Microsoft Dynamics ERP Software | Reviews, Demo, Pricing

Last Updated: January 27th, 2023
Researched and Written by: Russ Davidson

Microsoft offers a variety of enterprise resource planning systems through its Dynamics ERP software line. These options help optimize your financials and operations in order to help your team make data-driven decisions that improve business performance. With a large variety of ERP solutions available, Microsoft lets you create a personalized approach with business apps for every industry and every functionality need.

Built on Azure and tightly integrated with Office 365 and Microsoft Power Platform, Microsoft Dynamics ERP software will:

  • Modernize your financial operations, handle your supply chain
  • Increase manufacturing productivity
  • Manage online sales via eCommerce
  • Optimize your workforce through human resource tools

ERP technology from Microsoft will let you use the data it offers to find new business opportunities, customize applications to fit your needs, and overall engage with your customers better.

Almost all Microsoft Dynamics ERP software is available exclusively through Microsoft Dynamics Certified Partners. These “value-added resellers” are in charge of planning, customization, and implementing the solutions for your business. They are also the people who will provide you support services for however long you agree upon. Because of this, choosing the right vendor to work with is equally as important as choosing the right ERP software.

Dynamics AX

Originally known as Axapta, Microsoft Dynamics AX was one of Microsoft’s more robust ERP systems catered towards enterprises. After being acquired by Microsoft in 2002, the ERP software went through a number of version changes and upgrades in order to be offered in more than 30 countries and 25 languages.

Today, Dynamics AX has rebranded to Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations. This change was made to better encapsulate the solution’s ability to meet the requirements of any business organization, rather than any one specific industry. Like many ERP systems before it, Dynamics AX had previously had a heavy presence in the manufacturing and distribution industries.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations is available in the cloud, on-premises, or through hybrid deployment options. The solution can be personalized to your needs with business apps built on Azure and integrated with Office 365 and Microsoft Power Platform.


Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (Dynamics AX): Dashboard
Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (Dynamics AX): Financial Visibility
Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (Dynamics AX): Payments
Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (Dynamics AX): Document Management
Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (Dynamics AX): Budgets and Forecasts
Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (Dynamics AX): Risk Analysis
What We Like
Advanced cross-platform analytics
Integrates with Microsoft products
Extensive customization options
What We Don’t Like
High implementation costs
Cost-prohibitive for smaller businesses
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Starting Price: $180/user/month
Client OS: Windows, Web
Deployment: Cloud Hosted

Dynamics CRM

Microsoft Dynamics CRM system has been around since 2003 after an acquisition with iCommunicate that prompted the desire to offer customers basic contact management and email campaign software. At its launch, it was simply known as Microsoft CRM 1.0. By 2005, the solution rebranded under the Dynamics title to reference its inclusion in the Microsoft Dynamics product family.

Today, Microsoft Dynamics CRM has joined the Dynamics 365 product family under the Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement suite–and has broken down into a variety of applications that can be purchased as standalone options:

These solutions still handle your customer relationship management in every way desired–such as maintaining customer relationships, tracking sales leads, handling marketing, and more. As part of the 365 family, the solution can easily work alongside the ERP products offered by Microsoft to better integrate bookkeeping, invoicing, and order handling.

Dynamics 365 for Sales (Dynamics CRM)

Dynamics 365 for Sales (Dynamics CRM): Opportunities
Dynamics 365 for Sales (Dynamics CRM): Lead Summary
Dynamics 365 for Sales (Dynamics CRM): Call Summary
Dynamics 365 for Sales (Dynamics CRM): Customer Feedback
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$65/user/month
Client OS
Windows, Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted

Dynamics GP

Microsoft Dynamics GP is a powerful accounting software and ERP solution that combines financials, inventory, and operations into a unified business management platform for small to mid-sized businesses. The GP stands for Great Plains–the original name of the software. With roots dating back into the 1980s, Great Plains Software was one of the first accounting solutions to allow multiple users and run as 32-bit software.

Microsoft drew interest and acquired the solution in 2001. Microsoft continued to sell the solution under the well-known Great Plains name for many years until it was eventually shortened to just “GP” to mimic the rest of the products in the Dynamics family.

