There are an endless number of product comparisons we could make with all the systems on the market. Even so, a lot of our clients like to limit their options to these two systems Oracle NetSuite with Microsoft Dynamics 365, therefore it’s worth comparing NetSuite ERP vs. Dynamics 365. This cloud-based software comparison examines both systems’ featherweight capability and heavyweight performance in modern business. This post will assist you in deciding which of the platforms, Dynamics 365 vs. NetSuite ERP, is more appropriate for your company. It will also provide you with a summary of simpler product comparisons based on features, implementation, user interface and licensing pricing.

Key Differences Between NetSuite and Dynamics 365 Business Central

People often debate NetSuite ERP vs. Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP when considering cloud ERP systems for their organizations. These ERP comparison leaders offer unique benefits for different business demands. IT leaders and business owners must compare them to make an informed selection. Micro- to medium-sized organizations can adjust the suite, module by module, to meet their demands, emphasizing rigorous NetSuite vs. Dynamics 365 for financial management.

The Background and Development of Microsoft Dynamics and NetSuite

Both Microsoft Dynamics and NetSuite have carved out distinct niches for themselves in the field of cloud ERP solutions as a result of significant shifts and calculated choices. In addition to providing a timeline of technology developments, this history highlights the special NetSuite features and Microsoft Dynamics advantages that have developed over time.

Journey of NetSuite

NetSuite was the first company to offer cloud computing software in 1998. NetSuite has grown from specialist solutions to comprehensive suites that cover many business functions. NetSuite’s 2016 acquisition by Oracle ERP Cloud vs. NetSuite expanded its visibility and feature set, making it more appealing to a wider range of sectors and organization sizes.

Microsoft Dynamics’ Transition

Dynamics 365’s 2016 debut marked a change from on-premises software to an agile cloud ecosystem. Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 integration of CRM and ERP products showed its commitment to current business solutions that give small and large companies financial management expertise. Because of this, Dynamics 365 has grown swiftly enough to meet modern corporate demands.

Modules and Functionality

NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics 365, are top-tier for ERP and CRM systems. Although each system has its strengths and drawbacks, both NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP can manage numerous company functions. Take a closer look at both platforms’ functional capabilities and modules:

NetSuite Functionality:

Oracle’s NetSuite offers a complete cloud-based solution for business management.  ERP excels in finance, inventory, order management, and procurement. Key features and modules:

  • The ERP module in NetSuite contains real-time financial management.
  • NetSuite CRM includes marketing, sales force, and customer care automation.
  • SuiteCommerce from NetSuite includes internet marketing, site content management, customer service, and more.
  • PSA: This system manages project planning, resource allocation, timesheets, expenses, and invoicing.
  • BI: SuiteAnalytics is a real-time, integrated reporting and analytics module that helps businesses comprehend and optimize complicated data.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Functionality:

The integrated business solutions of Microsoft Dynamics 365 are for corporate needs. Companies can customize their apps with modularity. Key features and modules:

  • ERP: Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations offers a complete ERP. 
  • Dynamics 365 Sales, Customer Service, and Field Service enable sales force automation, customer service, and field service management.
  • Dynamic 365 Marketing features customer segmentation, campaign management, and performance statistics.
  • HR: The HR module manages HR data, benefits, salary, leave & absence, compliance, performance feedback, and employee self-service portals.
  • Microsoft Dynamics Power BI, a popular data visualization and reporting application, interfaces with Dynamics 365 and other data sources.
  • Dynamics 365 AI forecasts revenue, analyzes customers, and provides customer service insights.
  • Industry Needs Dynamics 365 Versus NetSuite ERP

Industry Needs 

Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Oracle ERP NetSuite are adaptable programs that can serves in various sectors. Their modules and features are tailored to meet the demands of distinct industries. This comparison is based on a few typical industries:

Manufacturing

  • NetSuite: NetSuite for Manufacturing intended to improve visibility within the company and expedite manufacturing processes. 
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365: Manufacturers may innovate and adjust to the supply chain scenario with the help of Dynamics 365 supply chain management. It enables full visibility and control over operations, as well as mixed-mode manufacturing capabilities.

Retail

  • NetSuite: A full solution, NetSuite for Retail incorporates back office systems, e-commerce, POS, and order management. One real-time customer view across all touchpoints and channels.
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365: Commerce integrates digital, call center, in-store, and back-office operations. It can provide individualized, smooth shopping experiences, manage vast product information, and offer robust e-commerce features.

