Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued vs. Sage X3

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
Score 8.0 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
Sage X3
Score 7.4 out of 10
N/A
Sage X3 is an ERP solution with a robust range of capabilities supported by collaboration, analytics, and workspace tools.N/A
Pricing
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinuedSage X3
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinuedSage X3
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 Dynamics AX, discontinuedSage X3
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinuedSage X3
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
Sage X3
7.7
1 Ratings
7% above category average
Pay calculation9.07 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Benefit plan administration9.05 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Direct deposit files8.05 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Customization
Comparison of Customization features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
7.0
13 Ratings
4% below category average
Sage X3
3.0
2 Ratings
83% below category average
API for custom integration5.013 Ratings2.01 Ratings
Plug-ins8.912 Ratings4.02 Ratings
Security
Comparison of Security features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
6.0
14 Ratings
30% below category average
Sage X3
9.5
2 Ratings
16% above category average
Single sign-on capability5.013 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Role-based user permissions7.014 Ratings10.02 Ratings
Reporting & Analytics
Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.3
14 Ratings
17% above category average
Sage X3
5.7
2 Ratings
20% below category average
Dashboards9.012 Ratings3.02 Ratings
Standard reports7.014 Ratings7.02 Ratings
Custom reports9.014 Ratings7.02 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
7% above category average
Sage X3
7.1
2 Ratings
7% below category average
Accounts payable7.015 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Accounts receivable7.014 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Global Financial Support8.06 Ratings5.01 Ratings
Primary and Secondary Ledgers9.07 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Journals and Reconciliations7.010 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Configurable Accounting9.08 Ratings7.02 Ratings
Standardized Processes8.99 Ratings7.02 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
Sage X3
8.3
2 Ratings
5% above category average
Inventory tracking8.013 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Automatic reordering9.011 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Location management9.011 Ratings7.02 Ratings
Order Management
Comparison of Order Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
7.6
13 Ratings
2% below category average
Sage X3
8.0
2 Ratings
3% above category average
Pricing8.012 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Order entry9.011 Ratings9.02 Ratings
Credit card processing3.09 Ratings00 Ratings
Cost of goods sold8.010 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Order Orchestration9.05 Ratings8.01 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
16% above category average
Sage X3
5.8
2 Ratings
24% below category average
Billing Management8.99 Ratings7.02 Ratings
Cash and Asset Management8.010 Ratings7.02 Ratings
Travel & Expense Management8.97 Ratings4.02 Ratings
Budgetary Control & Encumbrance Accounting8.97 Ratings7.02 Ratings
Period Close8.07 Ratings8.02 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
Sage X3
-
Ratings
Budgeting and Forecasting9.06 Ratings00 Ratings
Project Costing8.06 Ratings00 Ratings
Cost Capture8.05 Ratings00 Ratings
Capital Project Management9.05 Ratings00 Ratings
Customer Contract Compliance9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Project Revenue Recognition8.95 Ratings00 Ratings
Project Execution Management
Comparison of Project Execution Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.8
5 Ratings
25% above category average
Sage X3
7.5
1 Ratings
9% above category average
Project Planning and Scheduling8.95 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Task Insight for Project Managers9.04 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Project Mobile Functionality6.04 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Definable Resource Pools9.04 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Grants Management
Comparison of Grants Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.7
4 Ratings
14% above category average
Sage X3
9.0
1 Ratings
17% above category average
Award Lifecycle Management9.04 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Procurement
Comparison of Procurement features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.7
7 Ratings
22% above category average
Sage X3
8.0
1 Ratings
14% above category average
Bids Analyzed and Compared9.05 Ratings6.01 Ratings
Contract Authoring9.03 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Contract Repository9.04 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Requisitions-to-Purchase Orders Integrated8.05 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Supplier Management8.06 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Risk Management
Comparison of Risk Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.8
2 Ratings
30% above category average
Sage X3
8.2
1 Ratings
23% above category average
Risk Repository9.02 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Control Management9.02 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Control Efficiency Assessments9.02 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Issue Detection9.02 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Remediation and Certification9.02 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Logistics
Comparison of Logistics features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
8.5
6 Ratings
21% above category average
Sage X3
6.1
2 Ratings
12% below category average
Transportation Planning and Optimization8.06 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Transportation Execution Management8.05 Ratings7.02 Ratings
Trade and Customs Management8.95 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Fulfillment Management8.04 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Warehouse Workforce Management10.05 Ratings8.02 Ratings
Manufacturing
Comparison of Manufacturing features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
7.7
6 Ratings
2% above category average
Sage X3
7.6
1 Ratings
1% above category average
Production Process Design9.05 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Production Management8.05 Ratings7.01 Ratings
Configuration Management7.04 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Work Execution8.05 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Manufacturing Costs9.05 Ratings6.01 Ratings
Supply Chain
Comparison of Supply Chain features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
9.2
6 Ratings
24% above category average
Sage X3
9.0
1 Ratings
22% above category average
Forecasting9.95 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Inventory Planning9.05 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Performance Monitoring9.04 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Product Lifecycle Management
Comparison of Product Lifecycle Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinued
9.0
3 Ratings
21% above category average
Sage X3
8.5
1 Ratings
16% above category average
Proposal Management9.02 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Product Master Data Management9.03 Ratings9.01 Ratings
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User Ratings
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinuedSage X3
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
(19 ratings)
6.0
(2 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
8.0
(4 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.0
(3 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Availability
7.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
7.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.0
(3 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
In-Person Training
9.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Online Training
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
7.3
(2 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Microsoft Dynamics AX, discontinuedSage X3
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.
Read full review
Sage
I wouldn't suggest this ERP for small organizations, especially if there is no IT staff. While they do offer support packages, they can be costly as certain packages limit the number of times you can call in. Hiring an outside consulting firm to support is another route, however that could become costly as well. Medium to large businesses with savvy tech staff would be a good fit for this ERP.
Read full review
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.
Read full review
Sage
  • Easy to understand software for new users.
  • Journal entry and review process is easy.
  • Sage is efficient in tracking multi subsidiary transactions.
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.
Read full review
Sage
  • Complications in configuration. Had to use a third party vendor to help us customize the system so we could better use it within the organization. This added additional expense
  • Some error messages are in French. If you aren't French, or can't speak French, this makes it pretty hard to troubleshoot
  • If you want to customize reports, you need to know Crystal Reporting (at least for the version I am using)
Read full review
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
Sage
No answers on this topic
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.
Read full review
Sage
No answers on this topic
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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Sage
No answers on this topic
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.
Read full review
Sage
No answers on this topic
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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Sage
No answers on this topic
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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Sage
No answers on this topic
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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Sage
No answers on this topic
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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Sage
No answers on this topic
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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Sage
Sage has quite less setup cost and was easy to setup. Sage is capable of managing multi subsidiary transactions. It was easy for our team members to learn and start using. Team leads has some issues while approving invoices initially but it was fine later. Sage is a good option for mid scale manufacturing firms
Read full review
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.
Read full review
Sage
  • Created efficiencies within the organization.
  • Centralized data input and retrieval.
  • Can be an expensive undertaking for an SMB.
Read full review
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