Evaluate Microsoft Dynamics
Integrated business management solutions for financial, supply chain and customer relationship management
The information on this page outlines what's involved when you invest in a complete solution and service commitment to help ensure that your technology—and the ability of your people to use it—are business ready.
When you license a Microsoft Dynamics business management solution, a certified Microsoft partner will help you choose the right components for your business, and configure them properly. Your Microsoft partner will also help your people get the ongoing training and support they need to use the tools to their full potential.
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What affects licensing costs?
The cost of licensing and using business management technology varies greatly among companies. The following factors have an up-front impact on the overall cost of your total business solution:
| • | Business software components: The components you'll need are influenced by the type of business you're in, and the current and future software needs your company might have.
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| • | The number of people who will use the software: The size of your staff, the kind of tasks they perform, and the software access that each person needs will affect total costs.
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| • | The level of service that's right for your company: Depending on your business and IT staffing structure you may choose varying degrees of software service, training, and more.
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Microsoft Dynamics editions
With assistance from your Microsoft partner, you can choose from two editions of pre-selected (packaged) software functionality available for Microsoft Dynamics, as well as additional add on components. When you select an edition, you license the number of users you need to utilize the components.
If you need more functionality than is included in the edition you choose, you have the flexibility to add certain components to your selected edition.
The following information outlines the functions available in different editions of Microsoft Dynamics.
This edition addresses core financial management needs and includes essential features for integrated financial and business management. It is streamlined for ease of installation, rapid user adoption, and affordability. Financial management, including:
| • | General ledger | | • | Accounts receivable | | • | Accounts payable | | • | Fixed asset management |
Supply chain management including:
| • | Sales order processing | | • | Purchase order processing | | • | Inventory management |
Business intelligence and reporting including: Microsoft FRx Desktop (1 user)
Basic configuration and development tools In addition to core functionality, the Business Essentials Foundation Pack includes one full access user license. Additional full access users and partial access users may be licensed. A limited set of additional components—such as payroll components—may also be licensed for this edition. | This edition addresses the needs of organizations that are looking for a solution with an extensive set of advanced functionality.
All the functionality of the Business Essentials edition is included plus the following:
Advanced financial management, including:
| • | Cash management | | • | Collections management |
Advanced business intelligence and reporting Customer relationship management, including Microsoft Dynamics CRM Professional Server** (at least one user license must be purchased for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Professional to use this product)
Manufacturing Advanced supply-chain management, including:
| • | Bill of materials | | • | Requisition management |
In addition, the Advanced Management Foundation Pack includes one full access user license. Additional full access users and partial access users may be licensed. |
* Advanced Management Enterprise: Extend your solution
For organizations with even more complex needs, Advanced Management Enterprise components are available.
These additional components let you extend the Advanced Management edition by providing the following rich set of advanced functionality:
| • | Advanced manufacturing functionality, including shop management, capacity planning and job costing
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| • | Field Service Management |
| • | Advanced project management |
| • | Advanced configuration and development tools including source code access
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**Microsoft Dynamics CRM: Get it separately or with your business-ready license
In addition to being available with the Microsoft Dynamics Advanced Management edition and the Modular Based Licensing Professional Edition, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Professional and Enterprise Servers will continue to be available through the Microsoft Volume Licensing program. See the Microsoft Dynamics CRM How to Buy page for more information.
Note
The Microsoft Dynamics Advanced Management Foundation Pack does not include user access for Microsoft Dynamics CRM. User access and licensing for Microsoft Dynamics CRM follows a different model than licensing for the Microsoft Dynamics Business Essentials and Advanced Management editions. Contact a Microsoft Certified Partner for assistance in understanding Microsoft Dynamics CRM licensing options or purchasing. If you need assistance finding a certified Microsoft partner, contact us for help finding a partner in the U.S., or find your local country office for help outside the U.S.
User access
Businesses also vary greatly in the number of people within the company who need to use specific software functions. In addition to licensing an edition, you'll likely need additional user licenses to give your people access to functionality within the software. You typically have a choice of full or partial access users, depending on your needs.
Full access user licenses
A Full Access user license allows one user to access all functionality within the edition at any one time. Unlike many other business solutions, with Microsoft Dynamics Full Access user licenses, you only pay for the people accessing the system at any one time. How many people using the system at any one time is sometimes referred to as concurrent access. If you have 20 individuals who need to access the system, but no more than 15 of them will be accessing the system at any one time, then you only pay for 15 Full Access user licenses.
Partial access user licenses
Several types of Partial Access user licenses are available. A Partial Access user license, which is priced lower than the Full Access user license, is a way of extending access to your Microsoft Dynamics solution to many more people across your organization. One example of a Partial access user license is the Microsoft Dynamics Client for Microsoft Office and SharePoint Server, which includes a number of self service applications that provide employees access to important business information and processes.
Note
Microsoft Dynamics CRM licensing does not offer concurrent or partial user access as described above for other Microsoft Dynamics products. Contact your Microsoft Certified Partner for help in understanding Microsoft Dynamics CRM licensing options. The Microsoft Dynamics Client for Microsoft Office and SharePoint Server is not currently available for Microsoft Dynamics NAV.
Volume licensing
If you don't get Microsoft Dynamics CRM through business-ready licensing with the Microsoft Dynamics Advanced Management edition, it can be purchased through the Microsoft Volume Licensing program, the same licensing model that is used for Microsoft Office, Windows and Microsoft Exchange. See the Microsoft Dynamics CRM How to Buy page for more information.
Service options
Your local Microsoft partner offers on-site services that complement the support, training, and product upgrades you receive with Microsoft Dynamics service plans. You can choose from a broad selection of service plans to get updates, ongoing training and using information, and the right balance of service assistance for your people.
Licensing other products
Related products
You might use one or more of the following products with or without Microsoft Dynamics core products. Choose a product to review purchasing and license information for that product.
Other Microsoft products
Microsoft products that can connect with your business system—such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Windows XP, and Microsoft SQL Server—have their own licensing structure. These include solutions. Read about how to buy and manage multiple software licenses for other Microsoft technology.
Add-on solutions
A wide range of industry-specific solutions developed by Microsoft partners are also available to meet specific needs. Use Solution Finder to search for add-on applications for your industry.
For help finding a Microsoft partner who can provide detailed solutions and pricing information, contact us.
Overview
Editions
