We performed a comparison between Microsoft Dynamics AX and SAP ERP based on our users’ reviews in five categories. After reading all of the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.
Comparison Results: In this comparison, users of both solutions share mixed opinions on deployment and support. The major difference between the two products is that Microsoft Dynamics AX users find the interface to be very functional, whereas SAP ERP users feel that the ERPs UI is complicated and frustrating. In addition, SAP ERP users agree across the board that it is an expensive product.
"It is easy to use, and it has a great UI. It has very well-structured modules. In terms of setup and configuration, they're logically placed, which makes it easy for any user to pick up information and learn more about the system, rather than just be plain key users of that business operating system."
"There's a moderate amount of scalability available."
"The most valuable feature of Microsoft Dynamics AX is customization."
"In terms of features, GP offers a wide range of strong capabilities, particularly in the financial module."
"This solution's most valuable feature is its workflow for purchase orders and inventory."
"Almost all of the features that we use are efficient. Live master planning successfully handles all of our company's requirements."
"The stability is very good."
"The performance is good."
"Finance view across functions is valuable."
"The solution has made the most significant impact on our human resources function, specifically in HR operations and HR analytics. One feature of SAP ERP that I found most valuable is its use of codes for accessing specific functions."
"It is a utility-focused solution, and the deployment is very much aligned with utility service providers. If you look at the supply chain and the overall business model of a utility service provider, SAP is something that fits very well. That's because the company has invested tremendously in creating appropriate workflows pertaining to this segment or domain."
"The most valuable features are the ease of installation and the MM functionality."
"Heavy integration is available with all types of systems, and we use it."
"SAP ERP's interface is pretty easy nowadays, as it has evolved over time and has been made as user-friendly as a person would like it."
"The Material Management and Sales and Distribution modules are great. The Financial Accounting module is also great."
"Well-integrated multilingual technology."
"The database requires a huge CPU and memory resources."
"The on-premises and desktop versions are not user-friendly."
"There is also slowness in database backup."
"If I had to add something in the next release, it would probably be a mobile application for a sister application of Dynamics 365; not the ERP but the Dynamics 365 HR solution. It would definitely help if we could have Microsoft or a Microsoft partner introduce a mobile application for it."
"At times there are issues related to reporting, sometimes with the integration between two or three modules, and sometimes to the logic itself."
"The product must be made accessible online."
"The general speed of the solution needs improvement."
"The older version of Microsoft Dynamics AX that we are using is not as scalable as the newer version."
"Customizations are a bit expensive."
"Its user interface should be improved."
"The problem with SAP is that whenever there is a modification, or if a new field needs to be added, they charge tens of thousands, hundreds, or even two hundred thousand dollars. That is not anything in which I am really interested. For instance, consider a single-use case. I have to enter the root causes for a certain operation or failure. That option does not exist anywhere in SAP, not in manufacturing, not in logistics, not in anything. It is completely missing. The root cause analysis is very common across industries, yet SAP does not offer this option. A line field or a metaparticle, for example, was delayed. If you have the choice to input the warehouse operator or if the person who submitted the document has the opportunity to enter, this has been postponed for N, X, Y, or Z reasons."
"In general, a user should attend training before they can use this platform. There's definitely a learning curve. As a new user or employee, there may be some difficulty with onboarding."
"The integration with others application could be easier. There are many different features that this solution offers which could be easier to implement."
"If big companies are going for SAP and they would like to install it, they should know that it still needs time. Implementation will cost a lot of money."
"It could always be cheaper. There is no doubt about it."
"It's very difficult to find people who are well versed in it."
Microsoft Dynamics AX is ranked 7th in ERP with 51 reviews while SAP ERP is ranked 1st in ERP with 100 reviews. Microsoft Dynamics AX is rated 7.6, while SAP ERP is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of Microsoft Dynamics AX writes "A stable product that offers excellent ROI and reliable technical support". On the other hand, the top reviewer of SAP ERP writes "The amazing, robust framework with unlimited scalability earns its #1 status". Microsoft Dynamics AX is most compared with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, SAP S/4HANA, Oracle E-Business Suite, Microsoft Dynamics GP and Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP, whereas SAP ERP is most compared with SAP S/4HANA, Anaplan, SAP Business One, Infor M3 and Infor LN. See our Microsoft Dynamics AX vs. SAP ERP report.
