Microsoft Dynamics Brazil Implementation, Support, Processes Design
Posted at 7:41 am | Filed Under brazil
Microsoft Dynamics AX/Axapta, NAV/Navision, SL/Solomon, GP/Great Plains, CRM localization status in Brazil - highlights for Multinational corporation IT department, launching operations on the Brazilian market
Microsoft Business Solutions in Sao Paulo is in the launching mode for just localized Axapta, which tends to become new rising star among Microsoft Dynamics family of products. Navision was localized earlier and have numerous and growing number of implementations as well. Microsoft CRM is doubling user licenses number as a expansion pattern for the last three years, we see very good trend for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 expansion in Brazil. Microsoft Dynamics GP is not supported by MBS in Brazil, however you can rely on existing local partners. Also Microsoft Dynamics should be compared with its competition: Oracle E-Business Suite is traditionally strong, however it is typical for larger enterprises, plus SAP just introduced SAP Business One - and it niche is for mid-size and smaller businesses, but we also recommend SAP B1 in spoke-and-hub model, where SB1 (spoke) integrates into mySAP (hub). Let’s take a look at Microsoft Dynamics specifics:
Future Orientation. Microsoft advertises Microsoft Dynamics as Financial, HR, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, etc. solution for your business, where the size of the business is not emphasized. At this time Microsoft Dynamics consists of several MRP applications, mentioned above. If your business is small/mid-size - in the USA you typically implement Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains. In Brazil this role was played by Microsoft Navision and currently MBS is promoting AX./Microsoft Dynamics AX with some pre-settings to reduce implementation time and simplify the solution. To stick to the traditional Axapta market niche - it is for upper mid-size and large corporate clients with very strong positions in Europe, LATAM, Brazil, USA and Worldwide
Microsoft Dynamics Technology highlights. Navision, Axapta, Great Plains have their native language and initial programming environment: C/SIDE, MorphX/X++ and Great Plains Dexterity respectively. Microsoft Dynamics (former Microsoft Project Green) moves them toward Microsoft .Net platform: Microsoft SQL Server, C#, VB.Net programming in Microsoft Visual Studio environment. At this time - .Net nature shows up in Microsoft Business Portal, plus Microsoft Dynamics CRM (future CRM front end for Microsoft Dynamics) is .Net application, utilizing Microsoft Active Directory, MS Exchange, MS Sharepoint, etc.
Microsoft Dynamics Customization & Integration. In the Microsoft World the conception of ERP platform, open for interoperability is popular - you can consider Microsoft Dynamics as initial base for your business needs, open for customization as well as advanced and even cross-platform integration: Oracle, IBM DBII, Progress, etc.
Localization Dilemma. Even if we are talking that specific international ERP is localized for
Brazil - some compromises should still be expected - the typical one is Payroll module. Payroll localization is typically not the first priority, due to the fact that multiple Brazilian Payroll solutions are available historically and could be integrated into ERP on the GL transactions level
Again - Axapta. Yes, we believe that Axapta has excellent potential to be sold on its advanced three-tier architecture - it should be considered the most resent and future oriented among Microsoft Dynamics ERP product family.
Please give us a call: Alba Spectrum Group, USA/Canada: 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, Europe: +44 20 8123 2580, +45 36 96 55 20, Mexico: 52-55-535-04027, Brazil: 55-11-3444-4949, help@albaspectrum.com skype: albaspectrum
Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer at Alba Spectrum Technologies (http://www.albaspectrum.com, http://www.enterlogix.com.br, http://www.ronix-systems.de) - Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains, Navision, Axapta, MS CRM, Oracle Financials and IBM Lotus Domino Partner, serving corporate customers in the following industries: Aerospace & Defense, Medical & Healthcare, Distribution & Logistics, Hospitality, Banking & Finance, Wholesale & Retail, Chemicals, Oil & Gas, Placement & Recruiting, Advertising & Publishing, Textile, Pharmaceutical, Non-Profit, Beverages, Conglomerates, Apparels, Durables, Manufacturing and having locations in multiple states and internationally.
