For many decades, the business world has heard rumours about the probability of Microsoft discontinuing it’s Solomon product. Not all of these claims were baseless and in fact, the biggest backing to these rumours comes from the fact that there were ever fewer SL breakout sessions being held each year by the tech giant at convergence. And for the surprise of many people, the convergence is no more here, however, the Microsoft dynamics Sl is still going strong. Read detailed insights by folio3 microsoft dynamics partner.
Today, Microsoft Dynamics SL is powering more than 14000 businesses, providing the tech giant with enough customer base to continue their product, at least into the near future. And while Microsoft Solomon isn’t gaining newer customers fast enough, it is still a preferred platform for thousands of businesses to ensure a revenue stream for the company. Microsoft isn’t just directly offering the implementation of the MS dynamics SL, rather it has also partnered with hundreds of partners who are offering implementation and solutions for MS dynamics SL to businesses across the world, ensuring competent implementation and support for customers.
And today while we have strong numbers to project long term continuation of the Microsoft Dynamics SL, there will still be rumours out in the market, which is the classic example of Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD). Nonetheless, the Dynamics SL remains one of the most robust and well-integrated platforms, especially for project-based companies. In fact, the SL outperforms almost all of Microsoft’s ERP products including the Dynamics GP (Great Plains), Dynamics NAV, and dynamics AX, for integrated and out of the box functionalities to support project-based companies. And just like all other Microsoft ERP products, the Dynamics SL has its unique place in the Microsoft Dynamics Suite.
Introduction – What is Microsoft Dynamics SL?
In essence, Dynamics Solomon is a specialized business-management solution that is ideally designed for mid-size businesses; especially project-based companies to help them with analysis and reporting. The platform brings various advance and integrated functionalities that enable businesses to boost their efficiency, improve accuracy, and increase customer satisfaction. Just like many of the contemporary ERP solutions in the market, the Dynamics SL leverage on its automated features that help businesses to streamline processes and operations across different departments; irrespective of their geographic location. The platform enables managers and business leaders to manage people efficiently to improve efficiency and increase profitability.
With automated and integrated Microsoft SL solutions, project-based businesses like government contractors, professional services agencies, finance and operations, and others can be reassured to complete the project on time and meet the quality requirement of the project.
What Does Microsoft Dynamics SL Stand For?
What does Microsoft dynamics SL stand for is a common question asked by many businesses not aware of the true functionality and offering behind the platform?
The Microsoft Dynamics SL was previously known as Solomon (the name with which many businesses still recognize the platform). The dynamics SL is essential an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that is customized to meet the needs of project-based businesses and professional services agencies including government contractors, construction agencies, business intelligence and others. What differentiates Dynamics SL from other ERP solutions is the fact that the platform combines the functionalities of project management with the financial management capabilities, thus giving businesses more control to improve their quality of work, increase efficiency and maximize the profitability from the projects.
Apart from performing the usual tasks associated with the ERP systems, the Dynamics SL has the added functionality to support project management by offering advance project series functionality, along with various other modules including:
- Finances
- Distribution
- Accounting
The functionalities offered by the platform are uniquely developed to meet the needs of specific project-based businesses including:
- Engineering companies
- Construction agencies
- Government contractors
- Other project-based businesses
The uniqueness of the platform lies with its offering of all essential project management features along with various important functionalities like accounting and finance to data repository and others. The platform gives users complete control to set up, store, analyze, and access all important project information right in the blink of their eyes.
Also, the ability of the platform to handle multiple currencies, as well as, the multi-company enterprise makes it a perfect choice for various project-based businesses. The project series functionality offered by the platform can be used to set up projects, developing tasks and subtasks, perform budgeting, create a variety of invoices, and manage subcontractors. All of this and we are still not talking about the financial features, flex keys, interactive and insightful reports, and customizable orders; offered by the platform.
Microsoft Dynamics SL Manual
With so many functionalities and features on offer, users need comprehensive training manuals to get used to each of the features and use them optimally. If you are looking for the training manuals for Microsoft Dynamics SL, the best place to check out is the official Microsoft Customer Source, where you will find plenty of useful resources along with complete guide manuals for different features and functionalities offered by the platform including:
- Install and Configuration
- Accounts Payable
- Accounts Receivable
- Advanced Payroll
- Bank Reconciliation
- Bill of Material
- Cash Manager
- Communicator
- Currency Manager and Financial Statement Translation
- Customization Manager
- eCommerce Connector
- Equipment Maintenance
- General Ledger
- Inventory
- Inventory Replenishment
- Order Management
- Payroll
- Project Analyzer
- Purchasing
- Requisitions
- Service Contracts
- Service Dispatch
- Work Order
Microsoft Dynamics SL pricing
The pricing of Microsoft Dynamics SL stats at USD 190 per user per month. The platform doesn’t offer any free trial version.
