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Microsoft Dynamics SL vs. SAP Manufacturing Execution vs. VAI ERP

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Microsoft Dynamics SL

    Score5.1 out of 10
    N/AMicrosoft Dynamics SL is one of the ERP products in the Dynamics family. This product was acquired from Solomon 2000. The product is typically used by SMBs, particularly in project-based businesses (e.g. construction). It has strong accounting and project management capabilities.N/A

    SAP Manufacturing Execution

    Score9 out of 10
    N/ASAP Manufacturing Execution is the company's MES designed to digitally control, monitor, and automate manufacturing operations.N/A

    VAI ERP

    Score8.4 out of 10
    Mid-Size Companies (51-1,000 employees)
    VAI ERP (or S2K Enterprise) is a cloud-based ERP solution for durable goods distributors and manufacturers, offering multiple order processing options, inventory and purchase management, warehouse management, and customer relationship management features.

    $5,100

    per month

    Pricing
    Microsoft Dynamics SLSAP Manufacturing ExecutionVAI ERP
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    VAI ERP
    $255.00
    per month per user
    VAI ERP
    $2,200
    one-time fee per user
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Microsoft Dynamics SLSAP Manufacturing ExecutionVAI ERP
    Free Trial
    NoNoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNoYes
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee-$50,000,250,000 one-time fee
    Additional Details
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Microsoft Dynamics SLSAP Manufacturing ExecutionVAI ERP
    Considered Multiple Products
    Microsoft
    No answer on this topic
    SAP
    No answer on this topic
    VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.)
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Would buy again
    11 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    11 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    11 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    8 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    91%
    Implementation went as expected
    10 Answers
    Features
    Microsoft Dynamics SLSAP Manufacturing ExecutionVAI ERP
    Payroll Management
    Comparison of Payroll Management features of Microsoft Dynamics SL and SAP Manufacturing Execution and VAI ERP
    Feature
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    8.5
    2 Ratings
    12% above category average
    SAP Manufacturing Execution
    -
    Ratings
    VAI ERP
    -
    Ratings
    Pay calculation9.62 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Direct deposit files9.01 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Customization
    Comparison of Customization features of Microsoft Dynamics SL and SAP Manufacturing Execution and VAI ERP
    Feature
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    6.0
    6 Ratings
    23% below category average
    SAP Manufacturing Execution
    10.0
    1 Ratings
    28% above category average
    VAI ERP
    6.5
    9 Ratings
    15% below category average
    API for custom integration6.06 Ratings10.01 Ratings6.412 Ratings
    Plug-ins6.04 Ratings10.01 Ratings6.59 Ratings
    Security
    Comparison of Security features of Microsoft Dynamics SL and SAP Manufacturing Execution and VAI ERP
    Feature
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    8.7
    10 Ratings
    3% above category average
    SAP Manufacturing Execution
    10.0
    1 Ratings
    17% above category average
    VAI ERP
    7.1
    10 Ratings
    17% below category average
    Single sign-on capability7.49 Ratings10.01 Ratings6.59 Ratings
    Role-based user permissions10.09 Ratings10.01 Ratings7.813 Ratings
    Reporting & Analytics
    Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Microsoft Dynamics SL and SAP Manufacturing Execution and VAI ERP
    Feature
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    8.0
    10 Ratings
    6% above category average
    SAP Manufacturing Execution
    8.7
    1 Ratings
    14% above category average
    VAI ERP
    6.9
    11 Ratings
    9% below category average
    Dashboards8.06 Ratings7.01 Ratings7.111 Ratings
    Standard reports8.010 Ratings9.01 Ratings6.514 Ratings
    Custom reports8.010 Ratings10.01 Ratings7.213 Ratings
    General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
    Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of Microsoft Dynamics SL and SAP Manufacturing Execution and VAI ERP
    Feature
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    7.1
    11 Ratings
    8% below category average
    SAP Manufacturing Execution
    -
    Ratings
    VAI ERP
    7.4
    11 Ratings
    4% below category average
    Accounts payable6.011 Ratings00 Ratings7.714 Ratings
    Accounts receivable6.08 Ratings00 Ratings7.714 Ratings
    Global Financial Support6.02 Ratings00 Ratings7.17 Ratings
    Primary and Secondary Ledgers6.63 Ratings00 Ratings7.48 Ratings
    Journals and Reconciliations3.04 Ratings00 Ratings7.512 Ratings
    Configurable Accounting8.03 Ratings00 Ratings7.110 Ratings
    Standardized Processes6.03 Ratings00 Ratings7.611 Ratings
    Inventory Management
    Comparison of Inventory Management features of Microsoft Dynamics SL and SAP Manufacturing Execution and VAI ERP
    Feature
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    5.7
    6 Ratings
    33% below category average
    SAP Manufacturing Execution
    10.0
    1 Ratings
    22% above category average
    VAI ERP
    7.8
    11 Ratings
    2% below category average
    Inventory tracking5.06 Ratings10.01 Ratings7.914 Ratings
    Location management6.03 Ratings10.01 Ratings7.713 Ratings
    Automatic reordering00 Ratings10.01 Ratings7.711 Ratings
    Order Management
    Comparison of Order Management features of Microsoft Dynamics SL and SAP Manufacturing Execution and VAI ERP
    Feature
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    6.2
    4 Ratings
