Microsoft Dynamics AX vs SAP ERP comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary
Updated on Nov 13, 2022

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.

  • Ease of Deployment: Users of both products give mixed reviews regarding the ease of their deployment.
  • Features: Users of both products are happy with their stability and scalability.

    Users of Microsoft Dynamics AX like the solution’s UI functionality, flexibility, and ease of use. Reviewers mention the database backup is slow sometimes, the reporting needs improvement, and that overall the solution needs to be simplified.

    SAP ERP users like the solution’s ability to integrate with other SAP functionalities, its control and governance software, and its high level of scalability. Reviewers of SAP ERP say the user interface is clumsy and complicated to use.
  • Pricing: Microsoft Dynamics AX users share varied opinions on the product’s pricing. Some feel it is reasonable while others feel it is costly. SAP ERP reviewers say the solution is expensive.
  • Service and Support: Users of both solutions express mixed views regarding the level of support.
  • ROI: Microsoft Dynamics AX users report a positive ROI. SAP ERP users do not mention ROI.

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.

To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft Dynamics AX vs. SAP ERP Report (Updated: March 2024).
763,955 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"Supply Chain Management is an excellent feature.""In terms of features, GP offers a wide range of strong capabilities, particularly in the financial module.""The performance is good.""The product is easier to use and has more efficient workflow management features than other vendors.""If anyone is familiar with Microsoft products then they can handle it easily.""The installation is extremely simple, and I have had no problems with it.""Support is really good.""The most valuable feature of Microsoft Dynamics AX is customization."

More Microsoft Dynamics AX Pros →

"The solution provides a high level of integration.""It has a lot of integrity of data, and it is fast. All the users feel that they can trust this data. So, data integrity is the most important value of SAP.""It is an integrated application, and it has been working really well. Earlier, there were different companies for different applications for manufacturing, finance controlling, logistics, and quality. It probably was the first fully integrated application. Whenever somebody is entering any data, for example, invoice data or ordering data, everyone with a right to see this data can see it in the system.""The most valuable features of SAP ERP are the integration between all departments, such as purchasing, finance, trading, and sales.""MDG provides a central location for governance of the creation/updating processes of master data. It allows you to change several fields in the same object. For example, we can change a field on the purchasing view and change another field on an accounting view to the same material at the same time.""The accounting module's record and report process is closely integrated with almost every other process.""The stability and performance are good.""Finance view across functions is valuable."

More SAP ERP Pros →

Cons
"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.""Microsoft Dynamics AX could be improved by having more features available. We are going to 365 now, to use all the modules, because we found that there weren't many new things we were able to develop with AX. There were a lot of things that weren't available, so we are moving and integrating other things. The customization of upgrades should also be faster. We would also like to see more security features.""There is no Arabic interface in Microsoft Business Central, which is a big weak point.""We experienced some challenges with the mobile apps due to the insufficient processing capacity to handle the workload effectively.""The initial setup can be complex at times and has room for improvement.""The database requires a huge CPU and memory resources.""This solution could be improved with more expert resources and an easier implementation process.""The product takes some training to get up to speed on all functionality and modules in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 ERP system."

More Microsoft Dynamics AX Cons →

"It needs a more complete guidance with complete processes. Right now, it only has single transactions.""The reporting feature could improve in SAP ERP. It could benefit from being more flexible.""Customizations are a bit expensive.""I believe there's room for improvement in terms of user experience.""SAP ERP was not very user-friendly.""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.""There are a lot of manual tasks that are used by a lot of people, so it is a very good candidate for RPA.""One thing that is lacking in ERP is a good user interface. It is currently very clumsy and complex. Another thing is that reporting capability of SAP ERP is customizable, but it is not very good. Its development time is also very high if you require specialized technical services. If you want to do any changes to the report or develop a new report, you need people with specialized skills. Business processes are very straightforward and standardized as per the industry standards. However, the way it works is a bit complex, and you need to know a lot of things. There are different things that can be complex for a general user. A lot of information is being provided in ERP. A general user doesn't require all this information, and it creates a lot of confusion. Its learning curve is very high."

