It’s only your entire enterprise.

What’s the problem?

Contents

You go. No, you go. ............................................................................................... 3

Breathe easier........................................................................................................... 4

Pivot or perish........................................................................................................... 5

There is no “try”........................................................................................................ 7

Lower your risk ........................................................................................................ 8

No fear: choose your approach ......................................................................... 9

Supporting the connected enterprise ............................................................ 11

Industry-specific solutions: we’ve got you covered! ................................ 12

It’s about agility ...................................................................................................... 13

ROI and then some .............................................................................................. 14

By the numbers: quantifiable benefits ........................................................... 15

Team Dynamics ..................................................................................................... 16

Sound bites ............................................................................................................. 17

It’s go time! .............................................................................................................. 18

2 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

You go. No, you go.
It’s never easy to make the call, but sometimes moving business forward ´´ ERP implementations are risky and complex, and perceived
requires a great leap. Systems need to evolve to accommodate real-time failure rates are high. Based on our interactions with clients, we
demands for information. Change involves risk, and the potential for failure estimate that 20% to 25% of ERP projects fail outright (late and/
is a constant threat when implementing a new technology initiative. This is
or over budget, failed to deliver any benefits, or abandoned).
especially true in the complex environment of enterprise resource planning
A further 50% to 60% are perceived as having failed because
(ERP).
they are considered compromised by the organization in some
In a “need-it-yesterday” environment, your ERP technology has to deliver. way (did not achieve the stated goals of the business case, late,
The right ERP solution for a dynamic organization is technology that delivers scope was limited or incorrect, or that it may be delivering
mission-critical data in real time, provides a platform to share knowledge, and benefits, but the benefits are unclear and cannot be measured).
simplifies collaboration, while being easy to use and to scale. The right solution However, when properly managed and executed, ERP projects
helps employees drive the organization toward its goals, and in turn, helps can be highly successful, mission-critical and beneficial to
build an even stronger team. the organization by supporting the business strategy and

No one likes to take the leap. achievement of specific outcomes.

The wrong solution? It’s hard to miss: you’ll be able to recognize it by the way it
ERP Steering Committees Do Matter — Make Yours a Success Factor
fails to communicate with existing systems, generate ROI, or, worse, by the way
20 September 2013
it’s ignored by the very people who are supposed to use and support it.
Carol Hardcastle, VP of Research
Gartner

3 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

Breathe easier
Enterprises like yours live and breathe by their ERP solution. You need it to be
responsive and fully integrated, and give fast, real-time data to drive competitive
advantage, support growth, and encourage user adoption. If implementing an
enterprise-wide system can provide such huge returns, why do these projects tend
to stall? Why is there so much fear around them?

´´ It’s because of the unknown—fears of cost and ongoing

maintenance, of system disruption, of incompatible legacy systems.
These are the real concerns that keep executives up at night; they are
red flags that inhibit an enterprise IT plan from ever going forward.

What you need is fear mitigation: the ability to deploy solutions incrementally,
according to your budget and business objectives. Think how much easier you can
breathe with a system that actually supports your enterprise.

4 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

Pivot or perish
The megatrends your business can’t ignore
Enterprises thriving in today’s volatile business climate know that success is
measured by an ability to respond and adapt to changing circumstances—whether
physical, cultural, or technological. “Business as usual” is not an option. The key? It’s
how you pivot to accommodate change that makes the difference.

Enter the digital native

Here come your users, the digital natives. The next-generation workforce lives in
a screen-centric world where personal and business life are blurred, and constant
access to information is expected. Good user experience?

´´ Products need to deliver a seamless experience from device to

device; interfaces must be responsive, and intuitive.

5 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

Pivot or perish
Risk and technology spend
New economic realities have changed how IT projects are scoped, sold,
implemented, and deployed. There is no room, time, or appetite for risk. Instead,
it’s essential to show clear proof of time to value—shortening the time between
initial expense and positive economic return. Instead of replacing entire systems
generationally, technology tools should address operational areas or workloads
sequentially. This “two tier” approach is an important trend in ERP, mitigating the
unnecessary risk involved in a “rip and replace” solution.