Services

  • NetSuite: NetSuite’s Services Resource Planning (SRP) solution optimizes project success by integrating project management, resource management, project accounting, timesheets, and cost management. 
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365: MSPSA supports project planning, resource scheduling, time and cost management, and service analytics.

Healthcare

  • NetSuite: Although NetSuite does not include a healthcare module, several healthcare firms have used it for patient data, billing, and inventory management.
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365: Individualized patient journeys, patient relationship management, and operational analytics to optimize health operations are available from Microsoft Dynamics 365 for healthcare.

Nonprofit

  • NetSuite: The nonprofit suite from NetSuite covers fundraising, grant administration, and FASB reporting.
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365: Manage volunteers, plan and deliver programs, and manage constituencies with Microsoft nonprofit accelerators.

User Interface 

The NetSuite User Interface

NetSuite is intuitive and easy to use with top-level navigation.  It uses tabs to let users open many tabs for different purposes.  Multitaskers and fast system users may benefit from these features.  NetSuite’s dashboard can be customized for certain users or positions.  This makes vital data and frequently used processes accessible.  The dashboard may include task lists, charts, real-time reports, and reminders.  The unified design and feel of NetSuite’s user interface reduces the learning curve for new features and modules.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 User Interface 

Microsoft Dynamics 365 includes a modern, user-friendly interface. Due to its connectivity with other Microsoft apps, its interface is familiar to Microsoft users, reducing the learning curve. A collapsible left-hand navigation menu lets Dynamics 365 clients view their workspace in full screen. The dashboard can be modified with chart categories, visual filters, and data cards to briefly summarize key data. Dynamics 365’s UI integrates well with Outlook, Excel, and SharePoint, which is a major benefit. Users can analyze Microsoft Dynamics 365 data in Excel or send emails in Outlook using the interface.

Implementation

Implementing an ERP system like NetSuite or Microsoft Dynamics 365 is more complicated and time-consuming. Company size, requirements, and modules implemented can all affect implementation. Here’s a comparison of the general installation procedures for the two platforms:

NetSuite Implementation Process

  • Setting Goals and Objectives: Creating a project strategy and identifying important business processes that will be impacted by the NetSuite implementation service are all part of the planning and discovery phase.
  • Design and Configuration: The system is set up to facilitate the specified business operations. This phase could entail modifying forms and fields in addition to configuring roles, permissions, dashboards, and reports.
  • Data Migration: Cleaning and preparing data for NetSuite import. Multiple data sources complicate this approach.
  • Connectivity: NetSuite has connections to other corporate systems. The SuiteTalk web services API from NetSuite can be used to build bespoke integrations.
  • Testing and Validation: Extensive testing is conducted to verify system functionality and to find and fix issues.
  • Training and Change Management: We manage the change and train users on the new system.
  • Go-live and Support: Following the introduction of the new system, users can get help and resolve any problems with continuing support.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Implementation Process 

  • Planning: As with NetSuite, the implementation process begins with business needs, a project plan, and a strategy.
  • Design and Configuration: The system is configured by the needs of the organization. Setting up entities, fields, forms, workflows, and other things falls under this category.
  • Data migration into Dynamics 365 requires preparation, cleansing, and import.
  • Integration: Dynamics 365 integrates third-party and Microsoft services. Custom integrations can be developed using Microsoft’s Power Platform.
  • Testing and Validation: The system undergoes testing to make sure it satisfies business needs and to find any problems.
  • Training and Change Management: Users receive training, and change management techniques are put into action.
  • Go-live and Support: After the system is put into use, it receives continuous support.

Costing

Depending on the number of users, modules, and particular services selected, NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics 365 have different pricing structures. Because they are expandable and versatile, the price might vary significantly based on an organization’s unique requirements.

Pricing for NetSuite:

NetSuite’s pricing depends on user count, add-on modules, contract length, and supplementary services.

  • Standard license: NetSuite’s standard licence is $999/month.
  • User license: The monthly fee for each user starts at about $99 per month. NetSuite offers two user license categories: full users, who are generally managers or supervisors wanting complete access to the system, and limited users, who are commonly employees requiring limited access.
  • Advanced features and modules: If you require advanced features or modules, there are additional fees. Depending on the particular feature or module, the NetSuite implementation cost of them can vary significantly.

