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Maximize Your Cost Savings in the Cloud

in: Company News

Cloud computing has made its way into the business world, and it looks like it’s here to stay. Many businesses have already begun moving their ERP solutions to the Cloud, and manufacturers who were skeptical at first are beginning to see value in Cloud solutions. The flexibility and affordability of the Cloud makes Cloud ERP a much desired business solution, especially with the recent influx of mobile devices in the workplace. However, as companies make the transition to the Cloud, one question seems to be on everyone’s mind: when do the cost savings actually begin?

Many software vendors boast of Cloud ERP’s “cost saving” capabilities, citing its reduced IT costs and faster implementation times. While it’s certainly true that Cloud ERP solutions are easier to implement than traditional, on premise solutions, they still require a fair amount of planning and training. Employees still need to be trained on the new software capabilities before they can begin using it, and business executives still need to develop a thorough implementation plan.

More often than not, companies won’t start saving until after the solution is implemented. While Cloud ERP solutions certainly have substantial up-front cost savings (no hidden implementation costs, no hardware to maintain, no additional IT needs), the true savings do not begin until the solution is fully implemented and in use. This is when companies begin to experience the true benefits of Cloud ERP software.

In order to maximize your cost savings in the Cloud, you should do some planning before you even begin to think about implementing a Cloud ERP solution. Proper planning can help you eliminate time delays and errors so you can get your system up and running quickly. Here are five important tips designed to help you maximize your cost savings long after you implement your Cloud ERP solution:

  1. Write down your requirements.
    You should have a list of your business requirements long before you sit down to choose a Cloud ERP software solution. Business process mapping and a complete business requirements list will help you choose the right solution for your company. More often than not, companies choose software based on what sounds good in the moment rather than what their business truly needs, only to find that they overpaid for capabilities they will never use. Don’t make this mistake – know (and stick to) your requirements.
  2. Have a thorough understanding of your true Cloud ERP costs.
    When you are evaluating Cloud ERP solutions, make sure you take the total cost of ownership (TCO) into account, not just the upfront costs.
  3. Evaluate your Cloud options – public or private?
    A private Cloud will offer you more security; however, it will cost more than a public Cloud (where you only pay for the amount you use). Consider your options, talk to software vendors, and determine which would be best for your company in the long term.
  4. If your IT staff doesn’t have the capability to implement your Cloud ERP solution, hire the right people to do the job.
    If your current IT staff does not possess the skill set to implement your new Cloud solution, see if the software vendor or Cloud provider will perform the implementation. An understanding of coding, testing, and Cloud computing is essential to getting your project off the ground and saving your company money.
  5. Prepare a business continuity plan in case something goes wrong.
    It’s always good to have a business continuity plan in place in case something unforeseen happens. Having such a plan in place will protect your business (and data) should an unforeseen event (such as power outages or software vendor going out of business) put your business in jeopardy.

The above tips will not only help you save money on upfront Cloud ERP costs, but they will also help you realize lasting cost savings in IT staffing, annual maintenance, and licensing fees. Be aware, however, that a sloppy implementation and lack of user acceptance will only erase these savings so make sure you properly plan for the implementation and begin user training early on in the project. Early buy-in and preparation will increase your chances of success, helping you maximize the cost-savings of your Cloud ERP solution.

Stay tuned for more information on moving your business solutions to the Cloud. If you have any questions about the Cloud and the benefits it could bring to your business, check out our Acumatica Cloud ERP product page.

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Mindover Software

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Austin, Texas 78660
Phone: 512-990-3994
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Started in Austin, Texas in 2000, Mindover Software has been providing award-winning software and consulting solutions spanning the business lifecycle to small and medium sized business. Now, with consultants in Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Boise, and San Diego, Mindover Software provides strong local support with the resources of a national company.

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