We have heard many reasons why organizations hesitate to migrate their ERP solution in the Cloud. Cost, risk and change management are among the top. However, what they don’t often realize is how many of the technologies that they are already successfully using to help them run their business are already in the Cloud.
If your organization uses one of the following, there’s a high chance it’s Cloud-based or has a Cloud-based equivalent you could implement:
1. Email Platforms
Many email platforms for businesses and individuals are Cloud-based. For example, Microsoft Outlook lets you send, receive and manage emails, share files and maintain your calendars.
2. Marketing Automation Platforms
SaaS solutions for marketing automation allow businesses to manage email campaigns and subscriber lists. They can make targeted lists to reach specific subscribers and track the progress and success of their campaigns with analytics.
3. Inbound Marketing Software
Marketing teams use Cloud-based software to manage everything from social media to blogs and SEO – anything they might use to attract and nurture leads.
4. eCommerce Platforms
eCommerce platforms allow stores and companies to operate their businesses online, including website management and marketing tools. With these platforms, companies can sell both digital and physical products. They can also integrate the platform with others such as their ERP and CRM.
5. Payment Processing Solutions
For credit card payment processing, businesses today commonly use SaaS solutions. Such solutions can be used for one-time and recurring payments. Using a reliable, secure payment processing solution relieves some of the compliance requirements for business owners.
6. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems
A CRM is a critical business application organizations can keep on-premises, but many are launching this function to the Cloud because of the clear benefits. Being able to access customer information in real-time and retaining up-to-date details on customers’ experience makes it easier to capture opportunities and provide informed, personalized customer service.
7. Human Resource Management (HRM) Systems
HRM systems allow organizations to manage employees and provide interactive resources to those employees, such as important documents and forms. NetSuite’s SuitePeople, for example, allows self-service access to benefits information, trainings, and leave and absence management. Analytics within the system inform their decisions.
8. Messaging and Collaboration Solutions
Solutions like Microsoft Teams enable employees to interact internally and externally from anywhere, including messaging and video conferencing, sharing documents and collaborating in real-time for greater efficiency.
9. Data Storage, Data Backup and File Sharing
Cloud-based data storage solutions like OneDrive are often more secure and cost-effective than maintaining data on-premises. They also support document sharing that ensures employees are working in up-to-date versions of files – accessible from anywhere.
10. Project Management and Workflow Solutions
Project management software is often essential to a well-oiled business. Many companies use Cloud-based solutions to ensure all involved parties always have the latest information on a project and nothing is missed. This type of software has functions for communicating, assigning, scheduling and tracking around a variety of project types.
11. Video Conferencing
Throughout the pandemic, Cloud video conferencing took center stage. Most in business who hadn’t yet needed such a platform had to familiarize themselves with one of the several options available. In many instances, video conferencing is available through your messaging and collaboration tool, as with Microsoft Teams.
12. Office Applications
Today, many office applications that have traditionally been on-premises are now hosted in the Cloud, as with Microsoft Office 365. This enables real-time collaboration and ensures the latest document is always saved. Multiple individuals can work in documents and presentations if they have access and a version history tracks changes.
13. Business Intelligence and Data Analytics Software
Cloud-based business intelligence and data analytics software helps businesses bend their missions toward leading indicators (as opposed to lagging indicators), as they’re always looking at the latest data and trends. Businesses gain the processing power they need to analyze large amounts of information, as well as user-friendly dashboards to valuable insights out of the tools.
… and the list goes on.
The Cloud: When It’s Time to Put Both Feet In
As organizations become increasingly exposed to the convenience, the efficiency and cost savings that come with SaaS, it may lead them to wonder why they’re keeping critical business applications like ERP locked up in-house. As the pandemic continues to prevail, the need for remote-work capabilities and real-time access to data becomes even more crucial to stay competitive.
Cloud-based applications offer so many benefits over their on-premises counterparts. They enable real-time collaboration so your team is always up-to-date. They provide you with the most recent and relevant data points from which to make business decisions and increased security to provide peace of mind and business continuity.
In addition, Cloud-based solutions are easy to update – in fact, updates are automatic. Thus, you’re continuously operating on the latest version of the tool and reaping the highest benefit.
If you’re considering expanding your Cloud footprint, Enavate can help. Our team of experts will utilize tools to assess where your environment is now and assist you in determining the best path to get you where you where you want to go.
