Microsoft Dynamics is a collection of popular ERP system used by many organizati
ID: 3764025 • Letter: M
Question
Microsoft Dynamics is a collection of popular ERP system used by many organizations. Dynamics offer five primary products, each includes one or more model. The primary products are: Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics SL, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM.
Write a minimum of three (3) page research report, using current APA formatting. The report should cover:
•the previously listed MS Dynamics ERP systems,
•a description of each ERP,
•list and description of each associated models,
•intended purpose of each ERP and model(s),
•pricing, and
•other relevant technical and functional data.
At the end of the report, create a separate section and write your own reflection of MS Dynamics. Your report should include proper references.
Explanation / Answer
Microsoft Dynamics AX
>According to Weismantel, Microsoft Dynamics AX is positioned for the enterprise, including two-tier and vertical/industry scenarios.
>"Primary customers for Microsoft Dynamics AX are core and upper midmarket organizations as well as departments, subsidiaries and divisions of enterprise organizations in manufacturing, distribution, services, the public sector and retail," he said. "These organizations mostly have multiple sites and are present in more than one country
>Christian Hestermann, an analyst at Gartner, sees it as more of a midmarket product. Which is it? The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle. Microsoft has been moving itself up the enterprise application food chain since the 1990s and AX is where it is placing its faith to create a competitor that can stand against enterprise ERP giants like Oracle and SAP.
>"Microsoft Dynamics AX offers broad and robust functionality and delivers low TCO through integration with other Microsoft products and technologies," said Hestermann. "AX allows support of multiple sites or business units in one single instance, including those that operate in different countries. Lean manufacturing principles are one examples of advanced manufacturing-oriented functionality."
>Last month saw the release of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012. New features include making it purpose-built for five industries (manufacturing, distribution, retail, public sector and professional services). In addition, it has a model-driven layered architecture, graphical workflow editor, budgetary control, a touch-screen user interface, visualizations, enterprise search and enhanced interoperability with Visual Studio.
>Weismantel said Dynamics AX 2012 development can be done in either X++ or in .NET managed code.
>At the same time as its release, the company announced an aggressive campaign targeting businesses running Lawson ERP software and seeking to tempt users and Lawson consultants and VARs to switch to AX.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV, SL and GP
>While AX seems to be gaining the lion's share of Microsoft R&D dollars, the company continues to invest in its other ERP properties. Weismantel identifies them all as SMB products, which Microsoft seems to define as 50 to 500 employees.
>"Microsoft Dynamics SL is directed at project-based businesses, Microsoft Dynamics GP for financial management and Microsoft Dynamics NAV for local verticals," he said.
>Hestermann called Dynamics NAV Microsoft's solution for smaller, single-site organization with an average number of users typically below 50 and with a variety of extensions being built or implemented by partners. He added that it includes an integrator for Microsoft Dynamics CRM and improved support for remote users.
>"Similar to AX, NAV is highly configurable solution delivered exclusively by the channel," said Hestermann.
>The latest iteration of NAV includes data entry enhancements such as the ability to make calculations in fields, single-cell data copying and Excel-like navigation. In addition, it has improved search and navigation features.
>Microsoft Dynamics GP is aimed at businesses outgrowing entry-level accounting solutions that need a full-featured ERP solution that is easy to use, fast to implement, and adaptable. GP 2010 delivers enhanced personalization and reporting tools, dashboards with drill-down options and workflow capabilities to simplify business processes and approvals, said Weismantel. It is integrated with Microsoft Office 2010 and Microsoft SharePoint 2010.
>"Enhanced interoperability with Microsoft Office SharePoint extends information even further, eliminating the need to log on to Microsoft Dynamics GP and accessibility from virtually any location," said Weismantel. "Unified Communications integration extends connections with customers, vendors and employees through integrated instant messaging. Built-in integration with Microsoft Dynamics CRM eliminates redundant data entry and keeps information up to date in your ERP and CRM solution."