Report: How Microsoft Dynamics AX Stacks Up to Top Tier ERP

Yes, there are dozens of ERP companies from which to choose, but only four titans.

So finds Panorama Consulting which is releasing its Clash of the Titans 2015 Report this week. Panorama's annual, subjective comparison of Tier 1 ERP vendors includes poll data from several hundred user companies, on such metrics as:

• Market share
• Rates of being short listed (and ultimately selected)
• Average time to implementation (planned vs. actual)
• Reasons for extended duration
• Payback period
• And perhaps most telling (or damning): ERP Success Rate. Do the customers consider the implementation a success or a failure...

Read full story at http://msdynamicsworld.com/story/report-how-microsoft-dynamics-ax-stacks-top-tier-erp

Microsoft Plans to Launch Dynamics AX 7 on Azure in Q1 2016

Microsoft has narrowed down its timeframe for a Dynamics AX 7 release to the first quarter of calendar year 2016. That news comes from Dynamics AX general manager Dan Brown at a keynote presentation at AXUG Summit 2015 today.

AX 7 has been in preview since September, and general availability in early 2016 will open it up ...

Read full story at http://msdynamicsworld.com/story/microsoft-plans-launch-dynamics-ax-7-azure-q1-2016

Why Microsoft Expects to Change Minds on The Future Dynamics AX and Azure

While Microsoft remains committed to shipping on-premise ERP software, senior managers for Dynamics AX told over 1,200 users last week at AXUG Summit 2015 that they see cloud adoption moving even faster than most organizations realize.

Dynamics AX customers and prospects are beginning a rapid turnaround in outlook about public cloud deployment, Microsoft managers believe. And those changes could be influenced at least in part by the AX team's own efforts to demonstrate cloud-first, and sometimes cloud-only, product choices that makes Azure a component of every AX solution going forward.

"Microsoft is absolutely committed to a hybrid strategy," Dynamics AX general manager Dan Brown told the AXUG Summit audience last week in response to a questio...

Read full story at http://msdynamicsworld.com/story/how-microsoft-working-change-minds-about-future-dynamics-ax-and-azure

Industry-Specific Capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics AX: Manufacturing and Distribution Industry

Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP designed specifically for manufacturing and distribution industries features modules for supply chain management and finance, manufacturing resource planning (MRP), human resources and operations management.

Manufacturing

The competition in the world of manufacturers is extremely fierce. Manufacturers are faced with the challenge of outclassing their competition specifically by providing greater value in terms of quality, customer services, relationship building with customers and response times. Success can only be achieved through innovation and flexibility in operations. Therefore, Dynamics AX, as a Microsoft ERP solution, is focused on helping manufacturers drive innovation and take up the position of market leaders in the industry; it is designed keeping in mind the fast changing nature of the industry as well as the requirement for flexibility.

Furthermore, Manufacturers are now expected to go beyond simply manufacturing and then selling products; they are expected to not only meet but to exceed their customers’ needs. Suppliers need to be true business partners, providing high quality products, delivering them on time, as well as forecast future requirements and fulfill them accordingly, in addition to being active in identifying changing market trends. It is only if manufacturers and suppliers are able to meet all requirements of customers today, that they will be able to compete with global supply chains; after all customers of today have a lot of options from where to purchase products.

Microsoft ERP solutions help manufacturers and distributors effectively manage their business by providing them with easy-to-use, integrated-by-design, flexible solutions so as to enable Dynamics users to provide superior customer experiences.

Microsoft ERP solution caters to manufacturers including sales productivity, marketing, customer service and engagement, supply chain management, finance, manufacturing resource planning (MRP), human resources, and operations management.

Distribution

Operational efficiency alone is not enough; optimizing inventory management, complying with local regulatory requirements and maximizing capital investments are just some of the additional demands that distributors face while dealing in today’s challenging marketplace. Customers require distributors who have effective warehousing and delivery capabilities.

Distributors using Microsoft ERP solutions are empowered by tools that enable them to achieve synergize logistics and key operational areas, thereby achieving; total supply chain transparency and management.

In summation, Dynamics AX is the ideal Microsoft ERP solution for distributors and manufacturers as it empowers distributors, and enables manufacturing organizations to run and continuously improve their own processes, across multiple sites and geographies, on a single unified platform.