    25% below category average
    SAP Manufacturing Execution
    -
    Ratings
    VAI ERP
    7.7
    11 Ratings
    3% below category average
    Pricing6.03 Ratings00 Ratings8.114 Ratings
    Order entry3.04 Ratings00 Ratings8.114 Ratings
    Credit card processing7.02 Ratings00 Ratings7.06 Ratings
    Cost of goods sold7.03 Ratings00 Ratings8.113 Ratings
    Order Orchestration00 Ratings00 Ratings7.210 Ratings
    Subledger and Financial Process
    Comparison of Subledger and Financial Process features of Microsoft Dynamics SL and SAP Manufacturing Execution and VAI ERP
    Feature
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    5.7
    4 Ratings
    28% below category average
    SAP Manufacturing Execution
    -
    Ratings
    VAI ERP
    6.8
    11 Ratings
    11% below category average
    Billing Management6.02 Ratings00 Ratings7.37 Ratings
    Cash and Asset Management7.33 Ratings00 Ratings7.29 Ratings
    Travel & Expense Management5.01 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Budgetary Control & Encumbrance Accounting6.32 Ratings00 Ratings5.54 Ratings
    Period Close6.04 Ratings00 Ratings7.313 Ratings
    Project Financial Management
    Comparison of Project Financial Management features of Microsoft Dynamics SL and SAP Manufacturing Execution and VAI ERP
    Feature
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    4.7
    3 Ratings
    47% below category average
    SAP Manufacturing Execution
    -
    Ratings
    VAI ERP
    -
    Ratings
    Budgeting and Forecasting7.33 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Project Costing6.33 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Cost Capture2.12 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Capital Project Management8.01 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Project Revenue Recognition2.01 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Grants Management
    Comparison of Grants Management features of Microsoft Dynamics SL and SAP Manufacturing Execution and VAI ERP
    Feature
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    6.3
    1 Ratings
    16% below category average
    SAP Manufacturing Execution
    -
    Ratings
    VAI ERP
    -
    Ratings
    Award Lifecycle Management6.01 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
    Manufacturing
    Comparison of Manufacturing features of Microsoft Dynamics SL and SAP Manufacturing Execution and VAI ERP
    Feature
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    6.0
    1 Ratings
    22% below category average
    SAP Manufacturing Execution
    10.0
    1 Ratings
    29% above category average
    VAI ERP
    6.9
    5 Ratings
    8% below category average
    Production Management6.01 Ratings10.01 Ratings6.56 Ratings
    Production Process Design00 Ratings10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Configuration Management00 Ratings10.01 Ratings7.47 Ratings
    Work Execution00 Ratings10.01 Ratings6.55 Ratings
    Manufacturing Costs00 Ratings00 Ratings7.38 Ratings
    Supply Chain
    Comparison of Supply Chain features of Microsoft Dynamics SL and SAP Manufacturing Execution and VAI ERP
    Feature
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    6.0
    1 Ratings
    20% below category average
    SAP Manufacturing Execution
    -
    Ratings
    VAI ERP
    7.5
    7 Ratings
    2% above category average
    Inventory Planning6.01 Ratings00 Ratings7.610 Ratings
    Forecasting00 Ratings00 Ratings7.37 Ratings
    Performance Monitoring00 Ratings00 Ratings7.68 Ratings
    Procurement
    Comparison of Procurement features of Microsoft Dynamics SL and SAP Manufacturing Execution and VAI ERP
    Feature
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    -
    Ratings
    SAP Manufacturing Execution
    -
    Ratings
    VAI ERP
    7.1
    9 Ratings
    0% below category average
    Requisitions-to-Purchase Orders Integrated00 Ratings00 Ratings7.510 Ratings
    Supplier Management00 Ratings00 Ratings6.710 Ratings
    Logistics
    Comparison of Logistics features of Microsoft Dynamics SL and SAP Manufacturing Execution and VAI ERP
    Feature
    Microsoft Dynamics SL
    -
    Ratings
    SAP Manufacturing Execution
    -
    Ratings
    VAI ERP
    6.1
    6 Ratings
    14% below category average
    Transportation Execution Management00 Ratings00 Ratings5.23 Ratings
    Trade and Customs Management00 Ratings00 Ratings5.54 Ratings
    Fulfillment Management00 Ratings00 Ratings7.06 Ratings
    Warehouse Workforce Management00 Ratings00 Ratings6.89 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Microsoft Dynamics SLSAP Manufacturing ExecutionVAI ERP
    Small Businesses
    Zoho One
    Score9.2 out of 10
    Zoho One
    Score9.2 out of 10
    Zoho One
    Score9.2 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Zoho One
    Score9.2 out of 10
    Zoho One
    Score9.2 out of 10
    Zoho One
    Score9.2 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Score4.8 out of 10
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Score4.8 out of 10
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Score4.8 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Microsoft Dynamics SLSAP Manufacturing ExecutionVAI ERP
    Likelihood to Recommend
    5.0
    (18 ratings)
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.4
    (15 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    5.4
    (8 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    Usability
    3.0
    (7 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.7
    (15 ratings)
    Availability
    9.9
    (2 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Performance
    1.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Support Rating
    9.5
    (4 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    Online Training
    1.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    9.0
    (4 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    1.4
    (2 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Microsoft Dynamics SLSAP Manufacturing ExecutionVAI ERP
