Dynamics 365 vs. NetSuite

When comparing Dynamics 365 and NetSuite, think about the future

We often work with organizations that are evaluating NetSuite and Dynamics 365. While on the surface, both seem comparable in terms of capabilities, business functions, and infrastructure, there are some important distinctions.

At Sunrise, we help growing businesses evaluate these platforms through the lens of future scalability, integration flexibility, and operational complexity. Whether your focus is on tightening your financial management, improving supply chain efficiency, or driving operational resilience, this article will guide you through a practical comparison of NetSuite and Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations—so you can choose the ERP that grows with your business.

Dynamics 365 Overview

Dynamics 365 is a suite of applications that unifies processes across finance, supply chain, commerce, and customer service on a single platform. Its integration with other Microsoft products, such as Office 365 and Azure, provides a seamless experience for users familiar with the Microsoft ecosystem.

Built to support growing businesses, Dynamics 365 offers modular applications that can be implemented individually or together, allowing organizations to start with what they need and scale at their own pace. With built-in AI capabilities like Microsoft Copilot, businesses gain intelligent insights, improve decision-making, and automate repetitive tasks. Additionally, its low-code/no-code tools, such as Power Apps and Power Automate make customization accessible even without deep technical expertise.

Whether it’s optimizing financial operations, managing complex supply chains, or improving customer experiences, Dynamics 365 delivers a connected and flexible solution for modern enterprises.

NetSuite Overview

NetSuite provides foundational inventory management capabilities, including demand planning, automated replenishment, and basic warehouse tracking. Its Saved Searches and customizable dashboards offer valuable visibility, making it well-suited for businesses with simple product catalogs and straightforward inventory requirements.

However, companies that require more sophisticated features—such as real-time serialization, complex global inventory coordination, or support for multi-dimensional SKUs—may find NetSuite’s functionality limited in those areas.

Comparison table: NetSuite vs. Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain

Below is a detailed comparison of the two systems:

