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Aptean Food & Beverage ERP vs. Microsoft Dynamics SL

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP

    Score8.2 out of 10
    N/AAptean Food & Beverage ERP is an enterprise resource planning system for food and beverage processors, manufacturers, and distributors. Built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, the cloud-based platform combines financial, inventory, production, quality, and supply chain management with functions developed for food-industry operations.N/A

    Microsoft Dynamics SL

    Score5.1 out of 10
    N/AMicrosoft Dynamics SL is one of the ERP products in the Dynamics family. This product was acquired from Solomon 2000. The product is typically used by SMBs, particularly in project-based businesses (e.g. construction). It has strong accounting and project management capabilities.N/A
    Pricing
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERPMicrosoft Dynamics SL
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERPMicrosoft Dynamics SL
    Free Trial
    NoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details——
    More Pricing Information
    Features
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERPMicrosoft Dynamics SL
    Customization
    Comparison of Customization features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    7.3
    1 Ratings
    3% below category average
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    6.0
    6 Ratings
    22% below category average
    API for custom integration7.31 Ratings6.06 Ratings
    Plug-ins00 Ratings6.04 Ratings
    Security
    Comparison of Security features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    8.2
    2 Ratings
    2% below category average
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    8.7
    10 Ratings
    4% above category average
    Role-based user permissions8.22 Ratings10.09 Ratings
    Single sign-on capability00 Ratings7.49 Ratings
    Reporting & Analytics
    Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    6.2
    2 Ratings
    19% below category average
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    8.0
    10 Ratings
    6% above category average
    Dashboards7.32 Ratings8.06 Ratings
    Standard reports6.42 Ratings8.010 Ratings
    Custom reports5.01 Ratings8.010 Ratings
    General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
    Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    8.2
    2 Ratings
    6% above category average
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    7.1
    11 Ratings
    8% below category average
    Accounts payable8.22 Ratings6.011 Ratings
    Accounts receivable8.22 Ratings6.08 Ratings
    Journals and Reconciliations8.21 Ratings3.04 Ratings
    Global Financial Support00 Ratings6.02 Ratings
    Primary and Secondary Ledgers00 Ratings6.63 Ratings
    Configurable Accounting00 Ratings8.03 Ratings
    Standardized Processes00 Ratings6.03 Ratings
    Inventory Management
    Comparison of Inventory Management features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    6.1
    2 Ratings
    27% below category average
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    5.7
    6 Ratings
    33% below category average
    Inventory tracking8.22 Ratings5.06 Ratings
    Automatic reordering4.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Location management6.01 Ratings6.03 Ratings
    Order Management
    Comparison of Order Management features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    7.9
    2 Ratings
    0% below category average
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    6.2
    4 Ratings
    24% below category average
    Pricing6.42 Ratings6.03 Ratings
    Order entry9.12 Ratings3.04 Ratings
    Credit card processing8.21 Ratings7.02 Ratings
    Cost of goods sold00 Ratings7.03 Ratings
    Subledger and Financial Process
    Comparison of Subledger and Financial Process features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    8.2
    2 Ratings
    8% above category average
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    5.7
    4 Ratings
    28% below category average
    Billing Management8.22 Ratings6.02 Ratings
    Cash and Asset Management8.22 Ratings7.33 Ratings
    Travel & Expense Management00 Ratings5.01 Ratings
    Budgetary Control & Encumbrance Accounting00 Ratings6.32 Ratings
    Period Close00 Ratings6.04 Ratings
    Project Execution Management
    Comparison of Project Execution Management features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    4.0
    1 Ratings
    56% below category average
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    -
    Ratings
    Project Planning and Scheduling4.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Procurement
    Comparison of Procurement features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    4.6
    2 Ratings
    43% below category average
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    -
    Ratings
    Contract Authoring4.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Contract Repository4.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Requisitions-to-Purchase Orders Integrated6.41 Ratings00 Ratings
    Supplier Management4.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Risk Management
    Comparison of Risk Management features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    9.0
    1 Ratings
    29% above category average
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    -
    Ratings
    Control Management9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Logistics
    Comparison of Logistics features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    7.8
    1 Ratings
    11% above category average
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    -
    Ratings
    Transportation Planning and Optimization8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Transportation Execution Management8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Fulfillment Management8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Warehouse Workforce Management7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Manufacturing
