Microsoft Dynamics represents a system that encompasses some popular enterprise resource planning (EPR) devices. The whole system is perfectly geared to the needs of middle-sized corporations and in itself is backed up Microsoft a division of which it is, or to be more precise the EPR software being part of Microsoft Dynamics is included in the broader Microsoft Corporation. Lately the EPR software has been embraced by many organizations, even those of a larger size and their subdivisions. This fact testifies to flexibility of the EPR techniques. Naturally enough there are a number of EPR software systems which are quite variegated. (Heilman, 2000) Let us consider in the paper some of them as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
Actually, if we speak of the main products that Microsoft Dynamics provides they are the following five: Microsoft Dynamics AX (also known as Axapta), Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains Software), Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision), Microsoft Dynamics SL (Solomon), Microsoft Dynamics C5 (Concorde C5). Every of these EPR has its own purpose and specific characteristics which are the subject of our research.
Microsoft Dynamics AX was meant to help businesses develop within the local and international boundaries. In other words, the software was designed to transcend the boundaries which can be achieved by bringing processes to a unified standard and by simplification of compliance. The most contemporary version of the software in question is AX 2012 R3 CU8. The great benefit of the Microsoft Dynamics AX is its constant presence on the Internet.
As for the architecture of the software, it consists of the four parts: the Database Server, which is a folder that stores data, the File Server, which is a folder with application keys, the Application Object Server, which is a service in control of the software’s operation and, finally, the Client, which is Microsoft Dynamics AX user interface. Each of the parts is of paramount importance and has its functions.
Microsoft Dynamics AX also contains some modules, often called the core modules. These modules are as many as nineteen and they correspond to purposes of the software. Thus, General Ledger caters for sales taxes, currency issues, etc. Bank Management module is supposed to receive and pay cash. Customer Relationship Management module is tailored to the needs of businesses to form and maintain relations with customers. Accounts Receivable and Payable deal with entering and purchasing orders as well as their pricing.
There are also some modules that include planning and strategical approach to doing business. These are Inventory Management, Master Planning, Basic, and Administration Module. Of the remaining are Production, Human Resources, Administration, Procurement and Sourcing, Sales and marketing modules. They are oriented predominantly at the market and aspects pertaining to it such as emplotyment in organizations.
Microsoft Dynamics GP was designed to help businesses explore opportunities and promote their growth. In contrast to the above considered EPR,, it connects business not alomng borders but within the framework of one organization. The latest version of this EPR bears the name of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013, also known as version 12.0.
The structure of Microsoft Dynamics GP is rather complicated and ramified. Firstly, it does not consist of modules but of series within which modules can be distinguished. Every of series contains, actually, a number of modules. The series are Analytics, Customization tools, Foundation, Financial Management, Field Service, Human Resource Management, Manufacturing and Project Accounting.
Of these, from our standpoint of view, of core importance is Financial Management since it deals with the financial support of businesses and as such this series includes the following modules, or tools: analytical accounting (helps to peruse and interpret some relevant data), Bank Reconciliation, Cash Flow Management, Collections Management, eBanking, eExpense Automated Expense Management, Encumbrance Management, General Ledger (enables automatic key accounting tasks), Grant Management (tracks grants and compliance), Multi-currency Management, Payables Management, Receivables Management.
The variety of modules of this EPR can show the whole range of the service it provides as well as the wide specter of its functions. As can be seen from the above listed modules, the software, above all, promotes eService. Besides, it uses different tools to track and monitor the market and the particular organization data.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV is predominantly meant for specialized business related processes. In contrast to other EPR it ideally fits the small enterprises and can help those on different questions, including the ones of financing, manufacturing, conducting analytical analysis, etc. It resorts to programming language C/Al.
This EPR software can be used only as a licensing model, namely ‘Business Ready License” model, or BRL model which was worked out back in 2006. The arrived latest version of the software, however, introduced to the customer a new licensing model known under name “Perpetual Licensing”. Thus, it can be said that this EPR pays a lot of attention to security and, above all, is meant to avert any legal issues that might arise in case an unlicensed version is used.
Microsoft Dynamics SL deals with businesses interested in market analyses and automate projects. The EPR was developed for work within a particular company divisions and departments. However, it also can monitor the company’s locations as well. Its latest version is Microsoft Dynamics SL 2015.
This EPR software has as its main purpose to help businesses to resolve the issues with projects. In this capacity it can provide project service, management and accounting. So from the functional perspective, its modules can be described as follows: finance, project accounting, manufacturing, management of supply chain, field services, and analytics. Furthermore, as the above introduced EPRs it enables electronic commerce as well. The software has a wide application in construction industry, where it can serve even additional functions. However, as it has been already stated, with the major goal of assisting businesses with projects, this EPR is really helpful in construction industry and that is why it is eagerly embraced by building companies.
Microsoft Dynamics C5 is usually caters for the needs of small and middle-sized enterprises. It has a whole variety of modules which can be accessed with a license key. Only Microsoft Dynamics has the legal right to sell these keys, however, and in case somebody purchases the keys from other companies, these keys and their use will be considered as breach of law.
The history of Microsoft Dynamics C5 dates back to the year 1995 where the first version was sold. Nowadays, this software has been greatly improved in comparison with that version. First of all, the functional specter of the EPR has been widened and now includes finance, project management and analytics. Furthermore, this EPR has been considerably simplified and now it has the reputation of easy to use which is a big advantage of it for the inexperienced users. (Engelhardt, 2008)
References
Engelhardt, Sebastian. 2008. The Economic Properties of Software. Jena Economic Research Papers: 123-145.
Heileman, John. 2000. The Truth, The Whole Truth, and Nothing But The Truth. Business Tech: 250-254.
