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The Microsoft Dynamics family is incredibly vast. Dynamics covers a broad selection of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software solutions. If you are already running any Dynamics ERP, we’ve got you covered. And if you are not currently running Dynamics but are looking for the perfect ERP fit, we’ve got you covered there, too.

Because one of the many Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions is bound to be just right for you, your company, your business model, your requirements, and last but not least, your budget.

“We’ve Got You Covered” is going to be 2-part series. In Part 1 below, we’re going to walk through the four original ERP software systems that Microsoft acquired and then enhanced over time, namely Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Axapta), Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains), Microsoft Dynamics NAV (formerly Navision), and Microsoft Dynamics SL (formerly Solomon.

Let’s get under the covers…

Microsoft Dynamics AX

You may be interested to know that IBM and Damgaard Data originally developed Microsoft Dynamics AX as IBM Axapta. Axapta was initially released in March 1998. IBM returned all rights to the product to Damgaard Data shortly after the release of Version 1.5. Damgaard Data merged with Navision Software A/S in 2000 to form NavisionDamgaard, later named Navision A/S.

Microsoft acquired the combined company in July 2002. In September 2011, Microsoft released AX 2012. In February 2016, the product was renamed to Dynamics AX (also known as AX7). Microsoft Dynamics AX was then renamed Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, On-Premises, in October 2016. Strategic Systems Group (SSG) provides a full range of services for AX, from Manufacturing System Implementation, Financial and Operational Reporting, and Master Planning, to Version Upgrades, Cloud Migration, and much more.

Microsoft Dynamics GP

Microsoft Dynamics GP is a respected mid-market Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution sold in several countries, including North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. Partner-supported localizations enable the software to be deployed in other countries, too. Microsoft SQL Server is used to store data and can additionally be used to create custom reporting. Dynamics GP is written in a proprietary language known as Dexterity. Microsoft markets the application under its Microsoft Dynamics brand.

The Dynamics GP product was originally developed by Great Plains Software in Fargo, North Dakota. The software was first released in February 1993. SSG engaged with our first Great Plains client shortly after its release! Microsoft acquired Great Plains Software in April 2001. We provide a full range of services for GP, from Purchase and Implementation, Business Process Analysis, and Systems Integration, to Financial and Operational Reporting, Technical Support, and much more.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is yet another Enterprise Resource Planning solution from Microsoft. The application is part of the Microsoft Dynamics family of products. Microsoft Dynamics NAV originates from Navision, a company founded in Denmark in 1984. The first version of Navision was released in 1987, a client/server-based accounting application that allowed multiple users to access the system simultaneously.

Microsoft acquired Navision in 2002. Eventually, it fell under the Dynamics umbrella and was called Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Microsoft Dynamics NAV is now called Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Dynamics NAV is designed to support:

  • Finance
  • Manufacturing
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM), also known as Customer Engagement (CE)
  • Supply Chain Management (SCM)
  • Analytics
  • E-commerce

The target market for this ERP application is generally small- and medium-sized companies as well as subsidiaries of large corporations. The system can be enhanced using a proprietary programming language known as C/AL. Strategic Systems Group provides a full range of NAV services, from Version Upgrades and Cloud Migration to Module Implementation and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

Microsoft Dynamics SL

Microsoft Dynamics SL’s roots go back more than 35 years when its co-founders formed TLB, Inc. in 1980. TLB. was later renamed Solomon Software, which Great Plains Software in June 2000 acquired. Then Great Plains, along with Solomon, was acquired by Microsoft in May 2001, and Solomon was folded into Dynamics and renamed Microsoft Dynamics SL.

Microsoft Dynamics SL is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution for project-focused small- and medium-sized businesses. Microsoft Dynamics SL connects natively to Microsoft Office Project Server. This business application provides project, service, and distribution organizations with robust project management and project accounting functionality. The system’s functionality includes:

  • Finance (A/P, A/R, G/L)
  • Project Accounting
  • Field Service
  • Manufacturing
  • Supply Chain Management (SCM)
  • Electronic Commerce
  • Analytics

Strategic Systems Group (SSG) provides a full range of Microsoft Dynamics SL services, from Business Process Analysis, Software Development and Customization, to Systems Integration, Financial and Operational Reporting, and when appropriate, options for migrating from Dynamics SL to a more modern business application.

One primary concern is Microsoft’s roadmap for the Dynamics SL product. We mention SL migration because while Microsoft has made great strides on its cloud-based ERP applications, Dynamics SL continues to be a solid platform for many small- to mid-sized, project-focused businesses. When it is time to move away from Dynamics SL to a more modern business application, we assist clients in the software selection process.

When clients ask us which ERP software product they should select to support their company’s business in place of Dynamics SL, the only correct answer is that it depends. We can help you make an informed decision. We have found that selling a replacement ERP system is the easy part. Choosing the right mix of components and integrating 3rd party applications is where we are of the most value to our clients. The implementation of a new solution entails implementing the new system to facilitate the effective execution of your organization’s business processes.

Stayed Tuned for “We’ve Got You Covered Part 2.”

Now that we have walked you through the first 4 Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions, we invite you to stay tuned for Part 2 in this series which will be focused on Microsoft Dynamics 365 in its many iterations, including:

Meanwhile, we also invite you to…

Take the Next Step

We’ve covered a lot of material in Part 1 of this series, so naturally, you may have questions. And we’re here to answer them for you. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Strategic Systems Group (SSG) for more information. We can be reached at (310) 539-4645 or via our contact form.

If you want to get a sneak peek at what we’ll be covering in Part 2 of this series, you can also download our Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central One-Pager to learn more about BC.

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Distribution ERP Manufacturing Microsoft Dynamics 365 Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Microsoft Dynamics AX Microsoft Dynamics ERP Microsoft Dynamics GP Microsoft Dynamics NAV Microsoft Dynamics SL Support Upgrade