SAP Business ByDesign vs Microsoft Dynamics SL

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Our analysts compared SAP Business ByDesign vs Microsoft Dynamics SL based on data from our 400+ point analysis of ERP Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

SAP Business ByDesign Software Tool
Microsoft Dynamics SL Software Tool

Product Basics

SAP Business ByDesign is a cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software designed to serve the needs of midsize businesses. It offers a comprehensive suite of services, including financial management, customer relationship management, supply chain management, and project management, among others. This software is particularly well-suited for businesses looking for a scalable solution that can grow with them, providing the flexibility to adapt to changing business needs. One of the key benefits of SAP Business ByDesign is its ability to offer real-time analytics and insights, enabling businesses to make informed decisions quickly. Additionally, its user-friendly interface and the fact that it's a cloud-based solution mean that it can be accessed from anywhere, at any time, which enhances operational efficiency. When compared to similar products, users often highlight its comprehensive feature set and the robust support provided by SAP. Pricing for SAP Business ByDesign typically follows a subscription model, based on the number of users and the scope of the services required, making it a flexible option for businesses looking to manage their expenses effectively.

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Microsoft Dynamics SL combines the power of an ERP solution with robust project and financial management features. It helps users deal with fluctuating demand while providing accurate budgeting support to keep financial records organized.

It functions within businesses of any size and can help boost sales, reduce job costs, provide insight into company data and ensure all compliances are met. It comes in two versions, Business Essentials or Advanced Management, that can come as a complete package or users can choose a la carte.

Pros
  • Strong financial management
  • Robust project accounting
  • User-friendly interface
  • Customizable features
  • Reliable support
Cons
  • Limited customization options
  • Potentially complex setup
  • Costly add-ons
  • Reporting could be enhanced
  • Some integration challenges
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$19/User, Monthly
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$1,800/User, Annually
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Product Assistance

Documentation
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Live Online
Videos
Webinars
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Email
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FAQ
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
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24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Enhanced Visibility: It contains real-time data analysis and visualization tools. For example, users can look at their finances minute-by-minute as transactions are processed and payments are made. Additionally, the project management feature will enable users to see how projects are progressing and allows them to look at attachments and information associated with individual project stages. 
  • Growth-Oriented: The configuration ability of this tool is relatively high, which allows it to transform as business needs grow and change. Modules and different software systems can also be integrated with the program to account for the company's specific workflows. ;
  • Increased Collaboration:  It supports multi-site and global operations, allowing for centralization of information and employees’ collaboration across different business centers and workflows. The project management tool increases collaboration as it enables visualization of project tasks, accessed by users with the appropriate permission levels. 
  • Improved Customer Experience: Browse through customer history to target marketing collateral and sales discussions to a specific user. Not only does this improve sales, but it also offers personalized and nuanced experiences to the customers, which makes them happy and improves retention rates. 
  • Demonstrated Opportunities for Improvement:  It provides insight into the areas in which a business could be streamlined or where money could be saved. For example, the procurement management tool lets users look at contracts and bids from suppliers and compare them to negotiate better deals and discover snags in the supply chain by visualizing real-time production information. 
  • Data Security It secures data through AES-256 encryption and SOC 2 compliance. Firewalls and 24/7 security monitoring can help deter hackers. Additionally, SAP’s data centers are ANSI/TIA EIA-942 Tier III facilities with bulletproof walls, meaning that the threat of unauthorized access to the system is further reduced. 
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  • Quick Startup: This system leverages the simplicity of Microsoft Office apps to cut down on training time and get everyone up and running fast. 
  • Stay Mobile: Users can perform all of their necessary data entry, project management, expense entry, setup and approval from desktops, laptops and internet-enabled mobile devices. 
  • Scalable: The system is scalable and can adapt to the changing requirements of a business. Use what you need and expand as the company grows. 
  • Inclusive Project and Accounting Management: Microsoft Dynamics SL combines project management with accounting support for an accessible, end-to-end platform. 
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  • Financial Management: Leverage customer and supplier transaction data to look at the organization’s financial position in real-time. It supports multiple different currencies and reporting standards, ensuring that business conducted globally is accounted for and centralized. 
  • CRM 360 View: The CRM 360 view contains the ability to manage customers from the time they are prospects to their final purchase. The system uses historical purchase data to generate targeted advertisements. The customer history can be handed over to your sales team, who can use this information to refine and improve sales tactics.. 
  • Human Resources Management: The human resources tool allows employees to manage their timesheets and personal information. The program also gives HR professionals the ability to monitor purchase requests, complete payroll processing and manage time and labor. 
  • Project Management: The project management feature includes a project cost report that lets users calculate revenue and expenses on a project basis. It also enables users to analyze document flow through this feature’s integration with your supply chain. Documents such as customer invoices can be attached to projects to increase collaboration and visibility. 
  • Procurement Management: It centralizes supplier information, therefore enabling users to negotiate better deals and recognize inefficiencies. Users can also manage supplier contracts in the system. 
  • Supply Chain Management: Users can conduct demand planning in real-time using forecasting methods such as seasonal linear regression and moving average. The tool also contains outlier correction. Production management and supply network visibility are other helpful features of this tool. 
  • Localization: It allows users to operate globally. It centralizes information from different countries, companies and accounting systems to create a complete and accurate view of an organization’s state. 
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    Financial Management
  • Accounts Payable: Keep track of when payments are due, discounts, predict funding requirements and monitor payments as they process. 
  • General Ledgers: This feature helps users analyze financial data for informed decision-making processes. 
  • Cash Manager: The Microsoft Dynamics SL Cash Manager gives users instant access to current balances and bank reconciliation tools. 
  • Multi-Company Support: Users can monitor and analyze information from multiple companies. Keep track of multiple divisions within companies, run processes and report results based on multiple businesses. 
  • Business Intelligence
  • Business Analyzer: Users can view SQL reports, Excel charts and Management Reporter documents from internet-enabled devices.  
  • Microsoft Forecaster: This feature can be integrated to boost budgeting and planning processes through the creation of accurate and realistic budgets. 
  • Quick Query and Quick Query Web App: Users can leverage over 100 predefined views of financial information. Filter and save custom financial views with Refreshable Excel documents and Pivot tables. 
  • Project Management
  • Communicator: It features automatic alerts that inform users of upcoming deadlines, approvals, rising costs and more. This way project managers can step in before problems spiral out of control. 
  • Contract Management: Gain better control over change orders, subcontractor disbursements and document tracking. 
  • Resource Management: This included web app gives users an accessible visualization of resources to make assigning them easier. Boost profitability, track availability of personnel, billable time and more. 
  • Microsoft Project Connector: Integrate directly with Microsoft Project. Data flows directly from the original Microsoft Dynamics system without being compromised. 
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Product Ranking

