How to understand Microsoft Dynamics products?
microsoft-dynamics
Solution
Generally speaking each of these products were purchased separately, and Microsoft is kind of trying to put them into a general business, but has not actually integrated them into a common ERP platform (yet anyway). For example, NAV was formerly Navision, GP was formerly Great Plains. I think AX was also part of the Navision purchase, but was a different product that Navision had themselves purchased.
Each has a separate accounting implementation that it came with, so there is a lot of overlap in the non-differentiators like accounting.
Basically they are targeted at different types of businesses. SL is for a service oriented business (like a software consulting firm). NAV would be more targeted at an inventory based operation.
I didn't investigate all of their options in depth to know all of the similarities and differences, but in a former job I had to look into NAV, AX and GP and that is what I recall it being all about.
I agree with Dave Markle, the marketing is engineered to create the maximum possible confusion. The executive suite buys these things and then marketing has to break its head to figure out how to sell and differentiate each one. As you can see, they didn't do a great job.
Problem
What is the difference? They all are business management solutions. They do the same? Some sort of different editions? Do they use same platform? Dynamics NAV Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 is a comprehensive business management solution that helps people work faster and smarter, and gives your business the flexibility to adapt to new opportunities and growth. Dynamics AX Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 is a comprehensive business management solution for mid-sized and larger organizations that works like and with familiar Microsoft software to help your people improve productivity. Dynamics GP Microsoft Dynamics GP is a richly featured business management solution that allows you to use familiar, powerful software to operate and grow your business. Dynamics SL Microsoft Dynamics SL is a business management solution specialized to help project-driven midsize organizations obtain reports and business analysis, while helping increase efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction.