Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central vs. SAP Business ByDesign

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (formerly Dynamics NAV) is one of the ERP products in the Dynamics family. The technology is based on the Navision product acquired by Microsoft in 2002. This product is the best-selling Microsoft ERP platform, and is often used by companies in the manufacturing and distribution verticals.
$8
per month per user
SAP Business ByDesign
Score 8.2 out of 10
Mid-Size Companies (51-1,000 employees)
SAP Business ByDesign is SAP's cloud ERP suite offering, launched in 2007, designed for the SMB market. The product includes a broad range of capabilities including financials, human resources, sales, procurement, customer service, and supply chain. Business ByDesign is a new platform, delivered entirely through a SaaS model, with functionality that overlaps somewhat with BusinessOne, which is also an SMB product, although not a true SaaS product.N/A
Pricing
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralSAP Business ByDesign
Editions & Modules
Dynamics 365 Business Central Team Members
$8
per month (billed annually) per user
Dynamics 365 Business Central Essentials
$70
per month (billed annually) per user
Dynamics 365 Business Central Premium
$100
per month (billed annually) per user
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralSAP Business ByDesign
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
YesNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
Additional DetailsSAP Business ByDesign is available for a monthly software-as-a-service (SaaS) subscription, based on a base package, user types, and number of users.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralSAP Business ByDesign
Features
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralSAP Business ByDesign
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
6.6
10 Ratings
10% below category average
SAP Business ByDesign
8.4
2 Ratings
14% above category average
Pay calculation6.710 Ratings00 Ratings
Benefit plan administration5.98 Ratings4.51 Ratings
Direct deposit files6.79 Ratings9.11 Ratings
Customization
Comparison of Customization features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.5
23 Ratings
1% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
9.2
5 Ratings
21% above category average
API for custom integration7.422 Ratings9.24 Ratings
Plug-ins7.620 Ratings9.25 Ratings
Security
Comparison of Security features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.8
27 Ratings
6% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
9.3
5 Ratings
11% above category average
Single sign-on capability8.723 Ratings9.04 Ratings
Role-based user permissions8.926 Ratings9.65 Ratings
Reporting & Analytics
Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.5
28 Ratings
2% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
9.2
5 Ratings
23% above category average
Dashboards7.224 Ratings8.85 Ratings
Standard reports7.628 Ratings9.25 Ratings
Custom reports7.627 Ratings9.65 Ratings
General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.4
28 Ratings
9% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
8.7
5 Ratings
13% above category average
Accounts payable8.727 Ratings9.24 Ratings
Accounts receivable8.426 Ratings9.24 Ratings
Global Financial Support7.515 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Primary and Secondary Ledgers8.114 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Journals and Reconciliations8.217 Ratings8.82 Ratings
Configurable Accounting7.617 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Standardized Processes8.418 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Inventory Management
Comparison of Inventory Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.5
24 Ratings
8% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
9.1
4 Ratings
14% above category average
Inventory tracking8.224 Ratings9.24 Ratings
Automatic reordering7.816 Ratings10.03 Ratings
Location management8.020 Ratings8.03 Ratings
Order Management
Comparison of Order Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.8
26 Ratings
0% below category average
SAP Business ByDesign
8.5
4 Ratings
8% above category average
Pricing8.023 Ratings9.24 Ratings
Order entry8.423 Ratings9.24 Ratings
Credit card processing6.415 Ratings4.51 Ratings
Cost of goods sold8.621 Ratings9.24 Ratings
Order Orchestration8.312 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Subledger and Financial Process
Comparison of Subledger and Financial Process features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.1
18 Ratings
8% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
9.2
3 Ratings
21% above category average
Billing Management8.016 Ratings8.83 Ratings
Cash and Asset Management8.217 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Travel & Expense Management7.112 Ratings10.02 Ratings
Budgetary Control & Encumbrance Accounting7.914 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Period Close7.817 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Project Financial Management
Comparison of Project Financial Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.7
8 Ratings
14% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
9.2
2 Ratings
19% above category average
Budgeting and Forecasting10.08 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Project Costing10.07 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Cost Capture10.08 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Capital Project Management8.05 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Customer Contract Compliance10.06 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Project Revenue Recognition8.04 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Project Execution Management
