If you would like to pick something from Microsoft, or its ERP subdivision ? Microsoft Business Solutions, and in case of large public company, you should consider these three: Axapta, Navision or Great Plains. We are not talking about Solomon here, because it is recommended for project organization. You should probably be aware about specific product life cycle (or is it new or mature one on the market), database platform, average implementation cycle, typical customization requirements, rich vs. standard ERP functionality, etc. Also you should get comparison from relatively objective source, if you are asking to compare somebody, who implements and sells Great Plains ? more likely these people will try to prove that you need Great Plains and it is the best fit. On the other hand if you ask large consulting practice with regional offices to make comparison for you ? you should know that specific regional office might operate with maximum independence and promote, say Navision only.
? Product Life Cycle. Both Navision and Great Plains should be considered as mature products, have more than 10 years of successful presence on the ERP market. Navision is more popular in Europe, Navision Software was Denmark based software development company ? it was bought by Microsoft in the beginning of XXI century. Navision is also present on the US market, however we'd say it fits to specific market niches. Great Plains Software was also purchased by Microsoft a little bit earlier than Navision Software and GP is historically had excellent positions in US, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Middle East, South Africa, Poland, Pakistan. Axapta is relatively new ERP and its was released in the beginning of XXI century. However it is really scaled up for large companies and its sales increase rapidly.
? Rich vs. Standard Functionality. This is very philosophical question. There are multiple opinions. 1990th were the years, when large business had to stick to rich functionality ERP: SAP, PeopleSoft, Oracle Financials. Our opinion on the future is that rich functionality is not necessary ? you should know that light or middle size customization is cheaper and more flexible solution. Also the unique business processes will be general thing and it will be not feasible to program rich-functionality module for just a few businesses on the marketplace. Consider dotcom businesses of the late 1990th, that went public ? their business processes are very unique and innovative.
? Database Platform. Navision has native (or C/SIDE) platform as well as it is available on MS SQL Server. Do not be afraid of the Native database ? it has legendary strength. SQL will give you more integration and reporting options (beyond Jet-Reports) ? you can deploy Crystal reports (without C/ODBC). Great Plains is now (since version 8.0) on MS SQL Server only
? Implementation Cycle. Here we see a lot of opinions as well. We believe that Great Plains is the easiest to setup and launch. Navision typically requires mid-size customization. Axapta typically requires longer implementation cycle ? but again it is relatively new and innovative product.
? Integration with Unix/Linux/Oracle. This is very typical question for large business. We would say that this integration is usually programmed on SQL level and XML inbound/outbound streams. So, SQL based ERP should be OK.
Good luck and you can always seek our help in selection, customization, implementation, integration and support. Call us: 1-866-528-0577 or 1-630-961-5918, help@albaspectrum.com
Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer in Alba Spectrum Technologies ( http://www.albaspectrum.com ) ? USA nationwide Great Plains, Navision, Axapta, Microsoft CRM customization company, serving clients in the following industries: Aerospace & Defence, Logistics & Distribution, Freight forwarding & Transportation, Pharmaceutical, Manufacturing, Wholesale & Retail, Education, Biotechnology, Chemicals, Healthcare, Beverages, Conglomerates, Food & Drugs.
experienced cleaning professionals Northbrook ..Great Plains Integration Manager scripting and translation - overview for... Read More
How many steps does it take you to locate and... Read More
Some companies that are in need of fleet management may... Read More
Are Spreadsheets Robbing your Enterprise of Competitive Advantage?'90% of "average"... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains as new ERP for multinational... Read More
For those who are unclear on the differences between the... Read More
We are in a transition phase in the Managerial Administration... Read More
Fundraising software lets you connect with donors in a way... Read More
OEComplete is a utility for managing the personal information of... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is very good fit for... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is marketed for mid-size companies... Read More
When it comes to running an office, the SOHO entrepreneur... Read More
After seeing many people complain about their weak Internet security... Read More
Following tips help you to learn a software in lesser... Read More
Handling character strings in Java is supported through two final... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Navision serves both European and American megamarkets.... Read More
Find out why Spyware Removal from computers is important and... Read More
In this small article we will show you the possible... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is mid and even corporate... Read More
Since Version 8.0 Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains & Great... Read More
The term "document management" and "paperless office" is the subject... Read More
Hi, Guys,I believe a lot of programmers are trying to... Read More
Words we choose to describe things and phenomena often show... Read More
An operating system (abbreviated OS) is essentially the path through... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains has substantial market share among... Read More
best value cleaning service Northbrook ..In this article you will find some background information about... Read More
To all web designers out there, this article is for... Read More
Three highly respected names in Human Resources have joined forces... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains was designed back in the... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is Dexterity-written application and currently... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains could be tuned and setup to fit... Read More
Background: For many organizations like ours, the interim target of... Read More
If you copy something from a Web site or elsewhere...... Read More
(1) Avoid using the same variable again and again for... Read More
Trying to figure out a stream in banning one email... Read More
Our opinion is based on our Microsoft Business Solutions Great... Read More
Now there are Three Steps To Heaven Just listen and... Read More
Our company, Novaprof Inc., developed unique software - DB Integration.... Read More
Words we choose to describe things and phenomena often show... Read More
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a way for a site... Read More
Here is some free software tools to help you build... Read More
Hi, Guys,I believe a lot of programmers are trying to... Read More
In 2004 Oracle, Inc. made its new step toward J2EE... Read More
Microsoft CRM customization techniques are very diversified and based on... Read More
Let's say that you have a software project that's under... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains serves the wide spectrum of horizontal markets.... Read More
It could just be me, but my experiences with document... Read More
How many steps does it take you to locate and... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions CRM is now approaching the phase of... Read More
Java has come along a long way. Many would agree... Read More
| Software |