Struggling to sort the wheat from the chaff when it comes to business software?
To help you choose the right vendor for your organization, we’ve put together a series of guides comparing some of most popular CRM and ERP products on the market; in our first round, it’s Microsoft Dynamics vs Oracle.
When you’re on the hunt for the right enterprise software for your business, the sheer number of products available can be overwhelming.
There are a few obvious big options in the business application world, however. These vendors typically enjoy a hefty share of the market, and for good reason. These big hitters often have enormous user bases, which can make them attractive to new customers looking for a trustworthy and reliable software to manage their operations.
So while assessing some of the market’s key players can be a good place to start on your search for business solutions, combing through the web to find the information you need can eat up a lot of your time. That’s why we’ve brought together everything you need to know to compare some of the biggest names in business software. In our first edition, we’re looking at the basics of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Oracle.
While some vendors specialize in either CRM or ERP, both Dynamics and Oracle offer both types of software, so we’ll be assessing both the ERP and CRM functionalities of each vendor.
Some businesses, depending on their size and type, may only need one or the other, though many will require both in order to manage their operations fully. We’re going to start by taking a look at these heavyweight vendors’ CRM offerings, but if you’re only interested in ERP, feel free to skip ahead.
Microsoft Dynamics vs Oracle CRM
Launched in 2003, Dynamics CRM is the customer relationship management arm of Microsoft’s Dynamics suite of business software, assisting organizations with front-of-house operations such as sales, customer service, and marketing. Over the next 15 years, Dynamics CRM enjoyed a number of major updates, amassing over 40,000 customers in the process.
In 2016, Dynamics CRM was revamped as part of the release of Dynamics 365, a new product that brought together updated versions of Dynamics programs under one umbrella brand.
Oracle CRM’s story began in 1998 with the release of products such as Oracle Sales Online, and Oracle Marketing Online. Oracle started competing as a market leader in 2006 when it acquired Siebel Systems, and today it offers a wide range of apps to help over 5,000 business customers manage their sales and service operations.
Microsoft Dynamics vs Oracle CRM: Features
Microsoft Dynamics 365’s collection of CRM apps (previously known as Dynamics CRM) and Oracle’s CX Cloud modules both offer the core functions you’d expect from a CRM solution. These include the ability to capture and manage customer data, build relationships, track sales, offer customer service, and engage with customers via social media.
In order to give users the flexibility to pick and choose only the functionality they need, both vendors operate a modular system of apps. This means users don’t have to commit to the entire CRM pie, and can instead buy only the slices that meet their individual business requirements.
The downside of this, however, is that it can get a little confusing trying to work out which apps do what. Here’s a closer look at the individual modules offered by both vendors, and the functionality they provide.
Oracle CX Cloud
Oracle’s CX (or Customer Experience) platform is divided into a number of “clouds”, each offering a different group of functionalities:
- Sales Cloud
- Service Cloud
- Engagement Cloud
- Marketing Cloud
- Loyalty Cloud
- Social Cloud
- CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote)
Some functionality of Sales Cloud, such as Customer Data Management Cloud, and Sales Performance Management Cloud, are available as smaller, standalone apps. Users can also opt to purchase Sales and Service Cloud functionalities together in the unified Engagement Cloud.
| Module | Features include: |
| Sales Cloud | Sales force automation Sales performance management Partner relationship management Customer data management Reporting and analytics |
| Service Cloud | Customer service Cross-channel case management Knowledge management Policy automation Field service management |
| Engagement Cloud | Unified Sales Cloud and Service Cloud module |
| Marketing Cloud | Marketing automation Cross-channel orchestration Data management Content marketing Social marketing Testing and optimization |
| Loyalty Cloud | Customer acquisition and engagement Loyalty program deployment Member management |
| Social Cloud | Social media management Social listening Customer engagement Social analytics |
| CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) | Product configuration Pricing and discounting Proposal management Order execution |
Dynamics 365
Dynamics 365 also breaks its CRM services down into individual apps. Each app can be used on its own, or as part of the larger suite. All of Microsoft’s products, including Dynamics, Office and Outlook, are built on a common data model, meaning they are able to synchronize and share data from across all products.
