Microsoft Dynamics 365
vs Dynamics AX
Compare the capabilities, tools, and functionalities between Dynamics 365 vs Dynamics AX to choose the intelligent solution for your unique business.
Why Dynamics AX vs Dynamics 365 Comparison is Necessary?
Embrace the power of automation and advanced business tactics with Dynamics 365.
With the comparison, you will get to compare the exceptional benefits, latest technologies, and advanced ERP functionality that can lead your business towards direct growth. Before getting into the comparison, let me help you understand the concept of Dynamics 365 that's concealed from you.
What is Dynamics 365? - A Solution or a Suite of Solutions
Dynamics 365 isn't a solution; yes, you heard it right. It is a suite of applications that contains different ERP (enterprise resource planning) and CRM (customer relationship management) solutions for all businesses, irrespective of size. Actually, it contains different business management solutions capable of streamlining different business operations.
Almost all websites on Google Search Engine are doing a comparison on Dynamics AX vs Dynamics 365, which is basically illogical. How would someone compare an ERP solution (Dynamics AX) with a suite of ERP and CRM solutions (Microsoft Dynamics 365)?
Is there really a comparison between Dynamics AX and Dynamis 365?
There is no comparison between these two because comparison takes place when two things are on the same level. If you want to compare Dynamics AX with other ERP solutions from Dynamics 365, you can do so with Business Central, Dynamics 365 Finance, Dynamics CRM, Dynamics f&o, or Dynamics NAV. In general, Dynamics 365 contains 12 major business solutions that are widely popular among growing businesses.
When it comes to comparing Dynamics AX with other solutions, you can go with Dynamics 365 Finance. Because both solutions are finance and accounting-specific and have similar infrastructure, Dynamics 365 Finance is an upgraded and modern version of Dynamics AX, which offers AI-driven tools for modern-day businesses.
If not, that's not your fault because Microsoft ERP partners are offering support services to keep Dynamics AX running, which makes you think that it is still available. The truth is, Microsoft has stopped offering Dynamics AX licences and support (mainstream and extended) to all businesses. If you don't believe us, you can contact Microsoft.
Does Microsoft still Sells Dynamics AX?
This is the most important question you should be concerned about. Because it is the basis of the entire Dynamics 365 vs AX comparison. If Microsoft has stopped offering a solution, there is no point in investing in an obsolete solution with the hope of consistent business growth.
| Dynamics AX Versions | Mainstream Support | Extended Support |
|---|---|---|
Dynamics AX 2009 | 09-Oct-18 | 12-Apr-22 |
Dynamics AX 2012 | 09-Oct-18 | 12-Apr-22 |
Dynamics AX 2012 R2 | 09-Oct-18 | 12-Apr-22 |
Dynamics AX 2012 R3 | 09-Oct-24 | 10-Jan-23 |
Based on the latest data, Microsoft doesn't sell Dynamics AX anymore. The company has ended mainstream and extended support for all versions and recommended businesses upgrade to a better ERP solution, like Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations.
For your knowledge, mainstream support is offered by Microsoft for a few years from the date of the release of a version. It contains system upgrades, updates, bug fixes, and a lot more. Once the mainstream support ends, the extended support starts for the next few years. During this time, Microsoft releases updates for data security only.
Dynamics AX is a basic financial ERP solution that can also manage and connect other departments too. But, with time, the solution has become outdated based on business and customer demands. Later, Microsoft releases Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations as an upgraded version of AX that offers some powerful capabilities to manage complex financial and supply chain operations.
You can go for a Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations upgrade, but it is a bit costly to implement and comes with a lot of tools that might not be required by your organisation. Because it comes with a lot of modules to streamline different sections of a business.
Microsoft understood this concern and divided Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations into two different applications: Dynamics 365 Finance and Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management. So, based on your business requirements, you can go with any solution that suits your needs.
Now, you can avail yourself of the desired solution by paying the licence fee for a specific one rather than paying for the whole package.
Dynamics 365 Finance or Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations - Which one is better?
When it comes to choosing a better solution, it differs from one business to another. Before making a perfect choice, you need to understand your business requirements and what's bringing your business down. You may need to analyse the capabilities of your existing ERP solution, market scenarios, and customer demands so that you can know your current needs and predict your future requirements too.
Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations is a cloud-based ERP solution capable of managing and streamlining entire financial and inventory operations. Built specifically for large businesses, it can handle the complex processes of different departments, which include finance, manufacturing, warehouses, and inventory.
Whereas Dynamics 365 Finance is specifically built for organisations with complex requirements for financial functionalities, It can manage all financial requirements, whether simple or complicated, but might not be able to manage other operations like finance and accounting.
So, if you have a requirement for managing finance, supply chain, inventory, and manufacturing operations, you can consider purchasing Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations. Otherwise, you can go for Dynamics 365 Finance to tackle complicated financial operations.
Dynamics AX vs Dynamics 365 Finance - What's the Core Difference?
We understand that Dynamics 365 Finance is built on the infrastructure of Dynamics AX and being on the same platform, both of these share a lot of similarities and differences as well.
Dynamics AX is a legacy system that comes with various outdated features of business management. Specifically, it is built to manage financial and accounting operations, but it can also deal with other departments. With an on-premises server deployment option, Dynamics AX offers the limited capabilities required for today's business scenario.
Whereas Dynamics 365 Finance is a cloud-based ERP solution equipped with the latest technologies of AI, BI, and ML to offer automation and powerful tools. Regardless of the financial complexities, it can be a perfect fit for any business. D365 Finance offers real-time insights that enable users to make data-driven decisions. In fact, it is built in such a way that it reduces the overall costs and optimises the financials of a business, leading to better financial planning and analysis.
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Dynamics 365 Finance - Advantages for Modern Businesses
D365 Finance is a market-leading ERP solution that comes with powerful tools to manage entire businesses while simplifying complex financial issues. Available on cloud and on-premises deployments, it offers interactive user interfaces and flawless opportunities for collaboration. It offers numerous benefits to its users, among which some are listed below.
Dynamics 365 Finance is capable of tracking all business processes to offer you real-time visibility for enhanced decision-making. It can efficiently track all resources, minimise manual errors, and automate the essential core tasks for improved results.
The D365 Finance cloud enables you to save a lot of assets and business resources. Due to monthly subscription costs, there is no need to invest money regularly in updates, upgrades, maintenance, integrations, and customisations. This will reduce operational costs and let you invest this money in business growth.
Centralised data servers let you receive, share, and store data in the cloud, which builds a consistent data flow across different departments of the organization. You can even avail yourself of data insights that can help you make proactive decisions to enhance the quality of a particular process.
Growing businesses need instant support to increase the performance of a particular process or department. Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations empowers the business to scale the process, performance, and entire system whenever required instantly with the help of a Dynamics 365 Finance implementation partner.
Get the interactive user experience to properly utilise all the tools, functions, and capabilities. With the perfect placement of all tools, you can navigate the system with ease, regardless of your licencing plan. If there is a need, you can even customise the navigation and the dashboard to make it more productive as per your needs.
Microsoft offers immense flexibility when it comes to integrating different add-ons or solutions with any of its solutions in the Dynamics 365 Ecosystem. You can easily integrate native as well as third-party solutions with Dynamics 365 Finance to increase efficiency.
Why Should I Upgrade from Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 Finance?
Dynamics AX has become an outdated solution that's inefficient for competing with today's market demands. If you still want to use it, you will need consistent support from a Microsoft Solutions Partner.
We understand that upgrading from a year-old solution that you have been using isn't easy at all. Because, with time, we become hooked on the functionality, interface, navigation, and all.
But you need to accept the fact that other businesses will upgrade to the latest technology, giving them a competitive advantage over you with a lot of advanced tools and features.
The process of upgrading from Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 Finance might feel complicated, but the results will be promising.
Imagine centralising data from different departments, automating recurring processes, availing AI-driven insights for overall growth, and opening up the doors to endless business opportunities with this upgrade. Based on our research, businesses that have implemented Dynamics 365 Finance have tracked enhanced ROI in less than 3 years.
Why Choose Dynamics Square as a Dynamics 365 upgrade partner?
Dynamics Square UK has been offering its flawless Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 Finance upgrade service to all businesses. We have been in this industry for more than 12 years and pretty much understand what businesses want to grow in this highly competitive market.
Even if you are still confused about Dynamics AX vs Dynamics 365 and unable to find a better solution, our team of 150+ technical consultants is available to show you the right path.
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