Microsoft Solomon Work Productivity and Process Flow Explained
Work Productivity
- Improve work efficiency by automating various tasks and leveraging on a familiar UX, which
- makes it simpler and faster to complete tasks
- Gain complete control of project deliverables by assigning tasks and subtasks to employees and minimizing the errors
Drive Business Value
- Gain instant access to all relevant information stored in a central data repository. Perform complex analysis to gain insights into the data and make well-informed decisions
- With 50 predefined data viewing options, it’s simpler than ever before to filter data as wanted
- Get access to real-time financial reports with Management Reporter
Connect Your Business
- Connect your people with business systems and processes using advance features like business analyzer, power Business Intelligence, Office 365 and many other
- Connect with strong and robust Microsoft ecosystem to boost your efficiency and accuracy
Microsoft Dynamics SL replacement
Users of Microsoft Dynamics SL are hard-pressed to decide for how long they want to keep using the system and when they want to make the migration. Microsoft has already ended mainstream support for Dynamics SL 205 on January 01, 2020, whereas the extended support will be discontinued by January 14, 2025, leaving users vulnerable to any issues that may pop up after the data of discontinued support. Users of Microsoft Dynamics SL 2011 are even more susceptible since even the extended support for the products has ended on July 13, 2021.
Perhaps, it’s time for businesses to make a choice and make it fast. Microsoft has already announced its phased discontinuation of support for SL products, and users need to make the shift today. While the Dynamics SL support may get discontinued, you need not worry since there are various alternatives available.
Below are the top three Microsoft Dynamics SL replacements you can consider migrating in the wake of support discontinuation from Microsoft.
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QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise
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QuickBooks is a legendary end-to-end accounting solution that has remained a preferred choice for small and medium enterprises for decades. The system has various tools and features to streamline inventory management, sales tracking, reports generation, and payroll management. QuickBooks also offers industry-specific solutions for multiple sectors, including manufacturing, NGOs, contractors, wholesale, retail, etc.
QuickBooks also enables administrators to control information accessibility for individual team members by defining user roles and permissions. This ensures that while all employees are able to access relevant information when they need it, the sensitive business data remains private and secure. The advanced inventory management tools offered by QuickBooks also streamlines the management and tracking of inventory. Moreover, the pick, pack, and ship feature enable users to ensure accurate and timely order fulfillment through a unified dashboard. The Barcode scanner feature allows users to scan, upload, and track inventory while automatically managing stock counts from multiple warehouses and delivering custom inventory reports.
Another valuable feature of QuickBooks is the advanced pricing system that enables users to control, customize, and manage pricing automatically. Also, the advanced reporting feature offers users industry-specific template bundles to minimize manual data input errors.
Key benefits of QuickBooks
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- QuickBooks offers Industry-specific solutions to automate business processes and operations across multiple business sectors, including; manufacturing, retail, NGOs, contracting, professional services, and others. Pre-built template bundles and data offered by QuickBooks industry-specific solutions greatly enhance the efficiency of business processes and minimize chances of errors
- QuickBooks enables administrators to define roles and permissions for users for over 115 activities. This enables management to offer all team members restricted access to relevant information while keeping the crucial business data private and secure.
- The advanced inventory feature from QuickBooks allows users to automate inventory tracking across multiple locations.
- With a unified dashboard, QuickBooks automates the entire inventory management process from order picking, packaging, shipping, and fulfillment.
- Advanced reporting tools from QuickBooks ensure that business leaders are able to get insightful and interactive details about business performance and make any necessary changes required to optimize performance.
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Acumatica Cloud ERP
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Acumatica Cloud ERP is another worthy replacement for Microsoft Dynamics SL. As one of the more popular Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Acumatica Cloud ERP offers comprehensive and advanced business management solutions to automate business processes and help businesses thrive in today’s digital economy.
Acumatica Cloud ERP brings in state-of-the-art technology, world-leading business functionality, and best customer-friendly practices, delivering an unparalleled value for SMEs. Acumatica Cloud ERP offers an integrated workflow system that spans all business functions, including financials, inventory management, project accounting, CRM, and others.
The ERP system from Acumatica also offers industry-specific solutions for Commerce, Distribution, manufacturing, construction, field service, and others. The system is developed on an open-architecture future-proof platform that ensures easy scalability, a faster learning curve, and rapid integration solutions.
Key Benefits of Acumatica Cloud ERP
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- Choice for Cloud or On-premise deployment
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Acumatica enables users to choose between cloud or on-premise deployment of their system. This ensures that businesses are able to choose the best version as per their unique requirements and resources.