The cloud: it’s more than storage

Business is changing. The successful enterprise needs far more insights to compete
these days. Fortunately, connected supply chains, powered by cloud hubs, add
another level of efficiency in businesses operations. With cloud technology,
businesses can analyze far more data than before, revealing insights that can
drastically improve decision making. Today’s cloud is not about storage at all, but
rather a way of operating with connectivity and transparency. Trends to watch:
pace layering strategy
How well is your organization prepared to pivot to accommodate the new
By actively deploying
realities of business? enterprise applications in
smaller pieces, today’s
businesses achieve more
rapid return on investment
and more precise targeting
of IT spend to areas that
contain the most important
opportunities or challenges
for the business.
“Pace layering strategy” means
recognizing that some parts
of a business’s application
landscape must evolve more
quickly than others.

6 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

There is no “try”
You have made it your mission not just to try, but to “do”: to build the essentials that
allow your organization to share and collaborate across respective jobs, and across
geographies.

What you need is a business solution that helps your team engage on their terms,
run simplified operations, and build value for your stakeholders.

There is no “try” with Microsoft Dynamics AX; it’s the ERP solution that lets you
“do”. It’s robust: including capabilities such as financial management,
manufacturing, retail, business intelligence and reporting, supply chain
management, and human capital management. It has comprehensive
global business management features, yet also takes the risks out of
implementation.

´´ “Do or do not. There is no try.”

– Yoda, Star Wars, Episode V

7 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

Lower your risk
Truth: Choose your solution
Being a dynamic business means capturing opportunity in rapidly shifting
A successful Microsoft Dynamics AX solution can be deployed to meet an
conditions, and software that enables this is essential for true success. You
organization’s specific requirements:
have options.
˜˜ Compatibility with legacy systems: keep your existing solutions.
Microsoft Dynamics AX is the ERP solution that lowers
your risk. ˜˜ Industry specialization: innovative, industry-specific functionality for
manufacturing, distribution, retail, professional services, public sector, and
Why? Because it is a complete solution, composed of workload services that
other key industries.
are designed together but can be deployed independently to cover the full
anatomy of the enterprise. The demands of an agile business require this kind ˜˜ Customization: multiple integration scenarios to satisfy a range of
of flexibility, and the ability to mitigate risk. business requirements with industry-specific operations scenarios.

˜˜ Integration with existing systems: tight technology integration across

Microsoft products.

Instead of a “system of record,” Microsoft Dynamics AX helps deliver a truly

agile “system of engagement and opportunity”

8 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

No fear: choose your approach
A single, global ERP deployment
Organizations with multiple operations can replace numerous legacy applications
with a single, centralized implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX, lowering IT
maintenance costs and reducing training time.

With a company-wide integrated ERP solution, organizations can provide flexible

access to a wide range of users within the organization. Capabilities that support
multiple industries are included in the industry foundation, allowing organizations
the ability to evolve their business model by extending their role in the supply chain
(for example, distribution companies can add a retail function).

9 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

No fear: choose your approach
Two-tier ERP
Global organizations are increasingly considering a two-tier ERP strategy to serve
diverse ERP needs across different divisions and subsidiaries. With a two-tier ERP
strategy, global enterprises can combine the benefits of a single enterprise ERP
solution that provides financial insights as the backbone for the enterprise, while
using a more cost-efficient, flexible ERP application to serve the unique needs of
different divisions and subsidiaries.

In addition, organizations can choose a more phased adoption, targeting their

deployment of Microsoft Dynamics AX and the Microsoft application platform
capabilities to address specific business processes and pain points.

Your implementation, your way

Microsoft Dynamics AX is ideally suited to support these different deployment
strategies due to its extensible Microsoft service-oriented architecture, its global
capabilities, and its ability to service different industry requirements on one
common ERP platform.

10 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

Supporting the connected enterprise
Microsoft Dynamics AX has evolved to be the default ERP choice for many
organizations. Our focus on innovation and business value to our customers has
resulted in many accolades from the analyst community, including Ovum research,
which recognizes Microsoft Dynamics AX as the overall preferred vendor for a
company’s next investment in ERP.

Today, the Microsoft Dynamics AX product community has grown to more than
17,000 customers with an extensive partner ecosystem across more than 40
countries.

New customers and partners are joining every day. We believe this success is due,
in large part, to three main factors:

1. The dedication, industry expertise, and solutions being delivered

throughout our valued partner ecosystem.

