MAS 500 & MS Dynamics GP (Great Plains): A Comparative Study

Here is a comparative study of MAS 500 and MS Dynamics Great Plains for your business. While both share common features, there are subtle differences in specific modules and functionality offered by these applications. Read on to know the differences

Who are the creators of MAS 500 & Great Plains software?

MAS 500 is a complete business management software from Sage Software Inc (also known earlier as Best Software Inc.) a subsidiary of Sage Software PLC, UK, globally renowned for its award winning software. Great Plains (now called MS Dynamics GP) is from Microsoft, which needs no introduction as a company. This is one amongst the vast pool of business software applications like MS Office and MS SQL Server from Microsoft.

What areas of business management do MAS 500 & MS Dynamics GP address?

Both MAS 500 & MS Dynamics GP are comprehensive business management application tools for medium to large businesses. Both are based on SQL server. The capabilities include:

MAS 500:

Basic & Advanced Financial Management This enables management of accounts payable / Receivables consolidations, allocations and cash, fixed asset accounting and inventory, general ledger and multi-currency. Customer Relationship Management This includes eCustomer, eSalesforce, FrontOffice from SaleLogix (another Sage product) and modules on marketing, sales, support and Web from SalesLogix.

Project Management Accounting

This offers project accounting, TimeSheets for MAS 500, eTimeSheets and Microsoft Project Links for time and expense tracking and complete project management.

Manufacturing

This covers advanced manufacturing, planning and scheduling, estimating, materials requirement planning and shop floor control for the complete manufacturing process.

Supply Chain Management (Distribution)

This includes eOrder, StarShip, inventory management, sales & purchase order processing and inventory replenishment.

HR and Payroll

This provides Abra Alerts, Abra Attendance, HR and Payroll for complete HR management capabilities.

eBusiness

This provides eCustomer, eExecutive, eSalesforce and Web Reports for complete online functionality. Business Intelligence This includes Insights Analyser, MAS 500 Office, Alerts, Application Framework, Crystal Reports, Customizer and Explorer.

MS Dynamics GP:

1. Business Analytics This includes Analysis Cubes for Excel, Analytical Accounting, Crystal Reports, Enterprise Reporting, Microsoft Forecaster and Microsoft FRx professional.
2. Business Portals This includes complete business portal for all services like HR and Payroll, Project time and expense and Electronic Document Delivery.
3. Manufacturing This includes tools for engineering change management, job costing, bill of materials, order processing, materials requirement planning, quality assurance and sales forecasting.
4. Distribution This has modules for advanced distribution & picking, demand planning, purchase & sales order processing, receivables & requisition management and other related functions.
5. Financial Reporting This includes analytical accounting, bank reconciliation, cash flow and collections, eBanking, eExpense, encumbrance, fixed asset and grant management, general ledger, multi-currrency, payables and receivables management.
6. HR This includes HR management self-service suite and payroll, separately for USA & Canada.
7. Projects This offers project accounting, project time and expense modules.
8. Field Service Management This is a module for enhancing field engineer's efficiency and productivity.
9. Foundation This includes a Process Server, Report Writer, Security Management, SmartList builder and System Manager.
10. Customization This enables integration of external data and legacy applications to meet specific business requirements.

What are the Support Services available from Sage Software and Microsoft for MAS 500 and MS Dynamics GP respectively?

Sage offers a comprehensive Client Care program for maintenance and support of its MAS 500 product. It has 500+ highly trained support engineers to resolve customer queries. It also offers a choice of support plans, online support services, direct access to the support team, maintenance releases, product upgrades and renewal periodically. You would require to opt for their maintenance and support program for the first year and yearly renewal subsequently. It also offers online FAQ's, error correction procedures and useful information through its website and technical / application support through fax, electronic mail and telephone. Microsoft offers complete support services through customer login on its website: CustomerSource, which has the latest tools, upgrades, security information and white papers, all through its support plans. It also provides help through its Microsoft Certified Partner network enabling a direct and personal interaction with trained technicians. These partners also offer e-learning and onsite training and off-site classroom training courses. In addition, Microsoft provides an online MS Dynamics community page and newsgroups for interacting with other MS Dynamics users worldwide.

Which industries do MAS 500 & MS Dynamics GP address?

MAS 500 & MS Dynamics GP are extremely powerful tools that cover a wide range of industries like:

• Manufacturing
• Distribution
• Finance
• Projects
• Human Resource
• Payroll Processing
• Accounting
• Analysis
• Healthcare
• Non-profit and
• Public Sector

How can TA make a difference to your business?

The professionals at TA have the expertise to understand the finer differences between MAS 500 and Dynamics GP, though both have a lot of similarities. They can help you select the right one for your business and customize its powerful features while integrating with other useful tools to suit your specific business requirements. The can also help you optimize its capabilities so that you derive maximum benefit through outsourcing to TA.

How much effort is involved in Outsourcing Accounting on MAS 500 or Dynamics GP to TA?

It's really very simple. We have clear steps to ensure smooth transition. We will first understand you processes and how you use these software. Our secure, plat-form based approach will allow us access to your data. We start off from where you leave - it would be practically seamless.

What Special Training and Knowledge is required?

Your team of outsourced professionals at TA will all have a Bachelor's degree and in many cases a Masters Degree. In addition, they are specially trained in the American accounting system and practices as well as software like MAS 500 or Dynamics GP.

What about Online Security and Security at your Office in India?

It is very secure. Only team members authorized by you can see your data online. The accounting software of your choice encodes your transmissions with secure encryption. Our facility in India has restricted access to the building and each employee has restricted access to your files and documents. We do not have client data residing on servers in India. All our employees undergo a screening process and sign confidentiality agreements.

How do I Select a Vendor?

When outsourcing financial services, we recommend that you look for these critical five elements:

• Speed, reliability and trustworthiness of customer responses - ensure that the vendor does not sacrifice one for the other.
• Good communication skills - this is at the core of a good working relationship, whether it is in written reports, email or over the telephone.
• Overall quality of management and team - look for vendors who have the right values and bring relevant experience or educational background.
• Customer references - there is no substitute to positive word of mouth. If there are satisfied customers, the vendor is worth looking at.
• Stability of Infrastructure - You cannot be changing vendors, as it nullifies any cost benefit or time you would save by outsourcing. Look for firms that have the physical (office building, equipment and hardware) and internal (people, software, skill sets) infrastructure in place.

I am definitely interested. How do I take this forward?

While MAS 500 and Dynamics GP share common features, there are subtle differences in specific modules and functionality offered by these applications. Make the right choice for your business. Partner with a financial services provider who has deployed these solutions, to grow your business without investing yourself. To achieve a substantial increase in your business revenues and profits, at reduced operational expenses, outsource your finance and accounting tasks to TA. Our consultants can analyze your requirements and recommend appropriate and cost effective solutions suitable to help you achieve your goals.