See our list of best ERP vendors.
We monitor all ERP reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.
For starters, I would stop comparing tools, and start looking at my business and what I want to achieve. So identify objectives and what's blocking achievement, define quality outcomes for the obejctives you want to achieve and build your businesscase on efficiency improvement. What earnings, savings, benefits are achieved when meeting your obectives.
Based on the blocking issues you identified, build use cases and challenge vendors to prove their outcome by building a PoV (Proof of Value).
Basically start looking for what improvement your business and processes need, rather than start looking for a tool. After all a tool is just a tool.
As a followup, I would not 'assume world class ERP has these features covered'.
We've seen several actual cases of RFP's (which is why we no longer rely on this outdated capital procurement process to evaluate strategic deployments) - but we've seen where several vendors will check YES to the RFP question concerning a certain feature. Company A does the certain feature well, with a single click. A couple other vendors do it OK, and a couple of the YES answerers require everyone to log out of the system, balance the outlying modules, jump through 6 undecipherable processes, and then YES - it does that.
If that particular feature is something you need 15 or 20 times a day, well, you're probably starting an expensive and long running development effort if you picked the wrong ERP.
The main point is, ERP evaluations need to be a defined process by which you don't make assumptions, skip steps, and your methodology should be repeatedly proven across multiple instances, industries, and shown to deliver with different internal teams (who's mileage may vary).
ERP has the potential to be wildly successful and given a solid business case, provide the tools for your staff to create substantial returns. It also has the potential for abject failure, and that potential for failure is north of 80%, industrywide. So your choices are whether you are comfortable with a big pile of money or a large vat of risk.
Only you can determine your comfort zone.
1. Your business is well defined?
SAP ERP = Company has to organize my directions. Microsoft ERP = I have to organize the company's directions.
2.Which industry do you stay in? In the SAP is more suitable for "Manufacturing", ERP is more suitable for "Retail and Distribution". The rest of the industries are the same difference.
3. Your business logics are too complicated? Microsoft Dynamics can be adapted easily.
4. On-Premise vs Cloud? On-Premise = SAP, Cloud = Microsoft
5. Reporting? It's too hard to access Microsoft Data today. Because no one can be accessed the operational data directly.
6. Commerce? Microsoft Commerce platform is well defined for omnichannel commerce.
I think.
Do you want to do it for a specific purpose or to tick a box?
Lets assume you are looking for system deployment. I would focus on the key areas of your business rather than what Gene has listed below, which is looking at point for point comparisons. (The Panorama report is SUPERB for getting up to speed....)
Then look at weighting for specific key business differentiation opportunities - such as single global instance for multiple companies, integrated CRM into Finance and Operations, off-line capabilities for customer facing processes, seamless transfer of customer conversations from one channel to another.
Then ask for client references to answer 5 key questions:
- Are they live?
- how was the deployment support from the OEM/partner and what was the % work split required to go live (as in your input vs partner vs OEM)
- how many customisations were requried to achieve xxx (your key areas)
- would they use the OEM again and what would they change going forward
Then look at demonstration from the OEM and costing for the solution
I would not go on a tender for each and every feature and function because we assume world class solutions have these typical areas covered.
Happy to discuss how to do this practically if required. Daniel@liferocksconsulting.co.za
I think Panorama Consulting Group publishes some of their ERP shootouts comparing SAP/Oracle/Microsoft with Infor thrown in as a bonus.
Our firm is more of a boutique operation that compares internal company requirements then picks software known for its propensity to work well in those industries/environments. But if you get to the stage where you need some guidance on who some of the top partners and resources are for those software packages, hit us up.