Today, Microsoft Dynamics GP still operates as one of the flagship ERP offerings–providing powerful financial management, inventory, sales, human resources, and business intelligence. The solution can work for almost any industry–providing accounting tools such as bank reconciliation, cash flow management, encumbrance management, fixed assets management, multi-currency, and more.


Dynamics GP: Transactions Page
Dynamics GP: Fiscal Periods Setup Page
Dynamics GP: Inventory Control Application
Dynamics GP: Inventory Control Application
Dynamics GP: Bill Of Materials Application
Dynamics GP: Advanced Picking Application
Dynamics GP: Manufacturing Resource Planning Application
Dynamics GP: Manufacturing Resource Planning Application
What We Like
Additional modules available from Independent Software Vendors (ISVs)
Easily personalized BI tools
Extensive network of Microsoft-certified VARs
What We Don’t Like
Support is ending for versions on the Fixed Lifecycle Policy (pre-2019)
3rd party modules for additional features may slow down software
Base software lacks certain tools like CRM, CCP
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Starting Price: $65/user/month
Client OS: Windows, Web
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premises

Dynamics NAV

Dynamics NAV originates from Navision, a strong accounting tool that dates back to 1984. After being acquired by Microsoft in 2002, Navision took on the Microsoft name and would eventually shorten to “NAV”. In comparison to the other ERP software solutions offered by Microsoft, NAV had more of a focus on the distribution and manufacturing industry. Its core appeal over other options from Microsoft was its customizability. Because of this, the solution was most commonly sold by resellers who sold consulting hours on installations and training how to use the solution for specific purposes.

Today, Dynamics NAV is now Dynamics 365 Business Central. It offers the same functionality as the former Dynamics NAV, and is full-featured whether deployed in the cloud or on-premises. The solution boasts the ability to increase the productivity of your staff and provide detailed business insights. Reporting capabilities can increase financial visibility, boost sales, and improve customer service.

Dynamics 365 Business Central provides both an Essentials or a Premium version. Both include unlimited users, unlimited companies, and extensive customization.


Dynamics 365 Business Central (Dynamics NAV): General Leger Entries
Dynamics 365 Business Central (Dynamics NAV): Dashboard
Dynamics 365 Business Central (Dynamics NAV): Customer Management
What We Like
Combined ERP and CRM
Similar interface to MS Word and Outlook
Integrations with Microsoft applications
What We Don’t Like
Not ideal for complex manufacturing needs
May require extensive training
No free version
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Starting Price: $70/user/month
Client OS: Web
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premises

Dynamics SL

Solomon Software was one of the original big names in the accounting software market in the 1980s. After being acquired by Great Plains (mentioned above), the Solomon product was converted to focus more on midsized businesses that have a need for project accounting. This became Dynamics SL, which can still be commonly referred to as Solomon.

Today, Microsoft Dynamics SL is an ERP solution for mid-sized organizations providing project financial capabilities. The solution is used heavily in industries such as construction, government contracting, and professional services and engineering.

Offering a few different editions and a variety of add-ons, there is a number of Dynamics SL combinations available that can surely work for your business. The “Essentials” edition provides mostly financial related capabilities. Moving up to the “Advanced Management” edition will provide more project management related tasks.


Microsoft Dynamics SL: Sales Orders
Microsoft Dynamics SL: Multi Project Summary
Microsoft Dynamics SL: Order Management Menu
Microsoft Dynamics SL: Inventory Inquiry
Microsoft Dynamics SL: Home Report
What We Like
Advanced project accounting tools
Seamless Microsoft integration
Customizable reporting and dashboards
What We Don’t Like
May be too complex for smaller businesses
Setup can be time-consuming and cumbersome
Extended support ends in 2028
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Client OS: Windows, Web
Deployment: Cloud or On-Premises
Talk with a software advisor
Talk with an advisor
Get a free consultation from an independent software expert.
Or, call toll-free: (800) 827-1151
Talk with a software advisor
Talk with an advisor