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ERP is a process that integrates and manages important parts of the business. It automates financial and operational functions. It provides a sole source of data for inventory, supply chain management and distribution among many other functions.
Cloud ERP does all the above and does it on a cloud platform. This means that not only is all the necessary data in one place but it can be accessed anywhere. Because it’s hosted by us, you’ll skip downsides like the upkeep of hardware on site and upfront licensing fees.
Private Cloud
Private Cloud is a system that hosts the software and data of one single organisation. It costs more to implement and maintain but it does give you more flexibility because you have total control over the system. It’s also one of the most secure services available.
Public Cloud
Public Cloud is the opposite of Private Cloud. It hosts the information of multiple businesses. This reduces the cost as its split between several organisations, but it does come with its own risks. Because others use it there is a higher risk of security breaches due to the mistakes of others. This can be offset by a vendor with excellent security measures.
Hybrid
Hybrid combines on-premises with private or public cloud. In Hybrid ERP the company’s servers are used for corporate functions and Cloud ERP is used for other business operations.
As mentioned above Cloud ERP will cost less initially to begin. You don’t have those initial set up costs of hardware installation. There are also savings from not running and maintaining servers onsite. It also costs less to scale up or down depending on your needs. Cloud ERP is also usually subscription based so payment is spread over time.
There is still some scepticism about the security of Cloud. But that is without merit. Cloud has many benefits regarding security. If you’re not hosting the cloud servers on-premises, it means someone else has the sole responsibility of managing the systems. They will ensure that the software is updated, that your data is backed up and provide malware protection at a minimum. Keeping up to date with current technology is vital to maintaining security. Cloud is that current technology.
All software requires occasional updates. Onsite, this can be resource draining for an IT team. System updates are delivered from the vendor’s servers. This means taking stress off your IT departments. Updates like security patches are carried out in the background without disruption to daily processes.
In 2022 a lot of us are moving to or have moved to remote and hybrid working. Cloud ERP gives you the flexibility to work from anywhere. That may be at home, the office, at the warehouse or with a client. You can also access your information on any mobile device, meaning you don’t need to carry a laptop with you in external meetings.
With Cloud ERP you have access to real time analytics allowing you to make in the moment decisions. Not only that, but you also have the tools for interdepartmental collaboration on hand. ERP provides information that allows you to streamline processes. It allows you to eliminate waste and share data across your business.
Choose the right partner
First and foremost when implementing any new software is who your partner is going to be? You need to choose someone who understands your needs and the ethos of your business. Choosing the right partner gives you the best chance of successfully implementing software. They can train you and your staff on the new system, ensure the software is configured correctly for your needs and it frees up your resources.
Create a strategy
With your partner layout a plan and roadmap for implementation. You need to plan your objectives in a timeline and identify who your key stakeholders are. When you start your implementation, you need to have a plan in place for communicating to your staff each step of the process as well as testing each step. Your partner should bring tools that work to improve business processes and lessen the workload not only during implementation but also for the end user.
Assign resources
Part of your planning process should be to appoint a project manager. We have a blog on the value of a project manager, read it here, but essentially a project manager is going to steer your plan making sure it stays on course and within budget.
It’s also useful to mark out who will be doing testing so that resources aren’t strained, and the project stays within its timeframe.
Of course, there are many more steps to take to ensure the successful implementation of new software. These are just a few of the core steps you should consider to begin with. Your partner and your project manager will make sure the rest are covered.
We are leading experts in Cloud ERP with solutions to suit all your needs. Moving to Cloud ERP means your business can continue to innovate and optimise at every stage of your processes. We can help you do that.