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Microsoft Access vs. Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Microsoft Access

    Score7.5 out of 10
    N/AMicrosoft Access is a database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools.

    $139.99

    per PC

    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)

    Score4.8 out of 10
    N/AMicrosoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (or Dynamics AX) was an ERP product in the Dynamics family. It has been split into separate Dynamics 365 products and is no longer available.N/A
    Pricing
    Microsoft AccessMicrosoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Editions & Modules
    Microsoft Access
    $139.99
    per PC
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Microsoft AccessMicrosoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    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
    Community Pulse
    Microsoft AccessMicrosoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Considered Both Products
    Microsoft
    Chose Microsoft Access
    Microsoft Access is the only real database software that I've used in this aspect. Yet to be honest, I can't think of another competitor that would compare.
    Incentivized
    Discontinued Products
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    97%
    Would buy again
    29 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Delivers good value for the price
    97%
    Delivers good value for the price
    29 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Happy with the feature set
    93%
    Happy with the feature set
    28 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    86%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    19 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation went as expected
    91%
    Implementation went as expected
    21 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Features
    Microsoft AccessMicrosoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Relational Databases
    Comparison of Relational Databases features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    7.7
    3 Ratings
    5% below category average
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    -
    Ratings
    ACID compliance7.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Database monitoring8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Database locking8.03 Ratings00 Ratings
    Encryption7.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Disaster recovery7.73 Ratings00 Ratings
    Flexible deployment8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Multiple datatypes8.03 Ratings00 Ratings
    Payroll Management
    Comparison of Payroll Management features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    8.8
    8 Ratings
    16% above category average
    Pay calculation00 Ratings9.07 Ratings
    Benefit plan administration00 Ratings9.05 Ratings
    Direct deposit files00 Ratings8.05 Ratings
    Customization
    Comparison of Customization features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    7.0
    13 Ratings
    8% below category average
    API for custom integration00 Ratings5.013 Ratings
    Plug-ins00 Ratings8.912 Ratings
    Security
    Comparison of Security features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    6.0
    14 Ratings
    34% below category average
    Single sign-on capability00 Ratings5.013 Ratings
    Role-based user permissions00 Ratings7.014 Ratings
    Reporting & Analytics
    Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    8.3
    14 Ratings
    9% above category average
    Dashboards00 Ratings9.012 Ratings
    Standard reports00 Ratings7.014 Ratings
    Custom reports00 Ratings9.014 Ratings
    General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
    Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    8.2
    15 Ratings
    6% above category average
    Accounts payable00 Ratings7.015 Ratings
    Accounts receivable00 Ratings7.014 Ratings
    Global Financial Support00 Ratings8.06 Ratings
    Primary and Secondary Ledgers00 Ratings9.07 Ratings
    Journals and Reconciliations00 Ratings7.010 Ratings
    Configurable Accounting00 Ratings9.08 Ratings
    Standardized Processes00 Ratings8.99 Ratings
    Inventory Management
    Comparison of Inventory Management features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    8.7
    13 Ratings
    9% above category average
    Inventory tracking00 Ratings8.013 Ratings
    Automatic reordering00 Ratings9.011 Ratings
    Location management00 Ratings9.011 Ratings
    Order Management
    Comparison of Order Management features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    7.6
    13 Ratings
    4% below category average
    Pricing00 Ratings8.012 Ratings
    Order entry00 Ratings9.011 Ratings
    Credit card processing00 Ratings3.09 Ratings
    Cost of goods sold00 Ratings8.010 Ratings
    Order Orchestration00 Ratings9.05 Ratings
    Subledger and Financial Process
    Comparison of Subledger and Financial Process features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    8.7
    10 Ratings
    14% above category average
    Billing Management00 Ratings8.99 Ratings
    Cash and Asset Management00 Ratings8.010 Ratings
    Travel & Expense Management00 Ratings8.97 Ratings
    Budgetary Control & Encumbrance Accounting00 Ratings8.97 Ratings
    Period Close00 Ratings8.07 Ratings
    Project Financial Management
    Comparison of Project Financial Management features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    8.9
    7 Ratings
    16% above category average
    Budgeting and Forecasting00 Ratings9.06 Ratings
    Project Costing00 Ratings8.06 Ratings
    Cost Capture00 Ratings8.05 Ratings
    Capital Project Management00 Ratings9.05 Ratings
    Customer Contract Compliance00 Ratings9.03 Ratings
    Project Revenue Recognition00 Ratings8.95 Ratings
    Project Execution Management
    Comparison of Project Execution Management features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    8.8
    5 Ratings
    22% above category average
    Project Planning and Scheduling00 Ratings8.95 Ratings
    Task Insight for Project Managers00 Ratings9.04 Ratings
    Project Mobile Functionality00 Ratings6.04 Ratings
    Definable Resource Pools00 Ratings9.04 Ratings
    Grants Management
    Comparison of Grants Management features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    8.7
    4 Ratings
    16% above category average
    Award Lifecycle Management00 Ratings9.04 Ratings
    Procurement
    Comparison of Procurement features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    8.7
