Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued vs. NetSuite ERP

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
Score 8.7 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft 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 to provide more flexibility to customers, allowing users to pay only for the functionality they need. Microsoft Dynamics AX will reach end of support in 2021, and end of extended support in 2023. Financial tracking and budgeting features are now found in the newly launchedN/A
NetSuite ERP
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
NetSuite is a suite of ERP and accounting modules which is sold in various editions aimed at different size customers. The multi-country, multi-currency version is an additional module called OneWorld. Netsuite is a SaaS system and is not offered in an on-premise edition.N/A
Pricing
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinuedNetSuite ERP
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinuedNetSuite ERP
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details—Users subscribe to NetSuite for an annual license fee. The license is made up of three main components: core platform, optional modules and the number of users. There is also a one-time implementation fee for initial setup. New modules and users and can be added as a business grows.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinuedNetSuite ERP
Considered Both Products
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
Chose Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
Microsoft D365 FO stands out amongst the competitors with its strong backing on the Microsoft Azure cloud and the life cycle services is the best I’ve seen. There is a ways to go in making it low/no code and mobile is there but not great. Overall an ok product as ERP is a …
NetSuite ERP
Chose NetSuite ERP
We use AX for some of our older operations that haven't been imported to our Magento instance. AX is comparatively harder to navigate vs NetSuite, pulling reports for example can be a pain if you don't have every metric, parameter, etc needed. Given it's an older system, it's …
Chose NetSuite ERP
NetSuite is far superior to these. NetSuite allows for integration with many other products making it very customizable. NetSuite is also much easier to use and set up as the user likes to make their process easier and more automated. NetSuite also makes it easier to have …
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinuedNetSuite ERP
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.8
8 Ratings
20% above category average
NetSuite ERP
1.1
15 Ratings
147% below category average
Pay calculation9.07 Ratings1.013 Ratings
Benefit plan administration9.05 Ratings1.010 Ratings
Direct deposit files8.05 Ratings1.39 Ratings
Customization
Comparison of Customization features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
7.0
13 Ratings
8% below category average
NetSuite ERP
9.2
74 Ratings
20% above category average
API for custom integration5.013 Ratings9.264 Ratings
Plug-ins8.912 Ratings9.947 Ratings
Security
Comparison of Security features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
6.0
14 Ratings
30% below category average
NetSuite ERP
9.7
81 Ratings
17% above category average
Single sign-on capability5.013 Ratings9.662 Ratings
Role-based user permissions7.014 Ratings9.780 Ratings
Reporting & Analytics
Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.3
14 Ratings
14% above category average
NetSuite ERP
9.8
72 Ratings
30% above category average
Dashboards9.012 Ratings9.871 Ratings
Standard reports7.014 Ratings9.870 Ratings
Custom reports9.014 Ratings9.870 Ratings
General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.2
15 Ratings
6% above category average
NetSuite ERP
7.9
275 Ratings
3% above category average
Accounts payable7.015 Ratings8.3269 Ratings
Accounts receivable7.014 Ratings8.2248 Ratings
Global Financial Support8.06 Ratings9.926 Ratings
Primary and Secondary Ledgers9.07 Ratings9.928 Ratings
Journals and Reconciliations7.010 Ratings9.341 Ratings
Configurable Accounting9.08 Ratings9.935 Ratings
Standardized Processes8.99 Ratings9.937 Ratings
Inventory Management
Comparison of Inventory Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.7
13 Ratings
10% above category average
NetSuite ERP
9.0
48 Ratings
13% above category average
Inventory tracking8.013 Ratings10.047 Ratings
Automatic reordering9.011 Ratings8.928 Ratings
Location management9.011 Ratings9.535 Ratings
Order Management
Comparison of Order Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
7.6
13 Ratings
3% below category average
NetSuite ERP
9.4
220 Ratings
18% above category average
Pricing8.012 Ratings9.853 Ratings
Order entry9.011 Ratings7.9216 Ratings
Credit card processing3.09 Ratings8.937 Ratings
Cost of goods sold8.010 Ratings9.448 Ratings
Order Orchestration9.05 Ratings9.921 Ratings
Subledger and Financial Process
Comparison of Subledger and Financial Process features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.7
10 Ratings
15% above category average
NetSuite ERP