Comparison of Project Execution Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.4
10 Ratings
6% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
8.3
3 Ratings
17% above category average
Project Planning and Scheduling7.09 Ratings9.23 Ratings
Task Insight for Project Managers6.69 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Project Mobile Functionality6.58 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Definable Resource Pools6.49 Ratings00 Ratings
Grants Management
Comparison of Grants Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.9
7 Ratings
19% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
10.0
1 Ratings
31% above category average
Award Lifecycle Management6.77 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Procurement
Comparison of Procurement features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.7
14 Ratings
10% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
8.0
1 Ratings
14% above category average
Bids Analyzed and Compared6.58 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Contract Authoring6.38 Ratings00 Ratings
Contract Repository6.88 Ratings00 Ratings
Requisitions-to-Purchase Orders Integrated7.812 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Supplier Management7.111 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Risk Management
Comparison of Risk Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.1
10 Ratings
21% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
-
Ratings
Risk Repository6.79 Ratings00 Ratings
Control Management6.79 Ratings00 Ratings
Control Efficiency Assessments6.89 Ratings00 Ratings
Issue Detection7.09 Ratings00 Ratings
Remediation and Certification7.37 Ratings00 Ratings
Logistics
Comparison of Logistics features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.3
8 Ratings
7% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
9.2
3 Ratings
30% above category average
Transportation Planning and Optimization6.46 Ratings00 Ratings
Transportation Execution Management6.46 Ratings00 Ratings
Trade and Customs Management7.06 Ratings00 Ratings
Fulfillment Management6.88 Ratings00 Ratings
Warehouse Workforce Management8.16 Ratings9.22 Ratings
Manufacturing
Comparison of Manufacturing features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.6
8 Ratings
3% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
9.0
3 Ratings
20% above category average
Production Process Design8.16 Ratings9.23 Ratings
Production Management7.87 Ratings9.23 Ratings
Configuration Management6.46 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Work Execution8.16 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Manufacturing Costs7.68 Ratings9.23 Ratings
Supply Chain
Comparison of Supply Chain features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.4
10 Ratings
3% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
8.6
3 Ratings
18% above category average
Forecasting6.410 Ratings9.23 Ratings
Inventory Planning7.410 Ratings9.23 Ratings
Performance Monitoring6.810 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Product Lifecycle Management
Comparison of Product Lifecycle Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.8
7 Ratings
20% above category average
SAP Business ByDesign
-
Ratings
Proposal Management7.06 Ratings00 Ratings
Product Master Data Management7.66 Ratings00 Ratings
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Score 8.9 out of 10
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User Ratings
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralSAP Business ByDesign
Likelihood to Recommend
8.2
(29 ratings)
9.6
(7 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(1 ratings)
9.0
(3 ratings)
Usability
8.5
(9 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Availability
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
10.0
(2 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralSAP Business ByDesign
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is well suited for inventory management in all aspects. Its accessibility, along with my other apps, when out of the office is unparalleled. I find it easy to work with on a desktop or laptop; however, it could use some work on a mobile device.
Read full review
SAP
Do you plan on going public at some point? If so, this may not be the best solution for you
Read full review
Pros
Microsoft
  • Automate the creation of bills of materials for production. We can now generate a BoM from a sales order.
  • Organization of all data pertaining to thousands of parts, assemblies, and finished goods. Engineering and purchasing have a common portal.
  • We can create sales orders from quotations instead of re-entering them (this did require some bolt-on software). Less redundant work with fewer entry errors.
  • Accounting can provide reports based on specific criteria stored in NAV. We can pull better and more detailed intelligence.
Read full review
SAP
  • I like the ease of use and the implementation methodology.
  • With SAP Business ByDesign you can integrate other systems with Web Services, and data technology to get information easy and fast.
  • SAP Business ByDesign includes an Analytics Module to create new reports in regards to your needs.
Read full review
Cons
Microsoft
  • Some functions could be a bit more user friendly, intuitive.
  • Better migration from previous ERP software (especially other Microsoft products). "Growing pains" associated with change?! Maybe.
  • A few redundancies and procedural missteps on menus and tabs can make the portal a bit crowded.