Pricing of Microsoft Dynamics 365:

Dynamics 365’s modular pricing lets you pay for only the apps you require.

  • App licenses: Dynamics 365 Sales Professional costs $20 per person per month.  A sophisticated system like Dynamics 365 Finance might cost $120 per user each month.
  • User licenses: Dynamics offers “Team Member” licenses at a discount for simple tasks and “full” licenses for full functionality.
  • Microsoft also sells reduced app bundles like the Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Plan.
  • Additional Fees: Like NetSuite, support, training, customization, and deployment may cost extra.

Which Platform is More Scalable: NetSuite ERP or Dynamics 365?

Both products can handle transactional volumes to scale up to even the largest of organizations. But the products have different measures of scalability in other ways – depending on which components of scale are important to your organization. NetSuite ERP vs. Dynamics 365 for small businesses: both scale but serve different needs.  

  • NetSuite ERP: NetSuite provides scalability through more standardization since it isn’t as likely to be over-personalized for different parts of a company. NetSuite is ideal for enterprises that need a flexible, cutting-edge ERP system with global support. NetSuite’s robust, all-in-one solution is why complicated businesses and multinational corporations select it.
  • Dynamics 365: Particularly Business Central, is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses and Microsoft ecosystem users because of its strong connection. Microsoft Dynamics 365 has a greater breadth of functionality to address more diverse business processes, which may appeal to larger or more complex organizations. Which product is more scalable depends on which aspects of scale are most important to you.

How Do NetSuite ERP And Dynamics 365 Handle Multi-Currency and Multi-Country Operations?

Companies with several subsidiaries or countries need an ERP system that streamlines worldwide operations. NetSuite’s OneWorld solution’s multi-entity and multi-currency interoperability lets firms mix financial data from multiple subsidiaries without customization or tooling. Compared to NetSuite, Dynamics 365’s integrated regulatory compliance tools make foreign standards easier to meet.

However, Dynamics 365 Business Central does not provide financial aggregation across several companies. Each company needs its database, making subsidiary financial management difficult. As organizations expand abroad, this technique may become pricier and more complicated. The integrated multi-entity capability of NetSuite ERP vs. Dynamics 365 is more efficient if you want to develop globally or manage multiple subsidiaries.

How Do the AI and Automation Features of NetSuite ERP Compare to Dynamics 365?

Dynamics 365 Business Central has more features than Dynamics 365 Finance, but not as many. Business Central includes a CRM system with contact management capabilities, along with additional tools for automating the Dynamics 365 for Sales vs. NetSuite ERP force. The solution has project management features as well. NetSuite has a PSA module for project reporting, invoicing, and cost control. Integration is unnecessary because NetSuite ERP connects both modules. Third-party modules used to expand Dynamics 365 Business Central capabilities can dramatically increase the service’s total cost of ownership.

Which Platform Offers Better Tools For Business Process Automation: NetSuite ERP or Dynamics 365?

Many businesses are debating whether to switch from NetSuite or QuickBooks, Microsoft Dynamics GP, or other on-premise systems to either NetSuite or one of Microsoft’s cloud ERP options. The product’s history, current degree of adoption, basic functioning, pricing, and the difficulties of customization and maintenance must all be considered as they balance the risks and benefits of various systems. They should also inquire about the system’s scalability so that it can support the company as it expands. NetSuite is the obvious winner, as many firms will discover after assessing each of those categories.

Which is better, Microsoft Dynamics 365 or NetSuite?

Both Microsoft Dynamics 365 and NetSuite have advantages and disadvantages. As part of our digital transformations, we have advised and assisted customers in implementing both systems, so we are aware of their benefits and drawbacks. The ideal option for your company should ultimately depend on your priorities and ambitions.

Conclusion

The size, sector, and particular requirements of your company will determine which of NetSuite and Dynamics 365 for e-commerce is best for you. NetSuite may be your best option if you require a reliable, simple-to-use solution with excellent e-commerce and finance features. Dynamics 365 might be a better option, though, if you’re a big business seeking sophisticated functionality and a close connection with Microsoft products. For more information on NetSuite and Dynamics 365, or to ask questions, contact one of our advisers. After evaluating your company’s needs, DevTeamPro Netsuite ERP solution provider, will recommend the best course of action for remarkable expansion.