Looking Beyond Features to Functionality: Microsoft Dynamics GP vs. SAP Business One

If you are comparing ERP software solutions, you know how easy it can be to get bogged down in lists of features and modules and lose sight of your ultimate goal of finding a system that will help your business improve efficiencies to save you time and money.

This is especially true when comparing Microsoft Dynamics GP and SAP Business One.  Microsoft Dynamics GP, formerly known as Great Plains, and SAP Business One, sometimes called SB1, have very similar module/feature lists.  When feature lists are similar, you have to look beyond what the features are to how they function to determine which product is the right choice for your business.

In a functional review of small- to mid-market ERP systems, the Accounting Library ranked Business One near the bottom in all five areas while Microsoft Dynamics GP was at or near the top of all five lists. The difference in functionality has a direct result on user productivity.  A 2007 analysis of the impact of ERP applications on people’s productivity revealed that Microsoft Dynamics users on average scored Microsoft Dynamics 18 percent higher than SAP users scored SAP applications.

Microsoft Dynamics GP works off of three core strengths to gain the functional upper-hand over SB1:

Works like and with Office
As a SQL-based Microsoft product, Dynamics GP works like and with Office products.  As a result, integrations with products like Outlook and Excel are seamless and available “out-of-the-box” for Microsoft Dynamics GP users.  Additionally, users already familiar with Office products will require less training on Microsoft Dynamics GP due to its Office-like interface.  On the flip-side, SAP is still working with Microsoft to build their integration to Office.

Role-based home pages
While SAP Business One provides a traditional user interface with immediate access to all of its features, Microsoft Dynamics GP provides each of its users with an individualized, task-centric experience based on 20 pre-defined, customizable role templates and information views.  These role-based home pages save each user time by providing them with the information that is most relevant to them at all times.  They also streamline the way that information moves through the organization, protecting data and improving efficiency in every process.

Enhanced data analysis
SAP relies on ISV solutions for reporting and analytics functions.  On the other hand, Microsoft Dynamics GP enables you to analyze data from multiple angles using cubes within Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services.  Additionally, with Microsoft Dynamics GP’s SmartList Builder, Excel Report Builder, Business Portal and direct integration with SharePoint, the possibilities for data analysis and collaboration are boundless.

Due to the benefits derived from the enhanced functionality of Microsoft Dynamics GP, it can provide a lower total cost of ownership and a proven Return on Investment(ROI) for the feature set than SAP Business One.  By looking beyond the features to how they function, it is easy to see ways that Microsoft Dynamics GP can save your organization time and money when selecting a new ERP software solution.