Microsoft Dynamics AX vs Oracle JDEdwards

JDEdwards is a mature, stable, broad and deep set of applications that are as functionally rich and complete as just about anything else on the market. That is both a blessing and a curse. No single company can use even a majority of the functionality available, yet every company has to pay for the development (built into the initial cost) and the maintenance of the whole package (built into the annual maintenance cost). Additionally, that level of complexity makes modifications, troubleshooting, local support and maintenance demanding and can be very expensive.  

Microsoft Dynamics AX offers a rich array of functionality to serve the needs of a wide variety of industries without the unnecessary complexity that supports functions that few companies need. Built using industry-standard tools and database, Microsoft Dynamics AX is powerfully simple to implement and maintain. Tailor ability is provided through modern tools and architecture, not user-defined tables and software ‘switches’. Microsoft Dynamics AX offers personalized, role-based screens, for example, that are not affected by product updates or program modifications, in most cases. The industry-standard Microsoft® SQL Server® database is accessible through SQL Server-compliant tools and utilities for integration and analytical purposes.

The cost of maintaining a JDEdwards system is quite high. A former user described the annual maintenance fees as “monstrous”. With JDEdwards, are you paying more in annual maintenance fees than it costs to license the software in the first place? A lot of JDEdwards customers find this is true.

With Microsoft Dynamics AX, companies benefit from lower initial licensing costs and ongoing annual maintenance costs. And there is a cost advantage in worker productivity! Since Microsoft Dynamics AX uses familiar Microsoft technology and tools, it is cost-effective to build and maintain interoperability within the company and with trading partners through Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Exchange, and Microsoft BizTalk.

In a traditional user interface such as the one found in JDEdwards World, the screens are generic – all users start at the same screen and use only a fraction of the options and choices that are presented. We have talked to companies that do not use the majority of the functionality available in JDEdwards, yet everyone pays for the development (built into initial cost) and maintenance of the entire package (built into annual maintenance cost).

The Microsoft Dynamics AX user interface is role-based, meaning each user has a home screen that is tailored to provide easy access to the activities and functions that they use every day. Microsoft Dynamics AX helps improve productivity with a role-based interface that tailors each home screen to provide each user with the most relevant activities and functions. And, because it's designed to work like applications such as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Outlook, your people can work more efficiently than ever.

Although all of Oracle’s applications are the result of acquisitions, the JDEdwards products were brought in quite late in the process after Oracle had already committed to an architecture, programming language and tools, and direction for their mainline ERP software suite. Both of the JDEdwards products are quite different from this Oracle path. Oracle has been quite open about their future plans for a “fusion” product that will bring these diverse product sets together at some point in the future. There is no doubt that the new product will not look like, work like, or resemble JDEdwards internally. Therefore, it is clear that JDEdwards users are facing a conversion to a new ERP system at some point in the future.

Microsoft invests in the research and development of its Microsoft Dynamics product suite, with a well-defined road map focusing on innovation, collaboration, and improved productivity, so customers can get up and running quickly and see a fast return on investment. Compare this against JD Edwards which may receive less attention and investment as Oracle launches its Fusion Application suite. 

Microsoft Dynamics AX is built on Microsoft's infrastructure, which is the most used among midmarket companies. Microsoft Dynamics AX works like and with familiar Microsoft software, automating and streamlining financial, customer relationship and supply chain processes in a way that helps you drive business success, communication, and collaboration.