Microsoft Dynamics Comparison: GP vs. NAV vs. AX

Microsoft Dynamics

Currently, there are three Microsoft Dynamics products designed for manufacturing. The Microsoft ERP offerings include Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, and Microsoft Dynamics AX. The three Microsoft Dynamics products all feature financial management, human resource management, supply chain management and IT management. Although the Microsoft Dynamics solutions have many similarities, it is their differences that make each product better for certain types of industries and environments.

Microsoft Dynamics GP

Microsoft Dynamics GP is an out-of the-box ERP solution suitable for small to mid-sized companies and is very quick and easy to deploy, but does not have all the pieces to satisfy a larger companies complete manufacturing needs. While Microsoft Dynamics GP contains strong HR, supply chain and financial management capabilities, its manufacturing features are unfocused and do not meet the demands for every manufacturing vertical.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is the most popular product from the Microsoft Dynamics family, and provides a strong manufacturing and distribution solution that is easy-to-use and deploy.  The key strength of the Microsoft Dynamics product is its high configurability and customization potential. This allows Microsoft Dynamics NAV to be easily fitted to numerous verticals and sub-verticals within an industry. Additionally, the Microsoft Dynamics solution features strong reporting and analytical capabilities with financial support encompassing the entire supply chain.

Although Microsoft Dynamics NAV offers an incredibly flexible system that can adapt to several industries, the Microsoft Dynamics product does not offer enough support to fit the needs of process manufacturers. The Microsoft Dynamics manufacturing system can seem cumbersome at times, but even though the base application is not as capable as Dynamics AX, it is still an ideal application for discrete manufacturing.

Microsoft Dynamics AX

Microsoft Dynamics AX is geared towards medium-sized to large enterprises with several divisions or global operations, and contains many features offered in large enterprise resource planning solutions.  This Microsoft Dynamics application is not limited to just discrete manufacturing, but has extended functionality to include process manufacturing.  Product configuration is one of the key features of this solution, and it allows users to create complex products with various options and features to allow for up-to-the minute configuration.

Microsoft Dynamics AX is the most feature-rich product in the Microsoft Dynamics family, and addresses the needs of all forms of manufacturing, but with the advanced functionality comes a more complex system with a heftier price tag.

In the Microsoft Dynamics product family, there is a solution that will suit the needs of manufacturers of all industries and sizes, but each organization must understand their exact needs before deciding which Microsoft Dynamics product is right for them.

Tags: Manufacturing Software, microsoft dynamics, Microsoft Dynamics AX, microsoft dynamics gp, microsoft dynamics nav, Microsoft ERP