Dynamics 365 vs. NetSuite vs. Oracle ERP Cloud: Who wins?
October 10, 2022
Selecting the right ERP solution for your business isn’t easy, especially with the wide range of options on the market, each with its own strengths and limitations. Microsoft Dynamics 365, Oracle NetSuite, and Oracle ERP Cloud are among the more popular ERP platforms, but it’s hard to pick a clear winner for all business scenarios.
To help you decide which one is most suitable for your organization, this article compares them across four key criteria:
Flexibility
Microsoft Dynamics 365
Microsoft Dynamics 365 offers tremendous flexibility in deployment. Businesses can choose the high availability, unbounded scalability, ironclad security, and low ownership cost of a cloud deployment, or they can use existing data centre investments by choosing an on-premises deployment. The platform’s modular design allows an organization to implement the components they currently need and add others later. In addition to core ERP modules like Finance and Supply Chain Management Dynamics 365 makes it easy to add CRM, field service, HR management, and other components that work together as a seamless and unified whole. Dynamics 365 provides flexibility through customizations, easy integration with third-party applications, and prebuilt add-ons.
Oracle NetSuite
Oracle NetSuite allows businesses to customize the system according to the needs of their industry. During platform upgrades, these customizations are seamlessly migrated to the newer version.
Oracle ERP Cloud
Oracle ERP Cloud offers seamless integration to third-party systems and apps. Organizations can choose an Oracle ERP Cloud solution based on their industry, company size, challenge, and preferred deployment options, and then customize and configure the system depending on their needs.
Scalability
Microsoft Dynamics 365
As mentioned earlier, Microsoft Dynamics 365’s modularity supports business growth by making it easy to extend the capabilities of your implementation. Cloud deployments of Dynamics 365 take advantage of the simple and seamless scalability of the Microsoft Azure cloud platform to quickly take on larger workloads. Cloud deployments are also subscription-based, so you can add or remove user accounts as needed, and you’ll only be billed for the accounts you keep in your subscription.
Oracle NetSuite
NetSuite enables the seamless addition of users and modules without any installation. For instance, your workforce is increasing and you need to track your sales commission using incentive management. All you have to do is purchase the relevant application and receive the install codes from NetSuite. You don’t need to hire an IT consultant whenever you need to scale up your business.
Oracle ERP Cloud
Overall, Oracle ERP Cloud is easy to scale up. It enables multiple integrations with third-party applications and supports complex integrations and bulk data movement. Unlike integration in NetSuite, you do need some help from IT professionals.
Functional Maturity
Microsoft Dynamics 365
Dynamics 365 offers a robust feature set that extends beyond traditional ERP capabilities, including CRM, eCommerce, and Marketing. These features work together seamlessly and can be enhanced even further by artificial intelligence capabilities, user-built apps, Power BI, Power Automate (Microsoft’s no-code automation solution), and thousands of add-ons available on the Microsoft AppSource marketplace.
Oracle NetSuite
NetSuite has been a SaaS and cloud solution for over 20 years, long before “the cloud” entered popular discourse. Its functionality takes advantage of the cloud in powerful ways.
Oracle ERP Cloud
Previously, Oracle ERP Cloud lacked supply chain and manufacturing functionality, but Oracle has enhanced and optimized its platform to address these feature gaps.
Overall Ecosystem
Microsoft Dynamics 365
Dynamics 365 is offered through a vast and highly fragmented network of resellers and integrators. The successful and seamless implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 depends on the quality and success rate of your technology partner. Choose a technology partner with a track record of successful project implementations in your industry.
Oracle NetSuite
The NetSuite ecosystem is less crowded and more consistent because NetSuite sells its software directly instead of through implementation partners. However, they use call centres to address customer concerns and provide consultations remotely.
Oracle ERP Cloud
Oracle ERP Cloud has a robust and competent network of implementation partners. However, as businesses that use legacy Oracle products like JD Edwards and eBusiness Suite move to the cloud over the next few years, there is the risk of a skill shortage.
Conclusion
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is an ideal choice for small and medium-sized businesses. Oracle NetSuite is built for modern businesses, from fast-growing start-ups to global enterprises. It is an ideal ERP platform for manufacturing, retail, distribution, professional services, software development, and nonprofit organizations. Oracle ERP Cloud is best for organizations that need to manage enterprise functions like accounting, financial management, project management, and procurement. For a more detailed discussion about selecting the best ERP platform for your business, get in touch with Systems experts.