in this post. The initial build number was 12.0.4050 but that has been updated to 12.0.4100. The official knowledge base article has been moved to KB #3058865,

Service Pack 1 includes a number of enhancements; these were the most interesting to us:
•The behavior of trace flags 1236 (see KB #2926217) and 9024 (see KB #2809338) will now be enabled by default.
•Several fixes for buffer pool extensions, including the ability to use instant file initialization.
•Improvements in columnstore performance and new extended event coverage for columnstore inserts.

SP1 Cumulative Update #1 includes 141 fixes, including all of the fixes from the RTM Cumulative Updates published up to and after SP1 was released (CU #6, CU #7, and CU #8 – One of the more important fixes is one that involves partial (and thus incorrect) results from a clustered columnstore index with a corrupted rowgroup (more gory details in this blog post and KB #3067257).

Recommendation: Install this Cumulative Update.

Service Pack 1 12.0.4100 KB #3058865 2015-05-15 29 (29)
Service Pack 1 (pulled) 12.0.4050 N/A

RTM Branch

If you are on the RTM branch, SQL Server 2014 is now at Cumulative Update #8 (including well over 400 fixes and enhancements). If you are applying Cumulative Updates at all, or want any of the interim fixes, we highly recommend using the latest update
The Build is 12.0.2546. This cumulative update has 38 public hotfixes . This CU may be less attractive now that Microsoft has also released SQL Server 2014 SP1 CU1. I because many people may get onto the SP1 branch, now that the first CU on top of SP1 has been released, and the branches are back in synch.

Build Name

Build #

KB Article

Date

New fixes (public)

Cumulative fixes (public)

RTM Cumulative Update #8 12.0.2546 KB #3067836 2015-06-22 40 (38) 486 (432)

⚠
One of the more important fixes here is one that involves partial (and thus incorrect) results from a clustered columnstore index with a corrupted rowgroup (more gory details in this blog post and KB #3067257).

Recommendation: Install this Cumulative Update.

COD Hotfix for Azure Premium Storage Support 12.0.2506 KB #3063054 2015-05-19 1 (1) 450 (398)
COD Hotfix for intraquery parallel deadlock 12.0.2505 KB #3052167 2015-05-19 1 (1) 449 (397)
COD Hotfixes for SSIS / CCI 12.0.2504 KB #3058512 2015-05-05 2 (2) 448 (396)

⚠
A hotfix has been issued to address two completely different issues: (1) a problem with the Unpivot transformation task in SSIS (for more info, see KB #3058512), and (2) a problem with join performance when using a clustered columnstore index (see KB #2999809 for more details).

Recommendation: Install this hotfix only if you are using SSIS with Unpivot or clustered columnstore indexes.

RTM Cumulative Update #7 12.0.2495 KB #3046038 2015-04-23 47 (41) 446 (394)
COD Hotfix for Parallel Batch-Mode Deadlock 12.0.2488 KB #3048751 2015-04-01 1 (1) 401 (355)

⚠
A hotfix has been issued to address a potential problem where a parallel, batch-mode scan may lead to a deadlock, and the deadlock cannot be automatically resolved. This should only affect customers using Columnstore indexes. The hotfix can be downloaded from KB #3048751. It is included in Cumulative Update #7 (under a slightly different KB article: KB #3048752).

Recommendation: Install the latest cumulative update above, which includes this fix.

COD Hotfix for Availability Groups with CLR UDTs 12.0.2485 KB #3042370 2015-03-16 1 (1) 400 (354)

⚠
A hotfix has been issued to address a problem with CLR UDTs in Availability Group databases. The hotfix can be downloaded from KB #3043788 and is described in KB #3042370.

Recommendation: Install the latest cumulative update above, which includes this fix.

RTM Cumulative Update #6 12.0.2480 KB #3031407 2015-02-16 64 (55) 399 (353)
COD Hotfix for Availability Groups NOT SYNCHRONIZING 12.0.2474 KB #3034679 2015-02-04 1 (1) 338 (301)

⚠
A hotfix has been issued to fix Availability Groups reporting as NOT SYNCHRONIZING, an issue caused by CU #5 below. That issue is documented in KB #3033492 and explained further in this SQL Server blog post.

Recommendation: Install the latest cumulative update above, which includes this fix.

COD Hotfix for SSMS (Azure SQL Database) 12.0.2472 KB #3032087 2015-01-28 1 (1) 337 (300)
COD Hotfix for query compile waits 12.0.2464 KB #3024815 2015-01-05 1 (1) 336 (299)

⚠
A hotfix has been released that helps alleviate RESOURCE_SEMAPHORE_QUERY_COMPILE waits during concurrent compilation of large queries. A trace flag is also required (-T6498).