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- Work Anywhere
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Accessing Acumatica is as simple as it gets. All you need is a stable internet connection and a browser. This enables project teams to access key data from anywhere and anytime, improving the efficiency of the business process. With the centralized security feature, administrators can control the data accessibility of users, thereby protecting key business data without compromising on efficiency and mobility.
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- Easy Implementation and Maintenance
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Since there is no client software to download, install, or maintain, Acumatica saves businesses tons of time and money. The system runs on standard technology; thereby, there is minimal technology integration resistance from within the company. Also, businesses save fortunes since they don’t have to pay for individual user licenses.
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- Integrated Document Management
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With Acumatica Cloud ERP, users can automatically link documents to financial transactions, organize documents, input screens, and generate reports, simplifying the entire process of documentation management.
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NetSuite
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NetSuite is one of the world’s leading ERP systems powering thousands of businesses globally. The platform is also credited for being the world’s first cloud ERP system, enabling businesses to gain visibility, agility, and control required to manage and run a successful business.
NetSuite brings in a robust integrated system that covers almost all business functions, including financials, inventory management, CRM, commerce, supply chain management, HR, PSA, and more. NetSuite is ideally suited for large, fast-growing businesses looking for a scalable, comprehensive, and advanced solution for their rapidly growing business needs and giving them the qualitative edge to optimize operational and financial performance.
Key benefits of NetSuite
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- Automate core business processes and access real-time insights into business’s financial and operational performance to maximize efficiency and productivity
- Improves the efficiency and productivity of finances by automating financial processes
- Maximize warehouse efficiency and minimize picking errors
- Optimize inventory management by gaining more visibility into the inventory stock, minimize shipping costs and optimize order fulfillment for a better customer experience
- Optimize supply chain by gaining more control over the flow of goods from supplies to customers
- Optimize order management and procurement processes
When are you switching?
Well, even if you are using the Dynamics SL 2018 product, the mainstream support for the product will discontinue on July 11, 2023, whereas the extended support will get discontinued to July 11, 2028. This means that eventually, you will have to move to a new system within the Microsoft ecosystem or outside. The earlier you move out, the better you will be positioned to understand the working and operations of the new system and leverage its full potential. So, are you ready to make the transit?
Migration from Microsoft Dynamics SL to Microsoft Dynamics 365!
Now that we are done looking at some of the replacements for Microsoft Dynamics SL to other companies, let’s look into the ecosystem transition. Below we will be overviewing the steps you need to take to migrate from Microsoft Dynamics SL to Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Upgrade versus implementation
There are two primary migration paths from Dynamics SL to Dynamics 365. The first one is the upgradation path, which is essentially similar to upgrading to the newer version of the SL, whereas the second path is the implementation path that is more closely associated with full-scale software implementation.
In the first path of upgradation, you will be migrating all your existing data directly from Dynamics SL to Dynamics 365 (that’s simply upgrading from one SL 2011 version to SL 2018 version). In this process, all the dynamics SL reports and customization compatible with Dynamics 365 will automatically roll over to Dynamics Sl. However, before you can upgrade to Dynamics 365, you need to use the SL 2018 version (the latest product). Therefore, if you are using the SL 2011 or 2015 version, you will first need to move through successive versions before upgrading to Dynamics 365.
If you don’t want to get stuck with the cumbersome and intricate process of upgrading, full-scale implementation is the better solution for the migration. Full-scale implementation is a multi-step procedure where the data from SL is extracted in the first phase and then submitted into the Dynamics 365 system. Since it’s a two-step process, you can choose the data you want to move during the implementation. Also, there is no requirement of moving to the latest SL version, as you can migrate from any SL version directly to Dynamics 365. On the downside, you may have to redevelop reports and customization within the new system, even though some of the reports and customization may carry over.
Nonetheless, given the more control of the data, full-scale implementation is considered the better migration option from Dynamics SL to Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Licensing options
Once you migrate from Microsoft Dynamics SL to Dynamics 365, you got multiple licensing options. The best choice is to go with cloud add-on SKUs attached to the perpetual license plan. With the SKUs licensing plan, businesses can plan a phased migration to Dynamics 365, one user at a time. Once the renewal date of licensing approaches, you can simply go for the subscription-based cloud SKU and drop the perpetual license.
The second more direct option is to go with a subscription-only SKU. Here, the subscription-only SKU essentially replaces the perpetual license plan, thus allowing you to move all users to the Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform instantly. However, you can only opt for this route after paying the licensing fees in total and your renewal date has arrived. Users on the subscription plan for three years or more may choose this licensing path.
Folio3 Offer Microsoft Dynamics Services
Folio3 is a Gold Microsoft Partner, proud of offering its customers with high-quality, customized, and innovative integration and implementation solution for Microsoft platforms. From dynamics CRM to ERP and Dynamics SL, we always deliver the highest quality services that go a long way in ensuring the sustainability and growth of our customers.