We are serving USA Nationwide: CA, IL, NY, FL, AZ, CO, TX, WI, WA, MI, MA, MO, LA, NM, MN, Europe: Germany, France, Belgium, Poland, Russia, Middle East (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, OAE, Bahrain), Asia: China, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, South & Central America: Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico
Brazil ERP Selection Localization Notes - Oracle, Microsoft, SAP, Microsiga
Posted at 9:47 am | Filed Under brazil
Oracle E-Business Suite, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP mySAP or SAP B1 (Business One) - these ERPs are localized for Brazilian market from the standpoint of tax & legislation compliance as well as Portuguese interface and language support. Such features as multicurrency support are common for all leading ERP brands, however localization dilemma also includes such country specific modules as Payroll & HR, Manufacturing (especially reporting to inspection authorities), State & Municipal taxes
When multinational corporation launches its operations in Brazil or another country MRP selection dilemma is probably one of the first to address. The realities of international business should be considered from all possible sides and possible problematic points. Let us give you the questionnaire.
Centralized Control. In your headquarters you would like to retain control over ERP data entry, reporting, management resources, etc. The meaning of control is typically broader, than it looks on the initial spot. Consider hypothetical situation when you need to make changes in your overseas finance department management team. To secure your flexibility in this scenario ERP system should be “understandable” (English language support) and its interface should be standard: Microsoft, SAP, Oracle or another recognizable worldwide brand - this will allow you to find qualified manager, who understands and shares your company ideology and is familiar with the MRP interface
Government Audit. If you plan to deploy your headquarters ERP, which is not recognized worldwide, then you might expect that this system custom “localization” will not convince local audit authorities. In some cases you are still OK - if you don’t sell or provide services in Brazil, if you only export your production, for example
Payroll & HR functionality. It is known problem of worldwide ERPs - they have to optimize their localization efforts for the specific country. Payroll legislation might be considered as the second echelon. In Brazil payroll is definitely better automated by local developed ERP, such as Microsiga. On the other hand, Payroll might be realized in local specialized payroll automation application and financial data could be relatively easy integrated with ERP
Industry Verticals. Transportation industry: Bill of Lading, Monthly Agent Settlement report, Hazardous materials transportation documentation - these types of vertical and horizontal functionalities are good candidates for customization. We are giving you examples of the business logic, where you should be ready to deploy local customization experts
Local versus Worldwide Brands. This question requires deep analysis. Worldwide brand enables you to retain worldwide control over your ERP, while local MRP enables you to comply to local legislation, including such “difficult” areas as payroll, human resources, local taxation, etc.
Please give us a call: Alba Spectrum Group, USA/Canada: 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, Europe: +44 20 8123 2580, +45 36 96 55 20, Mexico: 52-55-535-04027, Brazil: 55-11-3444-4949, help@albaspectrum.com skype: albaspectrum
Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer at Alba Spectrum Technologies ( http://www.albaspectrum.com http://www.enterlogix.com.br http://www.ronix-systems.de ) - Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains, Navision, Axapta, MS CRM, Oracle Financials and IBM Lotus Domino Partner, serving corporate customers in the following industries: Aerospace & Defense, Medical & Healthcare, Distribution & Logistics, Hospitality, Banking & Finance, Wholesale & Retail, Chemicals, Oil & Gas, Placement & Recruiting, Advertising & Publishing, Textile, Pharmaceutical, Non-Profit, Beverages, Conglomerates, Apparels, Durables, Manufacturing and having locations in multiple states and internationally.
