As independent ERP and CRM software providers, it’s important to us at Concentrix TSG that we listen to our customers, our potential customers, and the opinions and experiences of other professionals. Along these lines, we recently commissioned a survey to find out, among other things, why UK businesses chose their current ERP solution.
The survey put this question to 103 senior finance, senior accounting, senior IT and senior management professionals. Out of eleven possible answers, (responders could choose more than one answer and they could also add their own) there was a clear leader: at 44% (compared with the second highest response at just 14%) the most popular answer to why these businesses chose their current ERP solution was that “the product’s features and functionality would best meet their business requirements.”
Product fit and functionality are of course logical and so it was no surprise that this was the top answer in the survey. And Concentrix TSG provides two ERP solutions designed specifically to fit the business requirements of small and medium-sized organizations.
ERP Solutions which will Best Meet Your Business Needs
Concentrix TSG offers two key ‘best in breed’ mid-market ERP software solutions. These are the Sage 200 business management software suite and Microsoft’s flagship product from its Dynamics business solutions range, Microsoft Dynamics NAV.
Because these products were designed from the ground up to be adaptable to different business requirements, they’re both flexible and highly configurable. They both have clear roadmaps and plans for the short, medium and long-term future. Because they are modular systems, you can deploy just the modules you need to achieve the right functionality for each of your business areas. And as your business grows, you can add new or enhanced functionality to meet your expanding needs. So, when we deploy either Sage 200 or Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Concentrix TSG will ensure the features and functionality will best meet your business requirements both now and in the future.
Choosing between Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Sage 200
If both Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Sage 200 potentially provide a good product fit, which one is best for your business?
Sage 200 and Microsoft Dynamics NAV have slightly different features, qualities and strengths. So the first stage in your ERP project is to choose which one of these two products is most appropriate to your organisation. This is usually achieved by a discussion with one of our ERP specialists, who will review your current business processes, systems, strategy and objectives and recommend the most suitable solution. But if you want a bit of background before you contact one of our consultants, here’s a (very) brief summary of the differences between Sage 200 and Microsoft Dynamics NAV. You can also find a comparison of Sage 200 and Microsoft Dynamics NAV on our website.
The Sage 200 Suite
Sage 200 is more of a straightforward ‘out of the box’ ERP solution than Microsoft Dynamics NAV. It’s easy to use, and made by the UK company Sage (which also makes Sage 50, the most popular small business accounting software in the UK).
Sage 200 is a popular choice with companies migrating upwards from Sage 50. Migrating to Sage 200 from Sage 50 is relatively straightforward, and because Sage 50 is extremely popular among small UK businesses, there’s also a good chance some of your staff will already be familiar with the look and feel of Sage products.
Choosing Sage 200 is not exclusive to businesses looking to upgrade from Sage 50 though; it’s also used by businesses migrating from other products as well as those installing an accounting or ERP solution for the first time. Sage 200 also has some excellent add-on programmes and gives you the assurance that there are a high number of accredited business partners and developers around the UK.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV
Microsoft Dynamics NAV is arguably a more flexible and adaptable programme than Sage 200, but with less ‘out of the box’ features. Microsoft Dynamics NAV is the most popular Microsoft ERP solution in the UK, and can be configured to meet just about any business requirement of small and medium sized businesses. In some areas it is more powerful than Sage 200, and it has literally hundreds of add-on applications and vertical solutions. It’s also of course manufactured by Microsoft so has a network of partners and developers worldwide.
ERP in the Cloud
Concentrix TSG offers Microsoft Dynamics NAV as a cloud solution, as well as offering the more traditional on-premise deployment. Sage 200 is not available ‘in the cloud’ yet but it is a key focus of Sage’s product development and a cloud version of Sage 200 should be available towards the end of 2012. Choosing between a cloud or on-premises deployment of you ERP software depends on your business strategy, IT infrastructure and several other factors. However, the choice of deployment options for Microsoft Dynamics NAV, and in the near future for Sage 200, helps further to ensure the solution best meets your business requirements
Full Range of Services Ensure a Good Fit
To implement either Sage 200 or Microsoft Dynamics NAV in your business, you will have to work with an accredited Sage Business Partner of Microsoft Business Partner such as Concentrix TSG (you won’t be able to purchase either product unless you work with a formally accredited business partner) .
Working with a business partner gives you access to trained, qualified and experienced staff. They will help you right from the early stages of your project, such as project definition, scoping and planning, through project management, implementation, training, project review and on-going support.
Both Sage 200 and Microsoft Dynamics NAV are excellent ERP software solutions that can fit the requirements of a wide variety of mid-sized businesses. To find out how they can meet the ERP requirements of your organization, please contact Concentrix TSG.
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