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Microsoft
    For a small to mid-size business, MS Dynamics SL is effective. We are capable of managing our finances with a very low risk of error. We have worked with MS Dynamics for almost 15 years and have more than doubled the size of our business in that time with very few issues from the program. We have exponentially increased our revenue and reporting demands and have found SL to be very dependable and stable. The program does have the occasional glitch and those are sometimes outside of the realm of expertise of our IT department. SL support is excellent, but their timeliness is not as urgent as ours.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SAP
    SAP Manufacturing Execution is suitable for desecrate manufacturing. For the complex routing of the product, this software ensures users do not by mistake start executing the wrong steps. This is the best tool to track and work on nonconformance and rework scenarios. This is most suitable when the landscape has SAP ERP in place.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.)
    VAI base package software has a lot of productive tools that can be used for a lot of different types of businesses. At first I was taken back by this saying it would just be more efficient if they would just build it more specific to a certain business type, but now stepping back i see why they don't. They are able to customize it more to my needs
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    Microsoft
    • Provides flexibility for complex project based cost accounting
    • Strong and flexible allocation processer for cost allocations, markups, and pricing
    • A "Flexible Billing" module under the project controller series that allows for multiple billing formats ranging from fixed price schedule of values, T&M or Cost Plus, and scheduled billing.
    • Flexible reporting with options using Crystal Reports, SSRS, a Quick Query tool, and ability to tie into MS Office tools such as MS Access and MS Excel
    • Tight integration with Financials, but also the ability to integrate with modules such as Sales Order, Inventory, and Field Service
    • Customization abilities ranging from a VBA (visual basic for application) foundation to allow customizing existing forms to the ability to use the SDK (Software Development Kit) to build more complex customizations that integrate with Dynamics SL.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SAP
    • Visual routing ensures the production line layout is as appropriate as shown on the application.
    • Production house needs a lot of data to do an in-process inspection of the product. ERP might not need that. SAP ME provides that place to do every data collection.
    • Nonconformance functionality ensures when needed the product goes to the appropriate station to get repaired. Also, data collection can raise NC and can move the product to a particular station to get an issue corrected.
    • All the information is well integrated with SAP ERP and makes SAP ME more valuable for the organization.
    • SAP MII also comes along with SAP ME helps to get the application well integrated with the shop floor equipment.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.)
    • Design and ease of entering data into screens.
    • Drill downs provided as you move around screens.
    • Help Text for each screen.
    • Back end programming easy to follow - good documentation.
    • Interfaces to third party software - ex. Mark Magic Forms.
    • Great Help Desk.
    • Training Videos.
    • Workflows and Triggers.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Microsoft
    • Reporting in the Project module is lacking functionality. I understand that most companies have specific needs when it comes to tracking project information but the standard reports are not good.
    • I would recommend a product like Management Reporter that is for Projects only. Project Reporter should allow users to pull in all Project related data into reports.
    • Fixing suspended batches. Obviously all of us users have experienced this mess. SL knows what needs to be corrected and there could be some step by step fixes in a separate repair module to do the steps we do in Query Analyzer.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SAP
    • ODS or the BI part of the ME needed more improvement.
    • The archiving job needs to be more robust.
    • Database indexes need to me more analyzed and setup as per the organization requirement.
    • SAP MII UI integration plugin to be developed for increased usability of this application.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.)
    • There will most likely be customizations made for a particular niche site to integrate with their system.
    • Product reviews, up sells, and cross sells are not built into the website functionality. Customization to the offerings would be needed.
    • Very little documentation or open source resources on instructions or development in regards to the website design and integration with the ERP.
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    Microsoft
    Unfortunately, Dynamics' lack of ability to smoothly integrate with our CRM system is causing us to look at other solutions. The efficiencies that we gain by using Dynamics for our day to day accounting are lost in the constant headaches of getting sales quotes to import properly into the system for invoicing. Another major issue for us has been budgeting and reporting. We currently do all of our budgeting and board reporting in Excel, which is too time consuming and inefficient, especially when a system as robust as Dynamics should easily be able to handle this relatively simple task.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SAP
    No answers on this topic
    VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.)
    S2K is easy to use, has room for growth, and serves the company's needs as a whole
    Read full review
    Usability
    Microsoft
