What is the best Cloud Business Management Software? | Ultimate ERP Comparison Guide 2022
Choosing cloud business management software (whether it be Enterprise Resource Planning, Customer Relationship Management, etc.) to run your business in 2022 can be a daunting venture. There are many options out there with similar functionalities, but key differentiators to consider when making your investment decision.
Cloud business management solutions are becoming increasingly popular amongst businesses of all sizes to streamline processes, cut costs and drive growth. In this article, we will help guide your decision-making by presenting you with the most popular cloud business software packages in 2022. You can assess their features, benefits, and limitations and decide which is the best fit for your business.
We will compare the following ERP software:
Microsoft Dynamics
SAP
Sage
Oracle NetSuite
Are you ready?
KEY FEATURES
Data Insights
The capability of complete and intelligent sales-related information is one of the most notable features Microsoft Dynamics 365 has to offer. The ‘Relationship’ Insights component examines a large quantity of data from your CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system, highlighting trends and opportunities for the seamless build of your customer leads. This functionality allows you to get a better hold and understanding of opportunities within your business.
Top-down View
Microsoft Dynamics 365’s dashboard allows your representatives to access all activities, leads, and contacts when on the road anywhere. It’s all online, in the cloud. Get real-time customer service notifications and gain a complete overview across every sales channel.
Integration with Outlook 365 (Email)
A key feature of Dynamics is its’ ability to integrate with Outlook 365 application. With this enablement, you can access all data and opportunities linked to the specific contact you are sending an email to. You can also access a range of email templates and attachments that are key to your sales processes.
Customer Service Dashboard
This feature allows your team to excel in providing service for your customers. Via the customer service dashboard, access the most critical cases as well as their status. Know exactly which steps need to be taken and when they need to be acted up.
BENEFITS
Increased Versatility
Whether you need to utilize Microsoft Dynamics 365 fully cloud or in a hybrid environment, its’ versatility allows you to do this. With Dynamics’ CRM software being cloud-based, it’s great for businesses with a BYOD policy. Your team can easily access their Dynamics 365 apps from Outlook, a web browser, or any mobile device. No need to rely on a physical server (those times are finally behind us!).
Full Integration With Microsoft Products
With this being a Microsoft product, you can of course expect it to work alongside other Microsoft Products. Dynamics 365 seamlessly integrates with the Office 365 suite. Communicate and operate all within the Microsoft ecosystem.
Seamless Scalability
Seamlessly scale up or down depending on your present requirements. These factors may include size, budget, and workload. Easily change and manage the set-up of your monthly subscription.
Boosted Efficiency
With Microsoft Dynamics’ advanced and easy-to-use search functionality, save time searching for information. Whether that be a customer record or sales report, Dynamics enables your employees to make better decisions in less time. Users have everything they require, on a single platform.
LIMITATIONS
Data Storage Limits
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online comes with 5 gigabytes of data storage. In order to increase this, you need to pay $9.99 extra per gigabyte every month (for the entire organisation). With your business being likely to store a high volume of data here, you can see how it can become costly.
No Direct Access to your Database
Integrations can be a challenge due to Microsoft Dynamics not providing users with database access. If you wanted to make your own changes, you would have to contact Microsoft since you don’t have access to the ‘brain’ of the system. This can be frustrating for businesses that like full control.
Less Control and Visibility over Upgrades
Linked to the previous limitation, here is another instance where Microsoft provides you with less control when compared to other cloud business systems. Users have noticed ‘silent upgrades’ occurring with no notifications. This can cause problems with data and structure.
Possible Downtime
Just like any cloud system, Dynamics CRM Online has faced downtown and performance problems in the past. This can cause complications for business operations. However, this is an unregular occurrence and can be expected from any cloud ERP or CRM.
KEY FEATURES
Financial Management
With SAP’s financial management functionality, your business can streamline fundamental accounting processes such as accounts receivable and accounts payable. Moreover, leverage cash flow management, fixed asset management, process reconciliations, and a range of other financial management tools.
