With digital transformation becoming a key enabler of success, a slew of companies are embracing technological advances to improve efficiency and throughput. With IT spending figures on the rise, and expected to reach almost in 2019, organizations are looking to embrace a number of emerging trends. While cloud adoption is the winner, ERP implementation continues to be an integral element of digital transformation; with the global ERP market expected to touch by 2020, and with the capabilities they offer to businesses of all sizes and types, modern ERPs are enabling geographically dispersed teams to easily and efficiently conduct all of their business operations through a unified interface.
Top 3 ERPs
As you look to digitize your business, and embark on the path to and true digital transformation by leveraging an ERP, the 3 obvious choices are Microsoft , , and . So, what do these ERPs offer? Which solution scores over the other two? Which solution is best suited for your business? Let’s find out!
Comparison chart
With Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, SAP S/4 HANA, and Oracle ERP Cloud all offering a variety of innovative features, and each investing heavily in modern technologies such as cloud, machine learning, and analytics, comparing them can be complex. However, here’s a comparison chart that gives a detailed snapshot of the many differences:
| Capability | Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations | SAP S/4 HANA | Oracle ERP Cloud |
| Cost | Lowest cost | Comparatively higher cost | Highest cost amongst the three ERPs |
| Architecture | Built from ground-up | Built from ground-up | Built by integrating several systems together |
| Payback period | Shortest | Longest | Comparatively short |
| Scalability | Easily scalable | Comparatively easy to scale | Not easily scalable |
| Audience | Medium and large businesses | Medium to large businesses | Medium to large businesses |
| Ease of use | Exceptionally easy to use; very short learning curve. | Complex GUI; steep learning curve. | Slightly complex UI; long learning curve. |
| Implementation time | Shortest implementation time. | Comparatively short implementation. | Longest implementation time due to development of custom modules. |
| Customization | Easy to customize. | Comparatively difficult to customize. | Easy to customize. |
| Integration | Seamless integration with Microsoft and non-Microsoft products. | Offers only native integration. | Seamless integration with Oracle and non-Oracle products. |
Why Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations wins
In a technology-driven business world, businesses need to quickly respond to changing market conditions and customer needs while simultaneously driving growth. Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations enables businesses to break departmental silos and aids in responding to rapid changes of the business environment with the required agility.
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Although SAP S/4 HANA and Oracle ERP Cloud have a lot to offer to digitally growing enterprises, here’s why Dynamics 365 scores over the other two:
- Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations is the most economical ERP solution; the architecture is fairly straightforward, and the implementation is simple.
- The solution is customizable and can be easily integrated with other systems in the Microsoft suite, as well as with third-party systems using the Common Data Model.
- Fully integrated modules across manufacturing, retail and others help organizations in supporting accounts as well as day-to-day operations.
- The solution is mainly user-friendly; the familiar Microsoft interface makes adoption easy and widespread.
- The basic layout of modules is simple; therefore, the learning curve is the shortest, and training costs the least.
The road ahead
For organizations with the “think global, act local” mantra, Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations enables expansion of products and services beyond borders of geography, markets, line of products, services and customer segments. The road ahead is paved with enhanced features and functionalities that are business-oriented, innovative and practical across verticals. Core priorities include focus on extending data access, features and functionalities to employees - from any device, at any time, via secure channels. Here’s what the road ahead looks like for Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations:
The right decision counts
With organizations facing a variety of challenges in the business world, embarking on the road to digital transformation can enable them to be extremely agile, respond quickly to market changes, and always stay ahead of competition especially through technologies like ERP. Although SAP S/4 HANA and Oracle ERP Cloud are strong contenders in the ERP market, given the capabilities of such as its easy-to-use interface, numerous integration options, customized workflows, and lower implementation and support costs, it can enable you to break the many silos that exist between business processes, and help drive digital transformation. Make sure to carefully evaluate the product roadmap, choose the functionality and features you need, and forever transform the way you conduct your business.
Learn more about Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations and how to power digital transformation into your finance and business operations.
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About the Author - Nanditha Kini
Nanditha Kini is a Sr. Manager Pre-sales - Dynamics AX, at Indusa with close to 10 years of IT advisory experience, which includes ERP product sales and implementation experience: pre-sales, client engagement management, implementation strategizing, project planning and management, change management, business process transformation, and system training and support. Contributing Author: |
Hi Anchal, there are a number of factors. And quite interestingly, that's one of the topics I'm currently researching. Sp give me some time to come out with a paper on it. 🙂 On the tip of it, SAP has always had the beginners' advantage and the rigidity in the ERP has worked to its advantage. These are 2 reasons. People are excited that the "old reliable" ERP has also forayed into the world of cloud ERPs'. But, having said that, Dynamics isn't lagging behind in terms of features, functionalities or performance anymore. It's a new potential market leader and for people to accept it will take time and a lot more marketing by MS and partners. 🙂 That's my take. But wait for the paper.
Even being with so many complications, SAP is still in demand. A good number of companies are still choosing SAP over Oracle and Dynamic 365. What makes them do so and what are the demerits of other two ERP's that do not make them a choice for some.