IFS Applications is unique in that it allows you to select from over 100 business components which in turn are made up from more than 6,000 smaller software components. Each component has a well-defined purpose and interface that describes what the component does. This allows change and evolution within a component without affecting other components. You benefit by being able to choose only the business components you need and add others as needed without affecting other components. IFS

Best For:

We recommend IFS for organizations in the Aerospace and Defense, Energy Utilities and Resources, Construction and Engineering, Manufacturing, and Service Industries. The software is tailored for sectors requiring robust asset management, service delivery, and industry-specific functionalities.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central provides finance, human resources, operations, marketing, sales, and more functionalities. It is a part of Microsoft’s suite of enterprise applications and integrates seamlessly with services like Office 365, Power BI, and Azure.

Best For:

Dynamics 365 Business Central is best suited for small companies with 10-50 employees and midsize businesses with 50-200. This cloud-based solution fits the manufacturing, retail, healthcare, financial services, nonprofit, and professional services industries.

10.0

USER RATING

based on 1 user reviews

Our Verdict:

IFS Cloud can be tailored to various industries, making it widely popular. Its ability to seamlessly integrate all business functions such as human capital management and asset management is commendable. The platform’s composable environment ensures adaptability, allowing businesses to select functionalities as per their needs and expand over time.

However, potential users should be aware of some usability concerns. While many appreciate its robust functionality, a few users have found the interface to be less intuitive than desired. This might pose a slight learning curve for newcomers.

Pros:

Lots of functionality included
Easy Excel exports
Customer support is very responsive

Cons:

Some users reported performance issues
Unintuitive user interface
Limited customization options

8.3

Our Rating

based on our expert editorial analysis

8.6

USER RATING

based on 10 user reviews

Our Verdict:

We like Business Central for its user-friendly interface, product integrations, and accounting module. The platform includes audit trails, multi-currency, and multi-language support. It also automates recurring tasks like invoicing and reporting.

However, it’s probably not the best fit if your business does complex manufacturing. We suggest a dedicated manufacturing ERP system for tasks like machine monitoring and shop floor control. Finally, Microsoft doesn’t offer a free version of Dynamics 365.

Pros:

Combined ERP and CRM
Similar interface to MS Word and Outlook
Integrations with Microsoft applications
Creates quotes, orders, and invoices in Outlook
Offers same capabilities on iOS, Android, and Windows devices

Cons:

Not ideal for complex manufacturing needs
May require extensive training
No free version
Clunky third-party integrations
Tedious setup

Price Range
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
Starting Price $250,000 (perpetual license)
Client OS Windows, Web

Price Range
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
Starting Price $70/user/month
Client OS Web

Our editoral review staff evaluated two leading ERP solutions in the market, IFS Applications and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. We conducted hands-on demos and tests of each product to offer an informed comparison.

Target Market Comparison

IFS Applications is recommended for the aerospace and defense, energy utilities and resources, construction and engineering, manufacturing, and service industries. The software is best for sectors requiring asset management, service delivery, and industry-specific functionalities.

In contrast, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is best for small companies with 10-50 employees and midsize businesses with 50-200. This cloud-based solution fits the manufacturing, retail, healthcare, financial services, nonprofit, and professional services industries.

Features and Usability

IFS Applications provides a unique advantage by allowing businesses to select from over 100 business components. This enables businesses to customize their software according to their specific needs. However, some users have reported finding the interface less intuitive, which may present a learning curve for newcomers.

In contrast, Dynamics 365 Business Central boasts a user-friendly interface. It also integrates seamlessly with services like Office 365, Power BI, and Azure. However, it might not be the best choice for businesses with complex manufacturing needs.

Pros and Cons

IFS Applications has been praised for its functionality, easy Excel exports, and responsive customer support. It has been criticized for performance issues, an unintuitive user interface, and limited customization options.

Dynamics 365 Business Central features ERP and CRM capabilities, Microsoft app integrations, and capability across iOS, Android, and Windows devices. However, it’s not ideal for complex manufacturing needs. It may require extensive training and has clunky third-party integrations.

Pricing and Deployment

Both IFS Applications and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offer both cloud-hosted and on-premises deployment models. Pricing details for IFS Applications are not disclosed, but Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central starts at $70/month/user, with certain modules sold separately.

Final Verdict

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is likely a better fit for most businesses, particularly those in the small to midsize range. It offers a user-friendly interface and seamless integrations with other Microsoft services. However, for businesses with specific industry requirements in asset management and service delivery, IFS Applications could be a worthy contender.

Check out our best ERP software roundup to find more alternatives.

IFS Applications

★★★★★

(1)

Price Range

$ $ $ $ $

Starting Price

$250,000 (perpetual license)

Client OS

Windows, Web

Deployment

Cloud or On-Premises

Dynamics 365 Business Central