Feature Category	NetSuite	Microsoft Dynamics 365
Merchandising & inventory management	NetSuite offers essential tools for managing inventory across locations, including demand planning, replenishment automation, and basic warehouse tracking. Its saved searches and customizable dashboards provide useful insights, making it a strong fit for companies with relatively straightforward product catalogs and inventory needs. While NetSuite covers these functions, it may fall short for businesses needing advanced capabilities like real-time serialization, global inventory coordination, or multidimensional SKU management.	Dynamics 365 excels in complex supply chain environments, offering multi-level product hierarchies, serial and batch tracking, and AI-driven demand forecasting. Its tight integration with warehouse automation systems, barcode scanning, and mobile inventory workflows make it ideal for manufacturers, distributors, and global retailers. Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management also supports cross-border inventory tracking, landed cost calculations, and real-time visibility across warehouses, empowering companies to enhance logistics performance and reduce stockouts or overstock situations.
Point of Sale (POS)	NetSuite includes a native POS module and solid eCommerce functionality that works well for retail environments with modest channel complexity. It enables centralized data for sales, inventory, and customer transactions but often requires third-party tools or add-ons for a true omnichannel experience. While suitable for B2C brands with straightforward processes, NetSuite can be limiting for businesses that demand real-time store operations, complex promotions, or B2B commerce coordination across multiple regions.	Pairing Microsoft Dynamics Finance and Supply Chain with Commerce delivers a powerful, end-to-end omnichannel solution. From in-store POS and mobile checkout to digital storefronts and marketplace integrations, the platform offers a single source of truth across every touchpoint. Built-in tools enable real-time customer insights, synchronized inventory, and dynamic pricing—empowering companies to elevate service and drive loyalty. The deep integration with other Dynamics 365 ecosystem apps like Customer Insights, Power BI, and Microsoft Teams enhances collaboration and personalization.
Financial management	NetSuite provides robust out-of-the-box finance and accounting functionality, including general ledger, accounts receivable/payable, bank reconciliation, and basic financial analysis tools. Its SuiteBilling module supports subscription-based models, making it ideal for SaaS and services businesses. However, its capabilities can feel limited for organizations with complex reporting structures, intercompany transactions, or compliance needs tied to GAAP or IFRS standards.	Dynamics 365 is built for global organizations with multidimensional and complex accounting needs. With features like multi-entity accounting, real-time budgeting, fixed asset tracking, subscription billing, cost accounting, and automated revenue recognition, Dynamics 365 Finance supports the needs of both finance teams and auditors. The app’s native support for local tax regulations, multi-currency consolidation, and project-based accounting makes it particularly attractive for global firms. Additionally, embedded Power BI dashboards and Microsoft Copilot enable predictive insights and scenario modeling to help finance leaders stay ahead.
Omnichannel capabilities	Provides omnichannel support through its SuiteCommerce platform, which connects eCommerce, in-store POS, and order management systems. While it offers essential capabilities like real-time inventory tracking and customer data unification, delivering a fully integrated omnichannel experience may require additional setup, third-party tools, or custom development.	Supports omnichannel retailing through Dynamics 365 Commerce, allowing for cohesive customer experiences across online and offline channels. Features include unified customer profiles, cross-channel loyalty programs, and seamless order fulfillment processes.
Customization & integration	NetSuite promotes a “clicks not code” approach to customization. Using SuiteBuilder and SuiteCloud, users can configure fields, workflows, and dashboards with relative ease. Developers can extend functionality using SuiteScript, a JavaScript-based scripting language, and REST or SOAP APIs for system integration. This low-code environment works well for companies with lighter customization needs, but limitations emerge when building deeply integrated, cross-platform business processes—especially those spanning CRM, finance, supply chain, and analytics.	Dynamics 365 F&O stands out with its tight integration into the Microsoft Power Platform. Using Power Automate, Power Apps, and Azure Logic Apps, businesses can build custom workflows, automate approvals, and connect F&O to virtually any system—without heavy development overhead. Additionally, Microsoft’s Dataverse provides a unified data layer across Dynamics applications, making integration with Microsoft 365, Power BI, and Teams seamless. AI-driven recommendations through Copilot enhance productivity by suggesting smart workflows based on user behavior and context.
User experience & interface	Offers a functional, dashboard-driven interface with strong data visibility. However, the UI can feel dated and less intuitive, often requiring more training or technical input.	Features a modern interface consistent with other Microsoft products like Office 365, providing a familiar environment for users. The system offers customizable dashboards, workspaces, and a responsive design, enhancing user engagement across
Scalability & deployment	NetSuite is offered as a single-tier, multi-tenant SaaS solution, making deployment fast and upgrades automatic. This model is ideal for businesses seeking a streamlined path to ERP adoption without dedicating large IT resources.	Dynamics 365 F&O provides enterprise-class scalability through modular licensing, regional Azure deployments, and flexible infrastructure configurations. Businesses can adopt what they need today—finance, supply chain, commerce—and scale into manufacturing, HR, or advanced analytics later.
Licensing & costs	Its pricing includes bundled modules, which helps simplify procurement. However, that simplicity can lead to long-term trade-offs: limited control over upgrade timing, reliance on third-party solutions for industry-specific needs, and potential functional ceilings as business processes mature.	The ability to control upgrade timing and deploy in specific geographies (for compliance or latency reasons) makes it highly attractive to global and multi-entity organizations. While initial licensing may seem higher, many businesses find the total cost of ownership (TCO) favorable over time due to fewer workarounds and more built-in functionality.
Customer support	Offers tiered support plans, but advanced support often comes at a premium. While resources like the NetSuite Help Center and SuiteAnswers are available, users frequently rely on third-party consultants for in-depth support and system customization—something more streamlined in the Dynamics 365 partner ecosystem.	Microsoft offers Standard, Premier, and Unified Support. Some Microsoft Partners offer ongoing support programs, from handling maintenance and upgrades to implementing new modules and capabilities.

What about AI capabilities in Dynamics 365 vs. NetSuite?

Dynamics 365 is ahead of the curve when it comes to built-in AI. With the introduction of Microsoft Copilot, Dynamics 365 brings conversational AI and generative insights directly into ERP and CRM workflows. Users can automate tasks like invoice creation, email drafting, and report generation using natural language. Additionally, its deep integration with the Microsoft Power Platform (Power BI, Power Automate, Power Apps) allows users to build AI-powered dashboards, automate decision trees, and analyze trends using predictive analytics — all without heavy coding.

Microsoft’s ecosystem advantage plays a big role here: businesses using Teams, Outlook, or SharePoint can experience AI-enhanced workflows across systems, making Dynamics 365 a very intelligent and connected solution out-of-the-box.

NetSuite, while good in automation and reporting, is still catching up in AI features. It does offer machine learning in some areas like cash flow forecasting, demand planning, and anomaly detection, primarily through its SuiteAnalytics and SuitePeople modules. However, much of the advanced AI functionality often requires integration with third-party tools or custom development.

Oracle has introduced AI innovations across its broader cloud ecosystem, and these features are gradually surfacing in NetSuite, but the experience isn’t as deeply embedded or accessible yet compared to Dynamics 365.

The bottom line? You might outgrow NetSuite, too

…and end up right back where you started, looking for a replacement ERP system. NetSuite is a strong contender for businesses looking for rapid deployment, foundational financial management, and streamlining operations across a limited number of entities. For organizations with standard workflows and modest customization needs, NetSuite is a compelling starter cloud ERP.

However, for companies navigating global operations, complex supply chains, advanced warehousing and logistics needs, and long-term scalability, Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain is the clear winner.