    Comparison of Manufacturing features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    8.0
    1 Ratings
    7% above category average
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    6.0
    1 Ratings
    22% below category average
    Production Management8.01 Ratings6.01 Ratings
    Configuration Management8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Supply Chain
    Comparison of Supply Chain features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    4.3
    1 Ratings
    52% below category average
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    6.0
    1 Ratings
    20% below category average
    Forecasting4.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Inventory Planning4.01 Ratings6.01 Ratings
    Performance Monitoring5.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Product Lifecycle Management
    Comparison of Product Lifecycle Management features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    6.0
    1 Ratings
    21% below category average
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    -
    Ratings
    Proposal Management6.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Payroll Management
    Comparison of Payroll Management features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    8.5
    2 Ratings
    12% above category average
    Pay calculation00 Ratings9.62 Ratings
    Direct deposit files00 Ratings9.01 Ratings
    Project Financial Management
    Comparison of Project Financial Management features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    4.7
    3 Ratings
    47% below category average
    Budgeting and Forecasting00 Ratings7.33 Ratings
    Project Costing00 Ratings6.33 Ratings
    Cost Capture00 Ratings2.12 Ratings
    Capital Project Management00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
    Project Revenue Recognition00 Ratings2.01 Ratings
    Grants Management
    Comparison of Grants Management features of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP and Microsoft Dynamics SL
    Feature
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    6.3
    1 Ratings
    18% below category average
    Award Lifecycle Management00 Ratings6.01 Ratings
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    User Ratings
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERPMicrosoft Dynamics SL
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.2
    (2 ratings)
    5.0
    (18 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    -
    (0 ratings)
    5.4
    (8 ratings)
    Usability
    8.2
    (2 ratings)
    3.0
    (7 ratings)
    Availability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.9
    (2 ratings)
    Performance
    -
    (0 ratings)
    1.0
    (1 ratings)
    Support Rating
    6.0
    (1 ratings)
    9.5
    (4 ratings)
    Online Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    1.0
    (1 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (4 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    1.4
    (2 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERPMicrosoft Dynamics SL
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Aptean
    Aptean Food & Beverage ERP is an exceptional platform and has transformed the way we do business here in the office. The software is layered and very detailed, for better or worse. The average person with basic technology skills may struggle a bit, but then that opens the door for more advanced training opportunities. Its accuracy is dependent on human intelligence and attention to detail.
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    Microsoft
    For a small to mid-size business, MS Dynamics SL is effective. We are capable of managing our finances with a very low risk of error. We have worked with MS Dynamics for almost 15 years and have more than doubled the size of our business in that time with very few issues from the program. We have exponentially increased our revenue and reporting demands and have found SL to be very dependable and stable. The program does have the occasional glitch and those are sometimes outside of the realm of expertise of our IT department. SL support is excellent, but their timeliness is not as urgent as ours.
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    Pros
    Aptean
    • Accounts Payable system is well integrated and easy to use
    • Accounts Receivable is the same as Account Payable. Easy to reconcile with the bank
    • Tracking of inventory and recording of inventory is well managed by aptean
    • Submitting and recording Purchase Orders is very well integrated with Inventory and Accounts Payable.
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    Microsoft
    • Provides flexibility for complex project based cost accounting
    • Strong and flexible allocation processer for cost allocations, markups, and pricing
    • A "Flexible Billing" module under the project controller series that allows for multiple billing formats ranging from fixed price schedule of values, T&M or Cost Plus, and scheduled billing.
    • Flexible reporting with options using Crystal Reports, SSRS, a Quick Query tool, and ability to tie into MS Office tools such as MS Access and MS Excel
    • Tight integration with Financials, but also the ability to integrate with modules such as Sales Order, Inventory, and Field Service
    • Customization abilities ranging from a VBA (visual basic for application) foundation to allow customizing existing forms to the ability to use the SDK (Software Development Kit) to build more complex customizations that integrate with Dynamics SL.
    Incentivized
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    Cons
    Aptean
    • Determining specifically what date an item was last purchased from a customer. Item Tracking Entries are helpful, but it would be even more beneficial if it had the Shipment Date field instead of Expiration.