The apps that make up Dynamics 365’s CRM service are:
- Dynamics 365 for Sales
- Dynamics 365 for Customer Service
- Dynamics 365 for Marketing (ETA Spring 2018)
Microsoft also offers additional apps as part of its CRM offering including:
- Project Service Automation — project-based business management for resource planning and automation
- Field Service — an app for managing employees and workflows in the field
- Microsoft Social Engagement — a social media management and social listening app (included with both Sales and Customer Service at no additional cost)
- Microsoft Relationship Sales — a sales navigator integrated with LinkedIn data
Here’s an overview of Dynamics 365’s main CRM features:
| Module | Features include: |
| Dynamics 365 for Sales | Customer data management Opportunity and funnel management Partner Relationship Management Task management Sales performance management Contract management Quote and order management Marketing automation Customer service Knowledgebase management Reporting and analytics |
| Dynamics 365 for Customer Service | Cross-channel customer case management Self-service portals Knowledgebase management Service intelligence Incident routing |
| Dynamics 365 for Marketing | Confirmed features: Customer journey management Landing pages Email marketing Multi-channel campaign management Event planning and management, including event portals Lead management Webinars Marketing analysis with Power BI |
| Microsoft Social Engagement | Social media management Social listening Social Selling Assistant Social analysis and insight |
Microsoft Dynamics vs Oracle ERP: Pricing
Oracle CX Cloud
Oracle does not publicly share pricing for the majority of their CRM apps, preferring to issue quotes on a per-request basis. The total cost will depend largely on the size of your business, and which modules you’re looking to implement.
Pricing details are available for Oracle Sales Cloud, however, which gives you a rough idea of the cost for Oracle’s more comprehensive cloud apps. Sales Cloud, like many of Oracle’s Cloud solutions, has various licensing levels to choose from, each with additional features as the cost increases:
- Professional Edition — $65 /user/month
- Standard Edition — $100 /user/month
- Enterprise Edition — $200 /user/month
- Premium Edition — $300 /user/month
Dynamics 365
Dynamics 365’s CRM pricing is somewhat more transparent; users have the option to purchase individual standalone apps, or opt to license bundles of apps at a discounted rate via several plans.
Dynamics 365 also features various levels of licenses, with cheaper options for users who need access to the CRM system, but may not need full write/edit access to the data. These are known as “Team Member” licenses.
Microsoft also offers a tiered pricing structure, which entitles customers to discounts proportionate to the number of Full User licenses they purchase; the more licenses they purchase, the higher the tier, and the higher the tier, the lower the cost of the licenses.
- Tier 1 — 0-99 Full User licenses
- Tier 2 — 100-249 Full User licenses
- Tier 3 — 250-499 Full User licenses
- Tier 4 — 500-999 Full User licenses
- Tier 5 — 1,000+ Full User licenses
When it comes to Dynamics 365 plans for CRM, users can either choose to purchase a full set of both ERP and CRM apps, giving users access to every module in the suite, or opt for a plan which focuses on CRM functions, and does not include the major ERP apps.
| Plan | Price | Includes |
| Dynamics 365 Plan | Full User — $210 /user/month
Additional Users:
|
Finance and Operations Retail Talent Sales Customer Service Project Service Automation Field Service Social Engagement Relationship Sales PowerApps |
| Customer Engagement Plan | Full User — $115 /user/month
Additional Users:
|
Sales Customer Service Project Service Automation Field Service Social Engagement Relationship Sales PowerApps |
| Standalone App | Price | Includes |
| Dynamics 365 for Sales | Full User — $95 /user/month
Additional Users:
|
Sales
Social Engagement |
| Dynamics 365 for Customer Service | Full User — $95 /user/month
Additional Users:
|
Customer Service
Social Engagement |
Microsoft Dynamics vs Oracle CRM: Pros and Cons
Although they share extensive core capabilities, there are of course areas where each vendor excels. Here are some advantages and drawbacks of each CRM product:
Pros: Dynamics 365
- Dynamics 365 also benefits from seamless integration with other Microsoft products, such as Office 365 and Outlook; integration that improves both productivity and user adoption.
- Dynamics 365 has native integration with LinkedIn. Dynamics 365 for Sales and LinkedIn Sales Navigator roll together to create Microsoft Relationship Sales, which uses LinkedIn data to identify leads and help build relationships through personalized engagement.
- Dynamics 365’s modular pricing and ease of implementation can make it more cost-effective and faster to roll out for many organizations.
Cons: Dynamics 365
- Dynamics is still very new, having only been released in late 2016. Although it is growing in popularity, some businesses are still wary of investing in such a green product.
- Although Dynamics 365 for Sales does feature some marketing automation capabilities, Dynamics 365 does not yet have a purpose-built marketing app. Dynamics 365 for Marketing expected to be released in early 2018.
- Though apps such as PowerApps and Microsoft Flow allow users to build code-free workflows and applications, customizing Dynamics 365 itself can be challenging without coding knowledge, and organizations may find the customization process difficult to master without a specialist developer on side.
Pros: Oracle CRM
- Oracle’s Marketing Cloud was built on the foundation of numerous acquired marketing softwares, giving the collection a wide array of Best in Class functionality.
- Oracle CX Cloud is a fairly mature solution, meaning the initial bumps and bugs will have already been ironed out by previous users.
- Oracle CX Cloud integrates with a wide array of third-party solutions.
Cons: Oracle CRM
- Oracle’s interface is not as sleek and user-friendly as Dynamics, and can be tough to navigate, so unless a company is already using Oracle software, the learning curve may be steep.
- Some users have mentioned that customer support for Oracle CX Cloud could be better.
- Data import can be tricky, especially if attempting to import large amounts.
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Microsoft Dynamics vs Oracle ERP
Previously made up of a number of individual ERP solutions for businesses of various sizes and industries, Microsoft Dynamics now offers ERP apps as part of its unified Dynamics 365 suite. Rolling together the capabilities of its mature stable of ERP products, Dynamics 365 promises to be the new standard in intelligent business software.
Oracle released its first ERP app in 1998. Primarily a general ledger software, Oracle gradually added features to its ERP offering, and launched its current ERP platform, Oracle ERP Cloud, in 2012. ERP Cloud continues to gain users, and boasts such notable customers as Bank of America, Quantas, and Thomson Reuters.
Microsoft Dynamics vs Oracle ERP: Features
When it comes to ERP, both vendors command a significant market share; according to Panorama Consulting’s 2017 report, Microsoft Dynamics accounted for 16% of ERP usage, with Oracle just behind at 13%.
The report also shows that the ERP market is becoming more competitive, with market shares beginning to strike a more even balance between big-name vendors and smaller players. With businesses looking to implement ERP faced with more choices than ever, vendors are competing to offer the most comprehensive and innovative functionality in order to win over users.
Let’s take a look at what you can expect from Oracle and Microsoft Dynamics on the ERP front.
Oracle ERP Cloud
Like its CRM offering, Oracle’s ERP solution is split into individual “clouds”. Its primary ERP functions are made up of:
- Financials Cloud
- Revenue Management Cloud
- Accounting Hub Cloud
- Project Financial Management Cloud
- Project Management Cloud
- Procurement Cloud
- Risk Management Cloud
| Module | Features |
| Financials Cloud | General Ledger Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable Assets Cash Management Financial Reporting |
| Revenue Management Cloud | Customer Contracts Performance Obligations Revenue Allocations Expected Consideration Revenue Recognition |
| Accounting Hub Cloud | Financial Report Center Mobile Reporting Close Collaboration Ledger Set Reporting General Ledger |
| Project Financial Management Cloud | Project Cost Management Project Planning and Budgeting Project Progressing and Forecasting Project Summarization and Key Performance Measures Project Contract Authoring Project Billing Project Revenue Recognition |
| Project Management Cloud | Project Management and Scheduling Issue and Change Management Project Manager Mobile |
| Procurement Cloud | Sourcing Supplier Management Transactional Business Intelligence for ProcurementProcurement Contracts Supplier Management Transactional Business Intelligence for ProcurementSupplier Qualification Management Supplier Management Transactional Business Intelligence for Procurement |
| Risk Management Cloud | Centralized Risk Repository Issue Management Assessments and Certification Best Practice Transaction Controls Continuous Monitoring Author New Audit Rules Manage Exceptions Best Practice Access Controls Continuous Monitoring Author New Access Rules Manage Exceptions |
Dynamics 365
Dynamics 365 also segregates its ERP functionality into separate apps, though they are more streamlined than Oracle’s. The majority of Dynamics 365’s core ERP features are contained within its flagship app, Finance and Operations, with additional functions such as talent acquisition and specialist retail management offered in additional apps.
- Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations
- Dynamics 365 for Retail
- Dynamics 365 for Talent
Microsoft is set to release another ERP module in Spring 2018, modeled on its popular product Dynamics NAV. The as-yet-unnamed app will feature similar capabilities to Finance and Operations, acting as a complete ERP offering, but will be tailored toward small and medium businesses.
| Module | Features include: |
| Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations | Accounting Financial management Budgeting and planning Tax management Manufacturing support Supply chain management Time and expense management Project estimation and management |
| Dynamics 365 for Talent | Talent acquisition Candidate portals Onboarding HCM management Performance and development management |
| Dynamics 365 for Retail | Unified commerce Omni-channel buying Brand loyalty programs Tailored sales and service Sourcing and merchandising Inventory management Marketing |
Microsoft Dynamics vs Oracle ERP: Pricing
Oracle ERP Cloud
The licensing model for Oracle’s ERP Cloud is complex, with many of the individual Cloud modules splintering down into further individual functionalities and services, which are priced individually. Here’s a rough overview to help you get acquainted:
| Module | Price |
| Financials Cloud | $600 /user/month |
| Revenue Management Cloud | $650 /user/month |
| Accounting Hub Cloud | $10 hosted 1,000 records/month |
| Project Management Cloud | $275 /user/month (Minimum of 10 users) |
| Project Financial Management Cloud | Project Financials Cloud $750/user/month (Minimum of 10 users)Project Contract Billing Cloud $650/user/month (Minimum of 10 users) |
| Procurement Cloud | Sourcing Cloud $650 /user/month (Minimum of 10 users)Procurement Contracts Cloud $400 /user/month (Minimum of 10 users)Supplier Qualification Management Cloud $575 /user/month (Minimum of 5 users) |
| Risk Management Cloud | Financial Reporting Compliance Cloud $175 /user/month (Minimum of 10 users)Advanced Financial Controls Cloud $80 /user/monthAdvanced Access Controls Cloud $150 /user/month |
Dynamics 365
Dynamics 365 pricing is a little simpler, and is available via one of two plans, depending on the functionalities you require. Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations is not currently available to purchase as a standalone app.
As with Dynamics 365’s CRM offering, two types of licenses are available, and tiered pricing applies to customers purchasing a high number of seats.
| Plan | Price | Includes |
| Dynamics 365 Plan | Full User — $210 /user/month
Additional Users:
|
Finance and Operations Retail Talent Sales Customer Service Project Service Automation Field Service Social Engagement Relationship Sales PowerApps |
| Unified Operations Plan | Full User from $190 /user/month
Additional Users:
|
Finance and Operations Retail Talent PowerApps |
Microsoft Dynamics vs Oracle ERP: Pros and Cons
So you know what they do, and how much they cost; but which ERP is best? Let’s take a look at some key pros and cons of each software to help you weigh them up:
Pros: Dynamics 365
- Dynamics 365 for ERP comes with robust business intelligence capabilities thanks to Microsoft’s Power BI tool. It’s also infused with artificial intelligence, and in the future will make use of a digital personal assistant.
- With it’s upcoming NAV-based ERP app, Dynamics 365 will be able to cater to both enterprises and smaller business, allowing users more freedom to select a solution that fits their needs more closely.
- Like its CRM counterparts, Dynamics 365’s ERP apps benefit from tight integration with Microsoft’s productivity products such as Office and Outlook, offering users a familiar, unified platform for all of their business needs.
Cons: Dynamics 365
- Due to the vast amount of data it can house, and the extent of its features, some users have found Dynamics 365 a little slow to run reports.
- Although closely modelled on its predecessor Dynamics AX, Dynamics 365 hasn’t fully caught up feature-wise, and some capabilities are still being added in.
- Dynamics 365 can be customized, but organizations may find the customization process difficult to master without some development knowledge.
Pros: Oracle ERP
- While Dynamics 365’s ERP stable is still being firmed up, Oracle’s ERP Cloud has the benefit of having been around since 2012.
- Oracle ERP Cloud is primarily targeted at enterprises, so larger companies may find its features more suited to their needs.
- ERP Cloud features country-specific tax and legal reporting options to address niche requirements based on geographic region.
Cons: Oracle ERP
- ERP Cloud’s mobile app is fairly limited in its capabilities.
- Reporting options may not be up to scratch out-of-the-box, and may need to be customized to provide the depth of analysis required.
- Some users have mentioned that documentation and training materials are hard to come by.
What’s next?
With each owning a substantial market share, it’s clear that both Microsoft Dynamics and Oracle have a lot of fans in the business software ecosystem. Which one is right for you will ultimately depend on your particular organization’s requirements and preferences, so if either of these vendors are still on your shortlist having heard a little more about them, your next step should be to contact the vendors for more information.
A good software vendor will be able to put together a no-obligation proposal based on your needs, so you can see in more detail how a product would help your business achieve its goals. In addition, both Dynamics 365 and Oracle Cloud offer free trials, so you and your team can get a feel for the user experience that their products provide.
If you want to see how Microsoft Dynamics compares to other giants of the business software world, we’ve stacked it up against Hubspot, NetSuite, and Salesforce to help you make the right choice for your business.
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