How customer voice
drives business

Sage 100cloud and Sage Intacct are both accounting and ERP-focused platforms. Both are designed for midsize businesses, but they serve businesses with distinct needs. Intacct is primarily focused as an accounting platform for businesses that are scaling up and require ERP features that will scale up with them. 100cloud is more of a middle point between ERP and accounting, and it emphasizes its support for process management across accounting, manufacturing, and distribution.  Features Both Sage 100cloud and Sage Intacct have features tailored to their specific use cases. 100cloud is more robust on the data management and process management side. In particular, its reporting and data visualization capabilities are a tier above Intacct. It also offers native CRM, budget, and planning modules that facilitate financial management across business units.  In contrast, Intacct is more specialized in its accounting features. It offers more automation and customization, which larger midsize businesses need to scale up their organizations from a financial and resource planning perspective. It’s an ideal product for businesses focused on building light ERP functions into an accounting-centric financial system.  Limitations Sage 100cloud and Sage Intacct also experience some limitations that are worth keeping in mind.  100cloud is less versatile outside of […]

QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise and Sage Intacct are both accounting platforms with ERP capabilities, such as order management and purchasing. QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise is an on-premise accounting solution, while Sage Intacct is a cloud-based platform.  QuickBooks generally caters to the SMB market, and the Desktop Enterprise offering serves the largest companies within that segment, particularly those that require some light ERP capabilities like inventory management. In contrast, Sage Intacct is designed for when businesses need a more scalable and customizable accounting system. Its user base is more centered around larger midsize companies and small enterprises.  Features QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise and Sage Intacct both provide strong features that differentiate their ideal customers.  QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise stands out among users for its native payroll system, which streamlines one of the more routine and otherwise time-intensive financial processes. It also has excellent out of the box reports. These simple reports make the platform accessible and easy to learn even for new or inexperienced users.  In contrast, Sage Intacct excels in the customization and expanded capabilities that larger organizations require. In particular, Intacct allows users an exceptional level of customizability in how their deployment and reporting is structured. This allows uses to tailor their reporting […]

Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion are both remote desktop software designed to help users run windows software on computers running the Mac OS operating system.  Both software options are most popular with mid-sized businesses, but VMware fusion is slightly more popular with larger enterprises, perhaps due to its integrations with other VMware software. Features Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion both offer essential remote desktop features such as screen capture and viewing, but they also have a few standout features that set them apart from each other.  Parallels Desktop offers simple installation of multiple operating systems such as Windows and Ubuntu with a single click.  Additionally, Parallels Desktop offers fast boots, with Windows boots generally finishing in under 5 seconds.  Lastly, Parallels Desktop allows for optimized virtual machine resource usage by allowing for virtual machine pauses, and disk optimization. VMware Fusion provides high performance virtual machines, especially in terms of graphics.  In benchmarking tests, Vmware Fusion performs better graphically than most remote desktop software including Parallels. VMware Fusion also offers support for high performance monitors, including 5k iMacs. Limitations Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion can both run Windows Software on Mac devices, but they have some limitations that are important to […]

Vertex Cloud and ONESOURCE are both tax compliance software. ONESOURCE provides more products and features around tax compliance for various financial service providers, while Vertex Cloud focuses on tax compliance for other industries, such as retail, e-commerce, leasing companies, and manufacturers.  Features ONESOURCE and Vertex Cloud both provide strong features tailored to their target customer bases.  ONESOURCE offers businesses a wide range of individual products that can be purchased a la carte. This pricing structure allows organizations to buy what they need without being bundled with extra unnecessary features. They also tailor some capabilities to the unique tax needs of financial service professionals, such as wealth or estate managers. They also offer robust capabilities for multinational companies that navigate multiple global jurisdictions.  In contrast, Vertex Cloud specializes in providing tax compliance services to North American or domestic businesses. In particular, Vertex caters to retailers and e-commerce businesses, which benefit from Vertex Cloud’s robust cross-jurisdiction tax knowledge. Tax compliance is also streamlined with the platform’s automated real-time tax calculations for multi-state transitions.  Limitations While ONESOURCE and Vertex Cloud both have areas of strength, there are some limitations to each product to be aware of.  ONESOURCE’s myriad products allows for more customization, […]