Recommendation: Install the latest cumulative update above, which includes this fix. The trace flag is required whether you apply the COD hotfix or the Cumulative Update.

RTM Cumulative Update #5 12.0.2456 KB #3011055 2014-12-17 54 (48) 335 (298)

⚠
Cumulative Update #5 has a known issue with Availability Groups reporting as NOT SYNCHRONIZING.

Recommendation: Avoid this update if you use Availability Groups. Apply the latest cumulative update above instead.

COD Hotfix for Availability Groups remote hardening 12.0.2436 KB #3014867 2014-11-27 1 (1) 282 (251)

⚠
A hotfix for an issue involving exception handling for remote hardening issues in Availability Groups was released on November 27, 2014.

Recommendation: Install the latest cumulative update above, which includes this hotfix. Install this specific hotfix only if you are using Availability Groups and your applications use OLEDB or JDBC (ODBC / SNAC are unaffected) and you don’t want any of the additional fixes in more recent CUs.

RTM Cumulative Update #4 12.0.2430 KB #2999197 2014-10-21 66 (54) 281 (250)
RTM Cumulative Update #3 12.0.2402 KB #2984923 2014-08-18 40 (32) 215 (196)
MS14-044 QFE Security Update 12.0.2381 KB #2984340 2014-08-12 1 (1) 175 (164)

⚠
A denial of service / privilege escalation vulnerability was identified and patched August 12, 2014.

It is described in Security Bulletin MS14-044 and KB #2984340.

Recommendation: Install the latest cumulative update above, which includes this QFE update.

RTM Cumulative Update #2 12.0.2370 KB #2967546 2014-06-27 52 (48) 174 (163)
RTM Cumulative Update #1 12.0.2342 KB #2931693 2014-04-21 121 (114) 122 (115)
MS14-044 GDR Security Update 12.0.2254 KB #2984340 2014-08-12 1 (1) 1 (1)

⚠
A denial of service / privilege escalation vulnerability was identified and patched August 12, 2014.

It is described in Security Bulletin MS14-044 and KB #2984340.

Recommendation: Install this GDR update only if you are at a build less than 12.0.2254 and only if you *don’t* want all of the fixes from the latest cumulative update above.

RTM 12.0.2000 2014-04-01 – –

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Posted in HR and Payroll, Microsoft, Microsoft Dynamics Ax, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, SQL, Technology

Management Reporter Updates and tips – Synergy Software Systems, Dubai

June 18th, 2015 by Stephen Jones No comments »

This video describes how to create side by side reports with Management Reporter

Management Reporter offers a variety of formatting tools to automate reporting and to quickly put reports in the hands of stakeholders. This video introduces the ability to add dynamic report headers to calculated columns to avoid having to manually edit report headers prior to generating a report. Especially useful for consolidated information and rolling fiscal reports

This video describes how to suppress drill down on specific lines of a report in Management Reporter.for example you may not want to allow drilldown on salary details.

MR CU12 was initially released for the USA in April and is now available for all regions.
It contains all of the enhancements and bug fixes from hotfixes 1-4, including:
• Indication of currently active reporting tree node
• Added the ability to use BASE+1:12 in the column definition
• Report generation performance improvements
• Additional fixes for product defects

HF1, HF2, HF3, HF4
As well as the additional fixes that were added post-HF4:
•Ability to exclude NP rows from exporting to Excel by disabling the export of formulas
•Ability to export NP rows at the Account and Transaction detail levels
•Additional fixes for exporting to Excel where you would receive an operand error when exporting with formulas enabled
•Additional fixes for product defects
Version Information: Management Reporter CU12 RTM – 2.1.12000.26

Management Reporter bugs are now visible in Lifecycle Services (LCS) Issue search. Issue search is another great tool within LCS to help with troubleshooting. Currently both Microsoft Dynamics AX and Management Reporter bugs are searchable.

For Management Reporter, bugs will be visible through LCS when they are triaged to be fixed. Additional updates in LCS will occur when either a cumulative update or hotfix is available to fix the issue. To see a list of current known issues, you can search for “known issue” and restrict the product to Management Reporter 2012.