Advanced planning capabilities: Embedded demand forecasting, MRP, and AI-driven insights enable smarter supply chain decisions.
AI roadmap: Microsoft Copilot delivers real-time, embedded AI across finance, operations, and customer engagement modules, no integrations required.
Power Platform: Build custom apps, workflows, and automation with low-code tools like Power Apps and Power Automate, fully integrated with your ERP.
Seamless omnichannel capabilities: Unify in-store, online, and back-office operations with Dynamics 365 Commerce for consistent customer experiences.
Modern, intuitive UI: A user-friendly, Microsoft-aligned interface that reduces training time and boosts adoption.
Automatic updates & innovation: Benefit from continuous improvements and feature rollouts without disruption.
Microsoft ecosystem integration: Deep, native connectivity with Teams, Outlook, Excel, Azure, and more, enabling truly unified business operations.

When your business demands more than the basics, Dynamics 365 isn’t just the next step; it’s the strategic upgrade.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the main difference between NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics 365?

NetSuite is a cloud-based ERP designed for mid-sized businesses with simpler processes, while Microsoft Dynamics 365 offers a modular, enterprise-grade ERP and CRM suite built for scalability, complex operations, and deep integration with the Microsoft ecosystem.

Is Microsoft Dynamics 365 more scalable than NetSuite?

Yes. Dynamics 365 allows businesses to start with core modules and expand to areas like HR, manufacturing, and advanced analytics as they grow. It supports complex configurations and global rollouts, making it ideal for scaling.

Can NetSuite handle complex supply chains like Dynamics 365?

NetSuite covers basic supply chain needs but lacks the deep features of Dynamics 365, such as AI-driven forecasting, landed cost calculations, and real-time visibility across global warehouses.

Which ERP provides stronger financial management features?

Dynamics 365 offers advanced financial tools including multi-entity accounting, cost tracking, subscription billing, and GAAP/IFRS compliance. NetSuite is strong in core finance but may fall short for complex reporting or compliance needs.

How do NetSuite and Dynamics 365 handle multi-currency and multi-entity accounting?

Both support these features, but Dynamics 365 handles them more comprehensively, with built-in consolidation, intercompany processing, and compliance tools.

Can both ERPs handle complex financial reporting and compliance?

Dynamics 365 excels in this area with embedded Power BI and native compliance tools. NetSuite handles standard reporting well but may require additional tools or services for advanced needs.

Which ERP is better for manufacturing businesses NetSuite or Dynamics 365?

Dynamics 365 is preferred for manufacturing due to its support for MRP, BOMs, shop floor control, and integration with warehouse systems. NetSuite offers manufacturing features but is less robust.

Does Dynamics 365 offer better demand forecasting than NetSuite?

Yes. Dynamics 365 uses AI for demand forecasting and planning. NetSuite includes demand planning but lacks predictive AI-driven insights.

Which ERP is more user-friendly NetSuite or Dynamics 365?

Dynamics 365 offers a modern, Office-like interface with customizable dashboards and workspaces. NetSuite’s interface is functional but may feel dated and require more training.

What about AI capabilities in Dynamics 365 vs. NetSuite?

Dynamics 365 leads in embedded AI with Copilot, enabling task automation, insights, and predictive analytics. NetSuite has some machine learning features but is still evolving in AI.

Is Dynamics 365 more expensive than NetSuite?

Dynamics 365 may have a higher upfront cost, but its total cost of ownership (TCO) can be lower due to fewer third-party tools and broader built-in features.

What’s the difference in support between NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics 365?

NetSuite offers tiered support, with advanced help often costing more. Microsoft provides Standard, Premier, and Unified support, with partner-led programs offering personalized service.

Which ERP has a stronger partner and support ecosystem NetSuite or Dynamics 365?

Dynamics 365 benefits from Microsoft’s global partner network and a strong ecosystem. NetSuite has certified partners too, but some users rely more on third-party consultants.

Can I migrate from NetSuite to Dynamics 365?

Yes. Many businesses migrate from NetSuite to Dynamics 365 as their operational complexity increases. Migration involves data mapping, platform configuration, and training.

Which ERP is more future-proof NetSuite or Dynamics 365?

Dynamics 365 is considered more future-proof due to embedded AI, Microsoft integration, modular design, and continuous innovation through the Microsoft Cloud roadmap.

Dynamics 365 is Your Forever System

If you’re deciding between Dynamics 365 and NetSuite, now is the time to explore your options. A smooth migration to Dynamics 365 can future-proof your business, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. Contact us today for a free assessment. Our experts will help you map out a cost-effective path forward and give you a blueprint for a successful ERP project.

