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.
"A valuable feature of Microsoft Dynamics AX is that it is stable."
"There's a moderate amount of scalability available."
"Support is really good."
"It was an okay solution when we delivered hardware and we had to do maintenance."
"The most valuable feature for us is the manufacturing module. It addresses our product costing for tuna canning."
"The most valuable feature is the workflow of the modules."
"Microsoft Dynamics is very stable."
"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."
"If you are well versed in SAP, the initial setup is pretty simple."
"Control and governance are the best features."
"The payroll solution and the localization for advances are valuable."
"Overall the solution is very good in the industry."
"ERP can help manage all enterprise resources. It brings them together and provides some analytical data to inform management decisions."
"The most valuable features of SAP ERP are the general operations. It has a good way to manage a business and do financial reporting. Overall we are happy with the robustness of the solution."
"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."
"This is a robust solution with a lot of control measures."
"Microsoft Dynamics AX can improve system performance and security. The security is basic and needs a lot of improvement."
"At times there are issues related to reporting, sometimes with the integration between two or three modules, and sometimes to the logic itself."
"The solution in general just needs a few quality improvements."
"Microsoft Dynamics AX can improve by having a more modern user interface. It should be more modular and dynamic. Additionally, the solution could be easier to connect with APIs with other technologies."
"There should be the capability for users to enhance the application by using a low-code or no-code product from the Microsoft family."
"This solution could be improved with more expert resources and an easier implementation process."
"There might be some features to support localizations that could be helpful to add."
"AX does take some time and maintenance."
"ERP could use better integration with other systems."
"The user interface could be improved. For example, sometimes you're missing some data and can't complete a task. There should be some built-in support and suggestions on how to solve your problem. I would also like the interface to be optimized to work better with mobile devices like tablets and smartphones."
"There is room for improvement in the integration of the solution, especially in the payroll area."
"Its user interface should be improved."
"The initial setup of SAP ERP is complex and it took a lot of time."
"The product can be a little slow when dealing with thousands of employee data."
"The service could be more user-friendly in the area of transition codes."
"The problem for us, we are one company that has seven home markets. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. When we need to configure, modify rules, change policies, or taxes rules, when we move currencies around based on our other financial results, it can get very complicated. When we try to join everything together we have some problems. However, the process good, all of our material and procurement processes are going well. The problem is trying to consolidate the financial reports and this is where I have problems."
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.