What is Cloud ERP software?
Cloud ERP is Enterprise Resource Planning software that runs in the Cloud, rather than on company-owned IT infrastructure.
Enterprise Resource Planning software, better known as ERP software, is a type of business software that helps businesses to operate more efficiently.
ERP software increases the efficiency of businesses by centralizing company data into a single computer database. The database is shared across the entire organization, providing benefits including:
- The ability to automate many time-consuming and repetitive tasks
- More seamless collaboration between company departments
What are some differences between on-premises ERP software and Cloud ERP software?
Companies looking to implement an ERP solution have to choose between traditional, on-premises ERP software, and modern, Cloud-based ERP software. The proper choice depends on the needs of the individual business.
Some differences between on-premises ERP software and Cloud-based ERP software that should be considered include:
Cost of IT infrastructure
With traditional, on-premises ERP software, it is the responsibility of the company to procure and set up the IT infrastructure needed to run the ERP solution. This can include purchasing expensive computer servers, networking equipment, and data storage systems.
With Cloud-based ERP software, the Cloud hosting provider provides all of the hardware needed to run the ERP solution.
Remote accessibility
On-premises ERP software commonly can only be used while on the company local area network, or LAN. This means that employees and contractors cannot take advantage of the ERP software while working remotely.
In comparison, since it is designed to be accessed over the Internet, Cloud-based ERP software is fully available to be used by employees and contractors working remotely.
Maintenance of software
Companies that implement on-premises ERP software are responsible for making sure the ERP, operating system, and other software is always up to date. Software that is not kept up to date might contain bugs and security vulnerabilities that can cause downtime or worse, data to be breached.
Companies that implement Cloud-based ERP software are not burdened with keeping software updated. This responsibility is handled by the Cloud-hosting provider.
Benefits of Cloud-based ERP software
In many cases, a Cloud-based ERP software solution is the better choice over an on-premises ERP software solution.
The leading Cloud-based ERP software solution is Acumatica Cloud ERP.
Acumatica Cloud ERP provides businesses with benefits including:
Industry-specific editions
Acumatica Cloud ERP comes in several different editions which are tailored for the needs of specific industries. This means less time and money needs to be spent on customizing and configuring the software.
On-premises ERP software often comes in only a general purpose edition that requires significant configuration and customization before it can be effectively used.
Industries that Acumatica produces a specific edition for include:
Global accessibility
As previously mentioned, usage of on-premises ERP software is generally confined to the company LAN. This means that company employees and contractors need to be physically located on company premises in order to take advantage of the ERP software.
Acumatica Cloud ERP, on the other hand, can be accessed and used from anywhere in the world as long as an Internet connection is available.
Reliability and robustness
Because Acumatica Cloud ERP runs on the latest generation of IT hardware, it is highly reliable and robust. Moreover, the hardware is managed by highly trained data center engineers.
Businesses that use Acumatica Cloud ERP do not have to worry about ERP software downtime grinding operations to a halt.
Scalability
Computing resources can be scaled instantly with Acumatica Cloud ERP. This means that the software performs optimally even as the business using Acumatica Cloud ERP grows or faces sudden increases in demand.
Challenges of implementing Cloud ERP software
Successful implementation of Cloud-based ERP software, such as Acumatica Cloud ERP, requires careful planning and execution.
In order for Cloud-based ERP software to be implemented successfully, businesses need to:
Be prepared to change processes
Company employees and management might need to adjust processes and routines that they have become accustomed to. For example, some data will have to be entered directly into the ERP system rather than shared via email or instant messaging.
Migrate data from existing software
Established businesses already have a large amount of data saved in different file formats. This data likely will need to be migrated into the Cloud-based ERP software.
Moreover, the data might be strewed across various devices such as file servers, desktop computers, and mobile devices, The data must be centralized into the ERP software in order for the ERP software to be most useful.
Make the commitment to continuous improvement
Cloud ERP software is quite powerful. As employees become more comfortable using it, the more advantages they will be able to realize. Accordingly, businesses that implement Cloud ERP software should be committed to continuous improvement.
As part of continuous improvement, businesses should regularly be evaluating how they can incorporate the ERP software into more of their operations. Issues identified by users should be fixed and, as new requirements emerge, the ERP software should be reconfigured or customized to meet the new requirements.
How Project Analytics helps businesses implement Cloud ERP software
Companies that want to successfully implement Cloud ERP software for their organization are wise to partner with Project Analytics.
Project Analytics specializes in implementing Acumatica Cloud ERP for businesses looking to:
- Streamline their processes
- Become more profitable
- Be able to react more quickly to changing industry and market conditions
Project Analytics was founded over 30 years ago and, since its founding, has implemented many powerful project management solutions for corporations worldwide.
To learn more about how Project Analytics can implement Acumatica Cloud ERP for your business, speak with the professionals at Project Analytics today.