Best Microsoft Dynamics 365 resellers: Spotlight on Sunrise Technologies, Volt Technologies, and Huamei Soft

Sunrise Technologies: Experts in Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations for Retail, Manufacturing, and Distribution

For businesses in the retail, manufacturing, and distribution sectors, Sunrise Technologies is the go-to partner for Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP, CRM, Commerce, and Power Platform.

With a deep understanding of the complexities and demands of these industries, Sunrise Technologies offers tailored solutions that address specific challenges.

Sunrise Technologies excels at implementing Dynamics 365 to enhance supply chain management, optimize production processes, and improve customer engagement. Sunrise’s team of experienced consultants works closely with clients to ensure that Dynamics 365 is seamlessly integrated into their operations, delivering tangible results and driving business success.
Whether you need to improve inventory management, streamline your production line, or enhance your customer experience, Sunrise Technologies has the expertise and solutions to help you achieve your goals.

Volt Technologies: Your Partner for Business Central and Small Business Solutions

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often face unique challenges that require tailored solutions. Volt Technologies specializes in delivering Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central to these businesses, providing them with a robust platform to manage their finances, operations, sales, and customer service—without the cost and complexity that larger businesses require.
Volt Technologies understands the specific needs of small businesses and offers scalable solutions that grow with your company. Their expertise in Business Central ensures that you can streamline your processes, gain valuable insights, and make informed decisions to drive growth. Volt Technologies is dedicated to helping small businesses harness the full potential of Dynamics 365, making enterprise-grade technology accessible to all.

Huamei Soft: Certified Microsoft Development Center in China

With a strategic presence in Xi’an, China, Huamei Soft is dedicated to delivering exceptional Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP and CRM solutions tailored to the unique demands of the Chinese market, and stands out as a premier certified Microsoft Development Center, specializing in development and customizations to augment project teams.

Their team of skilled developers and consultants work closely with clients to create bespoke solutions that drive efficiency and innovation. Even Microsoft is a client of theirs, handling the core system location requirements for many languages and regions around the world.

By leveraging their deep understanding of the Chinese market and regulatory landscape, they ensure that businesses not only implement Dynamics 365 effectively but also remain compliant and competitive.

Other key customers of Huamei include Sunrise and Volt, fully embedded into each project with development required with offshore rates and onshore management.

The Shared Methodology and Sunrise 365 Quick Start Solution That Helps Expedite Dynamics 365 Implementation Projects

These three Microsoft Partners each leverage a robust implementation methodology and project management solution for Dynamics 365, which was designed by Sunrise Technologies to deliver rapid and efficient results based on 30+ years of experience.

To ensure the successful deployment of an ERP project of any size it’s critical for the project team to follow a comprehensive approach that combines best practices with deep industry expertise. The methodology the three partners follow emphasizes thorough planning, agile execution, and continuous improvement, ensuring that each project meets the unique needs of the client while adhering to the highest standards of quality.

Sunrise 365 Quick Start is a game-changer for businesses looking to expedite their Dynamics 365 implementation. It offers a streamlined, accelerated path to go-live, leveraging pre-configured templates and proven industry-specific processes, reducing the time and cost associated with traditional implementations.

These are four great reasons to consider leveraging a proven methodology and project management toolset for your project:

• Effective change management approach for leadership and stakeholders.
• Improve decision-making with quantitative project reporting.
• Ensure a fast, effective, and affordable path to digital transformation.
• Stay competitive and agile in today’s fast-paced market.

Why Choose Our Partners for Microsoft Dynamics 365?

Customization and Development

Huamei Soft’s status as a certified Microsoft Development Center ensures that you receive tailored solutions that meet your unique requirements.

Small Business Focus

Volt Technologies’ expertise in Business Central makes them an ideal partner for SMEs looking to leverage Dynamics 365 to drive growth.

Enterprise Complexity Specialization

Sunrise Technologies’ deep understanding of retail, manufacturing, and distribution at a complex global scale ensures that larger companies receive solutions that address those unique challenges.

By partnering with these experts, you can rest assured that your Dynamics 365 implementation will be in capable hands, allowing you to focus on what you do best—running and growing your business.

Get Started Today

Ready to transform your business with Microsoft Dynamics 365? Contact one of the best resellers in the channel today to learn more about how they can help you achieve your goals. With their support, you can harness the full power of Dynamics 365 and drive your business forward.

References

Four Questions to Consider when Choosing a Partner

Is your ERP estimate reliable? Questions to ask

Critical Factors for a Successful ERP Implementation

End Your Search for Dynamics 365 Resellers

Schedule a call with our experts today.

Retail technology rollout: Three keys to succeed

Scott Higley, Sr. Solutions Manager

Retailers face a spectrum of complexity when rolling out new technology to their stores. Deploying a new tech can seem relatively simple at first, but when multiplying the effort to hundreds of locations and thousands of employees, it inevitably gets harder. Furthermore, the closer the new tech is to the customer experience and order processing, the more difficult the rollout.