Avalara and Vertex Cloud are both online tax compliance tools. These are point solutions designed to help organizations constantly calculate the correct tax amounts to apply, usually to customers buying the business’s product.  Avalara emphasizes automated tax compliance and e-commerce tax filings. Its review base is more centralized around midsize companies. In contrast, Vertex Cloud emphasizes its support for self-service compliance functions that mitigate the need for IT resources to manage the tool. This approach to management makes it more broadly usable across midsize companies and enterprises.  Features Both Avalara and Vertex Cloud have strong tax compliance features that help each product stand out.  Avalara’s reviewers highlight its reporting robustness and customization. In particular, Avalara helps multi-state vendors break down various tax insights on a state-by-state basis, and can adjust compliance rules accordingly. The user interface is also very accessible and easy to learn for end-users.  In contrast, Vertex stands out for its constant updates and information it provides users. Vertex enables automated real-time tax calculations, which can be invaluable to online retailers. Vertex also stays up to date with the most recent tax rules and compliance concerns, to ensure that businesses remain compliant.  Limitations (h3) There are also some […]

QuickBooks Desktop Pro and Desktop Enterprise are both versions of QuickBooks’ on-premise accounting software. Desktop Pro is the core accounting product that Enterprise is built upon, and features a greater focus on SMB customers. However, some enterprises also use the product since it offers relatively advanced features like automated reporting, live updates, and other scalability improvements.  QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise builds on these capabilities by adding tools frequently found in ERP products. These features include inventory management, fulfillment processing, pricing rules, etc. It also grants additional scalability, by raising the cap on tracked entities (clients, partners, assets, etc.) from 14,500 to 1 million.  Features Desktop Pro and Desktop Enterprise both have strong feature sets, which are specialized for distinct use cases. Desktop Pro is an excellent accounting platform for SMBs. It provides a one-stop-shop for accounting and payroll needs. Desktop Pro is also easy to use and learn by end-users, which is particularly valuable for smaller organizations and less experienced teams.  In contrast, Desktop Enterprise stands out for larger companies that need light ERP capabilities. In particular, small to midsize manufacturing or construction companies would benefit from the set of capabilities offered without having to adopt a platform that is overpowered […]

Quickbooks Desktop Enterprise and NetSuite both provide a mix of accounting and resource planning capabilities. However, each product specializes in a distinct area. QuickBooks’s core function is an accounting product that offers additional ERP capabilities like inventory management, cost management, and some industry-specific capabilities. In contrast, NetSuite’s core identity is as an ERP product with a strong platform for accounting as well. These specializations make each product ideal for unique company segments. QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise is better suited for smaller companies that have a greater need for accounting and payroll capabilities, with some lighter inventory management or other Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) requirements. On the other hand, NetSuite serves as the go-to product for midsize businesses and small enterprises that want to centralize their accounting functions within their core ERP platform.  Features Both QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise and NetSuite have strengths that speak to their target clients’ needs. These strengths further differentiate the two products.  NetSuite excels as a centralized ERP platform for SMBs who need to over-index on their resource planning capabilities. In particular, it gives midsize businesses order processing, inventory management, and other ERP functions that would otherwise be inaccessible to smaller organizations. It also has excellent customizable reporting […]

Fuze and Slack are two communication platforms with very different features, but with some areas of overlap. Both provide video conferencing and collaboration capabilities to certain extents. Fuze’s core identity is as a VoIP provider, with robust video conferencing, calling, and contact center capabilities. Based on reviewer demographics, it is more commonly used by midsized companies and enterprises.  Slack’s core function is messaging and collaboration, with a wide range of integrations into the rest of businesses’ collaboration or development tools. The messaging platform is commonly used across business sizes.  Features Both Fuze and Slack have strong features to suit their target audiences but they serve very distinct needs.  Fuze stands out for its robust calling and video conferencing capabilities. These functions are very robust, including high-quality screen sharing. It also offers more advanced call routing and contact center capabilities, which help manage inbound calls from clients, customers, and prospects.  In contrast, Slack’s specialty is its role as a collaboration hub. It offers a superior messaging infrastructure that businesses can customize to their needs. It also has an immense range of prebuilt integrations, which allows businesses to centralize communications across multiple applications to the Slack dashboard.  Limitations While Fuze and Slack […]