    • Sometimes field names change as they go from orders to posted. Continuity would make things crystal clear.
    Incentivized
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    Microsoft
    • Reporting in the Project module is lacking functionality. I understand that most companies have specific needs when it comes to tracking project information but the standard reports are not good.
    • I would recommend a product like Management Reporter that is for Projects only. Project Reporter should allow users to pull in all Project related data into reports.
    • Fixing suspended batches. Obviously all of us users have experienced this mess. SL knows what needs to be corrected and there could be some step by step fixes in a separate repair module to do the steps we do in Query Analyzer.
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    Likelihood to Renew
    Aptean
    No answers on this topic
    Microsoft
    Unfortunately, Dynamics' lack of ability to smoothly integrate with our CRM system is causing us to look at other solutions. The efficiencies that we gain by using Dynamics for our day to day accounting are lost in the constant headaches of getting sales quotes to import properly into the system for invoicing. Another major issue for us has been budgeting and reporting. We currently do all of our budgeting and board reporting in Excel, which is too time consuming and inefficient, especially when a system as robust as Dynamics should easily be able to handle this relatively simple task.
    Incentivized
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    Usability
    Aptean
    I gave this Rating to Aptean due to the many great functions it has and how specially designed it is for food manufacturing. The customer support however, sometimes gets a bit irritating
    Incentivized
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    Microsoft
    I rate it a 10 because we have removed the fields we don't need so users can really crank the data into the system. The software was designed for the professional services firm in mind but does a tremendous job for construction firms and "blended" companies that are both distribution firms but project centric as well. Perhaps they drop ship inventory to a project where their employees or subs need to work on a project for example.
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    Reliability and Availability
    Aptean
    No answers on this topic
    Microsoft
    We have had only one unplanned outage for 2 hours in the last 30 months. We shut down for 30 min to 1 hour once a month, but that is for Microsoft OS updates to the servers. Being a 24/7 world wide operation, the reliability is really important. We do get an 8 hour window on the weekend that we can be down for a short period to install Microsoft Dynamics SL updates, but we do not have many of those. On our last version upgrade, we shut the users out at 9:30 am and were fully operational in less than 6 hours. The upgrade was New SQL server, New SL server and 2 new Citrix servers.
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    Support Rating
    Aptean
    Support for the product is good, but very complicated via ticket process. And emergency tickets dont get resolved right away which then halts usage of the system.
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    Microsoft
    Support is only used when needed, so unfortunately ,they get all the odd issues. It's a difficult business, but Microsoft and our firm do a great job of meeting customer needs. We get routine feedback that our support services are very good.
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    Implementation Rating
    Aptean
    No answers on this topic
    Microsoft
    Just to let it take its course. The implementation for me once I became a part of my former organization was pretty seamless. Just get to know the basics and call the support team to ask questions if you need help on an issue, should they arise. They are ready, willing, and able to help!
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    Alternatives Considered
    Aptean
    We formerly used Great Plains which I believe now is discontinued and therefore obviously no longer supported. That particular system was archaic in design and extremely clunky to operate. We were looking for a modern system with the capability of inventory tracking. Aptean's initial sales team that we interacted with was knowledgeable and confident that we'd be satisfied.
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    Microsoft
    Of the comparable mid-range ERP systems, Dynamics SL competes at the lower end based on price, but also above the high-end based on flexibility, data, and reporting. Being able to stay with the same core accounting from a $100 million dollar company to a $3 billion dollar company shows the range of capabilities.
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    Scalability
    Aptean
    No answers on this topic
    Microsoft
    Since the backbone of the database is MS SQLServer, the database can be easily scaled.
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    Return on Investment
    Aptean
    • It has reduced us using multiples platforms
    • Our IT costs have been lowered since switching over
    • Our Record Keeping and traceability has significantly improved since going to aptean which has reduced a lot of paper record keeping
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    Microsoft
    • More time is spent on manipulating reports which can and should be automated.
    • Lack of electronic invoicing process and other green technology features creates more cost on printing and storage costs.
    • The lack of a user friendly interface requires more training and a bigger learning curve for staff.
    Incentivized
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    ScreenShots