Enterprise CRM Leaders

SAP and Microsoft are both popular with mid-sized and enterprise companies. These CRMs come with many applications, making them customizable and scalable. Plus, SAP and Microsoft have numerous add-ons that go beyond basic CRM capabilities and take your business to the next level.  

While Dynamics 365 Sales and SAP Sales Cloud have many similarities regarding the types of businesses that implement them, other factors such as deployment and integrations will put one solution above the other. 

Cloud vs. On-Premise Deployment

Plenty of solutions boast cloud deployment, but what does that mean for your business needs? 

While Microsoft originally developed the Dynamics 365 suite for on-premise deployment, the company has adapted these modules to work on the Azure web services platform. Microsoft groups its Dynamics 365 customers by deployment to deliver relevant support and service. Because Dynamics 365 was initially an on-premise solution, it works well when deployed in that fashion. However, its cloud capabilities are robust. Cloud customers see two updates per year compared to a single annual update for on-premise customers.  

SAP’s Customer Experience suite includes cloud solutions for marketing, sales, and more. SAP Sales Cloud is only available as a cloud product but can integrate with cloud and on-premise SAP solutions. Depending on their business needs, cloud users can also choose between public and private hosting. SAP’s cloud solutions receive quarterly updates in February, May, August, and November. 

Integrations

Microsoft Dynamics 365 and SAP Sales Cloud are built for a family of products. While both have open APIs that allow for integration, Microsoft and SAP solutions truly shine in Microsoft and SAP environments. If you already use Microsoft or SAP solutions, Dynamics 365 and the Sales Cloud will feel comfortable and familiar. 

Dynamics 365 for Sales integrates seamlessly with select Microsoft solutions such as other Dynamics 365 modules, Office 365 applications, and Power BI. While some third-party integrations may be clunky, Microsoft offers many easy add-ons through AppSource.  

Much like Dynamics 365, SAP Sales Cloud integrates best with other solutions by the same developer. The SAP Customer Experience suite offers CRM modules for sales, marketing, and service that integrate with one another and other SAP cloud and on-premise solutions. While SAP solutions pair with several add-ons, the Sales Cloud has a limited selection of additional modules. So, if you want to add a specific extension, you must ensure it pairs with one of your SAP solutions. 

Sum It Up

Microsoft Dynamics 365 offers CRM functionality for sales, marketing, and other vital business operations. The software allows for cloud, on-premise, or hybrid deployments, and Microsoft segments its customers by deployment to provide the best possible service and support. While Dynamics 365 integrates best with other Dynamics 365 and Office 365 solutions, it pairs with many add-ons from the AppSource marketplace. The Microsoft support team responds quickly to inquiries, though advanced support packages are available for companies needing high-level service. 

SAP Customer Experience includes a Sales Cloud module with public or private tenant options. SAP software integrates best with solutions from the same family, including a mix of on-premise and cloud solutions. SAP subscriptions include support, but assistance can take time due to the waiting period between submitting a support ticket and hearing back on the support team’s availability. 

At Cargas, our expert consulting team specializes in Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM. If you’re struggling to determine which of these solutions is the best fit for your business, we’d love to help. Let’s connect to talk about your needs and what you’re looking for in a software solution.