Fuze and RingCentral are both VoIP providers. They both offer additional services like contact center and call routing functions. Fuze focuses more on providing capabilities for larger businesses and enterprises. It delivers more robust online meeting and conferencing capabilities.  In contrast, RingCentral provides features more focused on midsize businesses. While the platform features conferencing and collaboration capabilities as well, it differentiates by offering more niche capabilities like e-fax and emphasizes the platform’s usability for small businesses.  Features Both Fuze and RingCentral have strong VoIP offerings. They also have some unique features that distinguish the products.  Fuze stands out with its support for mobile users and customizability for more specialized clients. Users can seamlessly transition between the desktop application and mobile app, while still maintaining the same functionality and quality. The user interface is easy to learn and accessible, even for inexperienced users. The vendor also offers a healthy amount of customizability and pricing options to meet businesses’ specific needs.  RingCentral’s accessibility as an online platform makes it very accessible and versatile for remote workforces. The product’s call routing capability automatically routes inbound calls to the proper recipient, streamlining internal and external communication. It’s especially robust and consistent across device types. […]

Fuze and Zoom are both popular communication platforms for internal and external business use. Zoom is a leading UCaaS platform, while Fuze is slightly more specialized as a VoIP provider, but with many additional overlapping features.  Zoom is commonly used across company sizes. It offers web conferencing, virtual meeting spaces, telephony services, and bundles of hardware and software for full-service communications packages. In contrast, Fuze has a higher concentration of reviewers among midsize businesses and enterprises, and uniquely offers a virtual contact center functionality and call flow management in addition to video conferencing and web meetings.  Features Fuze and Zoom both offer advantages for users looking for a business-wide communications platform. Fuze differentiates with its externally-facing communications options. In particular, it offers a virtual call center capability, which is highlighted by its call routing management function. This capability is impactful both for customer service and support functions, as well as managing inbound prospect routing. Fuze also offers robust support across device types. The interface is easy to use for end-users, and user administration is simple compared to other tools reviewers have used.  In contrast, Zoom stands out for its robust collaboration capabilities. In particular, its screen sharing functionality is highly […]

New Relic and Splunk Enterprise both provide businesses with insights into what events are occurring in their applications. New Relic is an application monitoring tool designed to monitor user behavior in web based, mobile, or desktop applications. Splunk Enterprise is a Security Information and Event Management tool that manages data and provides businesses with event logs and alerts. Notably, many businesses use both New Relic and Splunk Enterprise, and they have native integrations with each other. New Relic can take in data from applications and feed it to Splunk Enterprise to generate reports, alerts, and logs. Features and Limitations Though New Relic and Splunk Enterprise both have features for generating insights about application data, they have some features and limitations that are important to consider. New Relic is focused on application monitoring. New Relic provides detailed information about user behavior in applications, allowing businesses to see how applications are performing and if they have any issues. New Relic offers some analytics features out of the box, and also contains integrations with many other tools for even more detailed analytics. Despite its powerful application monitoring features, New Relic does have some downsides, such as its complex interface that presents a learning […]

Datadog and New Relic both provide businesses with application monitoring tools to gauge performance and troubleshoot performance issues. Datadog is an IT infrastructure monitoring tool that gives IT and DevOps teams insight into their hardware and software stacks. New Relic is an application performance monitoring tool that offers detailed performance analytics for desktop, web, and mobile applications. Since Datadog is aimed at monitoring infrastructure at scale, it’s used primarily by mid-sized companies and large enterprises. New Relic, on the other hand, is used by businesses of all sizes, likely because its pricing tiers and functionality are relevant to a wide variety of team sizes and applications. Features While Datadog and New Relic both provide businesses with key information about their applications or infrastructure, they have a few unique features that set them apart from each other. Datadog has a streamlined user interface that provides a centralized location for performance monitoring, alert management, and data analysis. Additionally, Datadog supports many community-built APIs and extensions, which are freely accessible to users of the platform. These extensions can help newcomers integrate Datadog into their existing IT infrastructure. Recent additions to the Datadog platform include a mobile app, a new UI for incident management, […]

