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NetSuite vs Microsoft Dynamics GP: ERP Comparison Guide

Compare NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics GP ERP systems. Discover features, pros and cons, pricing, and find the right fit for your business.

Microsoft Dynamics GP NetSuite ERP
By: GURUS Solutions

Table of Contents:

Choosing the right ERP system can make or break your business operations. In this ERP comparison guide, we’ll explore the key differences between NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics GP, two leading ERP platforms for small to midsize businesses.

Think of an ERP system like a pair of shoes, you need a system that fits your company perfectly in order to walk your way to success. If your system is too small to handle the scale of your business, you’ll start developing sores, in the form of lost time and money, until you’ll have no choice but to get rid of your system entirely. At that point, maybe it’s time to size up?

We want to help you avoid this, and help you find the right ERP system the first time. The Microsoft Dynamics GP vs NetSuite debate is a hot topic because the two systems have more in common with each other than many of their other competitors. Essentially, both NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics offer CRM, ERP, and e-commerce solutions and target small to midsize businesses.

Nonetheless, there are also many differences that make it so each software may appeal to different businesses. Depending on the size, industry, scope of operations, and culture of your business, you’ll find one that fits your company best.

To decide which software really suits your needs, we’re going to take a deep dive into both solutions. From features to usability, we’re going to cover it all.

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What is NetSuite ERP? Overview & Benefits

NetSuite ERP was launched in 1998 as an online accounting software named NetLedger. After becoming a popular choice for financial management, NetLedger acquired several smaller software companies that helped to build out NetLedger’s functionality and became the world’s leading cloud-based business suite that we all know today: NetSuite ERP.

In 2005, NetSuite released its CRM solution, NetSuite CRM+. This marked a big shift for NetSuite; transforming from accounting software to a comprehensive business solution suite.

Today, NetSuite is the world's most deployed cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution, with more than 24,000 organizations across 100+ countries. NetSuite provides an end-to-end software solution across CRM, Accounting and Finance, Inventory and Warehousing, Work Orders, WIP and Routing, Project and Job Costing and more. As a fully integrated solution, NetSuite provides users with a single modern platform that supports the needs of growing businesses.

Pro-Tip: To learn even more, you can check out some NetSuite FAQs here.

What is Microsoft Dynamics GP? Key Features Explained

Microsoft Dynamics GP was launched in 2003. It makes up the customer relationship management wing of Microsoft’s suite of Dynamics business management programs. Microsoft Dynamics GP revamps well known Microsoft productivity tools, such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft SharePoint, and SQL databases with the intention of helping businesses manage their finances.

In 2011, Dynamics CRM was made available in the cloud, which allowed businesses to use a cloud-based system via third-party partners, while also giving them the option to implement an on-premise system.

NetSuite vs Microsoft Dynamics GP: Side-by-Side Feature Comparison

To give you the best idea of the features you’ll be receiving with every software, we’ve broken them down by module.

NetSuite ERP Features Include:

Module Features
Financial Management
  • Finance & Accounting
  • Billing
  • Revenue Recognition
  • Financial Planning
  • Financial Reporting
  • Global Accounting & Consolidation
  • Governance, Risk, & Compliance
Human Capital Management
  • Core HRIS
  • Payroll
  • Employee Self-Service Center
  • HR Analytics
  • NetSuite TribeHR
  • Incentive Compensation Management
Supply Chain Management
  • Planning
  • Execution
  • Collaboration
  • Support
Production Management
  • Product Data Management
  • Work Order Management
  • Planning & Scheduling
  • Quality Assurance
  • Manufacturing Execution System
Accounting
  • Audit trail visibility
  • Tax management
  • Procure-to-pay
  • Order-to-cas
Fixed Asset Management
  • Workflow management
  • Flexible depreciation management
  • Fixed asset roll forward
  • Integrated financial reporting
Payment Management
  • Flexible payment acceptable
  • Fraud prevention
  • Flexible payment processing
  • Global ready
Demand Planning
  • Gross requirements inquiry
  • Supply chain intelligence with MRP
  • Demand planning engine
Manufacturing
  • Shop floor management
  • Manufacturing routing
  • Product costing
  • Bill of materials
  • Materials resource planning
Billing Management & Invoicing
  • Flexible billing scheduling
  • Shipping and fulfillment
  • Integrated process workflow
  • Recurring revenue management
  • Revenue recognition managemen
Inventory Control & Warehouse Management
  • Order fulfillment
  • Cost management
  • Inventory control
  • Inventory visibility
  • Inbound logistics
  • Outbound logistics
  • Inventory management
  • Warehouse Management System
Purchasing & Vendor Management
  • Centralized vendor management
  • Integrated process workflow
  • Routing and approval
Procurement
  • Sourcing
  • Purchasing
  • Order Management
Order Management
  • Pricing & Promotions
  • Sales Order ManagementReturns Man
  • agement

