Microsoft Dynamics 365 vs. Procore vs. Sage 100 Contractor

Based on user experience, I would like to recommend this software to my friends or colleagues on the AP Handling. I like AP recording the most because it makes my work easy. I have been using this for the past 2 years, and it's one of the best for this task. Easy to use and user-friendly.

Incentivized

It works great for project management and putting all job-specific documents in one place. We are able to share drawings, submittals, and forms with our customers and subcontractors in a safe and reliable platform. However, getting reporting data is somewhat lacking, so if your business needs advanced options, you might try and find a better product.

Incentivized

Sage 100 Contractor is well suited for independent contractors (IC's) that want to learn a software that can be an end-to end solution. From estimates all the way to reporting, Sage 100 Contractor will provide the IC's with everything they need. There is however a learning curve and the person operating the software needs to be well versed in how each component operates and connects to the overall financial picture.

Incentivized

• Some useful out-of-the-box features, like mass uploads of Leads from trade shows or when qualifying a Lead, CRM automatically creates the Opportunity, Contact, and Account for you, etc.
• Really powerful customizations through the user interface to improve user experience. Things like Business Rules, for example, if Field A = 1, then Field B = 2 and Field C = 2, if Field A = 2, then Field B and Field C don't apply, so automatically hide them.
• Or other functionality that improves user experience, like Business Process Flows. These walk users step by step through our business process, helping them know when certain actions should take place, and at what point other data is now required. We've used this extensively with our Lead to Opportunity to Quote to Order process, helping users understand the business process each step of the way.
• Customizations built on top of the platform now called model-driven PowerApps. You can have connections to "typical" data, like Accounts, Contacts, or Opportunities, for example, but then connect that data to custom entities, records that only apply to your specific business. This is all done through the user interface and allows you to customize and automate specific line-of-business applications for your specific needs.
• Behind the scenes, D365 CE is built on SQL. So the data conforms to industry standards and makes it much easier to interact with. Your developers and IT team will thank you.

Incentivized

• Submittals, Easily able to track and keep a running record of documentation.
• RFI's ability to track costs and impacts to the project in one useful tool.
• Keeping all items for a job in one location. I love that Procore is my one-stop shopping for all items related to my project.

Incentivized

• Job Cost Summary's are automatically updated and the user can drill down into the costs which is very helpful.
• Committed Cost Reports are very helpful in forecasting where our jobs will end up.
• The customization allows you to manipulate reporting and other features to suit your needs.

Incentivized

• Microsoft Dynamics 365 storage & license cost can prohibit some large deployments or even cost-sensitive small projects from using the platform (although I'm certain most deployments would realize a positive ROI if implemented correctly with process automation).
• The cost and licensing document for Dynamics 365 is 61 pages and will take a rocket scientist to understand it. It's better to just have your Microsoft help estimate the cost if they are willing to help you that.
• The documentation on how to first fully understand the Out of the Box default solution and settings is lacking or even non-existing. This has the potential to derail Dynamic 365 launches and implementations from the gitgo. Want to use an out of the box entity?.. well it's probably related to 5 other entities that require configuration and full understanding of it to successful implement. And you ask where is the laymen guide or instructions?... User groups and forums. In Summary, Microsoft can up its game in deployment training and supporting documentation.
• Microsoft needs to incentivize more external platforms to build app connectors for easy integration, such as ZenDesk, Slack, Tableau, etc. Even the current connector apps such as Salesforce, MailChimp, Docusign are useless or don't work at all.
• Several limitations inhibit successful Dynamics 365 deployments such as: limited number of Rollup field calculations (summarizing fields on child/related records), limited number rows that can exported to Excel via advanced find, Dynamics 365 files, log and database storage size limit is extremely small and will always require purchasing additional storage (for Online deployments).
• New user buy-in or acceptance or system platform changes can be difficult if a solid change management plan isn't enacted.
• Don't expect much help from Microsoft on implementation or solutions unless it's a technical flaw with the platform. Microsoft relies on their MVP partner network to consult for implementations at a hefty cost. Hiring a knowledgeable and savvy Dynamics 365 System Administrator can reduce the need for consultant support; of course, this is dependant upon many many variables.

Incentivized

• Downloading drawing sets sometimes involves an extra step that holds up the process
• The dashboard is simplistic to the point that I don't feel like I am getting enough information about a specific project from the get-go
• Granting access to a project on Procore is not very straightforward as a consultant- restrictions sometimes cause hold-ups

Incentivized

• Some of the tax calculations, payroll steps had to be sorted out
• System glitches - sometimes boots you out of the system

Incentivized

CRM has allowed us to keep all of our data in one place that is easy for all users within the company to view. I came into the company after they had been using CRM for about 4 years. They have all said that since we have used this it has helped us control work processes better, it has allowed us to be able to track things so much better, and has been something that has helped unite many processes that used to be all over the place. We are currently using CRM 4.0 and are planning on upgrading in the next 18 months to the 2011 version. Support for 4.0 is almost all but dried up. Understandably so. Some of the customization we have done, and a plugins we use, are now contained within the 2011 version so we are looking forward to that upgrade. We use an email marketing company as well, and they primarily support the 2011 version, but their product connects and is integrated within CRM. This is a great benefit as well so that all of our marketing information can be contained in one location.