Business Benefits of Microsoft Dynamics AX. Part 2

RECAP:

Last week’s blog on the business benefits of Dynamics AX spoke about how Dynamics AX increases the pace at which your business operates and meets customers’ needs, as well as about the ability of Dynamics AX to strengthen businesses making them flexible and open towards organizational and industrial changes.

MORE Business Benefits of Dynamics AX

Dynamics AX implementation increases the global competitiveness and competencies of an organization

Dynamics AX enables organizations to expand across borders because of its multi-language and multi-currency features; additionally Dynamics AX ERP is compliant with the local financial and regulatory requirements of 36 countries.

This standardized global ERP system allows for the centralization of processes and extension of the supply chain management across multiple sites and divisions. It gives managers, supervisors and project leaders greater visibility into the entire operations of the global enterprise, aiding them in managing and monitoring performance across the board through sophisticated analytical and reporting tools. Analytic capabilities could be further enhanced by combining your solution with Microsoft Business Intelligence applications thus having increased ability to manage a complex business environment.

Microsoft Dynamics AX enhances the competency of an organization by allowing remote users to access information as well, ensuring that employees are able to remain synchronized with the team despite being on the go. Also, in global businesses key decision makers are often remote employees and may not have the ability to log into Microsoft Dynamics AX; these problems are easily rectified by using PerformancePoint Server or Microsoft Office SharePoint® Server, as well as through Microsoft Dynamics AX Role Centers which enable communication between manufacturers with remote employees or customers as well.

Furthermore, Microsoft Dynamics AX also includes an option to facilitate external users or remote Web users who accesses Microsoft Dynamics AX using Enterprise Portal or a Web browser. The Enterprise Portal also gives employees access to real-time KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), scorecards, and data.

Microsoft Dynamics AX ensures high ROI

Microsoft Dynamics AX ensures that organizations immediately begin to get good returns on their investments. The familiar user-interface and easy to use tools facilitate users to produce results soon after being introduced to Dynamics AX. The web based Microsoft Dynamics Client for Microsoft Office and SharePoint Server provides an increased number of employees access to information and processes at a reduced licensing cost.

The enhanced performance and scalability offered by Microsoft Dynamics AX and the fact that it can easily be integrated with Microsoft products and technologies greatly improves the total cost of ownership of your IT infrastructure.

These were some of the most prominent business benefits that Microsoft Dynamics AX has to offer; there are of course numerous other business benefits that organizations gain from however the idea was to highlight the most impactful benefits.

In conclusion Dynamics AX is a powerful, simple and agile innovation that provides organizations with tools to plan, see and change their business so as to make the most of opportunities as and when they arise, thus empowering an organization unimagined business success.

Business Benefits of Microsoft Dynamics AX

Microsoft Dynamics AX is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that is designed to enable organizations to deliver value to their customers in a timely manner. By centralizing all organizational data and streamlining functions such as budgeting, finance, customer relationships, supply chain management, inventory management etc., this Microsoft ERP Solution increases visibility across the organization.

Dynamics AX is a Microsoft ERP solution that has immense value for organizations as the business benefits that it offers are far-reaching in terms of customer satisfaction, sales revenues and gross margins.

Dynamics AX increases the pace at which your business operates and meets customers' needs.

As a Microsoft ERP Solution, Microsoft Dynamics AX has a proven record of increasing the efficiency of business operations. The familiar user interface of Microsoft Dynamics AX allows people to focus on the business since employees, managers and business owners do not need to spend too much time learning the new application. Secondly, Role Tailored user interface and Role Centers allow employees to easily access tasks and information; this increases work effectiveness by helping employees prioritize and be more organized.

Dynamics AX also bolsters business operations by using integrated, unified communication and collaboration tools to build strong connections with employees, customers and partners. Furthermore, this Microsoft ERP solution enables businesses and their people to work smart by providing business intelligence and reporting tools that help in analyzing data through dashboard KPIs, Microsoft Office Excel, Business Analytics in Microsoft Dynamics AX, and Microsoft Office PerformancePoint™ Server; this contributes towards exceling the pace of business operations by expanding decision making.

Dynamics AX strengthens businesses making them flexible and open towards organizational and industrial changes.

The implementation of ERP systems promotes growth by providing a service-oriented architecture, tight integration with Microsoft technologies and a web service that allows addition of more users with great ease, while supporting new business models and enabling the solution to be scaled for large, distributed enterprises. In order to help organizations adapt to changing industry and customer demands, this Microsoft ERP solution allows businesses to build and quickly modify ad-hoc work streams. It also automates supply chain collaboration and documents exchange with Microsoft BizTalk® Server and the Microsoft Office System.