7.9
216 Ratings
6% above category average
Billing Management8.99 Ratings8.3205 Ratings
Cash and Asset Management8.010 Ratings9.927 Ratings
Travel & Expense Management8.97 Ratings9.731 Ratings
Budgetary Control & Encumbrance Accounting8.97 Ratings8.927 Ratings
Period Close8.07 Ratings9.935 Ratings
Project Financial Management
Comparison of Project Financial Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.9
7 Ratings
16% above category average
NetSuite ERP
6.6
32 Ratings
14% below category average
Budgeting and Forecasting9.06 Ratings6.026 Ratings
Project Costing8.06 Ratings6.023 Ratings
Cost Capture8.05 Ratings6.022 Ratings
Capital Project Management9.05 Ratings4.014 Ratings
Customer Contract Compliance9.03 Ratings9.913 Ratings
Project Revenue Recognition8.95 Ratings6.922 Ratings
Project Execution Management
Comparison of Project Execution Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.8
5 Ratings
24% above category average
NetSuite ERP
4.1
17 Ratings
51% below category average
Project Planning and Scheduling8.95 Ratings8.914 Ratings
Task Insight for Project Managers9.04 Ratings3.311 Ratings
Project Mobile Functionality6.04 Ratings3.010 Ratings
Definable Resource Pools9.04 Ratings3.68 Ratings
Grants Management
Comparison of Grants Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.7
4 Ratings
17% above category average
NetSuite ERP
3.1
12 Ratings
82% below category average
Award Lifecycle Management9.04 Ratings3.57 Ratings
Procurement
Comparison of Procurement features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.7
7 Ratings
23% above category average
NetSuite ERP
3.3
19 Ratings
71% below category average
Bids Analyzed and Compared9.05 Ratings3.58 Ratings
Contract Authoring9.03 Ratings1.910 Ratings
Contract Repository9.04 Ratings3.58 Ratings
Requisitions-to-Purchase Orders Integrated8.05 Ratings3.613 Ratings
Supplier Management8.06 Ratings9.913 Ratings
Risk Management
Comparison of Risk Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.8
2 Ratings
29% above category average
NetSuite ERP
3.1
11 Ratings
72% below category average
Risk Repository9.02 Ratings3.58 Ratings
Control Management9.02 Ratings1.911 Ratings
Control Efficiency Assessments9.02 Ratings3.57 Ratings
Issue Detection9.02 Ratings3.58 Ratings
Remediation and Certification9.02 Ratings3.58 Ratings
Logistics
Comparison of Logistics features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.5
6 Ratings
24% above category average
NetSuite ERP
3.1
17 Ratings
73% below category average
Transportation Planning and Optimization8.06 Ratings2.89 Ratings
Transportation Execution Management8.05 Ratings2.88 Ratings
Trade and Customs Management8.95 Ratings2.88 Ratings
Fulfillment Management8.04 Ratings9.914 Ratings
Warehouse Workforce Management10.05 Ratings2.511 Ratings
Manufacturing
Comparison of Manufacturing features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
7.7
6 Ratings
4% above category average
NetSuite ERP
9.4
16 Ratings
23% above category average
Production Process Design9.05 Ratings8.912 Ratings
Production Management8.05 Ratings8.914 Ratings
Configuration Management7.04 Ratings9.910 Ratings
Work Execution8.05 Ratings9.912 Ratings
Manufacturing Costs9.05 Ratings8.914 Ratings
Supply Chain
Comparison of Supply Chain features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
9.2
6 Ratings
26% above category average
NetSuite ERP
8.3
141 Ratings
16% above category average
Forecasting9.95 Ratings8.817 Ratings
Inventory Planning9.05 Ratings7.5138 Ratings
Performance Monitoring9.04 Ratings8.914 Ratings
Product Lifecycle Management
Comparison of Product Lifecycle Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
9.0
3 Ratings
23% above category average
NetSuite ERP
3.9
13 Ratings
59% below category average
Proposal Management9.02 Ratings2.610 Ratings
Product Master Data Management9.03 Ratings3.29 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinuedNetSuite ERP
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Score 8.7 out of 10
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User Ratings
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinuedNetSuite ERP
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
(19 ratings)
8.4
(375 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
8.0
(4 ratings)
9.0
(49 ratings)
Usability
8.0
(3 ratings)
8.5
(234 ratings)
Availability
7.0
(1 ratings)
9.0
(16 ratings)
Performance
7.0
(1 ratings)
8.0
(15 ratings)
Support Rating
8.0
(3 ratings)
7.1
(216 ratings)
In-Person Training
9.0
(1 ratings)
7.3
(2 ratings)
Online Training
8.0
(1 ratings)
6.4
(10 ratings)
Implementation Rating
7.3
(2 ratings)
5.7
(17 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
8.7
(5 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(3 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(8 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
4.8
(2 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
5.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinuedNetSuite ERP
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft
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.