That's exactly what we did few weeks ago. Major point for this was pricing, it's really flexible and depend on the size of your company. You can also customize the tools that you want. Another point is constant updates, all tools are improving non-stop, Procore really listens to it's customers and implements ideas that they offer via support page

Incentivized

The cost of Sage 100 Contractor software is relatively inexpensive compared to some higher-priced options like Foundation and Microsoft Dynamics GP. But more importantly, the cost of implementing new software is costly. Implementation costs include testing and training. There are also risks involved with switching software such as missing data after conversion. Plus, there are always some unknown downsides to switching that are not apparent until the switch is made such as perceived capabilities that really don't exist. For these reasons, we will likely stay with Sage 100 Contractor for a long time. If we grow (say double) in size, we would consider other options.

Incentivized

The system has a generally easy to use interface. This is from log in, to switching of environments, to switching of user roles. Even the Business Central reports are relatively easy to use in comparison to other systems. And knowing that the data in Business Central can easily be made available and reports generated via the Microsoft Power BI makes it even a better a system.

90% of Procore is very intuitive and any user can pick it up and go. There are a few elements, more so on the Financials side that need some prior knowledge of systems in order to understand how and why it functions as it does. Once this is understood, it flows effortlessly

Incentivized

In the end there are tons of other products that are much better. Time cards don't work, we needed an external software to track this for employees. Estimation is cumbersome, we just used Excel. Payroll was ok, but didn't do employee taxes correctly when they make a certain amount for some reason. Overall, it's a bad product.

Incentivized

If you are working in an area with little to no signal, Procore will still allow you to get in the system and use it fully and will then update once you are at a place with a strong enough signal. Whether it be with wifi or LTE cell phone reception.

Incentivized

For the most part Procore is very responsive. However there are times when it's a little slow but it's minimal.

Incentivized

Our partner, Ledgeview Partners has been FANTASTIC to work with. They are always timely in their response and have taken time to understand our business and our specific needs. We've made a lot of advanced customizations and they have been a great help in making those updates.

Incentivized

General Support for Project Management and Financials is consistent. The ERP support is never consistent and I do end up at times in a black hole. I have to continually reach out to get the issue resolved or get an update. The ERP support needs more of Procore's attention

Incentivized

If we ever have issues with Sage 100, the live chat is an awesome tool. However, most of our live chat inquiries are not because of the issues we have, but more for us to better understand how we are supposed to use the software. Sometimes we ask ourselves "what if we" and if we need guidance, the live chat will provide us with the answers or resources to figure out what we need. They always follow up to ensure the problems we encounter have been fixed. If our issue is an indicator of an upgrade that could be made, Sage 100 C offers a way to submit the idea for review and improvement of the software.

Incentivized

Procore's Implementation Team does a great job of ensuring users are confident in using the system. They run through a process of training sessions based on the tools you have purchased, and lay ou ta plan to help the power users configure the tool to suit the company's needs. They provide useful resources for certifications, support and ongoing training as well.

Incentivized

Procore's certification program and focused how-to training videos allowed for easy training that did not feel overwhelming. The way the certification programs were broken up into small parts made it seem much less daunting to complete. The training feels focused and does not overload users with too much information all at once.

Incentivized

We used a data warehouse to house our data, and our IT team and implementation vendor worked diligently ahead of time to construct idea implementation plans. Out of millions of records- we had less than a dozen errors, which is remarkable. My major insight is simply having a group of completely devoted individuals working towards your goal who fully understand the desired outcome. Focused resources for implementation season are critical to success.

The hardest part about the implementation of Procore was getting all of our subcontractors uploaded into Procore and getting the correct contacts in for bidding. All of this information was with different people throughout our company, so getting it all into Procore and making sure it was correct was quite a challenge and caused the most growing pains for us. It was one of the reasons we had to wait to implement bidding because we couldn’t take the risk of sending out RFPs to people that weren’t correct or weren’t going to use Procore.

Incentivized

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is much more robust, with more customizable features, such as user-specific settings and customer customization options. The system is easy to us,e and all modules can be customized to the exact need of the user. The standard version includes everything you need for a small business that is starting out. Additional features can be added as needed.

Incentivized

I don't really view open space as a competitor. But I do see it as a great as built source of information. Procore lacks giving me live as built information on Architecture (primarily) and other trades installation not being accurate to the drawings. I don't view it as a negative, but as a potential support that may help.

Incentivized

Sage 100 Contractor is the best value with powerful features that we are happy with. It doesn't have everything we need but it does have the ability to add custom features that keep us running smoothly.

Incentivized

You can use Procore to any level of business. I work with much larger companies that use Procore at a much higher level and very effectively

Incentivized

• If you know your stuff, this product does just fine. They are always adapting (aren't they all, always?), so expect it to grow and for you to grow with it.
• Don't expect new employees, or places with high turnover, to ease into this product quickly, or even on a moderate time table.

Incentivized

• The Procore service impacts on construction projects are effective and reliable on production acceleration.
• The collaboration is stable and easy files access and uploading of engineering drawings and plans is excellent.
• New project planning and project financial data management on Procore functions are excellent.

Incentivized

• It's had mostly a positive impact - solutions to my problems with accounting integrity.
• Solutions for happier employees because they have portable time sheets. This makes me happier because I've made it work so I have less to do.
• I can quickly report on any project with a combination of software.

Incentivized