Often the most complex tech to implement are POS applications and connected hardware. These could be deployed to lanes or cash wraps in the form of fixed terminals or remain more mobile with tablets. For retailers, these projects entail large capital investment and are generally aimed at unifying commerce, differentiating the customer experience, and cloud modernization for greater security.

Based on my experience overseeing retail deployments in numerous stores, here are three key recommendations for ensuring a successful rollout:

Choose the right team

Retailers will need to tap into their own teams and partner with experienced service providers to be successful. When it comes to choosing your own team, look for individuals with a strong handle on retail operations. In many instances, these can be store managers at your best stores who have seen it all. If they are to take a prominent role in designing the technology to roll-out, they need to also be a strong internal champion of the change.

Regarding partner selection, the more project complexity the more experience you will want your partner to have. Good service partners will provide you with insight into aspects of the deployment that you may not otherwise consider. They will take a lead role in planning and executing the project in a way that balances factors such as risk, timeline, and budget. A good partner will be hyper-focused on the cutover and roll out plan of the implementation as it will help result in success if done right or spectacular failure if not. Pick a partner with a real proven track record and good referenceable customers. I could write a whole blog on this topic, but hopefully you are getting the point.

Train, train, train…and train some more

The right team means very little if you neglect training. Training is too often an afterthought. The larger the technology changes, the greater emphasis training requires. Remember to start early and iterate. As decisions on process flows are made during the project, be sure to build training documents. Should you have the means, video training that is formatted in small digestible chunks is probably the best way to go. It is impossible to prevent all training related issues, but if you train frequently and well, you will position your team to avoid many headaches during roll out.

Test, test, test…and test again

Testing is such a crucial element of complex retail rollouts. Plan your timing and approach early to testing. Generally, we recommend simulating go-live at least 3 times. Test scripts cannot focus on just happy path, they need to account for all process variations. In your testing you will often need to validate connections to hardware or integrations with other 3rd party software. For example, if the POS is being replaced it will often affect the pin-pads used with associated credit card gateways and processors. Always be sure to test every credit card type (Visa, Amex, Mastercard, etc.) and payment processing variation to be sure you don’t have any money issues when rolling out to stores. Assuming you listened to the first recommendation, you will have a good team throughout this testing, but it is also important to quantify testing efforts and breadth.

As the AI era continues to innovate retail, we are going to see new and interesting opportunities worth pursuing. Should you need to roll out new technology to your stores, remember these above recommendations to get the most out of your investment. Please feel free to reach out if you would like to chat about more specifics.

Start Your Journey with Sunrise Today!

Whether you’re exploring your options for new business platforms, or ready to get started, we are trusted business partners for some of the world’s most well-known brands. With over 25 years of experience with the Microsoft stack, we can help you understand all the capabilities Microsoft has to offer.

Empowering retail employees: Three essential tools

Cameron Caudill, Solutions Manager at Sunrise Technologies

Throughout my childhood I recall being taken to the shoe store once per year to get a new pair of shoes before school started. I (like most boys in elementary school) did not look forward to this trip. I have memories of sitting on the bench, trying on various pairs of shoes, and having a young sales associate walk back and forth from the sales floor to the back room to check stock and assist the selling process.

These memories resurfaced when I went to pick out a new pair of running shoes a few weeks ago. I had to laugh at how different the buying process had become. A sales associate was able to scan items, obtain product information, and check stock without leaving my side. In the age of instant information in the hands of every consumer, retail employees must be equipped with tools to provide the best customer experience.

When I break it down further, the technology retail employees leverage must be fast, reliable, and accurate:

Retail technology should be fast

Capitalizing on having the customer in the store to make a purchase is crucial. Fast has different meanings depending on the context (and customer), but in a retail store an associate must be able to provide the customer with an answer without making the customer question what is going on. In today’s immediate economy, if the store associate wavers too long on the answer the customer may begin researching alternate stores and options from within the store!

Connectivity should be reliable

Internet access should never be the difference between making or losing a sale. I have been in many retail stores and worked with retail organizations that have stores in remote locations or have internet connectivity issues in areas of the store. The technology that retail employees utilize must be reliable. If the internet connection drops, an associate should still be able to help customers with the device in their hand.

Product, inventory and shipping information should be accurate

The importance of accurate information should never be understated. Knowing the location of an item within the store, the quantity on hand, or when the next shipment will arrive is an absolute must-have in today’s marketplace. The information provided to the customer must be accurate to meet the customer’s expectations.

Focus on what makes your brand special

Not all organizations operate the same way, and all organizations have something that makes them unique. However, retail organizations must empower their employees to drive customer satisfaction (and sales) in stores. At Sunrise we love helping our customers implement great ideas. I love helping organizations find solutions to their business problems. Please reach out with any questions—I look forward to chatting with you soon!

