Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central vs SAP ERP comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary
Updated on Oct 12, 2022

We performed a comparison between Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and SAP ERP based on our users’ reviews in four categories. After reading all of the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.

  • Ease of Deployment: Most users feel Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is easy and straightforward to deploy. In contrast, many users feel SAP ERP can be complex to deploy.
  • Features: Dynamics 365 users feel the solution is flexible, easy to use, intuitive, and has very good capabilities. This solution is designed specifically for small to medium businesses. Users would like to see a quality check module and feel the performance and virtual machine backup need improvements.

    SAP ERP users tell us the solution has extensive coverage of processes for every field and business unit, such as procurement, inventory, financials, asset management, plant maintenance, and production. The security and authorization level of SAP ERP is very good. Some users feel the solution could be more intuitive and that the interface can be a bit clumsy and complex.
  • Pricing: Users of both solutions consider the pricing to be reasonable.

  • Service and Support: Microsoft users are satisfied with the service and support. Many SAP ERP users are dissatisfied with the support and feel it should be improved.

Comparison Results: SAP ERP is designed for medium to large sized organizations and users feel it can cover potentially every business process in an organization. The solution offers robust control and governance and is very stable. However, in terms of deployment and technical support, users are happier with Microsoft.

To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central vs. SAP ERP Report (Updated: March 2024).
765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The most valuable feature of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is its ease of use, data customization, and smooth integration.""I am impressed with the tool's user authentication, compatibility , and policies.""One developer is enough to maintain the solution. Microsoft 365 is changing technology. The product is a user-friendly ERP solution.""All of the features are valuable, depending on where you implement them. I've done implementations in 60 countries, across 86 different companies and groups, and each company has a different reason for why they want to use it. Every single feature that I've implemented has been successful, and for some companies, where they didn't use the functionality, they have moved to external products or they've integrated into other applications.""The solution makes everything organized for my organization or enterprise. It makes workflows more than clear.""The solution's integration between Teams, SharePoint, and Exchange Online is really helpful.""The security feature, particularly the encryption, which still builds sensitivity, is one of the most valuable features.""The product is customizable so we can tune it according to our requirements."

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"If you are well versed in SAP, the initial setup is pretty simple.""The features are very useful for finance.""The solution is very mature.""The best thing that SAP ERP has is the extensive coverage of processes for every field and business unit such as procurement, inventory, financials, asset management, plant maintenance, and production. We can cover up to 99.9% processes of our organization, which is the best thing about this solution. It also has a very good capability to integrate with other applications. The security and authorization level of SAP ERP is very high. No other solution can match this level.""SAP is a very process controlled application. It does not allow users to manage the data. Once the initial process is set, it works smoothly.""The most significant elements of this solution are the ability to create a virtual product, a service product, and delivery.""It has been quite stable so far.""The valuable feature of SAP ERP is that everything is connected and under one roof, creating a unified system."

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Cons
"The solution is not best suited for larger-scale businesses.""There is room for improvement in the ability to reverse or correct transactions more easily.""I wouldn't say that Microsoft Dynamics is very scalable.""The solution must provide more AI features.""The configuration packages can be somewhat tiresome at times, and they can be slow when loading data.""In Thailand, the support here could be better. The process to get an answer is too long.""For a big company like us with millions of transactions, the scalability isn't enough.""Customization and costs could be improved."

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"More integrations and built-in integrations with other environments and products are needed.""The user interface isn't as nice as SAP HANA's.""ERP could use better integration with other systems.""I'm only working on the front end with ERP's user interface, which isn't very easy for end-users. It's an old-school interface, so it's often challenging to find what you need.""I believe there's room for improvement in terms of user experience.""Though SAP ERP's FICO module is a strong part of the product, its integration capabilities can be made stronger.""This solution could be made more user-friendly for development teams.""Implementing SAP ERP can be very costly, particularly for smaller organizations with limited resources."

