“We went with SAP. It’s what the big boys use.”
2. You think it scales better than anything else.
Fair enough; but hold that thought.
Here’s why Dynamics 365 is winning mindshare, especially for mid-sized manufacturers:
✔️ Partner-first approach: Microsoft empowers a strong global network of strategic partners (like InnoVites) who specialize in rapid deployments and industry-specific solutions. That translates to faster implementations, tailored to your operations.
For wire and cable manufacturers, that translates into:
Another big differentiator? The Power Platform.
| Benchmark | Microsoft Dynamics 365 | SAP |
|---|---|---|
| User Interface | Offers a modern, user-friendly interface with customizable dashboards & workflows, as well as mobile & offline access | Provides a traditional SAP GUI as well as a modern Fiori UI |
| Pricing | Subscription - based model | Complex pricing structure based on modules, customization & users |
| Implementation Time | Fast Implementation time, cloud-based system | Longer implementation time requires a lot of configuration |
| Ease of Use | Simple and extremely user-intuitive, integrates with other Microsoft products | More complex interface, requires a lot of training to use |
| Integration | Supports seamless integration of Microsoft applications, including Office 365, Outlook & power BI | Integration of modern apps requires special integrators |
Verdict: Both are customizable, but Microsoft lowers the barrier to entry.
Verdict: Dynamics makes it easier for CFOs to forecast and control ERP spend.
Verdict: If change management and user adoption are top concerns, Microsoft has the advantage.
Your ERP is only as good as the partner guiding you through it.
🔧 With Microsoft Dynamics 365
Microsoft has cultivated a partner-first ecosystem and that’s a game-changer. Companies like InnoVites, for example, built solutions, accelerators, and best practices designed specifically for the wire & cable industry. So instead of explaining what a length-based BOM is or how reels are tracked, you’re working with a team that’s already two steps ahead.
This often means:
In other words, the right Dynamics 365 partner can make a mid-sized wire and cable company feel like it has a tailor-made enterprise system without the enterprise-sized pain.
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all.
If you’re a wire and cable manufacturer operating on a truly global scale; with billions in annual revenue, dozens of plants, and an in-house IT team that rivals a tech company, then yes, SAP might still make strategic sense. Especially if you've already invested heavily in SAP infrastructure over the last decade
But if you’re like most of the industry; a growing, forward-thinking company with 2 to 5 factories, expanding into new regions, and focused on being agile rather than bloated; then Microsoft Dynamics 365 deserves your full attention.
Why? Because it gives you:
Don’t mistake flexibility for fragility. Microsoft’s ecosystem is built to scale; as you scale. Whether you're expanding to new geographies, adding production lines, or adopting advanced tech like IIoT and AI, Dynamics 365 can grow right alongside your operations.
It's no longer just about where you are today. It’s about choosing a platform that supports where you want to go; without needing to rip and replace your entire system five years from now.
So maybe it’s not about choosing the “big boys club” anymore.
Maybe it’s about choosing a system that helps you become one.
SAP might have the name, but Microsoft is building the momentum.
In an industry like wire and cable, where margins are tight, specs are critical, and efficiency is everything; it’s time we stop asking, “What do the big guys use?”
Instead, we should ask: “What will help us be faster, leaner, and more connected tomorrow?”