In order to access Issue search, you can do the following:

1. Navigate to http://lcs.dynamics.com

2. Click Sign in

Note: You must use the same credentials that you use to access CustomerSource or PartnerSource. If you don’t have access to CustomerSource, then you will only have access to an evaluation version of LCS, which does not include Issue search

3. Accept the Microsoft Online Services Agreement if you haven’t already signed in before

4. Create a project

5. Click the + button under Recent projects to create a new project

6. Fill out the project details including Name, Product name, Product version, Industry, and Methodology. Any settings should be fine as long as you don’t select a pre-sales type of project

7. Scroll to the right and select Issue search

8. Begin searching

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Posted in Corporate Perfomance Management, Microsoft, Microsoft Dynamics Ax, Security and Compliance, SQL

Asset Management and Tracking in the U.A.E.

June 18th, 2015 by Stephen Jones No comments »

It is no secret that Synergy Software Systems and Deyafa Systems work closely together in the hospitality sector.
One of the key technologies used is mobile tracking of assets with RFID and bar code.

Our solutions are implemented and supported by us for major groups in the region. This includes both the physical and financial asset lifecycle management

Track5000
The Real Asset Management’s (RAM( asset tracking application form allows your customers to perform regular audits and to keep a central, up to date register of their assets at all times.

The mobile app can use existing iOS, Android or Windows mobile devices to track and count assets, quickly and accurately at lower cost.

This app is an ideal solution for finance teams where routine asset tracking, or regular physical audits are often delegated to other department staff..

The mobile app integrates fully with RAM’s fixed asset accounting module for a financial asset register with comprehensive management of depreciation and asset values There is no need to purchase expensive scanning equipment.

Find out how you can :
• Minimise the number of lost assets
• Improve asset utilisation
• Quickly build a central asset register of all valuable or roaming assets
• Keep an up to date register for insurance purposes, warranty, and manufacturer details
• Manage the transfer, issue and return of assets to record accurate asset lending and location
• Flag items as transferred, located, missing
• Upload audited data to the central asset register
• Streamline your annual asset count and financial year end close and audit.

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Posted in Hospitality, Infor Financial solutions, Microsoft, RFID biometric mobile, Technology

Synergy Software Systems, Dubai – in top 5% of Microsoft Enterprise Resource Partners

June 17th, 2015 by Stephen Jones No comments »

We received confirmation from Microsoft of our attainment of the new Enterprise Resource Competency which has been by less than 5% of Microsoft Global Partner Network.

That ‘s why you can be assured of a successful, Synergy Software Systems Implementation – a 100% track record of successful projects with Dynamics Ax since we started the practice in 2003. Its also why the Highest Customer Satisfaction Award for 2014 also has Synergy’s name on it.

We are proud of our professionals.

We receive similar accolades across our solutions- for years the word in the hospitality industry is “go with Synergy and sleep a night” and why many of our Sunsystems customers have been loyal for over 15 years.

Value ultimately comes from competence and attitude and the results consistently shows that the right partner will give the right solution, service, support and price and deliver the right value.

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Posted in Construction Software, Corporate Perfomance Management, General Synergy News, Hospitality, HR and Payroll, Infor Financial solutions, Microsoft, Microsoft Dynamics Ax, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Project Management, RFID biometric mobile, Security and Compliance, SharePoint and EPM, SQL, Sunsystems and Vision

Dynamics Ax – Synergy Software Systems – GCC Localised HR and Payroll

June 16th, 2015 by Stephen Jones 4 comments »



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Posted in HR and Payroll, Microsoft, Microsoft Dynamics Ax

Fraxion Expense Management – Synergy Software Systems, Dubai

June 15th, 2015 by Stephen Jones No comments »

As specialists in financial software solutions we are aware that this is an aspect of business that is essential to control for all industries However many stand alone financial packages, or erp systems lack effective spend control polices and workflow approval. Fraxion is easy to use, with wide features and is both web based user friendly and cost competitive.

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Posted in HR and Payroll, Infor Financial solutions

Adoption of Basel Regulatory Framework 8th progress report

June 14th, 2015 by Stephen Jones No comments »

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) has updated and published its eighth progress report on adoption of the Basel regulatory framework as of end-March 2015.
BCBS’ monitoring reports have been published semi-annually since 2011 and focus on the status of domestic rule-making processes to ensure that the Committee’s capital standards are implemented in jurisdictions according to internationally agreed timeframes.
The Basel III framework builds on and enhances the regulatory framework set out under Basel II and Basel 2.5.

Leverage ratio: In January 2014, the Basel Committee issued the Basel III leverage ratio framework and disclosure requirements following endorsement by its governing body, the Group of Central Bank Governors and Heads of Supervision (GHOS). Implementation of the leverage ratio requirements has begun with bank-level reporting to national supervisors and public disclosure on 1 January 2015.

