Gemini Prefers Microsoft Over SAP And Oracle

Gemini Communication is the trusted partner in networking, LAN, WAN, e-governance, ITeS, IT strategic, IT consulting and wireless domains for thousands of small and mid-size businesses worldwide.

Recently, the company decided to go in for an ERP solution to automise and organise their business and after a long and fruitful market study, they chose Microsoft Dynamics AX (previously called AXAPTA). Systems Advisers Group was roped in to provide the technology, due to their vast experience in executing 150 large ERP projects across 47 countries globally.

Catching up with the giants

Though Microsoft is relatively new in the ERP market compared to SAP or even Oracle, it has evolved as a very effective player in the European and US market and is now making its presence felt in the Indian market as well.

More from Biztech

Future Group - Reliance Retail Deal approved by CCI RBI ban on cryptocurrencies takes effect; prohibition could force investors to tap the black market

Axapta was initially released in March, 1998 in the Danish and U.S. markets. After being acquired by Microsoft, it is now called Microsoft Dynamics AX.

“Before deciding on an ERP solution, we created a detailed report talking and discussing with all the departments internally, trying to study everyone’s requirement in an ERP. Based on this report we decided to invite the ERP providers to come and explain their products to us so that we could choose the best. After several rounds of discussions with players like Oracle, SAP and Microsoft we took our own time to discuss enough internally again, comparing the features of each product with the other and our requirements as well. We explored SAP and Oracle because they are the undisputed leaders in the market and Microsoft because the name has its own credentials. We found Microsoft the best fit for us because it’s very user friendly and effective,” said N.Hari, VP Technology, Gemini Communications.

Robust Technology

MorphX is an integrated development environment in Microsoft Dynamics AX that allows developers to graphically design datatypes, base enumerations, tables, queries, forms, menus and reports. MorphX supports drag and drop and is very intuitive. It also allows access to any application class, by launching the X++ code editor.

Microsoft Dynamics AX also offers support for version control systems (VCS) integrated with the IDE, allowing collaboration in development. There is also a tool for reverse-engineering table structures and class structures to Visio. X++ itself is the programming language behind MorphX, and is very reminiscent of C# or Java.

SAG provides valuable inputs

Prior to the implementation, Gemini Communication had an in-house built ERP which was helpful but only to a certain extent. To comply with their growing business needs, the company wanted a solution which would grow with them and help them grow in an organised way.

According to Krishnan Muralidharan, professional services manager, Systems Advisers Group, “After a lot of internal discussions, we came up with a few cutomisations to the product to fit their growing business requirements. The implementation is being done in various stages and is still in progress.”

“Microsoft Dynamics AX has a very use- friendly interface, which is extremely easy to learn and use. We did not want to deploy an ERP solution and then wait for months to start using the same and spend our valuable time training our people on a difficult application. The look and feel of Microsoft Dynamics AX is just like our MS windows, which all our people are well versed with. Moreover, the implementation team from Systems Advisors Group was very prompt and helpful. With their expert knowledge of the product they helped us not only in implementation but also at various stages of decision-making. The cost also fitted our budget and that made it even better. We have estimated it to be a 45 lakh investment,” added Hari.