We are serving USA Nationwide: CA, IL, NY, FL, AZ, CO, TX, WI, WA, MI, MA, MO, LA, NM, MN, Europe: Germany, France, Belgium, Poland, Russia, Middle East (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, OAE, Bahrain), Asia: China, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, South & Central America: Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico
Microsoft Dynamics AX Axapta Brazil Implementation notes
Posted at 2:02 am | Filed Under brazil
Axapta or now Microsoft Dynamics AX (with the new name for Microsoft Project Green - Microsoft Dynamics) is in the initial phase of requirements mapping for first implementation in Brazil. It is localized to support Brazilian taxation, federal & state reporting and translated to Portuguese. In this small publication we would like to focus on Axapta strong points and how they should fit to Brazilian business requirements
Supply Chain Management. Axapta supports intra-company orders to fulfill external customer sales order, which allows you to design and implement flexible internal cost and profit allocation within your business group or enterprise. Also Axapta supports the seamless link between Service module (repair, preventive maintenance, damage estimation, etc) and on-demand manufacturing order (manufacturing module). Plus nice Axapta flexibility feature is Axapta business logics exposure via web services, which in turn allows repair crew technician to enter replacement parts list into mobile devise and transmit the order to Axapta server via cellular media. This also opens door for barcoding and warehouse management automation\
Manufacturing. Historically manufacturing ERP is divided into two types: Discrete and Process manufacturing. Discrete manufacturing, where you expect fixed number of manufactured items from fixed number of components, labor and machine time is traditionally better automated than process manufacturing, where you do not expect exact outcome: food processing, beverages, mining, oil refinery, etc. You should expect excellent discrete manufacturing from Axapta as well as very good process manufacturing via some third party add-ons and custom improvements. Adding into consideration integration with Supply Chain Management gives you very flexible and cost efficient manufacturing automation. On the top of this - Axapta has flexible and intuitive Product Configurator module to enable custom manufacturing, based on customer unique order requirements
Service Management. Imagine machinery servicing franchise business, when you have to maintain and support machinery fleet across Brazil - replacing parts on unique demand, ordering parts from your franchisor warehouses and production plants worldwide
CRM . Axapta has its own CRM module, integrated with Sales Order Processing, plus Microsoft Dynamics CRM is on the way to be integrated with Axapta in 2006/2007 enabling you worldwide CRM department functionality
USA situation. Currently - 2006 - Microsoft Dynamics/Microsoft Business Solutions has its Fargo, ND facility (famous Great Plains Software Dynamics and later on Microsoft Great Plains) to “localize” Axapta financials and humane resources module to US and Canadian market
Europe. German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian markets have Axapta localized. Axapta also supports Unicode - Chinese & Japanese characters support
Multinational Company. International Manager is typically speaking English, probably some Spanish or German. The priority for international manager is reporting clarity and transaction level audit (when required). Axapta supports multi-language and seamless transaction audit. We would like to stress that for multinational corporation preferably ERP is the one, coming from world-wide ERP vendors, such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft to address Brazilian subsidiary control questions
Axapta Business Portal. Having three tiers architecture, Axapta allows you as a developer to enable business logic object exposure via web service in a simple MS Visual Studio.Net procedure. This in turn gives Axapta additional advantage and flexibility on the Business Portal web exposure level in comparison to such “legacy” products as Microsoft Dynamics GP Great Plains or Microsoft Dynamics NAV Navision.
Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer at Alba Spectrum Technologies ( http://www.albaspectrum.com
http://www.ronix-systems.de
http://www.enterlogix.com.br ) - Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains, Navision, Axapta MS CRM, Oracle Financials and IBM Lotus Domino Partner, serving corporate customers in the following industries: Aerospace & Defense, Medical & Healthcare, Distribution & Logistics, Hospitality, Banking & Finance, Wholesale & Retail, Chemicals, Oil & Gas, Placement & Recruiting, Advertising & Publishing, Textile, Pharmaceutical, Non-Profit, Beverages, Conglomerates, Apparels, Durables, Manufacturing and having locations in multiple states and internationally.
We are serving USA Nationwide: CA, IL, NY, FL, AZ, CO, TX, WI, WA, MI, MA, MO, LA, NM, MN, Europe: Germany, France, Belgium, Poland, Russia, Middle East (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, OAE, Bahrain), Asia: China, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, South & Central America: Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico