Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued) vs. Oracle Primavera Portfolio Management

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

Oracle Primavera Portfolio Management is a utilitarian product of a yesteryear gone by. It's straightforward and to the point. It is well suited for a customer base who is not interested in frills, portability, or a multitude of OOTB ability. It's for those who like to restrict and manage all control over users, code in queries, functions, and create customized reports for end users. It does what it does very well however, just do not expect it to be pretty. It's a 2007 product, so curb your excitement. It does handle all aspects of portfolio management well; financials, budgeting, spend plans, contracts, projects, staffing, workflows, etc... however, it is not intuitive to navigate, and will require some training.

Incentivized

• 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

• Primavera as a scheduling software can manage large project schedules regardless of complexity.
• P6 is powerful enough to identify the longest pathway to the completion of a project. This is also known as CPM.
• P6 can handle multiple scenarios and save them as a separate baseline schedule. This can be helpful for figuring theoretical sequences.

Incentivized

• 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

• The software is high end with rich features, hence its rich price.
• There is room for improvement in their customer service.
• Oracle is doing its best in coming up with new features, and has a planned roadmap. It would be good if the enhancements are delivered faster.

Incentivized

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

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

Is easy to use but the the interface should be more nice and contemporary

Incentivized

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Oracle is better laid out and has more functionality as well as end-user flow. The login process, billing, and construction management features are easy to find, easy to use, and helpful. The limitations on Quickbooks restrict users from the ability to view and bill full contracts if broken down, to track and show % complete. Procore is confusing.

Incentivized

• 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

• P6 is critical to the execution of all of our projects. Without it we would have less control of our projects.
• One of our key business objectives is to deliver projects on time or ahead of schedule. P6 supports us in this goal and allows our superintendents to manage complicated construction projects.

Incentivized