More SAP ERP Cons →

Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "Go for cloud implementation, if cost is critical."
  • "One client was looking at a $5M SAP proposal and we got AX in just under $2M, and they were very happy with it as they have several sister companies that face $500K SAP upgrades/maintenance seemingly annually."
  • "The pricing is expensive."
  • "It's too expensive for customers to take this on themselves. As partners, we will buy this on behalf of the customers and then charge this value for each project."
  • "It is $180 to $200 per user per month with a minimum of 20 users, which makes selling the product a bit difficult."
  • "I don't know how much this solution costs off the top of my head, but I know that the cloud and SaaS solutions are cheaper."
  • "It has a pay-as-you-go subscription."
  • "The initial investment cost goes up due to the hidden cost."
  • More Microsoft Dynamics AX Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "SAP ECC is not cheap but I consider it the best system for managing an organization's data and processes."
  • "This is a costly product."
  • "There are licensing costs."
  • "Some components are available at an additional cost, depending on the type of contract that you have."
  • "The licensing costs are slightly on the higher side. They need to make it more competitive."
  • "SAP is a bit on the costly side, but they also provide support and other things. We are paying for licenses and the use of the cloud."
  • "SAP ERP is expensive."
  • "When you have a solution that is stable, reliable, and has a high performance as this solution, the price is going to be expensive. However, when you evaluate the service you are paying for the cost is quite reasonable for this solution."
  • More SAP ERP Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Answers from the Community
    Vincenzo Catalano
    Roland Zuurveld - PeerSpot reviewerRoland Zuurveld
    Real User

    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.

    Gene Hammons - PeerSpot reviewerGene Hammons
    Real User

    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. 


    Okay Akdeniz - PeerSpot reviewerOkay Akdeniz
    Real User

    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.


    Daniel Robus - PeerSpot reviewerDaniel Robus
    Real User

    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

    Gene Hammons, MBA - PeerSpot reviewerGene Hammons, MBA
    MSP

    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. 

    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:The product's most valuable features are its day-to-day operations, Power BI-driven workspaces, and homepage.
    Top Answer:Microsoft Dynamics AX should include more connectors for third-party integrations. It should also include more features that AI models can govern. Challenges in data migration for Microsoft Dynamics… more »
    Top Answer:The tool's foundational layers include finance, basic product management, and inventory management, universally applicable across various industries. The finance module can be utilized independently… more »
    Top Answer:There are different aspects of both Anaplan and SAP ERP that I like and dislike. Anaplan improves forecast accuracy and drives up the quality of analytics. Rather than spending all of their time… more »
    Top Answer:The most valuable features of SAP ERP are its stability, industry-specific package, and adaptable configuration.
    Top Answer:One challenge we face with SAP ERP is the push to upgrade to S/4HANA, which comes with significant costs. While SAP encourages this transition, we need to carefully evaluate factors like our team's… more »
    Ranking
    7th
    out of 66 in ERP
    Views
    6,706
    Comparisons
    5,319
    Reviews
    25
    Average Words per Review
    424
    Rating
    7.5
    1st
    out of 66 in ERP
    Views
    21,994
    Comparisons
    19,694
    Reviews
    36
    Average Words per Review
    433
    Rating
    8.4
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Dynamics AX, Axapta, MS Dynamics AX
    Learn More
    Overview

    Microsoft Dynamics AX is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution designed to support the business processes of organizations in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and professional services. The solution offers a comprehensive set of tools and features to support financial management, supply chain management, human resources management, and project management, among others.

    With Dynamics AX, organizations can manage their financial operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management. It also offers tools for managing the supply chain, including inventory management, purchase order management, and sales order management. Dynamics AX also supports human resources management, including employee self-service, benefits administration, and payroll. Overall, it is a flexible and scalable platform for organizations of all sizes.