Ready to improve your customer experience?

Schedule a call with our experts today.

Microsoft digital defense report: Microsoft Threat Intelligence

Forrester TEI Report: Microsoft Azure AI

With a return on investment of 284% and a payback period of less than six months, organizations across several industries are realizing incredible benefits from implementing Microsoft’s portfolio of Azure AI and machine learning tools. In this report from Forrester, learn how businesses across the energy, retail, and professional services industries are saving time and money by using AI to:

Replace costly and labor-intensive legacy systems
Reduce maintenance costs through remote asset monitoring
Use Azure Machine Learning models to forecast price and demand

Start Your Journey with Sunrise Today!

An overview of the inventory visibility add-in for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain

Omnichannel selling has always been complex, with integrations to multiple systems and data sources making it time-consuming and expensive to get a complete picture of your inventory position. Microsoft’s Inventory Visibility Add-in for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain (also called the Inventory Visibility Service, or IVS) makes it easier to get that real-time, accurate view of inventory, even for high-volume businesses like omnichannel retailers. First introduced in 2021, the Inventory Visibility Service makes integrating multiple source systems and aggregating that data into a single view easy, fast, and flexible. Read on to learn more about the Inventory Visibility Service and get answers to common questions.

What is the Inventory Visibility Service?

The IVS is a microservice that works as an integration system that allows you to aggregate all your inventory data from different systems and use it in near real time. You can combine data from Dynamics 365 with other data sources like third-party order management systems, third-party ERP systems, Point-of-Sale systems, and WMS systems. IVS contains APIs that let you view, adjust, and soft reserve inventory. Inventory Visibility is built on Dataverse, making it easy to extend and use with Power Platform tools.

Does Inventory Visibility change the data in the connected source systems?

IVS primarily functions as a visibility service, exposing the inventory levels of all the connected data sources but without the ability to change them. However, new functionality is being added all the time. For example, Available-to-Promise (ATP) calculations for up to three months in advance were released in 10.0.32, plus the ability to create sales orders directly from soft reservations.

How does the Inventory Visibility Service work?

IVS acts as a middleman between Dynamics 365 Supply Chain, Dataverse, and any external system you want to connect. IVS does its magic through APIs and an in-memory cache. You can access it through a web interface or its data through an analytics tool like Power BI. Integrations with external systems are enabled via REST APIs, that allow you to view, and place soft reservations on inventory. Additionally, IVS allows you to define different physical measures, such as ordered, arrived, allocated, and more. IVS offers extensibility by allowing the addition of new data sources, inventory status measures, and inventory dimensions via the configuration app. The flexibility of IVS empowers organizations to adapt and accommodate changes in their data sources and inventory dimensions. IVS integrates with Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management and periodically calls the system to retrieve updated inventory levels. The architecture eliminates the need for continuous querying of the back-end ERP system, minimizing the impact on system performance.

Soft reservations help you avoid overselling

The soft reservation concept makes performing high volumes of transactions from multiple source systems easy. Let’s look at an example: say we have an eCommerce system that’s viewing inventory in real time from IVS. When a customer adds an item to their cart, the eCommerce system places a soft reservation on that item so that it can’t be consumed by another system while the customer continues shopping. The eCommerce system gets a soft reservation ID that it will later use when it pushes the sales order to Dynamics 365. When the customer makes a purchase , D365 recognizes the soft reservation ID and converts it to a physical reservation with no worry of double inventory consumption.

Why we love IVS for omnichannel and eCommerce implementations

While IVS is powerful and useful for any organization that has inventory, we’re particularly excited about its use case for eCommerce businesses, especially high-volume eCommerce or selling across multiple sites. The Inventory Visibility Service greatly simplifies the integrations out to those sites, allowing you to manage inventory and orders in real time while removing the load from Dynamics 365 and other external systems.

The roadmap for Inventory Visibility: the future is clear

The Inventory Visibility Service acts as a powerful tool in Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, enabling seamless integration, expanded data sources, and near real-time inventory visibility. By leveraging IVS, organizations can enhance their inventory management capabilities, make data-driven decisions, and integrate their supply chain processes with external systems effectively. The roadmap for Inventory Visibility (and Supply Chain in general) looks exciting!

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The future of furniture: Are your systems connected and ready?

The shopping experience is collapsing into a single channel: the customer. Today people expect a seamless shopping experience whether it begins online, in store, or a mix of both, plus attentive customer service that’s available whenever they need help.

The furnishings industry is no exception. Orchestrating the business processes for furniture manufacturing, distribution, and retail is notoriously difficult. Cloud-based ERP platforms like Dynamics 365 make it possible to integrate all of your business systems and create a seamless operational experience. With nearly 30 years of experience as an ERP implementor and systems integrator, we’ve helped our customers work through some of their trickiest friction points across their supply chains, production processes, and customer service.