2. The ongoing commitment by Microsoft to help protect customer

investments by continuing to optimize Microsoft Dynamics AX for the
targeted markets.
“Our major reason for choosing Microsoft
3. An industry strategy that enables the ecosystem to create the solutions Dynamics AX over other ERP systems was
customers need, and our continued investment in industry-specific
that Microsoft Dynamics AX allowed us
capabilities.
to be flexible and agile. It also has robust
Looking ahead, we will continue to focus on these three factors by innovating, manufacturing capabilities and is backed by a
improving, and extending Microsoft Dynamics AX in the markets we serve today big ecosystem of partners that offer industry
while enabling new scenarios that allow customers to improve time-to-value as well
solutions.”
as adopt workloads targeted to address specific pain points.

Biren Kumar, CIO, Rockwater Energy

11 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

Industry-Specific solutions:
we’ve got you covered!
Industry-Specific Capabilities
Manufacturing Distribution Retail Service sector Public sector

Horizontal Capabilities
Performance and Customer Relationship HR and Payroll Supplier Relationship
Regulatory Compliance Management Management

Financials Supply Chain Inventory Projects

Management

Microsoft Dynamics AX includes industry capabilities for organizations in

five industries:
˜˜ Manufacturing
˜˜ Distribution
˜˜ Retail
˜˜ Services
“We saw Microsoft Dynamics AX as the
˜˜ Public Sector
solution that would take us to the next level
Using a single architecture, customers can evolve their business model and as a business,” says Seymour. “It provided
optimize their supply chain as desired. For example, a retail apparel customer the range of modules we needed, so we
that fully outsources manufacturing could explore ways to take more control of
wouldn’t have to keep building point
the manufacturing and procurement process without owning the manufacturing
solutions, while also offering the flexibility to
function.
meet our industry requirements.”

Brian Seymour, CIO , Keller Foundations

12 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

It’s about agility
Microsoft Dynamics AX helps deliver enterprise-wide engagement with an
integrated, adaptable business management solution that helps customers make
business decisions with greater confidence. Microsoft Dynamics AX works like and
with familiar Microsoft software, automating and streamlining business processes
and connections with global customers, business partners, and subsidiaries in a way
that helps drive business success.

Implementing a Microsoft Dynamics AX solution drives results:

Increased agility. With business solutions that allow fast configuration and
reconfiguration and rapid deployment of new applications, your organization will
be well positioned to support innovation and to capitalize on new opportunities
without sacrificing visibility or transactional integrity.

Fast time to value. Microsoft Dynamics AX allows fast configuration (and

reconfiguration) of business processes to help you launch new initiatives fast and to
realize correspondingly rapid return on investment (ROI).

Happier, more productive users. A familiar, intuitive user interface and

streamlined workflows minimize training and help ensure broad adoption of new
solutions. Your people can be productive faster.

Lower total cost of ownership (TCO). Whether you extend your existing
Microsoft licensing and support agreements or you choose a different licensing
model, Microsoft Dynamics AX enables you to benefit from a standardized platform
that allows you to reuse your Microsoft technology stack and skills. This helps you
reduce cost and effort associated with implementing and maintaining your
business application.

13 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

ROI and then some
Forrester evaluates the true ROI of Microsoft Dynamics AX
A new ERP system is a big investment for many organizations. You want to
understand the potential return on investment before even accepting proposals.
Microsoft engaged Forrester Consulting to research the total economic impact and
ROI from implementing Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012.

Forrester found the average payback to be 21 months, including a 92 percent ROI.

Other areas of savings include:
˜˜ Systems licenses and maintenance
˜˜ IT efficiencies
˜˜ Higher productivity

14 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

By the numbers: quantifiable benefits
Eliminated system licenses and maintenance Increased business user productivity
On average, the companies interviewed and surveyed in the Forrester The companies interviewed and surveyed described how Microsoft
Total Economic Impact study (https://www.dynamicscafe.com/ Dynamics has made business users more productive. One company said that
erpsolutionconsultants/ ) replaced six systems with Microsoft Dynamics. “it is much easier to scale than in the past. Instead of adding 30 employees in
These multiple systems were a byproduct of acquisitions and autonomous, customer service and accounting, we were able to achieve the same growth
organic growth in different countries. In addition to license and maintenance with 10 new employees.” Another interviewee described how logistics staff
savings, not having to support multiple systems reduces IT team effort. could be decreased 25 to 50 percent in different facilities. This is achieved
by providing business users with the tools they need to do their jobs more
Reduced IT team size efficiently and by increasing process automation.
Transitioning to Microsoft Dynamics has resulted in a smaller, more-flexible
IT organization. One interviewee said, “We can now move more quickly and
are more agile. Dynamics has made supporting operations much easier.”
The team size was able to be reduced because it no longer needs to support
multiple systems, can centralize more operations and support, and can
automate more activities.

