Microsoft Dynamics 365 v SAP Business One

A whole-business, cloud-based ERP (enterprise resource management) solution is rapidly becoming essential for every type and size or organisation. Two of the most popular ERP options around the globe are Microsoft Dynamic 365 and SAP Business One, so which one is right for your business?

Why ERP?

As companies evolve and grow, they often find themselves with a number of different data sources for different business functions, all held in different places on different software. As the organisation becomes more complex it gets harder to keep track of and co-ordinate such diverse data. This results in a lack of strategic vision; departments fail to communicate with each other, or can only do so when data is laboriously transferred from one set of software to another. The right ERP system is the smart solution.

Which ERP?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 and SAP Business One can both integrate the organisation’s business functions into a single unified platform, from financials to inventory management, sales management and HR to manufacturing. Both will also allow key people to access the integrated information anywhere on any online device. So far so similar – so which one’s best?

Affordability

The simple fact is that Dynamics 365 costs less and is easier to implement. So does SAP Business One provide better value for its higher cost? At Fabric we don’t find that to be the case.

Scalability

Dynamics 365 also has the edge in adaptability. SAP Business One is designed for small-to-mid sized companies, but can struggle to adapt as they grow. Dynamics 365 is designed for scalability, so it can grow with you. It’s also a more robust platform that can accommodate a broader array of business models. So if your business changes or diversifies, you won’t need to switch to a different ERP.

Extendability

Backed by all the resources of Microsoft, Dynamics 365 offers more than 750 add-on solutions via their AppSource marketplace. And of course Dynamics 365 synchronises and integrates seamlessly with the full array of other Microsoft business applications, including must-haves such as Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel. Contrast this with the SAP Business Center, which offers just 37 apps for Business One. One glaring example is that SAP Business One users have to rely on a third-party add-on for their payroll function.

Customisability

SAP Business One is also less flexible to implement and customise than Dynamics 365. Business One deployments include at least ten core modules. You have to have them all, whether you need their functionality or not. Not so with Dynamics 365, which allows you to select individual modules and customise a solution aligned with the way your specific business operates.

Conclusion

At Fabric we are a Microsoft Gold Partner and recommend Dynamics 365 for most SME clients. We believe that when compared with SAS Business One, Microsoft Dynamics 365 is lower cost, better value and more scalable. Choose it and you’ll be in good company. It’s already being used by at least 170,000 companies around the world. It’s a better long-term fit for most growing organisations, especially when implemented by the expert Fabric team.