    7 Ratings
    20% above category average
    Bids Analyzed and Compared00 Ratings9.05 Ratings
    Contract Authoring00 Ratings9.03 Ratings
    Contract Repository00 Ratings9.04 Ratings
    Requisitions-to-Purchase Orders Integrated00 Ratings8.05 Ratings
    Supplier Management00 Ratings8.06 Ratings
    Risk Management
    Comparison of Risk Management features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    8.8
    2 Ratings
    26% above category average
    Risk Repository00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
    Control Management00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
    Control Efficiency Assessments00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
    Issue Detection00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
    Remediation and Certification00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
    Logistics
    Comparison of Logistics features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    8.5
    6 Ratings
    19% above category average
    Transportation Planning and Optimization00 Ratings8.06 Ratings
    Transportation Execution Management00 Ratings8.05 Ratings
    Trade and Customs Management00 Ratings8.95 Ratings
    Fulfillment Management00 Ratings8.04 Ratings
    Warehouse Workforce Management00 Ratings10.05 Ratings
    Manufacturing
    Comparison of Manufacturing features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    7.7
    6 Ratings
    3% above category average
    Production Process Design00 Ratings9.05 Ratings
    Production Management00 Ratings8.05 Ratings
    Configuration Management00 Ratings7.04 Ratings
    Work Execution00 Ratings8.05 Ratings
    Manufacturing Costs00 Ratings9.05 Ratings
    Supply Chain
    Comparison of Supply Chain features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    9.2
    6 Ratings
    22% above category average
    Forecasting00 Ratings9.95 Ratings
    Inventory Planning00 Ratings9.05 Ratings
    Performance Monitoring00 Ratings9.04 Ratings
    Product Lifecycle Management
    Comparison of Product Lifecycle Management features of Microsoft Access and Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Feature
    Microsoft Access
    -
    Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    9.0
    3 Ratings
    20% above category average
    Proposal Management00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
    Product Master Data Management00 Ratings9.03 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Microsoft AccessMicrosoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Small Businesses
    Amazon RDS
    Score8.1 out of 10
    Zoho One
    Score9.2 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    SingleStore
    Score8.2 out of 10
    Zoho One
    Score9.2 out of 10
    Enterprises
    SAP IQ
    Score5.4 out of 10
    SAP Cloud ERP (SAP S/4HANA Cloud)
    Score8.6 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Microsoft AccessMicrosoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Likelihood to Recommend
    7.4
    (102 ratings)
    8.0
    (19 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    10.0
    (15 ratings)
    8.0
    (4 ratings)
    Usability
    7.6
    (8 ratings)
    8.0
    (3 ratings)
    Availability
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    7.0
    (1 ratings)
    Performance
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.0
    (1 ratings)
    Support Rating
    6.4
    (5 ratings)
    8.0
    (3 ratings)
    In-Person Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    Online Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    7.3
    (2 ratings)
    Ease of integration
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    5.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Microsoft AccessMicrosoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Microsoft
    As a Material Purchasing/Planning/inventory tracking application, Microsoft Access serves its purpose well. It's presentation is clean, data entry is simple and the ability to customize search fields is welcome. It does, however, come with some caveats; namely, when setting search filters and the need arises to back up a step or two, with Microsoft Access you have to reset, or "clear all", adding extra steps/time to a query.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    It integrates fully with the other Microsoft software we use daily, and this coordination speeds up our work and gives us the agility to run easily. For example, in a purchase inquiry, the customer, after submitting a request, identifies the teams that should work on the project, and if they need further review by other people, they are added to the process, and everything is managed seamlessly rather than the sales process. Get the result as fast as possible.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Microsoft
    • Very easy to create entity-relationship diagrams for various tables and designing mock layouts.
    • Really easy to navigate as it hold[s] the classic Microsoft UI. Another good thing is that it comes with the complete MS Office Suite.
    • It is really fast when joining multiple tables no matter what type of join.
    • Works on pretty much same SQL scripts so no need to learn a new language!
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    • Microsoft Dynamics AX's scalability to meet our regional office needs provide flexibility to the team's requirements.
    • Combined with Citrix Xenapp, the application offers seamless access for users on high latency unreliable network connection to the application.
    • Application maintenance and updates are easy which makes it possible for us to manage remotely considering the servers are located in a remote Asia site.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Microsoft
    • Microsoft Access has not really changed at all for several years. It might be nice to see some upgrades and changes.
    • The help info is often not helpful. Need more tutorials for Microsoft Access to show how to do specific things.
    • Be careful naming objects such as tables, forms, etc. Names that are too long can get cut off in dialog boxes to choose a table, form, report, etc. So, I wish they would have resizable dialog boxes to allow you to see objects with long names.
    • I wish it could show me objects that are not in use in the database for current queries, tables, reports, forms, and macros. That way unused objects can be deleted without worrying about losing a report or query because you deleted the underlying object.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    • MRP can be slow to adapt to changes in actual production or supply chain transactions.