Surveyed companies were able to reassign existing resources and avoid

additional hires on the central IT team. Additionally, the level of support
required at the large, remote locations was significantly reduced. Each of the
eight locations had one FTE, and that effort could be reduced by 25 percent,
on average. The smaller team is able to do more than the previous, larger
team and focus more effort on activities “that make the company unique.”

15 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

Team Dynamics
A recent survey by Ovum research reveals a significant trend in the ERP Overall Preferred Vendor for Next Investment in ERP
space: global enterprise organizations overwhelmingly identify Microsoft
Dynamics as the preferred vendor for their next ERP investment.

Within the Ovum report, Lead Analyst Warren Wilson espouses the view Oracle
that side-by-side ERP deployment is becoming the norm rather than the
exception:
SAP
´´ “Microsoft’s strong showing in Ovum’s ICT Enterprise Insights
survey is hardly surprising. The company’s Dynamics product Microsoft
line is an increasingly attractive option for organizations
looking to augment their legacy ERP systems with capable 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
enterprise applications that are easy to deploy and integrate.” This chart is an excerpt of a study of 6,700 organizations across industries,
geographies, and segments, from midmarket to enterprise, and shows Microsoft
Dynamics ranked as the most likely option for future ERP investment.
Even companies that have invested heavily in SAP recognize that they can
enhance and extend their legacy systems by adopting Microsoft Dynamics
AX as a platform for operational ERP.

16 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

Sound bites
Just how valuable is Microsoft Dynamics AX?
Very, according to these customers:
“Since deploying Microsoft Dynamics AX, we have reduced IT manufacturing “We concluded that Microsoft Dynamics AX was the only true lean ERP
costs by 96 million. The Microsoft solution contributes approximately 50 million solution available on the market.”
of those savings.” - John Ramage, IT Manager, Talley Group
- Matt Griffiths, Executive Director of Manufacturing IT, Dell
“Microsoft Dynamics AX has really changed the business in the sense that we
“Our innovative use of technology and integration of Microsoft products into can manage globally the things that we want to be global...but still be agile
our fleet provides the personal service our customers expect.” and flexible, the closer we get to the customer. So, we get the nice blend of
- Joanne Smith, Senior Vice President In-Flight Service, Delta Air Lines global control and local flexibility.”
- Bill Schlageter, Vice President and CIO, DENTSPLY
“Our goal is to improve the customer’s overall shopping experience. At the end
of the day, we want our customers to leave happy.”
- Jeff Paynter, Vice President of Omni-Channel Retail Systems,
Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc.

17 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

It’s go time!
Companies today are looking for a strong ROI of their IT investment. Microsoft
Dynamics AX and the Microsoft application platform contain a rich set of business
processes to help accelerate deployment of an ERP solution, delivering ROI more
quickly.

A Microsoft Dynamics AX solution allows forward-thinking enterprises to thrive in

today’s fast-paced, quickly changing environment.

Across the operational ecosystem, Microsoft Dynamics AX helps deliver:

A flexible
A simplified life cycle
deployment model
Fast time to value. management that
that supports business
lowers TCO.
today—and tomorrow.

Ability to rapidly adapt Pervasive interoperability

Ability to scale to changing that takes advantage of
to meet global growth. circumstances helps the power of the Microsoft
competitive advantage. platform.

Productivity gains An easy-to-use,

from working smarter intuitive interface
and faster. that makes it easy to get
everyone on board.

Increased insights Integrated application tools

that help drive that simplify collaboration and
new business. connectivity.

18 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?

Next steps
Every day, empowered organizations around the world are discovering what a
Microsoft Dynamics AX solution can do to support operational objectives and
bottom-line growth.

Join the growing community of companies that are choosing Microsoft as their
go-to ERP partner. For more information on how Microsoft can be your ERP
partner: Dynamics Cafe – industry insights.

19 BACK It’s only your entire enterprise. What’s the problem?