The Aptean Industrial Manufacturing ERP TRAVERSE edition is a business accounting software suite for small- to medium-sized businesses using the Microsoft Windows operating system, that can be hosted on-premises or in the cloud, or in a hybrid fashion. Traverse runs using the Microsoft SQL Server database. In versions released from 1994 to 2009, Traverse was coded with Visual Basic for Applications, and operated as a Microsoft Access application. The current version is coded using the C#…
N/A
Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
Score 9.1 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (or Dynamics AX) was an ERP product in the Dynamics family. It has been split into separate Dynamics 365 products and is no longer available.
I honestly think that it's extremely outdated and don't understand why anyone would still use it. Especially in a non-profit setting. In our field we have to be able to track revenue and expenses by funds, and with the way those funding streams tend to cross an agency or company's fiscal year, the fact that it is virtually impossible to pull the information in that manner restricts a finance department more than anything.
It integrates fully with the other Microsoft software we use daily, and this coordination speeds up our work and gives us the agility to run easily. For example, in a purchase inquiry, the customer, after submitting a request, identifies the teams that should work on the project, and if they need further review by other people, they are added to the process, and everything is managed seamlessly rather than the sales process. Get the result as fast as possible.
Not user-friendly or intuitive in the least. Even with the instruction manual, it's like part of it is missing or you are expected to know certain items before even looking.
Reporting is very basic and impossible to customize on the user's end. You must have tech support build them for you. Also, no cross fiscal year reporting.
Can't cut only one check if you have other invoices already entered in the batch.
The chart of account codes are not independent. You must build your whole GL for each fund source or program, which leaves you with an unwieldy chart of accounts.
Sales Ledger. Currently, the idea behind the sales ledger module is that the company prepares a sales order for another company. I would prefer the developers consider the scenario where a sales order is prepared for the same company but for another branch or unit.
Postings of issues items are currently possible but none of the modules caters to "departmental material or item request". Further tweaks have been done on our Project Module to cater for this but it's not entirely perfect. This will enable aid in cost allocation per departmental request of materials or items.
Challenges with the bank module - does not allow for easily reconciliation as the statement from the banks can not be uploaded except for specific format.
Microsoft Dynamics continues to evolve by bringing more functionality to the customer. Also there are several independent software providers that offer a wide range of solutions for vertical markets.
Overall the product does what we need it to do in order for us to function as a company. While there are some concerns over ongoing costs, the belief is, once we have it fully acclimated to our business the cost should settle into alignment with our original expectations. The new features that are consistently being added do add value to the product as they are usually customer request directed.
Some integration and high volume ramping challenges, particularly with BizTalk and SQL Server, but getting sorted out. Outages over time appeared to be more dependent on integration complexity than AX MES.
Some integration and high volume ramping challenges, particularly with BizTalk and SQL Server, but getting sorted out. Outages over time appeared to be more dependent on integration complexity than AX MES.
We use a 3rd-party Microsoft Partner for the system. They are responsive and very knowledgeable. While costs have been mentioned several times in this review they are very aware of costs and have developers who are more economical they use to help offset the level of work required to meet our changes and fix our issues.
It took a lot of work, but Microsoft ultimately did a good job with in-person training, including being onsite in multiple global locations for extended periods.
Our solution deviated from a number of key out-of-the-box standards that were included in Online training. We just used that for introduction to the general functionality.
Some rough spots, but ultimately worked out. The contract didn't appear to be structured to support the level of overlapping facility deployments required to meet timeline commitments. Merging cultures on the program was also challenging. Overall, not an easy implementation by any stretch. Everyone did the best they could.
If you've used CYMA, you'll be familiar with the way OSAS builds the GL, however CYMA is light years ahead of OSAS. If you've used anything like Abila MIP, you'll understand the comparison when I say "Abila is like using power tools to build your bookcase, CYMA is like using a hand saw and hammer, and OSAS is using a chisel to carve one out of wood." They all will get the job done and at the end of the day, you have a book case. But depending on which tools you use will either be ready for a library or a couple of small tomes. I didn't select OSAS, and never would it have been given consideration to be used as my accounting software
Cost and local regional compliance were primary factors in chosing Microsoft Dynamics AX over SAP Access Control for our need. SAP AC would have provided easier integration into our primary ERP system SAP but there were some regional compliance with ASEAN countries as well as the cost of implementation was more over Microsoft Dynamics AX.
We have to do so much tracking of expenses by hand, that using OSAS doesn't save us any money in that respect.
I believe my predecessor used OSAS for over 15 years so she obviously felt comfortable with it. I can make do with it and at least track my bottom line.
No real reporting other than basic balance sheets.