Oracle VM Virtualbox and VMware Workstation are both server virtualization software designed to help users run multiple instances of an operating system on a single device so they can run and manage multiple servers simultaneously. Vmware Workstation is most popular with mid-sized businesses and large enterprises, likely due to its proprietary price point. Oracle VM Virtualbox is popular with businesses of all sizes, as it’s open source nature makes it highly flexible and affordable. Features Oracle VM Virtualbox and VMWare workstation both include essential server virtualization features, such as support for Windows and Linux, but they also have a few unique features that set them apart from each other. Oracle VM Virtualbox is an open source software, meaning that its source code is available for free and can be edited by a skilled team of developers. This makes Oracle VM Virtualbox highly customizable for businesses that can support developing it. In addition to Windows and Linux VM Virtualbox alse supports OS X, making it easy to fit into most IT infrastructures. VMware Workstation offers high performance server virtualization, with high benchmarks for CPU performance. Additionally, VMware Workstation offers easy implementation, supporting the quick installation of operating systems. Lastly, VMware Workstation […]

Conversica and Outreach both provide businesses with marketing and lead generation tools to ensure that potential leads are captured instead of slipping through the cracks. Conversica is marketed as an AI virtual sales assistant, meaning that it provides businesses with a chatbot to capture data on website users and direct them to business users. Outreach is a sales engagement platform that helps businesses optimize their interactions with potential buyers by automating email campaigns and integrating with CRM platforms. Both tools are popular with mid-sized businesses. Features Conversica and Outreach both provide some sales engagement features, such as email automation, but they both have some features that set them apart from each other. Conversica offers some marketing features, but its primary focus is on its chatbot automation. Businesses can set up Conversica chatbots to answer simple questions for users or direct them to sales material. Outside of chatbot features, Conversica can automatically reach out to potential leads that don’t meet a business’s metrics for them to be reached out to by your sales team. In this way, businesses use Conversica to reach out to leads that are unlikely to convert in large numbers to ensure no buyers are missed. Outreach is […]

Conversica and IBM Watson Assistant are both AI virtual sales assistant software designed to help salespeople automate processes such as lead qualification and meeting scheduling. IBM Watson Assistant and Conversica are both most popular with small to mid-sized businesses, who can leverage sales automation to lessen the workload of their sales team. Conversica is the more popular of the two with larger enterprises, perhaps due to its lead generation features. Features Conversica and IBM Watson Assistant both include essential AI virtual sales assistant software features such as sales process automation, but they also have a few standout features that set them apart from each other. Conversica automatically follows up with leads that don’t quite meet a business’s metrics for them to be reached out to by your sales team. The chatbot and email automation features of Conversica stops potentially interested clients from slipping through the cracks. Conversica can also be easily customized and can use machine learning to better understand the kinds of leads a business is looking for. In addition to generating leads, Conversica can also be used to drive attendance to events such as webinars or conferences. IBM Watson Assistant is a dedicated chatbot creation software. Compared to […]

Ubuntu Linux and Windows Server are both operating systems that can be used to power individual machines, or business servers. Ubuntu Linux is an open source operating system popular with businesses of all sizes due to its light weight and high customizability. Windows Server is most popular with mid-sized businesses due to its ease of implementation with environments that make use of Windows applications, such as Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Office. Features Ubuntu Linux and Windows Server both provide essential operating system features such as providing GUI and support for peripherals, they also have some unique features that set them apart from each other. Ubuntu Linux’s biggest advantage is that it is open source, meaning it’s source code is available for free and is worked on by a community of developers. For businesses, Ubuntu Linux can be set up for free, and customized to meet the needs of the organization given a skilled development team. Additionally, Ubuntu Linux has built in integrations with many open source software options. Lastly, Ubuntu Linux is a lightweight operating system, requiring fewer resources than other solutions. Windows Server allows businesses to set up servers that run Microsoft software like Microsoft SQL without using an […]