We like to say that the future of furniture is connected. We have observed a few recurring pain points in the following areas — and helped our customers identify opportunities for improvement:

Configuration and embellishments | Shipping and logistics | Data and insights | Quality control and field installation | Siloed business systems

Configuration and embellishments

“Give the customer what they want!” Sounds simple enough, right? But every furniture industry veteran knows that giving the customer what they want is easier said than done. Coordinating custom orders across multiple systems and teams can lead to logistical nightmares, delays, and even costly errors.

The key to streamlining custom orders is to work smarter, not harder. Decrease manual workloads around customer orders by capturing configuration details upfront in your business systems and pass them along to every step of production that might have highly stylized processes. Capturing these details and passing them along can include automated notifications and reminders to ensure everyone involved in the production process is aware of the customization requirements.

Shipping and logistics

One of the most complicated moving pieces for furniture retailers, manufacturers, and distributors is, well, moving pieces!

Shipping furniture is a complicated affair, especially when it comes to items that are meant to go together. A dining table and chairs, for example. Or a bedroom set. But with multiple products, shipping destinations, and customer preferences, keeping inventory flowing while making sure customers receive all the pieces from their orders quickly can get overwhelming.

Many organizations rely on the knowledge of their long-time employees to define shipping processes and rules for sets of items. However, relying solely on this institutional knowledge is not sustainable, particularly if there are plans to expand your product catalog. It is crucial to provide clear instructions and guidelines to everyone involved in the shipping process. Partnering with the right experts can help define these rules within your business systems.

Data and insights

Even without the challenges of the past few years, managing furniture supply chains has always been difficult. We like to say that brands don’t compete – their supply chains do. Changes in terms, tariffs, and freight charges can have a significant impact on pricing and profitability. To stay competitive, you need to be able to quickly estimate costs and adjust your pricing and cost strategies accordingly. Taking it one step further, being able to project future costs saves you time and makes your organization more efficient overall. Your ability to quickly pivot could be the difference between you and your next closest competitor.

You should have a solution that can drill deep down into the actual costs for your products and see the cost broken out by physical dimensions, like weight or volume, and see how these different dimensions affect your freight bills. Such a level of detail makes it possible to quickly adapt – for example, say you discover a large, bulky item is so heavy it’s adding on undue cost. You could work with the manufacturer to find a lighter weight version to increase that item’s profitability

Ultimately, the key to success in managing your supply chain is data. Every input to your supply chain is producing data, but if you don’t have a solution for ingesting all your forecasts, lead time analysis, vendor scorecards, production capacities and turning it all into actionable advice, it’s doing you about as much good as a two-legged stool.

Quality control and field installation

Everyone from your sales team to your field service technicians to your finance team has a stake in quality control. Customers today have more choices than ever before, and they aren’t shy about sharing their experiences when something goes wrong. Returns and rejected deliveries cost time, money, and sometimes your company’s reputation.

First and foremost, you need to ensure that your current system can automatically track goods from production to delivery. The ability to quickly identify all inventory pieces that may be affected by a quality issue is crucial for delivering a great customer experience.

Second, your delivery process should meet customer expectations. Furniture retailers who also distribute have the unenviable task of having to manage large, complicated, expensive deliveries. No one is going to applaud that you got them their dining room table and chairs without any dings or dents – they just expect it. But we know how challenging it can be and it leads us to our third point…

Do you know your weak links? If you’re getting consistent feedback that the quality of a product is not up to standard, or you’re seeing repeated deliveries rejected, are you able to quickly determine where things have gone wrong? Is it something during manufacturing? The warehouse? Or maybe it’s a bad delivery service. Your ability to quickly parse this data and identify the weak link is key to nipping this problem in the bud.

Siloed business systems

A common theme we’ve noticed among many of the furniture brands we’ve dealt with is once they find a business system that works for them, they tend to stay with it. And stay. And stay…

Brand loyalty is a great thing. However, the reluctance to let go of legacy systems opens up your organization up to vulnerabilities like ransomware, falling behind due to manual processes, and maintaining expensive, dual-sided integrations.

For example, manual processes just can’t keep up when the rest of the world is moving digitally. And while having long-tenured employees speaks volumes about your corporate culture, relying on their institutional knowledge to manage your processes is a recipe for trouble. What happens when they retire or decide to move to a new opportunity?

What’s the solution?

If you’ve identified with any of the above issues, we have good news! They are all solvable. A cloud-based business system makes all the data you’re already gathering work for you, not against you. As we already discussed, your customers expect constant visibility into their order status – shouldn’t you and your team expect the same from your business systems?