Microsoft Dynamics GP Modules: Financial, HR, and SCM Capabilities

Module Features
Financial Management
  • Payables
  • General ledger
  • Cash flow management
  • Receivables
  • Intercompany
  • Fixed asset management
  • Analytical accounting
  • Multicurrency management
  • National accounts
  • Electronic bank management
  • Electronic reconciliation management
  • Cashbook bank management
  • Safe pay
  • Bank reconciliation
  • Encumbrance management
  • Refund checks
  • Grant management
  • Lockbox processing
  • Customer/ vendor consolidation
  • Account-level security
  • Revenue/expense deferrals
  • Field level security
Human Resources Management
  • HRM self-service suite
  • Human resources unlimited employees
  • Unlimited employees for payroll (US and Canada only)
  • Federal magnetic media
  • Payroll direct deposit
  • Payroll connect
  • Position control
Business Intelligence & Reporting
  • Unlimited management reporter viewer user
  • Unlimited management reporter designer user
  • Analysis cubes library
  • Advanced analysis cubes library
Workspace Collaboration
  • Unlimited business portal
Supply Chain Management
  • Invoicing
  • Sales order processing with advance invoicing
  • Time and expense
  • Extended pricing
  • Requisition management
  • Landed cost
  • PO generator
  • Purchase order processing/receiving
  • Bill of materials
  • Order management
  • Inventory control

Microsoft Dynamics GP vs NetSuite ERP: The Pros & Cons

Now that you have a general overview of the features offered by both NetSuite ERP and Microsoft Dynamics, let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of each product!

This will really help you decide which product is best for you.

NetSuite ERP: The Pros

The #1 Accounting Solution: Because NetSuite began as accounting software, its financial management features have been perfected over a long period of time. Now, NetSuite offers some of the best financial and accounting features in the ERP market.

Customizable: With NetSuite ERP, you can easily customize your dashboard, menu bars, and forms to meet your company’s unique needs. This powerful software offers a variety of custom functions and features.

Cloud-Based: Since NetSuite is a cloud-based ERP system, the provider is responsible for all hosting and maintenance activities which will allow you to focus on using ERP, instead of managing it.

Flexible: NetSuite is very flexible, in terms of which operating system you complete your tasks on. The systems supported include Windows, Android, iPhone/iPad, Web-based, Android, and Mac.

Fast Implementation: NetSuite allows new clients to go from 0 to cloud in 100 days with SuiteSuccess, NetSuite’s specialized rapid implementation methodology.

Industry Solutions: NetSuite offers a variety of industry solutions with features and modules tailored to specific industries, such as manufacturing, ecommerce, life sciences, wholesale distribution, media and more. Get up and running faster with the capabilities of NetSuite’s cloud computing business management suite, including CRM, accounting/ERP, ecommerce and order management, while addressing your specific challenges.

Made for Multinationals: NetSuite is made for multinational companies, allowing companies to work in several languages, and manage multiple subsidiaries, currencies, and taxation laws using NetSuite 
OneWorld.

Customizations by Role: NetSuite allows companies to control permissions and access to certain data by the roles within their organizations. Not only is this a key security feature for companies handling important information, but it also helps companies manage their departments.

Easy Order Fulfillment:

NetSuite offers fast and simple order fulfillment that can be easily integrated with distributors such as FedEx or UPS.

