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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.