Comparison of Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365

Executive Summary: Dynamics 365 Enterprise Edition is the souped up version of Dynamics AX available in the Cloud, or in a Hybrid model giving your company flexibility to do business from almost any device, at any time as long as a WI-FI connection is available.  The package deal includes:

• Dynamics 365 for Operations
• PowerBI
• Azure IoT Suite
• Adobe Marketing Suite
• Cortana
• Power Apps & Flow

 If your business demands an on-premise version, the integration of the Azure platform's connected apps listed above will not work without your data being stored in the cloud.

Updated 04/19/2017: The ERP world is changing rapidly due to to cloud implementations as there are big differences in implementing in the cloud versus on-premise; this blog "Comparison of Dynamics AX versus Dynamics 365" hopes to explain the new buying options, and terms.

How to get Dynamics 365 for Operations (AX 7)?

The new release of Dynamics 365 for Operations (AX 7) can be purchased as a stand alone product for over 20 users in the public cloud, and will be offered as both a hybrid solution in 2017 (meaning your company can use it's own data centers), or on-premise.  Dynamics 365 for operations once referred to as AX 7 is a game changer for ERP in that it can be used anytime, anywhere, on any device and it includes development space.  A package deal including CRM will soon also be available on Microsoft Azure cloud platform by subscribing to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise Edition plan 2 (more details below).

What is Microsoft Dynamics 365?

Microsoft Dynamics 365, a cloud-based application experience based on a common data model allowing Microsoft's current CRM and ERP cloud solutions to be deployed in one cloud service with new role based subscriptions.  The Dynamics 365 apps are designed so they can be easily and independently deployed. Your business can start with the apps you need, and as your business demands, you can adopt additional capabilities with ease as all the apps work together. The purpose-built apps help manage specific business functions like field service, customer service, and project service automation.  Dynamics 365 can be purchased in several ways:  the main categories include Dynamics 365 Business Edition or Dynamics 365 Enterprise Edition.

The Business Edition plan 

• Optimized for 10-250 Employees
• Comprises Project ‘Madeira’ & Future Sales & Marketing Solutions
• Cloud Only
• Max 300 seats
• Financials (Q4 2016 U.S.A. and Canada only)
• Sales and Marketing (future)
• Field Service
• Customer Service
• Project Service Automation

Dynamics 365 Enterprise Plan 1 includes CRM and these Application Options

• Optimized for 250+ Employees
• Min 20 seats on select offers
• Powerapps that use the Microsoft common data model (see below)
• Flow (New App - see more below)
• CRM
• Sales
• Field Service
• Customer Service
• Project Service Automation

Plan one does not include operations (aka AX 7) whereas, Dynamics 365 plan 2 includes plan 1 and Operations or AX(7) and Adobe Marketing Cloud.

AX (7) will be referred to as Operations in Dynamics 365 Enterprise Edition.

The differences between Dynamics AX versus Dynamics 365

The difference of Dynamics AX versus Dynamics 365 Enterprise Edition is that your company can purchase plans and not just an on premise application. Licensing is more flexible as well.

The plans for Dynamics 365 are offered in two ways: Right now its referred to as plan 1 & plan 2.

Read more about Powerapps, Flow and release dates by reading the blog, "Dynamics AX (7) versus Dynamics 365 Enterprise Edition."

Dynamics 365 for Operations will be available to purchase on-premise starting in June 2017 and a preview will begin in April.  The special caveat to remaining on premise is as follows:  The on-premise data will not  benefit from Microsoft's intelligence capabilities of embedded analytics, machine learning, or other capabilities available to cloud subscribers.

At Clients First Business Solutions, we are a Microsoft Gold Partner with a team of tenured specialists with core competencies in the implementation and support of Microsoft Dynamics AX.  In fact we have over 180 years combined experience in Dynamics AX.  To explore all the capabilities of Dynamics AX and find out how this business solution can help your manufacturing or MRO organization achieve its full potential, contact our sales team at 800.331.8382 or email sales@clientsfirst-tx.com.   Our Clients First Texas and Minnesota offices offer Dynamics AX ERP to the medium to large manufacturer and MRO across the United States and in 11 countries and counting.   Call us today to see how Dynamics AX can transform your business.

by Anita Smallwood, Clients First, Texas