Dynamics 365: Learn in doing: AX2012 Data Migration Framework

What is AX2012 Data Migration Framework?
It is an extension to AX 2012 that provides a way to migrate data from external sources to AX 2012. Data that you can migrate include master data, open stock and balances.

Where can you download it from?
The Data Migration Framework is available from the InformationSource services download page. (you will need an active Partner source ID to download this Beta 2 version)

What are the advantages?
The Beta 2 version of the DMF includes support for the following new features:

ODBC connections as a data source.
Microsoft Dynamics AX databases as a data source. You can now export and import Microsoft Dynamics AX, and copy company information by using Data Migration Framework entities.
Direct table and composite entity types.

A direct table entity enables you to migrate data from a source to a target Microsoft Dynamics AX table directly, without going through a staging table or applying any business logic.
The direct table entity must be a one to one mapping from source to target.
A composite entity groups multiple related entities together. An example of a composite entity is a Sales Order and Sales Line entities combined together.
The composite entities are supported only for file data sources.

Parallel execution of threads to move data from staging to target tables.
Using the DMF as a service. The framework can now be executed by external applications.
Error-handling enhancements. The DMF provides more detailed logs, and can skip rows that contain errors.
Number sequence support.
Remote installations of Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services. It is no longer necessary to install Integration Services on the same computer as the Application Object Server (AOS).