By Jamie Roberts
When your business needs a new software solution, it sometimes seems like the choices are endless, making it nearly impossible to make a decision.
In a market saturated with options, we thought we’d give you a helping hand. We’re running a series of comparison articles and first up are two of the major cloud-based forces: NetSuite vs Microsoft Dynamics. In this blog post, we will pit two of the big-hitters against each other in a NetSuite vs Microsoft Dynamics head-to-head situation. The two vendors have a host of similarities, with both targeting small to midsize companies by offering CRM, ERP and e-commerce solutions.
NetSuite is a ‘pure’ cloud solution, with just a username and password required to access your information. Microsoft Dynamics GRP and Microsoft Dynamics SL, on the other hand, are hosted solutions.
We will answer any questions you may have about comparing the two vendors to make sure you make a well-informed final decision and relieve you of any stress. First, we’ll examine ERP systems, but if it’s CRM information that you’re looking for, click here to speed on through.
NetSuite ERP is a system targeted at high-growing mid-sized companies and automates front and back-office processes, including:
Microsoft Dynamics GP revamps the ‘old faithful’ Microsoft productivity tools, such as MS Office, MS SharePoint, and SQL databases to help enterprises efficiently manage their finances. It offers businesses the chance to use a cloud-based system via third-party partners but also gives you the option to implement an on-premise system.
Netuite doesn’t publicly list their prices, with businesses who are interested in using the software needing to contact the company or a provider directly. They will then provide them with a customized quote to suit their needs. The number of monthly system users, add-ons, and modules that your company needs to determine the price.
MS Dynamics GP, on the other hand, is sold via an independent software vendor (ISV). These are a network of accredited resellers, and their pricing models include:
Perpetual licensing is designed to give small and medium-sized enterprises an affordable upfront license fee. To set this up, you must pay a monthly fee to an ISV.
Subscription licensing allows a business to keep the upfront cost to a minimum as they are set up on a per-user, per-month basis.
A Dynamics GP subscription fee costs $214 per named user/per month, or $239 if you are using the Dynamics GP extended pack. There is also a one-off data setup fee of $2,495. This covers backups, security and server maintenance, as well as including the Microsoft Business Ready Enhancement Plan. SQL, Windows, Office Professional and all other supporting licensing are also included, but ISV product subscriptions require an additional monthly fee.
Like a Dynamics GP subscription fee, a Dynamics GP hosting fee for ‘buy your own license’ requires a one-time data center setup fee of $2,495. The price per user/per month is $134, or $159 if you need the Dynamics GP extended pack. You will own all the dexterity-based ISV products at no added cost and, like the previous option, you will receive SQL, Windows, Office Professional and all other supporting licensing. However, it doesn’t include the Microsoft Business Ready Enhancement Plan.
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NetSuite ERP’s features can be broken down into eight categories:
Category | Features |
Accounting |
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Fixed asset management |
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Payment management |
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Demand planning |
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Manufacturing |
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Inventory control and warehouse management |
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Billing management and invoicing |
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Inventory control and warehouse management |
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Purchasing and vendor management |
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Microsoft Dynamics GP is also broken down into five categories:
Category | Features |
Financial management |
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Human resources management |
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Business intelligence and reporting |
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Workspace collaboration |
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Supply chain management |
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So, it’s clear that both NetSuite ERP and Microsoft Dynamics GP have an extensive list of features to offer your business. But, not all can be advantageous, right? Let’s have a look at what’s good and bad about both systems to help you make that vital decision.
As with ERP, there are plenty of options to choose from if you require CRM products. And again, it’s crucial that you thoroughly compare vendors before choosing which CRM is most suitable for your business.
Here, we will discuss precisely what NetSuite CRM is, what Microsoft Dynamics 365 is, as well as comparing pricing and features, before allowing you to read the pros and cons of both systems.
NetSuite boasts that its robust and powerful CRM solution can provide a company with a complete full view of their customers in real time and ‘drives the complete customer lifecycle.’ It can provide users with more than just the traditional features on offer by most CRM systems.
The product, released in 2005, marked NetSuite’s shift from sole accounting software to a comprehensive business solution provider.
Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 CRM solution is a repackaged version of what used to be the Dynamics CRM Online tool. Launched two years before NetSuite CRM, Dynamics 365 didn’t start life in cloud form until 2011.
Like NetSuite ERP, the price guide for NetSuite CRM+ is available on request by contacting NetSuite or a solution provider directly. With a subscription pricing model, costs start at $129 per month.
Dynamics 365, on the other hand, is much more transparent with how much you’d be expected to pay for the solution. Price guides come in two sections: Enterprise edition and Business edition. In each version, there are different plans which you can pay for.
For full use of Dynamic 365’s applications in a single comprehensive and cost-efficient option, a business should choose the Dynamics 365 plan, which starts at $210 per user/month.
A cheaper alternative would be the Unified Operations plan. This will cost you $190 per user/month and will allow you access to all the applications which will help connect and manage your business operations.
The Customer Engagement plan costs $115 per user/month and offers use of the applications that support your customer relationships as well as build them.
If it’s just specific applications you require, the price ranges from $40 to $170 per user/month but gives you the option to upgrade your plans as your business grows.
For full access to application functionality, you can expect to pay $40 per user/month for the Full user pricing plan. Team members will pay from as low as $5 per user/month to have access to basic processes that allow you to execute light tasks.
If you have purchased the Full user plan, you will get the External accountant license free, which gains you access to the service at no extra cost.
NetSuite recognizes the fact that successful companies are responsive to customer needs and split their product into easily accessible modules which all offer different features.
Module | Features |
Sales Force Automation |
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Customer service and support |
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Marketing automation |
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Ecommerce and flexible customization |
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Users of Microsoft Dynamics 365 have the option to pick and choose which features they need for their business. This is beneficial as, on top of the major apps provided, there’s the opportunity to utilize their additional apps, including:
The main modules offer a host of features. Here’s an overview:
Module | Features |
Dynamics 365 for customer service |
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Microsoft social engagement |
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Dynamics 365 for sales |
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If you’re still unsure on which ERP or CRM system will be the best fit for your business, both Dynamics 365 and NetSuite offer a free trial of their software that can help you see first hand which you will benefit from most. This post also gives an overview of what an ERP and CRM cloud system can do for your business.
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