The shootout at the O.K. Corral in 1881 pitted two groups of sworn enemies against each other: the lawmen against the outlaws in Tombstone, Arizona. By contrast, our shootout is between 2 friendly Microsoft ERP software solutions: Dynamics GP and Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC). And while there’s no animosity between them, they do compete for mindshare which makes them rivals in that sense.
Let’s look at how they’re alike and how they differ.
Common Ground between Microsoft Dynamics GP and Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC)
They are both:
- Members of the Microsoft Dynamics family of ERP software solutions
- Backed by the full force of Microsoft
- “Horizontal” solutions, which means that they serve multiple industry sectors
- Designed for small to mid-market companies
- Systems supported by Strategic Systems Group (SSG)!
And they both reap the benefits of Microsoft’s deep pockets, with lavish spending on R&D and the incorporation of new technologies in both products.
Differentiators between Microsoft Dynamics GP and Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC)
Track Record
Microsoft Dynamics GP hails back to its pre-Microsoft days when it was called Great Plains Software, one of the earliest accounting systems when it was released in 1993. It has a 26-year track record as an enormously popular solution.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central was released in 2016, so it only has a 3-year track record. Despite the fact that it is much newer than Dynamics GP, Business Central has flourished as a cloud-based option for companies that no longer want to host their ERP software on-premise.
Deployment Options
Microsoft Dynamics GP has traditionally been seen as the go-to option for companies that want to keep their ERP software on-premise. Conversely, Business Central has traditionally been seen as the go-to option for companies that want a cloud solution.
However, it’s not quite that simple.
Dynamics GP can be hosted in the cloud, and many Microsoft partners offer their own cloud hosting services for their Dynamics GP clients.
To complicate matters further, Business Central is available in an on-premise version that allows users to host their Dynamics 365 BC software either on their own servers, or those of an IT partner. Hosting on-premise means businesses keep all their data in-house; all communication with the cloud is switched off, and users are solely responsible for all upkeep and maintenance of the software.
What’s more, Business Central also offers a “hybrid deployment” option known as “Cloud and Edge.” In this scenario, although BC is fully integrated with the Microsoft cloud, transactions and data are stored locally in the users’ own data center. This means users gain access to cloud-based services such as machine learning, business intelligence, and development sandboxes, but their data remains separate.
Having many deployment options is excellent, but it can also be confusing. To learn more and find out what’s right for you, contact us for expert guidance.
Purchase Options
As a rule, the way you pay for your ERP software depends on the way you deploy it.
If you’re deploying Dynamics GP or Business Central on-premise, you will be paying for the software upfront because you’re actually buying it, i.e., you own it. And you own not just the software, but also the servers on which the software resides. Of course, in an on-premise scenario, you own the cost of maintenance, updates, and upgrades as well.
If you’re deploying Dynamics GP or Business Central in the cloud, there are no upfront costs at all. No server costs. No maintenance, updates, or upgrade costs either. What you pay is a monthly per user “pay as you consume” subscription fee, and you have the ability to easily add or subtract users.
Once again, it’s not always quite that simple because there are hybrid deployment options that muddy the waters. So, we once again suggest that you contact us for details.
Choosing between Microsoft Dynamics GP and Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC)
It’s an important choice since your business runs on your ERP software. Microsoft Dynamics GP is not better than Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Nor is BC better than GP. They’re both great choices. It just depends on what’s right for your business. That’s where we come in. So…
Take the next step
We’ve been implementing ERP software solutions for manufacturers since 1991, helping our clients choose the ideal system for their companies, helping our clients choose options for growth and success.
Please contact SSG at (310) 539-4645 or via our contact form today!