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BUSINESS SOFTWARE SUITES
Microsoft had the highest overall rating of 76.9, Oracle logged second with 68.1, SAP was third with 65.8, and Sage Software was a point behind at 64.8.
Microsoft fields four ERP lines—once known separately as Great Plains, Solomon, Axapta and Navision—now all sold under the Dynamics brand.
Longtime SMB player Sage also fields multiple ERP lines. SAP, meanwhile, is parlaying its enterprise ERP muscle into the midmarket, primarily with Business One. And Oracle, which offers not only its own E-business Suite but J.D. Edwards and PeopleSoft wares as well, is likewise moving downmarket.
Microsoft is the technology company to beat in SMB ERP. In overall technical satisfaction, Microsoft was top dog with 84.6, followed by Oracle with 77.9, SAP with 74.4, and Sage with 72.7.
In programs and support, Microsoft also carried the day with an overall score of 81.6. Oracle and SAP were nip-and-tuck with scores of 70.8 and 70.6, respectively. Sage earned a 69.1 rating. This category includes criteria such as pre- and post-sales support, technical education resources, program consistency over time and channel conflict management.
In financial criteria, which include services attach rate, margins/rebates/spifs, the order held: Microsoft won with 65.9, Oracle was next with 57.2, and SAP and Sage tied for third with 53.9.
The survey results did not come as a surprise to John Hendrickson, CEO of InterDyn Business MicroVar, a Microsoft Business Solutions partner in St. Paul, Minn.
"From a product function standpoint, all of these [vendors'] offerings do the job. The difference I see is that Microsoft's commitment to partners and the channel is huge. They're committed, and the partners know it," he said.
Linda Rose, CEO of Rose Business Solutions, San Diego, agreed: "Microsoft has the biggest partner focus, no question.
"We were a [Sage] MAS 500 partner, and it didn't compare," Rose said. "Microsoft has so much more training and field assistance. Before, we didn't have anyone in our sales territory. But Microsoft physically plants its people in your territory to support you."
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