#34

among all
ERP Software

#93

among all
ERP Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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92
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90
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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

SAP Business ByDesign
Microsoft Dynamics SL
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Analytics And Reporting Asset Management Customer Relationship Management Finance And Accounting Human Resource Management Inventory Management Manufacturing Order Management Procurement Project Management Service Management Supply Chain Management Warehouse Management 92 41 90 96 66 91 58 83 88 91 78 64 66 0 25 50 75 100
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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 137 reviews
we're gathering data
81%
of users recommend this product

SAP Business ByDesign has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 81% when considering 137 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

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4.7 (14)
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3.4 (38)
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4.2 (24)
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4.0 (22)
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4.3 (39)
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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

User-Interface: The solution has an intuitive user interface to facilitate understanding of the basic functions and navigate through the system with ease, according to 71% of users.
Reporting: According to 100% of users who reviewed this pro, it has advanced capabilities to create dynamic reports. Visualizations depict KPIs and other critical business metrics.
Documentation: About 100% of users who mentioned this pro said it has extensive documentation, with a user manual, videos, booklets and articles about the product’s use.
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Familiar Interface: Microsoft interface makes it easy to learn and use for users familiar with other Microsoft products.
Project-Centric Focus: Strong project accounting features cater to industries like construction and engineering.
Financial Management: Robust financial management tools provide accurate insights and control.
Customization Options: While not as extensive as some, it offers flexibility through configuration and add-ons.
Reliable Support: Microsoft and partner support options provide assistance and guidance.
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Expensive: The solution is costly compared to other solutions available in the market, according to 100% of users.
Speed: According to 100% of users who reviewed this con, speed is a significant concern as it affects business productivity.
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Limited Customization: May not be as customizable as some other ERP systems, especially for complex needs.
Potential Setup Complexity: Initial setup can be complex, requiring IT expertise or partner assistance.
Costly Add-ons: Additional features and modules can be expensive, increasing overall cost.
Reporting Enhancements Needed: While reporting capabilities exist, some users find them lacking in flexibility and customization.
Integration Challenges: Integrating with other systems can be complex, requiring additional tools or expertise.
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SAP Business ByDesign is a cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution that has garnered positive feedback from users for its comprehensive functionality and ease of use. The software provides a wide range of features, including financial management, customer relationship management (CRM), human resources (HR), supply chain management, and project management, all within a single, unified platform. Users appreciate the intuitive interface and the ability to access the system from anywhere with an internet connection. The cloud-based nature of the solution eliminates the need for on-premises infrastructure, reducing IT costs and complexity. While SAP Business ByDesign offers numerous strengths, some users have noted that the initial implementation process can be time-consuming and may require specialized expertise. Additionally, the software's extensive functionality can lead to a steeper learning curve for new users. However, SAP provides comprehensive training and support resources to assist with implementation and user adoption. Compared to other ERP solutions, SAP Business ByDesign stands out for its scalability and flexibility, allowing businesses to adapt the system to their specific needs as they grow. The software's ability to integrate with other business applications further enhances its value proposition. SAP Business ByDesign is particularly well-suited for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that require a comprehensive ERP solution without the complexity and cost associated with larger enterprise systems. The software's scalability ensures that it can grow alongside the business, while its cloud-based delivery model provides flexibility and accessibility. Additionally, SAP Business ByDesign's industry-specific functionality caters to the unique needs of various sectors, making it a versatile choice for businesses across different industries.

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User reviews for Microsoft Dynamics SL paint a mixed picture. While lauded for its user-friendly interface and familiar Microsoft look-and-feel, especially for existing Office users, its strengths seem geared towards specific needs. "It shines in project-based industries like construction," commented one reviewer, praising its robust project accounting features. However, some find its customization options limited compared to competitors like Acumatica or NetSuite, especially for complex businesses. "Setting it up initially can be a beast," another user shared, highlighting the potential complexity and need for expert assistance. Cost is another key factor in reviews. While praised for its reliable Microsoft support, users raise concerns about additional costs. "Add-ons can get pricey," a reviewer noted, comparing it to more cost-effective options like Dynamics 365 Business Central. Reporting capabilities also drew mixed reactions. Some appreciate the standard reports and Power BI integration, while others wish for more flexibility and customization. "I miss the advanced reporting features I had in [competitive product]," shared one user, emphasizing the importance of reporting for data-driven decisions. Overall, Microsoft Dynamics SL seems like a solid choice for project-centric businesses who value familiarity and appreciate its strengths in financial management and project accounting. However, limitations in customization, setup complexity, and potentially higher costs for add-ons and integrations should be carefully considered against its competitors, especially for businesses with complex needs or strong reporting requirements.

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