Partner Article

Upgrading your software will leave you walking on cloud nine

The cloud may still be in its infancy, but if they haven’t already made the switch, getting to grips with what cloud-based services can offer their business should be on every IT director’s to do list.

One of the areas where the cloud comes into its own is Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) business management software - usually a suite of integrated applications that a company can use to store and manage data from every stage of business.

ERP systems came into favor in the 1990s because they held the promise of a better-integrated set of business applications and processes than what had come before, but a recent report by the leading technology research consultancy, Gartner, found that businesses are increasingly using hybrid or cloud-only applications that are cheaper, easier to manage and get the applications in the hands of their employees almost instantaneously.

In this new landscape, the capability to flex resources to meet the different needs of multiple workloads means the cloud is a major way of optimising all available IT resources.

Gartner predicts that by 2018, at least 30 percent of service-centric companies will move the majority of their ERP applications to the cloud and that by 2017, 70 percent of organizations adopting hybrid ERP will fail to improve cost-benefit outcomes unless their cloud applications provide differentiating functionality.

However, switching to cloud-based ERP systems requires preparation and groundwork. Before installing or even choosing the system, the operational structure of a business needs to be evaluated to ensure that the software being installed is fit for purpose and suited to its requirements.

Jumping straight to the cloud without any preparation could just mean throwing a lot of money down the drain – and having to roll back to a less optimised platform if it all goes wrong – so it’s worthwhile carefully choosing a reputable IT services provider who will work closely with you negotiate the various options available and choose the right package and install and manage it for you.

ERP systems also sit easily within existing service wraps, which creates a hassle-free IT solution. In the same way that taking out a phone contract with a reputable provider means that you don’t have to worry about sorting out and paying for the latest upgrades; a service wrap ensures that you’ve got expert help on tap and also takes care of compatibility issues, without continuous substantial investment every time a new product comes out.

Cloud-based ERP software can have a real impact on businesses with a range of advantages and potential to improve efficiency, cut waste and effectively manage a wide range of processes from CRM to stock control. The system reduces the cost of having a range of multiple systems, removes the need for advanced technical skill-sets and can be accessed by one office or by a business with offices across the globe.

Critically, for businesses with offices spread across various regions or globally, having a cloud-based system removes islands of knowledge. The system also creates real operational efficiencies by ensuring that there is a single, recognised way of doing things and a process which is followed, ensuring that standards of outputs remain consistent and are easily tracked and measured.

Another key benefit is that can be integrated with other applications creating further efficiencies and seamlessly connecting systems and services to match a businesses’ requirements. Cloud-based ERP systems are delivered on a PAYG basis giving businesses the ability to scale and grow their operations; lower total costs and avoid upfront fees - creating a much more flexible, manageable solution than traditional ERP systems.

Written by Steve Cosgrove, CTO, adept4

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by adept4 .