Read full review
SAP
  • Time off request could be better. Right now, there is no option for sick time
  • It crashes often
  • Customization could be better
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Microsoft
We've already decided to continue using this software. It is too expensive for us to upgrade so we made a workaround by using the virtual computer with Windows XP installed on it. We did research replacing this software, but it was a better financial decision to keep what we had instead
Read full review
SAP
SAP BYD work centers are consistent and easy to navigate once you understand one work center. The document flow tab that is in each window allows one to see all related transactions. Document flow is important because one is able to see the flow of transactions and can therefore reverse transactions by following the document flow in reverse. It is possible to group items in each overview screen to see what items are open. The system is working as hoped.
Read full review
Usability
Microsoft
Best in terms of reporting or coming up with a great dashboard. Seamlessly collaborated with teams without depending on particular device as its web version is the buddy for people with work flexibility. Licensing price and integrations can be the areas of improvement and can simplify the interface which will be easy for a new user.
Read full review
SAP
Because SAP Business ByDesign allows us to improve our work, reduce the operational steps, implement audit controls, allows us found standard reports or it allows us to create new ones if you need more than the exists are enough for your work or your needs. Overall, SAP Business ByDesign allows us to standardize our operations, enhance our work, improve our skills, work over a web environment or mobile interface.
Read full review
Support Rating
Microsoft
It provides one to efficiently be able to manage bookkeeping and inventory without much challenges. One can easily navigate through workflow processes while managing usages and budgets. Being able to produce reports in Word, Excel or PDF means one is able to have a working document to produce trends and graphs or produce pivot tables.
Read full review
SAP
The Business ByDesign support is stablished since you contract the service with SAP. SAP resolves according to the service level agreement. Currently, we continue with the service and we are using the support channels available. We are receiving the support. The SAP support gets an incident and after that, they contact us to resolve the incident, if necessary, they set the meeting to understand it or we explain the incident
Read full review
Implementation Rating
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
SAP
I recommend implementing all workshops during the ERP selection that you need to know very well about the ERP software. It allows us to gather information to accurate the plan of the project implementation. Additionally, we must reach the high-level commitment to achieve the main goals, to define the RACI matrix and communicate to all project stakeholders.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Microsoft
I have personally supported all of the Dynamic family of ERP systems and made the decision to concentrate on NAV as the solution of choice. From a support and development standpoint there are few if any packages that can compare. It is not uncommon for most of the companies that I support to only call me once or twice a month after the first year. This is due to the ease of tracking down problems and errors and the ability for a developer to provide the end-user with routines that automatically correct the most basic kind of error
Read full review
SAP
ByDesign stacks up well against the competition. Companies that do multiple things are usually the best fit (manufacturing, distribution, and service). The more 'modules' used, the fewer competitors will be able to meet the company's needs. It is not inexpensive, but if the needs of the company have the complexity from either a global perspective and need localizations and foreign currency, or a volume perspective and need resources greater than what can be easily housed on-premise, ByDesign should be a top consideration.
Read full review
Return on Investment
Microsoft
  • Automation processing, including EDI functionality, has increased employee efficiency and prevented the need for adding additional employees.
  • Implementation of the warehouse functionality, including cycle counts, has resulted in better inventory control/less shrinkage.
  • Implementation of e-Ship and e-Receive, has resulted in greater efficiency and order accuracy.
Read full review
SAP
  • Positive - Access to the real-time reporting allowing for faster decision making especially when fixed price projects are heading into an over budget position.
  • Positive - Complex KPI can now be tracked and as a consequence intensive plans can be made to capitalise on this level of reporting. Staff also have clear visibility over their own performance.
  • Negative - We are a bit on the small side at 30 employees for a ByD solution so it was relatively expensive for us. It would be a much better value preposition above 50 employees.
Read full review
ScreenShots

SAP Business ByDesign Screenshots

Screenshot of the embedded analytics of SAP Business ByDesign, which makes it possible for key users or end users to define dashboards that contain tailored reports and KPIs for their roleScreenshot of Screenshot of some of the reports available with SAP Business ByDesign, that enable customers to create additional reports or KPIsScreenshot of the document flow, present in each business document in ByDesign, which shows a graphic of the predecessor and successor business documents as well as any associated accounting documents.Screenshot of SAP Business ByDesign's included Project Management module that is integrated with CRM to sell and bill projects, with HR to staff projects, and with SCM and SRM for procurement.Screenshot of the Financial Closing business scenario, used to perform financial period-end closing activities to ensure correct financial statements, such as Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow Statement. The Closing Cockpit helps to minimize the risk of missing important steps or incorrect timing.