Microsoft Dynamics AX typically addresses industries in Manufacturing, Trade and Distribution, Retail and Professional Services.

Generally deployed on-premise on the customer's servers and IT infrastructure, a large number of organizations are currently using different versions from AX 2009 through AX 2012, after which Microsoft introduced MS Dynamics 365.

When designing and implementing such systems, an organization should seek a balance across four dimensions: risk and controls, process optimization, organization and people, and technology.