When it comes time for an organisation to step away from the historical processes and on-premise systems that are holding them back, many look to modernise their IT infrastructure with a cloud-based ERP solution. When searching for the ideal ERP software vendor, the field is often quickly narrowed down to either NetSuite or Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central – we’ll shorten it to Business Central from here on in.
It makes sense that despite the many different ERP options available, these two are most often the front runners. They both appeal to mid-size businesses, both operate from the cloud and both are inherently flexible. And of course, they both must be doing something right to command such a significant market interest.
But how do you choose between the two? To help you pick the right solution for your organisation we’ve looked closely at each product and laid out the key difference so you can make a confident decision.
Let’s begin with a simple introduction.
NetSuite, owned by Oracle, is a comprehensive cloud-based ERP and CRM solution system targeted and priced for high-growth mid-sized businesses.
Microsoft Dynamics Business Central is a native-cloud solution touted as an “all-in-one business management solution“ that has been designed for small and mid-sized businesses.
Single versus multi-tenant
One of the major differences between the two is in the core of the software architecture. NetSuite is multi-tenant which means all users share a single instance of the application and underlying resources. This makes it cost-efficient to start up, quick to scale, easier to integrate and offloads maintenance and management – the vendor takes care of that for you. In fact, this is a common foundation for any SaaS offering.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central has been known to call the platform multi-tenant but it is in fact single-tenant, and gives each user a unique environment that they can tailor to the way they work. This type of structure is more impervious to attacks but can attract higher costs and involves greater management control – particularly for updates and upgrades.
Time in the game
Microsoft is a long surviving tech behemoth, however Business Central is Microsoft’s new baby ERP product introduced just a few years back in 2018. Meanwhile NetSuite was cloud-native from it’s first appearance in 1998 and has had plenty of time to mature and strengthen its offering, which currently supports over 24,000 customers worldwide.
Customisations
Platform maturity also comes into play when it comes to tailoring the solution to specific or unique business needs. NetSuite’s highly customisable, modular system supports limitless customisations through SuiteCloud and a wide assortment of 3rd party extensions allowing the system to flex and adapt as the organisation grows or changes.
Business Central is a cloud-based Microsoft application so it natively integrates with Microsoft’s portfolio of cloud applications such as other Dynamics products and Office 365. It can also connect with Power BI, Outlook and Microsoft Teams. Outside of Microsoft, Microsoft AppSource presents an assortment of 3rd party extensions.
Implementation and training
| NetSuite | Business Central | |
| Features |
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| eCommerce Functionality | Choose from SuiteCommerce Standard or SuiteCommerce Advanced and integrate with a range of eCommerce apps | No eCommerce capabilities |
| Security |
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| Customisation and integrations | Limitless options for integrations and customisations. NetSuite Connectors allow you to connect NetSuite with hundreds of apps – no coding required | Connects with the wider Microsoft portfolio and many extensions available |
| Software subscription | Subscription based with price protection | Subscription-based |
The downside of Business Central
While Business Central has some notable features such as native Microsoft connections, it is also a relatively new and unproven platform. It should also be noted that the platform is suitable for smaller businesses. If an organisation grows outside of this scope, they may be forced to migrate to a platform able to handle a larger level of growth.
We believe the choice between Business Central or NetSuite is a simple one for any mid-sized business looking to improve and grow.
Learn how the flexible features provided by NetSuite can more than accommodate your cloud business system expectations by speaking with a NetSuite consultant today.
Annexa is a leading NetSuite partner with extensive experience designing and implementing comprehensive and customised business systems, including payroll solutions, financial management, warehouse management and ecommerce solutions.