More SAP ERP Cons →

Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "The first time we tried to buy the newest version, it was expensive."
  • "I have some subscription-based customer and a few customers who have perpetual licenses that hosted the application on the cloud."
  • "The price of the solution is reasonable."
  • "The price of the solution is reasonable."
  • "I think the pricing is the best; it's cost effective for sure."
  • "Microsoft Dynamics NAV has a pay-as-you-use payment model."
  • "NAV might be a little pricey for a small or medium-sized company, but all the solutions out there are."
  • "The cost is one of the benefits. If you don't want to go for the full-blown finance and operations, the pricing model is a lot cheaper and has now switched to being based on a per-user subscription. So, if it's on cloud, you now have an expense instead of a large CapEx. If it's on-prem, you obviously still have to continue with the licensing model that they have, but if you compare the features and functionality, in terms of the price that you pay, I find it's better than other products. My answer on the pricing would be slightly different, depending on the country you're in and the return on investment, based on the size of the company. It's well-priced internationally. I think the new model is priced even better because it's now subscription-based and, if you go for cloud, the return on investment is a lot quicker and if it's expense, you can cap it. If you do take the on-prem version, the licensing is still priced as what it used to be, so that would depend on what country you are in."
  • More Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "SAP ECC is not cheap but I consider it the best system for managing an organization's data and processes."
  • "This is a costly product."
  • "There are licensing costs."
  • "Some components are available at an additional cost, depending on the type of contract that you have."
  • "The licensing costs are slightly on the higher side. They need to make it more competitive."
  • "SAP is a bit on the costly side, but they also provide support and other things. We are paying for licenses and the use of the cloud."
  • "SAP ERP is expensive."
  • "When you have a solution that is stable, reliable, and has a high performance as this solution, the price is going to be expensive. However, when you evaluate the service you are paying for the cost is quite reasonable for this solution."
  • More SAP ERP Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:The most valuable features of Business Central for me are its seamless integration with Power BI and the ability to create customized reports.
    Top Answer:I would rate the pricing of Business Central as a six or seven out of ten in terms of costliness. We have yearly licensing costs, and the biggest additional expense is for external consultants.
    Top Answer:There is room for improvement in the ability to reverse or correct transactions more easily. Currently, if we make mistakes or need to undo something, it can be challenging and time-consuming… more »
    Top Answer:There are different aspects of both Anaplan and SAP ERP that I like and dislike. Anaplan improves forecast accuracy and drives up the quality of analytics. Rather than spending all of their time… more »
    Top Answer:The most valuable features of SAP ERP are its stability, industry-specific package, and adaptable configuration.
    Top Answer:One challenge we face with SAP ERP is the push to upgrade to S/4HANA, which comes with significant costs. While SAP encourages this transition, we need to carefully evaluate factors like our team's… more »
    Ranking
    4th
    out of 66 in ERP
    Views
    8,859
    Comparisons
    6,142
    Reviews
    33
    Average Words per Review
    366
    Rating
    8.3
    1st
    out of 66 in ERP
    Views
    21,994
    Comparisons
    19,694
    Reviews
    36
    Average Words per Review
    433
    Rating
    8.4
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Dynamics NAV, MS Dynamics NAV
    Learn More
    Overview

    Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution developed by Microsoft. It is designed to help small and mid-sized organizations streamline and automate their financial, supply chain, and project management processes. Business Central offers a range of tools and features to support collaboration and communication and provides real-time visibility into business performance.

    With Business Central, organizations can manage their financials, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management. It also offers supply chain management capabilities, including inventory management, purchase order management, and sales order management. In addition, Business Central supports project management, including project tracking, project billing, and resource management.

    Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Features

    Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

    • Mobility: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central provides mobile access, allowing users to access information and perform tasks from anywhere, at any time.
    • Reporting and analytics: The solution includes business intelligence and reporting capabilities to help organizations gain insight into their operations and make data-driven decisions.
    • Security: With its secure platform, the solution protects sensitive data and ensures the integrity of business operations.
    • Customization: It offers a highly customizable solution that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of a wide range of industries and organizations.


    Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Benefits

    There are many benefits to implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

    • Adapt as your business grows: With full capabilities on desktop, tablet, or mobile, on-premises or in the cloud, across Windows, Android, and iOS devices, the solution allows you to work wherever your business takes you.
    • Rapid deployment: The solution can be rapidly deployed either in the cloud or on-premises.
    • Scalability: With the solution, you can scale as you grow using modern technologies built on the Microsoft cloud, such as machine learning, IoT, and mixed reality to help you adapt to market dynamics.
    • Drive continuous process optimization: When you implement Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, you can Improve outcomes and productivity with real-time system suggestions, based on historical data, to guide employees through workflows.

    Reviews from Real Users

    Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a solution that stands out when compared to many of its competitors. Some of its major advantages are that it is user-friendly, has good integrations, and is flexible.

    Sasinath V., Project Consultant ( Scale Up) at a tech vendor, says, "For me, the main strengths of Microsoft Dynamics NAV are that it's user-friendly and light. These are its major wins. I have used other ERPs and their architecture was a little more complex when compared to the Microsoft Dynamics NAV architecture."

    "The solution's integrations and interface are very good,” mentions Alonso R., Director de Servicios at Kc ERP group.

    Another PeerSpot reviewer, Kamesh G., Vice President - Information Systems at a media company shares what he likes most about the solution: "I have found the flexibility to be very valuable. It's highly flexible, and at least for us, it has been effective. It is also highly functional."

    SAP ERP addresses the core business software requirements of midsize and large organizations in all industries and sectors. SAP ERP includes four individual solutions that support key areas of enterprise resource planning: human capital management, financials, operations, corporate services.
    Sample Customers
    Harris Farm Markets, Mister Spex GmbH, Bounce Foods, Eurofin Services SA, Medica Medizintechnik, Associated Gaskets, Onduline, Sitka Surfboard Corporation, World Animal Protection
    B&G Manufacturing, Unilever, Life is good Inc., Joy Global Inc., City of Cape Town, Bhopal Municipal, Corporation (BMC), adidas Group, Butcher & Packer Supply Company, Franklin Valve L.P., Evoshield, Prime Meats, a Norsan Group company, EMC Corporation, Varian Medical Systems Inc., FC Bayern Mªnchen AG, AkzoNobel Chemicals B.V., T¾V Rheinland, Pacific Drilling S.A., Fire & Rescue New South Wales, University of Amsterdam, Pa_alon S.A.
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Manufacturing Company24%
    Government10%
    Financial Services Firm10%
    Computer Software Company10%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company14%
    Comms Service Provider9%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    Financial Services Firm6%
    REVIEWERS
    Manufacturing Company25%
    Computer Software Company10%
    Financial Services Firm8%
    Pharma/Biotech Company8%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Manufacturing Company12%
    Computer Software Company12%
    Educational Organization6%
    Retailer6%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business55%
    Midsize Enterprise18%
    Large Enterprise27%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business36%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise47%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business21%
    Midsize Enterprise22%
    Large Enterprise57%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business22%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise64%
    Buyer's Guide
    Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central vs. SAP ERP
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central vs. SAP ERP and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is ranked 4th in ERP with 61 reviews while SAP ERP is ranked 1st in ERP with 100 reviews. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is rated 8.4, while SAP ERP is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central writes "Easy to deploy, extremely stable, and highly scalable". On the other hand, the top reviewer of SAP ERP writes "The amazing, robust framework with unlimited scalability earns its #1 status". Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is most compared with SAP S/4HANA, Microsoft Dynamics AX, SAP Business One, Oracle E-Business Suite and Odoo, whereas SAP ERP is most compared with SAP S/4HANA, Microsoft Dynamics AX, Anaplan, SAP Business One and Ramco ERP. See our Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central vs. SAP ERP report.

    See our list of best ERP vendors.

    We monitor all ERP reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.