Another way by which this Microsoft ERP solution enables organizations to deal with changing dynamics is that it meets highly specialized needs with Microsoft Dynamics AX industry solutions or key industry and partner add-ons. Furthermore, the solution package that a business purchases in accordance with their current needs can be upgraded as the business grows by adding capabilities to take advantage of the current investments in Microsoft technology and services.

NOTE: More business benefits of Dynamics AX will be shared in next week's blog.

Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail

Microsoft Dynamics AX is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that helps speed up organizational processes by securing all organizational data on a centralized database; this means that data from all departments, divisions and subsidiaries or outlets is available in one data-bank.

When it comes to catering to the retail industry, Microsoft Dynamics for Retail simplifies the complexities at the backend, allowing retailers to focus on engaging with their customers and empowering employees. This in turn allows retailers to refine the shopping experience, making it personalized, differentiated and seamless.

Retailers today face a much greater challenge than simply ensuring the offtake of goods and provision of services. They are responsible for making the entire process more about the "customer" by ensuring that the consumer is provided by a complete shopping experience.

So what is it that Microsoft Dynamics for Retail does that enables the retailer to focus on enhancing the shopping experience? Following are some of the business benefits that retailers gain by implementing Microsoft Dynamics AX:

1. It contributes to a significant improvement in employees' performance by providing employees with role-tailored tools and information, and facilitating them to effectively connect with customers and suppliers.
2. By providing a complete, real-time view of all retail operations, Dynamics AX assists retail owners in making rapid yet informed business decisions.
3. Dynamics AX integrates purchase and production with stock planning, thus improving stock forecasting and ensuring that retailers are able to maintain the right stock levels.
4. All in all, Dynamics AX allows retailers to maintain lasting customer relationships and ensures high levels of customer satisfaction.
5. By seamlessly integrating all business functions, Microsoft Dynamics AX leads to higher sales and gross margins.

Microsoft Dynamics AX: The Ideal Solution for Small and Medium Sized Businesses

With over 350, 000 customers and 5 million users worldwide, Microsoft Dynamics AX has been catering to small and medium sized businesses for over 25 years. It is the perfect solution for small and medium sized businesses as it provides targeted solutions that meet industry-specific needs; this business software can be customized for manufacturing, retail, distributions, public sector and services industries. An example of such a customization is that Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for public sector incorporates fund accounting as required by public sector entities.

Furthermore, small and medium sized businesses will find that Microsoft Dynamics AX solutions are efficient and cost effective, and is designed to keep up with their business potential. This ERP solution increases the proactivity and productivity of employees as it enables individuals and teams to work better, faster and smarter. Microsoft Dynamics AX is reputed for promoting fast business growth because it helps businesses overcome obstacles such as transaction limitations, slow performance and the necessity of data re-entry due to disconnected data, as well as slashing related costs such as hiring additional people or expending extra time.

Additionally, to help businesses solve and prevent problems, Microsoft Dynamics features inbuilt workflows that give employees a comprehensive view and detailed understanding of the business; alongside this Microsoft Dynamics is embedded with powerful business intelligence tools that help transform data into insight.

One of the greatest benefits to small and medium sized businesses from Microsoft Dynamics AX services is that they transforms the way people connect—it allows people to connect using the web, through a SharePoint portal, or using a traditional desktop computer. Using this ERP solution employees can perform business processes by connecting through instant messaging, email, voice, and presence. In addition, Dynamics AX also facilitates the productivity of remote staff members by enabling them to work from wherever they are stationed. Such possibilities in terms of communication are of immense value to businesses as customers, suppliers and other business partners can be reached out to in a timely manner.

However, one of the most important factors because of which small and medium sized businesses give preference to Microsoft Dynamics AX solutions over other ERP solutions is that for up to a period of 10 years after its release, Microsoft provides support for the version of Dynamics AX that a business purchases. Furthermore, Microsoft’s partners provide local resources and expertise specific to customers’ business needs.

In conclusion, a Microsoft Dynamics AX solutions are ideal for small and medium sized businesses because it can turn insight into action and make every interaction and transaction productive. It allows your business to set itself apart from its competitors by driving long term growth through uncovering and creating new business opportunities.

Source: https://www.visionetsystems.com/blog/microsoft-dynamics-ax-ideal-solution-small-and-medium-sized-businesses