NetSuite ERP: The Cons

NetSuite’s interface can be seen as somewhat dated compared to other more intuitive business software and can be tough to navigate for beginners.

Since it’s cloud-based, any changes are made automatically by the vendor, during NetSuite’s bi-yearly updates. This means you may find you run into unwanted changes. You can learn more about the latest update here.

Some users have reported poor search functionality, and difficulty retrieving the information they need.

Microsoft Dynamics: The Pros

Microsoft Tools Integration: Since Dynamics is a Microsoft product, it easily integrates with Microsoft’s productivity tools, including Microsoft Office, Microsoft SharePoint, and SQL server database.

Fast Deployment: Microsoft Dynamics offers new customers a fast deployment option through its RapidStart Services.

Powerful BI Tool: Dynamics 365 for ERP offers robust business intelligence capabilities thanks to Microsoft’s Power BI tool.

Role-Specific Insight: Microsoft Dynamics offers powerful, role-specific insight that allows users to access in-depth information tracking.

AI-Infused: Microsoft Dynamics is infused with machine learning and artificial intelligence, and can be used with a digital assistant.

Customizable Budgets: Microsoft Dynamics allows users to set the reported budget by year, quarter or month, creating streamlined reporting processes, expense reports, and project timesheets.

Microsoft Dynamics: The Cons

Due to the vast amount of data and features, some users have found Microsoft Dynamics to be slow when running reports.

Although it builds on the functions of its predecessor Dynamics AX, Dynamics 365 hasn’t fully caught up feature-wise, and some capabilities are still being introduced.

Microsoft Dynamics can be customized, but many organizations may find the customization process difficult to master in-house without some development knowledge.

Microsoft Dynamics’s architecture is a little outdated compared to its competitors.

NetSuite vs Microsoft Dynamics GP: Final Thoughts & Key Differences

Now that you’ve seen the facts, let’s round up the final differences.

Microsoft Dynamics is a software normally used by small and midsize businesses; built as a true financial system for growing businesses.

It has a native connector for integrations with Microsoft Office products and enough functionality to help boost finance and accounting processes for businesses. Microsoft Dynamics can also be cheaper than NetSuite, but cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean better in this case.

Dynamics GP is a legacy on-premise or hosted solution aimed at helping small to midsize companies looking for a solution that is cheaper, smaller and doesn’t come with a lot of out-the-box functionalities.

NetSuite, on the other hand, suits the needs of a standard business in areas like sales, customer relationships, enterprise resource planning, accounting, inventory, and more.

Where NetSuite beats Dynamics is in areas like:

  • General Ledger
  • Accounts Receivable / Payable
  • Inventory Management
  • Consolidation
  • Reporting & Analytics
  • Platform
  • Integration Capabilities

Overall, NetSuite is the better choice for big growth and big revenue in the long-term. But if you’re looking to handle your essential accounting and finances on a small scale, then you might consider Microsoft Dynamics as a suitable alternative.

Which ERP is Right for Your Business?

The showdown is over, which software is best for you?

If NetSuite ERP is the right choice for your business, contact our NetSuite pros for a free assessment!

GURUS Solutions sets the standard for best practices in the implementation, integration and optimization of Oracle & NetSuite Cloud Products.

The GURUS Advantage:

  • Largest Oracle NetSuite partner in North America (with offices in U.S. and Canada)
  • 15+ years of experience & specialization across industries like manufacturing, ecommerce, life sciences, professional services and more.
  • Over 2500 successful projects completed
  • A unique implementation process based on a collaborative SHERPA approach

 

ERP Implementation

 

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About Alyssa Lamberti

Alyssa Lamberti is a resident Blogger, Writer, and Marketing Content Specialist for GURUS Solutions. She comes from a background in English Literature, having graduated with a degree in English Literature from Concordia University, and has worked in Marketing and copywriting for companies in the tech and media industry. 

Like a true Montreal native, when she isn’t writing about ERP, you can catch her trying to find her zen at a yoga class or drinking iced coffee with a novel in her hands. She’s a fan of modernist fiction, prose, and anything from Milan Kundera. She has only a single weakness – her kryptonite is cat memes.