    • Setting up number sequences seems a trivial matter, but these numbers ID transactions once they are in the ledger and are key--easy to miss this point in the implementation process.
    • Bank rec being easily automated and able to quickly plug into a bank back end to get data is not the best.
    • Payment processing can be 'clunky' based on checks, ACH, Wires...as some of these items are not triggered out of the box in AX, bur are easily added --talking ACH and Wires specifically.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    Microsoft
    I and the rest of my team will renew our Microsoft Access in the future because we use and maintain many different applications and databases created using Microsoft Access so we will need to maintain them in the future. Additionally, it is a standard at our place of work so it is at $0 cost to us to use. Another reason for renewing Microsoft Access is that we just don' t have the resources needed to extend into a network of users so we need to remain a single-desktop application at this time.
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    Microsoft Dynamics continues to evolve by bringing more functionality to the customer. Also there are several independent software providers that offer a wide range of solutions for vertical markets.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Microsoft
    Microsoft Access is easy to use. It is compatible with spreadsheets. It is a very good data management tool. There is scope to save a large amount of data in one place. For using this database, one does not need much training, can be shared among multiple users. This database has to sort and filtering features which seem to be very useful.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    Overall the product does what we need it to do in order for us to function as a company. While there are some concerns over ongoing costs, the belief is, once we have it fully acclimated to our business the cost should settle into alignment with our original expectations. The new features that are consistently being added do add value to the product as they are usually customer request directed.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Reliability and Availability
    Microsoft
    I don't think the program has ever failed me. It is one of those programs where there is always a solution if you know where to look.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    Some integration and high volume ramping challenges, particularly with BizTalk and SQL Server, but getting sorted out. Outages over time appeared to be more dependent on integration complexity than AX MES.
    Read full review
    Performance
    Microsoft
    No answers on this topic
    Discontinued Products
    Some integration and high volume ramping challenges, particularly with BizTalk and SQL Server, but getting sorted out. Outages over time appeared to be more dependent on integration complexity than AX MES.
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Microsoft
    While I have never contacted Microsoft directly for product support, for some reason there's a real prejudice against MS Access among most IT support professionals. They are usually discouraging when it comes to using MS Access. Most of this is due to their lack of understanding of MS Access and how it can improve one's productivity. If Microsoft invested more resources towards enhancing and promoting the use of MS Access then maybe things would be different.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    We use a 3rd-party Microsoft Partner for the system. They are responsive and very knowledgeable. While costs have been mentioned several times in this review they are very aware of costs and have developers who are more economical they use to help offset the level of work required to meet our changes and fix our issues.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    In-Person Training
    Microsoft
    No answers on this topic
    Discontinued Products
    It took a lot of work, but Microsoft ultimately did a good job with in-person training, including being onsite in multiple global locations for extended periods.
    Read full review
    Online Training
    Microsoft
    No answers on this topic
    Discontinued Products
    Our solution deviated from a number of key out-of-the-box standards that were included in Online training. We just used that for introduction to the general functionality.
    Read full review
    Implementation Rating
    Microsoft
    there is no key idea, since it is easy to implement Microsoft Access
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    Some rough spots, but ultimately worked out. The contract didn't appear to be structured to support the level of overlapping facility deployments required to meet timeline commitments. Merging cultures on the program was also challenging. Overall, not an easy implementation by any stretch. Everyone did the best they could.
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Microsoft
    Excel is a fantastic - robust application that can do so much so easily. Its easy to train and understand. However - excel does not provide a reporting function and that is typically where we will suggest a move to [Microsoft] Access. [Microsoft] Access requires a little more knowledge of data manipulation.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    I was not part of the decision making process to select Microsoft Dynamics AX, however, I do know that an exhaustive search was done and many options were considered alongside Microsoft Dynamics AX and I feel that the right decision was made in choosing this solution.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Microsoft
    • Not having to recreate queries or reports every time you want to use them.
    • Once an item is created and saved as part of the database, you save manpower by not having to recreate them.
    • ROI from a usability standpoint is great. Solid product with great functionality that requires low maintenance usually.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    • With the robust built-in reporting we were able to drop an external reporting platform that costed about $40,000.
    • API integrations have saved manual entry and reduced having to hire 2-3 people to manage data.
    • Several administrators and developers are required for this which costs about 200-300 thousand in employee costs.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
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