in: Company News
If you’ve been keeping any kind of tabs on business technology over the past few years, then you know that Cloud computing has been making quite a name for itself. The Cloud is quickly changing the way businesses work, communicate, and collaborate, providing employees with instant access to the information they need whenever they need it. While the Cloud has certainly opened up a whole new wave of possibilities as far as information sharing is concerned, Cloud business solutions are also helping businesses streamline and automate their processes, maximize efficiency, and lower operational costs. With so many benefits to gain, it’s easy to see why so many small and midsized businesses are moving their ERP software to the Cloud.
For years businesses have used enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to achieve their business process automation goals. As technology continues to evolve, however, it’s important to stay current and embrace new technology, particularly those pertaining to your business solutions. In fact, study after study has shown that companies who embrace new technologies are able to gain an advantage over their competitors and increase their influence in the marketplace. The key to success, however, lies in knowing when to adopt Cloud ERP. Jumping in before you are ready will cause you to spend too much time on the technology and not enough time on your business. Waiting too soon, however, could cause you to lose your competitive advantage and fall behind on your business process automation goals.
When Should You Make the Move?
Knowing when to move to Cloud ERP software, such as Acumatica, is not as complicated as it may seem. Many businesses wait for the “perfect” time to make the move, unaware that there is no “perfect” time or scenario required to make the move to the Cloud. All that is needed is a keen awareness of what Cloud ERP can do for your company and an understanding of the solution you are considering purchasing. Ask yourself the following questions to determine if your business is ready for Cloud ERP:
- Could we stand to benefit from additional process automation?
- Are we sharing information and communicating in the way that we’d like?
- Would we be saving costs by moving to the Cloud?
- What will the Cloud offer us that traditional, on-premises ERP software does not?
By answering the above questions honestly, you will determine your readiness for Cloud ERP. When it is time to purchase a solution, remember to choose your Cloud ERP software carefully. Look at the customization options and make sure they fit your business needs. Talk to multiple vendors and make sure you understand vendor lock-in. Research deployment options, data accessibility, and security features. We promise, the more work you put into finding the right solution, the better payoff you will receive once the software is up and running.
How Innovation has Changed ERP
ERP software has been a longtime in the making. Starting out as a difficult to use solution with a clunky user interface, ERP software has grown and transformed with each new technological invention. These technological improvements have served to drive ERP change and redefine how businesses use ERP software. A few key technological improvements that have influenced ERP software include:
- Moving from DOS to Microsoft Windows
- Unlimited access to the internet
- Maturation of web technology
- Server virtualization
- The abundance of mobile devices
From the early days of SaaS (Software-as-a-Service), we were promised that Cloud ERP would eventually emerge onto the scene and transform the way we use ERP software permanently. We are seeing this exact phenomenon happen today. If your business is ready to move to the Cloud, give us a call today. We sell and support Acumatica Cloud ERP, the only secure cloud and browser-based small and midsized business ERP solution designed to adapt to your business needs. Acumatica Cloud ERP can help you achieve your business process automation goals, restore your competitive advantage, and increase your efficiency. Contact us today to learn more.