    I rate it a 10 because we have removed the fields we don't need so users can really crank the data into the system. The software was designed for the professional services firm in mind but does a tremendous job for construction firms and "blended" companies that are both distribution firms but project centric as well. Perhaps they drop ship inventory to a project where their employees or subs need to work on a project for example.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SAP
    No answers on this topic
    VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.)
    Often times it seems people want to learn a platform in seconds and if they can't they say it is not "user friendly." There are some platforms that can do so much that it is just going to take time to learn it all. To me that is a good thing. S2K takes time to learn but it is worth it. It can transform your organization.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Reliability and Availability
    Microsoft
    We have had only one unplanned outage for 2 hours in the last 30 months. We shut down for 30 min to 1 hour once a month, but that is for Microsoft OS updates to the servers. Being a 24/7 world wide operation, the reliability is really important. We do get an 8 hour window on the weekend that we can be down for a short period to install Microsoft Dynamics SL updates, but we do not have many of those. On our last version upgrade, we shut the users out at 9:30 am and were fully operational in less than 6 hours. The upgrade was New SQL server, New SL server and 2 new Citrix servers.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SAP
    No answers on this topic
    VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.)
    No answers on this topic
    Support Rating
    Microsoft
    Support is only used when needed, so unfortunately ,they get all the odd issues. It's a difficult business, but Microsoft and our firm do a great job of meeting customer needs. We get routine feedback that our support services are very good.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SAP
    No answers on this topic
    VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.)
    Great support. The staff is very knowledgeable about the platform and the capabilities within the IBM framework
    Read full review
    Implementation Rating
    Microsoft
    Just to let it take its course. The implementation for me once I became a part of my former organization was pretty seamless. Just get to know the basics and call the support team to ask questions if you need help on an issue, should they arise. They are ready, willing, and able to help!
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SAP
    No answers on this topic
    VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.)
    If this is someone's first ERP implementation, I strongly suggest you ask for services to help implement. Ask for training on every aspect of the implementation. Make sure this is put into the overall ERP quote
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Microsoft
    Of the comparable mid-range ERP systems, Dynamics SL competes at the lower end based on price, but also above the high-end based on flexibility, data, and reporting. Being able to stay with the same core accounting from a $100 million dollar company to a $3 billion dollar company shows the range of capabilities.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SAP
    There was no product evaluated before using SAP ME. This replaced the custom homegrown MES system. The custom MES system had a lot of issues with the integration with SAP ERP. While evaluating the situation, SAP MII was the initial tool used to create the integration of the custom MES. We later found the fully functional tool SAP ME off the shelf had several functionalities out of the box.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.)
    S2K offered a system that could be used by various departments. There were modules for accounting, customer service, order entry, and web development. The ability to customize the website integration was a plus. S2K allows the option to have products in different warehouse locations. This allowed us to better manage inventory and see in real time what the stock status was
    Read full review
    Scalability
    Microsoft
    Since the backbone of the database is MS SQLServer, the database can be easily scaled.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SAP
    No answers on this topic
    VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.)
    No answers on this topic
    Return on Investment
    Microsoft
    • More time is spent on manipulating reports which can and should be automated.
    • Lack of electronic invoicing process and other green technology features creates more cost on printing and storage costs.
    • The lack of a user friendly interface requires more training and a bigger learning curve for staff.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SAP
    • Production house is more efficient now.
    • Less paperwork improved means less unproductive work on the shop floor.
    • Regulatory audits are more efficient.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.)
    • Sales - since all screens are real-time, S2K helps keep our salespeople up to date with customer sales and their overall sales for each period/year.
    • CSR - tracking of customer orders from point of entry to invoicing, being able to give the customer current information on their order by viewing a single screen.
    • Purchasing - with multiple locations, tracking, and having inventory in the correct location to meet the customer demands that are shipped from their home location.
    • Warehouse bin/item management makes picking orders a fast, accurate process, with the addition of order verification.
    • Accounting - being able to see real-time information across all applications. A/R, A/P, and G/L.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    VAI ERP Screenshots

    Screenshot of VAI ERP Product SuiteScreenshot of VAI Item InquiryScreenshot of VAI Mobile Warehouse