As we are all eagerly waiting for the release of the July 2017 Update (v9) of Microsoft Dynamics 365, let’s take out time and look at some of the differences between the Business and Enterprise editions. Both editions combine the power of CRM and ERP, but what are the real differences.
Dynamics 365 Business Edition
The Dynamics 365 Business edition encompasses Sales and Customer Service (Customer Engagement), ERP, Marketing and Customer Insights using the tools that we have become familiarized with. The ERP functionalities of the Business edition are the same (or most of the same) functionalities that used to be in Dynamics NAV. All the Business Edition Modules have only a subset of the functionality of the Enterprise Edition.
Dynamics 365 Enterprise Edition
The Dynamics 365 Enterprise edition encompasses the same elements of the Business Edition, but is designed for larger enterprises, so some of the features though available for both are not the same. The ERP functionalities of the Enterprise Edition are build on Dynamics AX. This edition is usually recommended for larger organizations of 250 employees or more. Another difference for example is the marketing module. The Marketing module in Enterprise edition uses Adobe as the marketing tool, while the Business Edition uses a different tool (which we are all waiting to see the highlights of).
The enterprise edition has the full functionality of the following modules: Finance and Operations (ERP using AX), Sales and Customer Service (Customer Engagement), Marketing (Adobe Marketing Cloud), Project Service Automation, Field Service, Retail and Talent. Future modules will most likely become part of the Enterprise Edition.
Let’s look at some of the differences of what is included in each of the product:
| Feature | Dynamics 365 Business Edition | Dynamics 365 Enterprise Edition |
| User Count | Designed for up to 50 Users | Designed for more than 250 Users |
| Offering | Available only as a cloud offering | Available both on the Cloud and On-Premise. Not all features that are available in the Cloud will be available On-Premise. |
| Modules | Dynamics 365 CRM and ERP Finance Module | Includes Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, Field Service, Project Service Automation and AX ERP |
| Marketing | Provides Integration for Marketing Module | Marketing Module available via Adobe Marketing Cloud |
| ERP | Designed for companies with little or basic financial needs, that have outgrown their basic accounting system | Designed for companies with extensive financial needs and advanced ERP functionality |
So the question is which to get? Based on the business needs of your organization, you have enough choice whether to choose Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Edition or Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise Edition. If still uncertain, wait for the release and get trial versions of Business and Enterprise editions and test the features out. It is still uncertain as the final details have not yet been completed, but businesses should be able to combine licenses for both Business and Enterprise edition.