Net stable funding ratio: In October 2014, the Basel Committee issued the final standard for the net stable funding ratio (NSFR). In line with the timeline specified in the 2010 publication of the liquidity risk framework, the NSFR will become a minimum standard by 1 January 2018. The monitoring of the status of adoption of the NSFR is planned to start with the next progress report in October 2015.

The only GCC company reviewed in the report was Saudi Arabia.
SAMA through its Circular # 351000133367 on 25 August 2014 issued its final guidance document on the Leverage Ratio disclosure requirements. The
aforementioned SAMA Circular is effective from January 2015.
The D-SIB framework has been finalised and the relevant regulation has
been issued for implementation by January 2016 through SAMA Circular # 351000138356 (issued in September 2014).

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Posted in Corporate Perfomance Management, Security and Compliance

Bitlog WMS seminar 15 June 2015- fully booked

June 14th, 2015 by Stephen Jones No comments »

We look forward to meeting all registrants tomorrow at Microsoft Gulf. The seminar is fully booked.

If you are unable to attend or were too late to register then please contact us.

2015 WMS Trends
Pharma
• New regulations -FDA Drug Quality Security Act (DQSA) – manufacturers to serialize all pharmaceutical inventory for human consumption – to counteract counterfeit pharmaceuticals
How BITLOG WMS helps:
• Serialization allows for more accurate ingredient traceability throughout the supply chain.
• End-to-end audit trail by serial number helps manufacturers to recall more efficiently and effectively.
Decreased profit margins and competition
– Patents Expiring losing major revenue streams, seeking cost savings.
– Generic Drugs Patents expiry more generic products – , reduces the profit margins for all manufacturers.

Pharmaceutical companies search for SCM cost savings to maintain profit margins.
How BITLOG WMS helps:
– Real-time data capture and inquiry – accurately track inventory and raw materials, reduce excess on-hand inventory
– Improved WMS = higher order fulfillment = higher sales less admin, = higher brand loyalty
– Bitlog WMS efficiently handles fast moving complex distribution strategies such as direct to consumer

Aviation
Now 37% of the U.A.E. economy
Aerospace MRO and spare manufacture is now a major industry in the UAE
Airlines only make money when flying. Service providers must offer exceptional service levels. When outsourcing, the main concern of air carriers is not how much it costs, but how the service provider will do what needs to be done.
Risk is compounded by the reduction in the number of suppliers from hundreds to dozens. The same is true of logistics providers: aerospace providers want to work with only one or two that understand the industry’s specialized needs and have the WMS systems to handle the scope and the SLA’s.
Aerospace supply chain managers must meet increasingly tight delivery time windows.
Aerospace companies are frequently requesting that 3PLs manage vendor relationships and inbound logistics.
SWAT—Space Warehousing Accelerated Transformation. To reduce inventory – without raising risk airlines may collaborate to centralise spares to reduce inventory while maintaining service levels.

Airline parts are high-value and have a limited lifecycle.
Each is monitored and replaced on a specific schedule.
Governments impose strict rules about tracing the location and history of airline parts, down to the serial number.
Reverse logistics is a part of the job —not only moving the parts, but monitoring those through repair, and return for service, and providing visibility to the carriers.
Tracking expectations are increasingly sophisticated and granular, with more data collection points and greater detail.
Air carriers want to search databases by reference, project, or purchase order number.
Parts are more specialized, with less ability to share these across airlines, thus complicating inventory management.
RFID and GPS are emerging to increase visibility and tracking of aircraft components.
Modern WMs systems are essential.

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Posted in Dubai and regional news, Events, Infor Financial solutions, Lean Concepts, Microsoft, Microsoft Dynamics Ax, Project Management, Sunsystems and Vision, Technology

Microsoft Retail – The customer experience

June 11th, 2015 by Stephen Jones No comments »

Duncan Taylor of Microsoft sharing his views on latest market trends and challenges in the Retail industry during the Dynamics Software Webinar on Ensuring customer satisfaction and enhancing business productivity.

Interesting insights on the new customer shopping journey.

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Posted in Microsoft, Microsoft Dynamics Ax

AEC Construction Software Provides Rapid ROI to Dubai projects

June 10th, 2015 by Stephen Jones No comments »

Nagarjuna Construction Company
Real, bottom line, profit increases in rapid time- less than 3 months.
Find out how we can bring your construction operations into the 21st century – see our videos on this blog site and call Vijay to learn more 00097143365589

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Posted in Construction Software, Microsoft, Microsoft Dynamics Ax, Technology