Microsoft Dynamics overview

As discussed in the previous section, Sure Step covers the entire Microsoft Dynamics portfolio of solutions. In this section, we will provide an overview of those solutions, which is mainly intended to be a quick reference, or a starting point for those readers who may not be familiar with all the solutions in the portfolio.

Microsoft Dynamics is Microsoft's line of business management solutions that provide Enterprise Resource Planning and Customer Relationship Management capabilities. The portfolio includes four ERP solutions, which were brought about by acquisition, and one CRM solution, the development of which was initiated in Microsoft.

Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly known as Great Plains), and Microsoft Dynamics SL (formerly known as Solomon), were both acquired in 2001 from Great Plains Software, based in Fargo, North Dakota, USA. Great Plains developed a mid-market business accounting software package popular in North America, while Solomon provided an ERP system with project management and project accounting functionality. Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly known as Axapta), and Microsoft Dynamics NAV (formerly known as Navision), were both acquired in 2002 from Navision A/S, a company based in Denmark. Axapta and Navision were popular ERP solutions, especially for manufacturing and distribution midmarket companies in Europe. These ERP systems became the starting point for a new division in Microsoft called Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS), with Microsoft CRM added to the MBS portfolio. Microsoft CRM was primarily homegrown as noted earlier, and had its first launch (Version 1.0) in 2003.

In 2005, Microsoft rebranded the products and created a suite of business solutions called Microsoft Dynamics. Four ERP solutions—Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, and Microsoft Dynamics SL, and one CRM solution—Microsoft Dynamics CRM, constitute this suite. Microsoft SQL Server is the database technology used for the entire suite.

The following diagram depicts the timeline:

The Microsoft Dynamics solutions have been designed to be familiar to users, work easily with the existing systems that customers have already deployed, empower people and teams to be productive, and help organizations drive business success. The ERP suite provides functionality to help business in the areas of financial planning and accounting, product engineering and data management, supplier relationship and procurement, supply chain, production, distribution and logistics, project accounting, field service, and human resources processes. The CRM solution allows companies to streamline the way their employees communicate and collaborate with their customers with features for sales force automation, customer service, and marketing.

Microsoft Dynamics AX is a business solution for global enterprises that supports industry-specific and operational business processes, along with comprehensive, core ERP functionality for financial and human resources management.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM helps reduce costs and increases profitability by organizing and automating business processes that nurture customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, and Microsoft Dynamics SL are business solutions for small and midsize businesses that deliver out of the box business management functionality.

In addition to the comprehensive Microsoft Dynamics solution suite, Independent Software Vendor (ISV) partners offer a number of integrated, specialized solutions that address specialized industry and deeper functionality needs.