If you’re interested in how Dynamics 365 can work for the furniture industry, you can learn more here.

Ready to learn more?

Schedule a call with one of our industry experts today. We work with furniture brands, retailers, manufacturers, and distributors to streamline and modernize their operations on a single platform — Dynamics 365.

Dynamics AX for apparel and footwear

When Microsoft Dynamics AX first hit the market, it was a breakthrough solution for companies looking for a robust ERP system, particularly in apparel, footwear, and manufacturing. With powerful features and the flexibility to manage complex supply chains, multi-channel sales, and global operations, Dynamics AX helped businesses grow and streamline operations. But as technology has evolved, so too has the need for more modern, scalable, and cost-efficient solutions. While Microsoft Dynamics AX on-premises was a great option, it’s time to move to the cloud with Microsoft Dynamics 365.

The Strengths of Microsoft Dynamics AX On-Premises

1. Global Reach and Multi-Channel Capabilities

Dynamics AX allowed businesses to unify operations across multiple regions, thanks to its multi-language and multi-currency features. It made managing global supply chains easier and provided seamless support for both wholesale and retail operations. This capability was essential for brands looking to expand into new markets without overhauling their entire ERP system.

2. Optimized Supply Chain Management

One of the key strengths of Dynamics AX was its ability to simplify complex supply chains. The solution offered enhanced forecasting, inventory control, and SKU management, which allowed businesses to respond quickly to market demands and scale their operations. This level of precision and visibility helped companies minimize costs and improve operational efficiency.

3. Embedded Business Intelligence

Long before data-driven decision-making became a buzzword, Dynamics AX embedded business intelligence tools that enabled companies to turn raw data into actionable insights. The integration of Power BI into the system meant that businesses could easily visualize trends and uncover hidden opportunities across their sales and operational data. This feature empowered leaders at all levels of the organization to make smarter, faster decisions.

4. Customization and Control

Because Dynamics AX was hosted on-premises, businesses had full control over the infrastructure and could customize the system according to their specific needs. This control was particularly appealing to large organizations with complex IT environments, as they could configure the solution to meet their exact business processes and requirements.

The Challenges of On-Premises Hosting

However, while Dynamics AX was a powerful solution, its on-premises hosting model came with several challenges. For one, companies were responsible for maintaining their own IT infrastructure, which required significant investment in hardware, software, and personnel. This not only increased operational costs but also made scaling difficult, as businesses had to invest in more infrastructure to support growth.

Moreover, on-premises systems can’t offer the same level of agility as cloud-based solutions. Updates and upgrades to the software had to be managed internally, often leading to downtime or delayed adoption of new features.

Enter Microsoft Dynamics 365: The Evolution of ERP

Microsoft recognized the limitations of the on-premises model and introduced Microsoft Dynamics 365, a cloud-hosted solution that takes the best of AX and brings it into the future.

1. Scalability and Cost Efficiency

With Dynamics 365, businesses no longer need to worry about maintaining their own servers or infrastructure. The cloud-based model allows companies to scale their operations up or down as needed, without the overhead of on-premises maintenance. This also results in significant cost savings, as companies only pay for the resources they use, rather than investing in infrastructure that may sit idle.

2. Continuous Innovation

One of the biggest benefits of moving to Dynamics 365 is the ability to access the latest features and updates without any disruption. Because the solution is hosted in the cloud, Microsoft can continuously roll out updates, meaning businesses always have access to the most current capabilities without having to manage upgrades themselves.

3. Seamless Integration with Other Microsoft Tools

Just like AX, Dynamics 365 is integrated with Power BI, but it also has native connections to other Microsoft tools like Teams, the Power Platform, and Azure. This makes it easier for businesses to leverage a complete ecosystem of productivity, collaboration, and development tools, all within the same cloud environment.

4. Enhanced Security and Compliance

Dynamics 365 benefits from Microsoft’s world-class cloud security and compliance standards. This is especially important for companies operating in regulated industries or those expanding into global markets, as the solution ensures that data remains secure and compliant with various local and international regulations.

Why It’s Time to Upgrade

While Microsoft Dynamics AX on-premises was a highly successful ERP system for many years, the business landscape has evolved. Companies need solutions that are agile, scalable, and cost-effective—and Microsoft Dynamics 365 delivers on all fronts. It’s the next step for businesses that want to continue growing and innovating without the burdens of maintaining complex IT infrastructure.

Upgrading from Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 will not only improve operational efficiency but will also enable businesses to take advantage of modern features like AI-driven insights, advanced analytics, and enhanced cloud capabilities that weren’t possible with on-premises systems.

Ready for the Next Step?

Schedule a call with one of our industry experts today. We work with brands, retailers, manufacturers, and distributors to streamline and modernize their operations on a single platform—Dynamics 365.