ERP Systems

Cloud Computing – The Way To Go!

Netsuite is in the Cloud Computing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) game to win it all.  They have figured out that the way to the future is through the clouds.  Okay, not exactly.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with Cloud Computing, it’s a term that represents the methodology of running computing applications over the internet.  With Cloud Computing you don’t have to buy the software, the hardware, backup servers, etc.  If you purchase an ERP solution with Cloud Computing, you simply open an Internet page, navigate to the correct url, and login.  Okay, so there are a few more steps, but you get the idea.

Statistically, Cloud Computing ERP software, also known as SaaS (Software as a Service), cost fifty percent less than on-site software for one hundred employees over a four year timeframe.  Typical on-site implementations take ten months to one year for a mid-size company.  Cloud Computing ERP software enables you to be up and running within weeks to a couple of months.  You’ll also save on energy cost with Cloud Computing ERP software.  Think about all the energy it takes to power your servers.  If you ever decide you don’t want to continue with your cloud ERP vendor, you simply discontinue the service.  With Cloud Computing, you pay rent (so to speak).  There’s no big upfront investment like there is with on-site solutions.

Cloud Computing ERP software is easily accessible.  You need to be able to access the internet and there’s little more.  When you have employees located all over the world, cloud enables unification of data in one central location.  Cloud vendors provide security, disaster planning, recovery of data, and back-up services.  You don’t have to hire folks or allocate resources in any of these areas.

If you’re considering an Enterprise Resource Planning solution, check out cloud ERP vendors.  Performing a business analysis on how your organization will benefit from a cloud ERP versus an on-site solution is a good idea.   Open source Enterprise Resource Planning solutions may also be hosted in a Cloud Computing environment.  Some popular open source ERP solutions are Compiere and OpenBravo.  Play before you pay.  I’m sure you’ve heard the term before.  It’s wise to demo as many Enterprise Resource Planning products as you can before you make your decision.  Remember, if you select an on-site solution, you’d better darn well like it because the upfront investment is big!

Written by :

kristine H