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NetSuite
Netsuite ERP is well suited to helping facilitate a smooth procurement process, raising purchase orders and managing invoices. We use it to set up new suppliers and for global organisations with multiple cost centres, suppliers, agencies, activities etc. it is very good at managing a high volume of different suppliers and activities. It has a relatively navigable interface but could stand to be a bit more simple / modern and automated. It is quite aggressively busy on screen vs some other simplified interfaces
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Pros
Microsoft
  • 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.
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NetSuite
  • Revenue recognition. We get information from Salesforce and we build the revenue recognition engine that I'm really pleased. We avoid a lot of manual work by doing this.
  • We send out invoices electronically from the system. We use it for the fixed asset now with the new lease opinion that we just adopted in January 2022. We leveraged technology, specifically the features in NetSuite to help us account for that.
Read full review
Cons
Microsoft
  • 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.
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NetSuite
  • Certain exports out of the system. There are some pages that you can export to Excel and some pages you can't, I don't know why. So it seems like it should be all functionalities there.
  • Some of the bank feeds have broken quite a bit and I'm not sure why. So we have to constantly go in there and readjust that on the reconciliation tab. I know that's new and robust and it's going well. It's more of taking out GL data instead of what's remaining in that account. As far as if I'm looking at a rec for a particular asset, I know there's GL data that goes through there. What I want to know is what's the balance in that account made up of as far as what's remaining there. So that's the kind of stuff I would buy with advice.
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Likelihood to Renew
Microsoft
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.
Read full review
NetSuite
NetSuite is able to cover all of our needs, spanning multiple departments and managerial levels. We use it daily for a multitude of functions, including creating promotions, estimating inventory, pulling historical reports, forecasting sales, and more. Overall, we're very satisfied with NetSuite as an ERP solution and recommend it to medium to large businesses.
Read full review
Usability
Microsoft
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.
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NetSuite
As a user, it is a steep learning curve with little to no guidance. Oracle relies pretty much only on their massive documentation library and does very little to guide users in context. As an Administrator, it's frustrating that field naming is totally different depending on your context.
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Reliability and Availability
Microsoft
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.
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NetSuite
It has been very reliable. I can only think of 1-2 times in 4.5 years that we have had issues getting in, and in each case were able to get back in within 1 hour. There has not been a major downtime
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Performance
Microsoft
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.
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NetSuite
Most of the time the performance is very good. Pages load in a few seconds; financial reports take less than 5 seconds; basic searches take a few seconds. But performance can be sporadic throughout the day and cause the run time to triple.
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Support Rating
Microsoft
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.
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NetSuite
I would like to give 8 rating for NetSuite support and reason for that is below: Whenever we faced any technical or functional issues we tried to reach out to NEtSuite support but response was not immediate. We told them about the urgency of the issue but still we were not getting response on time. Then, we have to reach out to AE to get things resolved.
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In-Person Training
Microsoft
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.
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NetSuite
I had in person training for a day when first got the software. The training was good. The challenge was that there was a large gap between training and when we went live so we forgot quite a lot
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Online Training
Microsoft
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.
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NetSuite
Online training is quite strong. I have used for specific pieces of functionality.However it is not sufficient in all areas.
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Implementation Rating
Microsoft
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.
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NetSuite
I felt NetSuite Professional Services did an excellent job of guiding us in the implementation. I also felt our internal teams were a little resistant to the change and engagement of new software. Had we performed better engaging and buying into the new software, I would be able to rate the implementation better. Therefore, the lower number should not be viewed as a deficiency with the software or the professional services teams, but as an reminder of how important complete buy-in from the local users is.
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Alternatives Considered
Microsoft
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.
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NetSuite
We came from an AS400 system. NetSuite is supremely advanced and more capable than our old system. We initially selected NetSuite for its reporting and analytics capabilities. From there, we looked at its automation and manufacturing capabilities. It has really outclassed our old system at every turn—it is not even close.
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Scalability
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
NetSuite
We have been able to scale our business 25X without any major overhaul with Netsuite. Its dashboard setup makes onboarding new employees very easy and allows data to be shared across multiple offices. Its cloud setup does not put any pressure on IT to scale servers or other infrastructure. We have been able to become much more efficient in all aspects of the business.
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Return on Investment
Microsoft
  • 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.
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NetSuite
  • Really it's been nothing but positive for us right now. My team is super excited to get to use it every day. They love the interface is easy to use. The fact that we've got all the security and audit logs in there gives me comfort as the senior finance person to be able to understand what's going on to track it, but it's also not bogged down in unnecessary bureaucratic processes or administrative processes. It allows our team to be very responsive and dynamic and that's great for us.
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ScreenShots

NetSuite ERP Screenshots

Screenshot of one view into the most critical business processes.Screenshot of Netsuite's mobile-friendly design