Customer Management
SAP’s customer management enables your team to oversee the entire sales process and customer lifecycle. This includes tracking sales opportunities, managing leads at all stages, running forecasting reports, and analysing marketing activities.
Procurement
Enhance procurement activities whilst managing costs. This is possibly by SAP’s ability to control the entire order-to-pay cycle, (including receipts, bills, returns, and purchases). Beyond streamlining procurement processes, SAP enables your business to improve audits, centralise data, lower costs and more.
Business intelligence
With any cloud business software, you can expect your company’s intelligence and ability to make decisions to become elevated. With SAP’s business intelligence feature, you can run extensive reports on different aspects of your business (e.g. financial forecasting, marketing results). Moreover, SAP provides full visibility on cash flow and other key metrics within your organisation.
BENEFITS
Flexible Implementation
In-House – With this approach, you can gain a direct hold of your ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) data with an on-premise implementation.
Mobile – This approach is appealing because you can run your business on the go. Immediately gain access to real-time data regardless of which device you are on or where you are in the world.
Cloud – The most forward-thinking and effective option. Your business can pay a monthly license fee to extend your capabilities anytime and anywhere the business grows. No more regular system upgrades!
Full Visibility of Organisation
A huge benefit of SAP ERP is its’ ability to provide your business with full visibility, across all departments. Having all data across functions such as Finance, Warehousing, Marketing and Operations allows you to truly streamline business management. No more decentralized data. Faster and more effective decision-making driven by real-time data.
Increased Efficiency
Linked to the previous point, having full visibility and control over all core processes and departments enables your business to achieve supreme efficiency. Having a singular platform where employees can fulfill and monitor day-to-day activities whilst eliminating manual processes is a huge breakthrough.
Growth made Easy
Longevity is important for any business. When it comes to system investment, there is nothing more daunting than having to invest in a new system once you outgrow your current one. You may be reading this article right now for this very reason! Implementing an SAP ERP system ensures that your business can scale with ease, not worrying about friction-causing upgrades further down the line. If you are entering a new market or expanding your customer base, this can all be enabled by adding additional modules and functionality to your existing system.
LIMITATIONS
Very Costly
SAP can be very expensive. Consider not only the cost of purchasing the software but also effectively implementing it into your business. Your business will need to invest in a team of experts who can implement your SAP solution, staff training, and hardware. Additionally, ongoing costs will take effects such as software maintenance and periodic upgrades. If your business has a high budget, SAP is a great option.
Difficult to Use
SAP is a complicated system to operate for the average non-tech savvy user. This is a testament to the advanced feature, but can be seen as a limitation for businesses who require easy-to-use software. Particularly for businesses employing staff regularly, it is important that they can quickly learn the system to reap the highest benefits. A lot of businesses implement one feature at a time - deciding on which modules to implement next can be a complicated and time-consuming process.
FEATURES
Accounts Management
With Sage Intacct’s ‘Accounts Payable’ capabilities, your business can automate the payment cycle, saving time and gaining control over this process. You can even create automated workflows to assist your business in this.
Moreover, you can streamline the invoicing and collections process. Drive growth within your cash flows by effectively monitoring and controlling invoices and credit terms.
Order Management
Another feature within Sage Intacct is its’ ability to automate all stages within the Order Management process. For instance, quote-to-cash processes, sophisticated workflows, complex pricing structures, etc. Sage Intacct can do it all.
Accounting
Sage Intacct has an intuitive Accounting offering. For instance, you can perform tasks such as timesheet tracking, project billing, revenue recognition, and more. This allows your Finance department to gain full control over budgeting and Accounting as a whole.
Reporting
Your team can gain real-time visibility into your operational and business activities through intuitive reporting and dashboards. Reports and dashboards which are fully customisable to output what you need, when you need it. This allows you to capture trends, save time, and drive decision-making.
BENEFITS
Streamlined Billing
Sage Intacct’s ability to streamline billing saves time and effort for your Finance department. You can automate all billable and non-billable activities. From form submission all the way to approval.
Moreover, you can guarantee that all project invoices are formatted correctly, in accordance with best practice. Since this is automated and done completed manually via a Spreadsheet, your Finance department can gain full confidence in the numbers.
