Cloud computing is no longer just the latest technology trend. Cloud ERP marks a real advancement in business software solutions. The Cloud is here to stay, and for good reason. In fact, here are ten good reason why you should transition your accounting to the Cloud:
Mobility
Cloud technology allows you 24/7 access to the data you need for working anytime and anywhere. Information is available while you’re in the office or on the road. Data needed for sales can be accessed when you’re with a client. Managers can stay in touch even if they are not in the office or even in the country. Business needn’t grind to a halt when key personnel are out of the office. Team members, executives, customers and vendors, with the proper permissions, all have access to the same real-time information when and where they need it.
Flexibility
The Cloud doesn’t mean one size fits all. Some Cloud applications can be customized to fit your organization’s ERP and accounting and integrated operational system needs. You won’t be limited to a certain user model for a certain timeframe. In fact, vendors such as Acumatica give you the flexibility to easily switch platforms.
Collaboration
Nobody works alone. You may be working with people in the next office or in another country and having access to shared data through the Cloud allows for collaboration in many ways. Create and share reports that will provide everyone with real-time information, regardless of their time zone. Include team members in the review process with the assurance that everyone has the same data. Co-manage human and capital resources, create and review action plans. Allow all interested and permitted parties to have access to customer information so you can better serve your clients. The Cloud allows everyone to be up to date and ready to contribute to their project’s success.
Integration
The Cloud makes it easier to integrate all of your proprietary and third-party systems with your ERP. With self-service access, your team can work more accurately and more efficiently. Applications on other Clouds can even be integrated with your Cloud applications. NexVue implements Cloud-to-Cloud integration and can help you determine how to most effectively exploit your Cloud systems into a single integrated solution.
Security
Some might hesitate to put their important data in the Cloud. They wonder if it will be secure. Cloud providers rely on security for the success of their business. They cannot afford to let their customers down, or they will go out of business. Cloud providers have trained security IT on staff, and they monitor and proactively address any irregularities well before they become a threat. A good Cloud host will be able to provide more and better security because they have the most comprehensive resources: the best solutions and the most highly trained staff — their reputation depends on it. Small and mid-size firms will get better security in the Cloud than they could afford to have in their office. Talk with our NexVue Cloud security experts to understand how your Cloud host’s security will impact your organization.
Technology resources
Through the medium of the Cloud, small and mid-size firms can have access to more quality hardware, software, and skilled IT workers than they might be able to gather and afford on their own. Because the costs are spread over many organizations, you’ll pay, through your hosting fee, for only the resources you need, yet you’ll have a whole staff of experienced IT people working on your solution. With your in-house IT staff, you have to work around vacations and sick days. Not so with the Cloud. Hosted systems have security staff in depth. Also, the Cloud allows you room to grow your business without purchasing more hardware. Your Cloud provider handles the hardware and software maintenance and updates as well as security, freeing your staff to get on with business.
Performance
Some wonder if Cloud installations will be too basic and subject to lower performance and more downtime than on-premises solutions. In fact, because Cloud providers have more resources, they are using newer and more powerful hardware to optimize performance for their customers. If there is a technology problem, they guarantee to get everything up and running as quickly as possible. Most have extremely high performance guarantees and low downtime thresholds. Once again, they are in the business of running Cloud solutions—performance is their business.
Upgrades
This is one of the best things about the Cloud. Upgrades can be disruptive, costly, and risky. But if your Cloud host is your ERP software vendor, you won’t have to worry about that. Who better to do your upgrades than the ones who developed them? The Cloud host/vendor ensures that upgrades are installed and working properly before rolling them out to their customers.
Compliance
If your industry has specific compliance requirements, your ERP partner or Cloud host has likely already implemented the controls to meet them. If your Cloud host is working within these parameters, they will keep up with the requirements and update what they need to in order to comply. Often compliance requirements include things like disaster recovery, backups, security—all things your Cloud host is committed to providing.
Cost
Running your ERP in the Cloud will save your firm money. Initial investments will be significantly less because, even if you pay upfront for the license, you won’t need to buy additional servers and other hardware. And if you decide to pay for your software on a monthly basis as well, your upfront investment will be even smaller. But running your ERP in the Cloud can also save you money in the long term because you won’t be paying for hardware and resources on a step basis. If you hire a salaried IT employee, they may spend half of their time doing critical IT work and the other half of the time doing other work. So really, you have purchased more resources than you need because it’s hard to hire half of an IT person. If you have to buy a new server, you buy one with room to expand so you can grow your business without having to replace the server again too soon. But if you run your ERP in the Cloud, you pay for only what you need. And if you need more today and less tomorrow, you can decrease your resources. By running in the Cloud, you will also be using the buying power of lots of clients which is much more financially efficient.
The Bottom Line
The Cloud may not be for everyone. Your best bet is to find a very savvy Cloud partner—one with lots of experience who can help you determine if the Cloud is right for you. They can help you structure your Cloud implementation as well as your Cloud services contract. At NexVue, we have over 25 years of ERP experience working with small and mid-size companies, optimizing their ERP solutions. NexVue was one of the first and maintains a Microsoft Silver ERP competency. and let’s discuss your future with Cloud-based ERP.
By NexVue Information Systems,