Avid Pro Tools and Logic Pro X are both Digital Audio Workstations (DAW). They are used for recording, producing, and mixing music.  Pro Tools is the industry standard, and serves as the high powered legacy option for those in the market. In contrast, Logic Pro X is an Apple-native DAW that is not usable by Windows-based computers.  Features Both Avid Pro Tools and Logic Pro X provide the core DAW functionality necessary for musicians. There are a few key features and strengths that differentiate them. Pro Tools serves as the high powered industry standard for DAWs. It is designed for advanced editing and post-production work. Reviewers highly recommend it for professional music studios and more complex musical arrangement uses.  On the other hand, Logic Pro X specializes as a Mac-specific DAW tool. Given its focus on Apple-based users, it has a very intuitive and easy to use interface. It is also praised for its support for writing and creating music.  Limitations While both products have clear strengths, Pro Tools and Logic Pro X each have certain weaknesses as well.  Pro Tools’s focus as a high-end DAW can make it less accessible for newer or more casual users. Some reviewers caution […]

Salesloft and Outreach are both sales acceleration tools and sales engagement platforms. They aim to help sales reps automate and streamline the process of reaching out to prospects to speed up the sales cycle. Both include the ability to set up outreach cadences over email or voice calls, create new account profiles, track engagement activity, make voice calls, and report on sales outreach performance.  Features  Each product provides sales teams, account teams, and customer success teams with tools to help automate outreach. But each product also has a few stand-out features.  Salesloft is primarily used by SDR/BDR sales teams to set up and execute communication cadences and track outreach activities. Salesloft customers on TrustRadius value the ability to create multi-step cadences and the CRM integrations it offers, especially integration with Salesforce.  Along with helping sales teams streamline prospect outreach, Outreach also provides customer success teams with customer interaction history information. Outreach has robust task management features, including reminders and the ability to sort tasks by priority level.  Limitations Before investing in either tool, here are a few limitations to be aware of.  Salesloft customers frequently mention technical difficulties with the platform, especially around cadences. For example, certain steps in cadences […]

AT Internet and Google Analytics are both web analytics tools that allow organizations to track and measure website engagement and performance. They can help businesses monitor website traffic, perform event tracking, and look for ways their webpages can be optimized.  On TrustRadius, Google Analytics is preferred more by SMBs while AT Internet is preferred more by midsize businesses and enterprises. This is likely because Google Analytics is free and can offer small businesses access to basic web analytics features. AT Internet offers paid products and services that provide larger businesses with more advanced capabilities.  Features Businesses can identify traffic sources, monitor website traffic, and conduct event tracking with each of these tools. However, both products stand out in a few ways.  AT Internet customers highlight its data query tool and the ability to create customized dashboards as key strengths of the product. It also provides businesses with more advanced capabilities, like conversion funnel analysis and identifying at which stages in the funnel web visitors are most likely to leave your website. One of the biggest benefits Google Analytics offers users is the ability to seamlessly integrate with the Google ecosystem of products. It also gives users a comprehensive view of […]

Docker and Kubernetes are both container management software but offer different features that make them difficult to compare.  Notably, while Docker and Kubernetes can run separately, many businesses also use both, as they have many unique features.   Docker is designed to create containers, while Kubernetes focuses on controlling and managing containers. Kubernetes is most popular with large enterprises, while Docker is popular with businesses of all sizes. Features and Limitations Docker is an open-source file type and software that allows users to create and destroy containers.  Containers are isolated packages of software and their dependencies, making them entirely self-sufficient.  This is important as many technologies have large amounts of dependencies. Isolating software with its dependencies allows for quick and simple communication. Additionally, Docker containers allow businesses to use fewer virtual machines. Docker containers are easy for developers to work with. One challenge with Docker containers is that it can be difficult to get containers to share data or communicate with each other.  Additionally, it can be challenging to scale with many container instances. Kubernetes is an open-source orchestration software that helps businesses manage their containers, whether they are created via Docker or another software. Kubernetes reduces complexity when deploying […]