Gain Visibility in Real-Time
Another benefit of Sage Intacct is its’ ability to provide you with real-time data across your company. Leverage reporting tools that are cohesive, customisable, and results-driven.
Moreover, The Sage Intacct’s dashboard provides you with the ability to drill down and look at data from a more micro level. For instance, if you want to look at data across a dictated time period. This allows your business to gain full control over data and drives decision-making.
Improved Management
Sage Intacct adapts to how you manage your business, rather than hijacking it. This Software will allow your team to be more productive and streamline processes despite increased headcount. This means that your business can continue with your regular activities, only this time you have the infrastructure in place to manage with simplicity.
High Security
Sage Intacct provides a high degree of security for your business. For instance, your administrators can dictate which employees can access certain features - some employees may be given access to limited areas depending on what their job role requires. You may even give employees permissions and access within a specific project or subset.
LIMITATIONS
Growth
Many organisations find themselves quickly outgrowing Sage Intacct once they expand their business into new territories. Intacct usually provides the capabilities required to swap from an entry-level accounting system, but it can struggle once you reach a certain size. Oracle NetSuite’s capabilities are better tailored towards companies seeking a system built for the long-term
A focus on Accounting
Since Sage Intacct is primarily a Financial/Accounting based software, it will not provide your company with an all-encompassing cloud suite. If this functionality is all that your company requires, Sage Intacct will be a great option. However, if you want one unified system that manages the entirety of your operations, we recommend you look elsewhere.
FEATURES
All-Encompassing ERP
With NetSuite’s world #1 Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, your business can streamline all functions within your business. It offers a modern cloud-based infrastructure that hosts all functions within your business.
From Financial management and planning all the way to order management, Oracle NetSuite offers an array of features to maximise results company-wide.
Customer Relationship Management
With Oracle NetSuite’s #1 Cloud business software, its’ Customer Relationship Management (CRM) functionality is highly intuitive. It enables you to have a complete 360-degree view of your customers - from lead all the way to sales order. Beyond access to customer information, you can view comprehensive data such as sales history, support correspondence, and shipping status. This allows you to get a grip on your customers like never before.
Forecasting
Being able to accurately forecast sales is a superpower that every business aspires to achieve. Although it is impossible to forecast sales down to the penny, NetSuite’s CRM leverages real-time data across all stages of the buying cycle which enables you to accurately predict sales. This comprehensive feature allows you to cut costs, increase revenue and manage stock levels effectively.
Timesheets
Ask any Financial department what their biggest pain point is. Payroll and keeping track of staff time will usually be at top of their list. With NetSuite, this becomes easy. You can go as far as logging the time your employees spend on individual projects for specific clients. This means that you gain ultimate visibility on how valuable each client, customer, or lead is.
How much time are your employees spending on individual client projects? How much value do these clients bring to our company? What is the RO? On what tasks do my staff spend the majority of their time?
These are all questions answered by NetSuite’s world #1 cloud CRM.
Real-time Reporting
Unlike most cloud ERP systems, Oracle NetSuite offers flexible and multi-dimensional reporting based on real-time and historic data.
Dynamic GL segments collect and manage transactions for multi-dimensional reporting and a single version of the truth. No more accumulating data from multiple systems which all provide different and incorrect data.
Track all data within your business, from running comprehensive financial reports all the way to monitoring how marketing campaigns are performing. NetSuite's full array of data collection capabilities enables you to gain a ‘full picture view’ before making strategic decisions.
BENEFITS
A Solution for All
With Oracle NetSuite, there is a solution for all companies. Whether you are a start-up, SME, or MNE. Whether you are a Software company, Professional Services provider, or Wholesale Distributor. NetSuite’s all-encompassing cloud ERP offers features for all industries, of every size.
It is also fully customisable to match your needs at a given time. NetSuite is not a ‘one size fits all’ solution!
Pricing Structure
One of the greatest benefits of Oracle NetSuite is the way in which pricing is structured. Unlike traditional systems, where you switch once you outgrow it, NetSuite is built for life. When your business grows, enters new marketplaces, or doesn’t require features anymore, ‘modules’ can be enabled/disabled at the click of a button.