    Microsoft Dynamics AX Features

    Microsoft Dynamics AX has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

    • Financial management: Microsoft Dynamics AX offers tools for managing financial operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management.
    • Supply chain management: It supports the management of supply chain operations, including inventory management, purchase order management, and sales order management.
    • Human resources management: The human resources management feature includes tools for managing human resources operations, including employee self-service, benefits administration, and payroll.
    • Project management: Microsoft Dynamics AX has tools for managing projects, including project tracking, project billing, and resource management.
    • Manufacturing: The solution supports the management of manufacturing operations, including product configuration, production planning, and quality management.
    • Retail: Microsoft Dynamics AX offers tools for managing retail operations, including point of sale (POS), merchandising, and customer management.
    • Professional services: The solution’s professional services include project management, time and expense tracking, and billing.
    • Reporting and analytics: With Microsoft Dynamics AX, business intelligence and reporting capabilities help organizations gain insight into their operations and make data-driven decisions.


    Microsoft Dynamics AX Benefits

    There are many benefits to implementing Microsoft Dynamics AX. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

    • Comprehensive: Microsoft Dynamics AX integrates with other Microsoft solutions, such as Office 365 and Power Platform, to provide a comprehensive and integrated solution for business management.
    • Streamlined operations: The solution helps organizations streamline and automate their financial, supply chain, and human resources operations, improving efficiency and reducing manual effort.
    • Customization: Microsoft Dynamics AX is a highly customizable solution that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of a wide range of industries and organizations.

    Reviews from Real Users

    Microsoft Dynamics AX is a solution that stands out when compared to many of its competitors. Some of its major advantages are its UI functionality, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.

    "The most valuable feature I've found is the UI functionality,” says Navnath B., Head IT and CIO at Mutual Automotive Pvt Ltd.

    Another PeerSpot reviewer, Timpa A., IT Manager at an energy/utilities company says he like the solution because "It is flexible and cost-effective."

    Shahzad I., ERP Project Manager & Managing Consultant at Liwa Education, Iranfava, explains, “It's good for retail businesses. It expands a lot and constantly brings on new features. It's got a lot of competitive features.”

    SAP ERP addresses the core business software requirements of midsize and large organizations in all industries and sectors. SAP ERP includes four individual solutions that support key areas of enterprise resource planning: human capital management, financials, operations, corporate services.
    Sample Customers
    ConQuaestor, D & H Distributing, Sunny Queen, Mesa Associates, Britax Childcare, Ibema, Arafa, Sabo S.p.A.
    B&G Manufacturing, Unilever, Life is good Inc., Joy Global Inc., City of Cape Town, Bhopal Municipal, Corporation (BMC), adidas Group, Butcher & Packer Supply Company, Franklin Valve L.P., Evoshield, Prime Meats, a Norsan Group company, EMC Corporation, Varian Medical Systems Inc., FC Bayern Mªnchen AG, AkzoNobel Chemicals B.V., T¾V Rheinland, Pacific Drilling S.A., Fire & Rescue New South Wales, University of Amsterdam, Pa_alon S.A.
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Manufacturing Company34%
    Computer Software Company14%
    Retailer9%
    Financial Services Firm9%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company14%
    Manufacturing Company11%
    Retailer6%
    Educational Organization6%
    REVIEWERS
    Manufacturing Company26%
    Computer Software Company10%
    Financial Services Firm9%
    Pharma/Biotech Company9%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Manufacturing Company12%
    Computer Software Company11%
    Educational Organization6%
    Financial Services Firm6%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business47%
    Midsize Enterprise24%
    Large Enterprise29%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business28%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise55%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business20%
    Midsize Enterprise22%
    Large Enterprise57%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business22%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise63%
    Buyer's Guide
    Microsoft Dynamics AX vs. SAP ERP
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft Dynamics AX vs. SAP ERP and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    763,955 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Microsoft Dynamics AX is ranked 7th in ERP with 25 reviews while SAP ERP is ranked 1st in ERP with 37 reviews. Microsoft Dynamics AX is rated 7.6, while SAP ERP is rated 8.0. The top reviewer of Microsoft Dynamics AX writes "The sales and distribution modules are robust, and reliable, and seldom encounter issues". 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.