Opening a new subsidiary in Germany? No problem, just enable NetSuite’s Global Business Management function.
Want to manage your email campaigns within NetSuite? No problem, just toggle this feature and you’re ready to go!
The above are only 2 out of many examples where your business can select and license only for the modules they need. This not only saves you money by eliminating obsolete features but drives long-term growth at your own pace.
Integrate all Your Favourite Apps with Unio
NetSuite has an open API, which essentially means that any external software (such as MailChimp, DPD, Salesforce, Shopify, etc.) can be integrated into your NetSuite system. This enables your business to truly streamline your business, performing all business activities in one place.
Our team at 3EN has created the ultimate NetSuite integration platform, Unio. This is the most reliable method of integrating third-party software with NetSuite.
Full Visibility
Real-time visibility across all aspects (not just certain departments) of your business is critical when it comes to making strategic decisions. You need the full picture and up-to-date data to ensure that decision-making isn’t misinformed.
With NetSuite, you have role-specific dashboards comprised of the data you need, whenever needed. You can drill down into more specific reporting or look at organisational data on a macro level. For example, a CFO’s dashboard may comprise of balance sheets, income statements, cash projection, and more. However, if they wanted to, a CFO can access all other company data to support their decision-making process.
NetSuite Promises Results
You’ve probably heard the expression ‘walk the walk and talk the talk’. Oracle NetSuite is a prime example of talking the talk. There are many ERP, CRM, and other cloud-based solutions which promote results that appear too good to be true. And in a lot of instances, they are.
NetSuite, on the other hand, has hard data to prove its’ value in businesses of all shapes and sizes. Not only is it the #1 Cloud business software with 28,000 users, but also hosts businesses achieving the following results:
Business insights increased by up to 80%
Revenue performance increased by up to 10%
Customer backorders reduced by up to 75%
Time to close reduced by up to 75%
LIMITATIONS
Subscription Cost
NetSuite requires a yearly subscription fee similarly to other ERP options. This price will increase depending on how many users you have and which features you enable. Despite this, NetSuite can save you a lot more money in the long run whilst streamlining processes and fuelling growth.
Functional over Aesthetic
This can be seen as a benefit depending on how you look at it. If your priority is to have cloud software that looks aesthetic and prioritizes user interface over function, then NetSuite is not the best option for you.
However, if you require a system that is built with the core goal to deliver results and get the job done like no other ERP, then look no further than Oracle NetSuite.
The Winner:
YOU…
If you are looking for an article to tell you which ERP to pick, this isn’t the article for you. Each option discussed has great features and bring slightly different things to the table. They are all on our shortlist for a reason after all! Nearly all top tier ERP solutions will have much the same features and functionality, slightly stronger in some ways, maybe lacking in others.
The real winner is the buyer in today’s ERP market. With so many options, the only way to evaluate is to look at a number of options that seem to fit your requirements, and understand what the partner brings. The real make or break of a successful ERP implementation comes down to the partner you choose to work with. The feature checklist is easy, the relationship between buyer and service provider is what you need to evaluate more than anything.
The only way to do this is getting to grips with your shortlist, selecting a partner to discuss your options, and making a decision on the product that fits and, just as importantly, a partner you can trust to support and provide a return on your investment.
With all that being said, If you believe NetSuite is a potential fit for your business and you are curious about learning more about NetSuite, simply click here.
Or even better, if you want us to give you a free demo of NetSuite (no commitment required), click the button below:
3EN Group Limited are a leading NetSuite partner in the UK, Germany and Ireland. Whether you need project implementation, 3rd party software integration (using our unique platform - Unio), Support or Project recovery, 3EN Group Limited are trusted to deliver. In fact, our experts have a 100% success rate over hundreds of projects and a 98% client satisfaction rate.
“3EN are a dream to work with. When we were told our project couldn’t be done, 3EN said it could. Taking us from Sage to NetSuite in a couple of months, alongside a complete integration with our eCommerce store, 3EN is at the top of the game when it comes to NetSuite.”
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