By: John Muoio
As cloud computing continues to evolve, an increasing number of companies are opting to run their business applications in the cloud rather than on-premise. The current trend is that many organizations worldwide are using some form of cloud services and that use is expected to grow in the coming years.
The benefits of migrating to the cloud can be numerous. Not only does cloud computing support business growth by reducing overhead costs and ensuring all-around transparency, but the cloud is also helping businesses drive innovation by eliminating day-to-day operations related to managing infrastructure, in turn placing complete focus on company objectives. By providing anytime, anywhere access to employees across the globe and streamlining overall business processes, the cloud supports business growth through its scalability and ability to free up critical IT resources for strategic initiatives.
When cloud computing is combined with enterprise resource planning (ERP), and the vendor owns both the cloud and the software, it correlates to extensive experience in both hardware and software to support unique business environments. Cloud ERP also allows companies to minimize skill sets required to run end-to-end software solutions. With countless benefits and its rising popularity for businesses in all sectors, why are there still some companies hesitant to migrate to the cloud?
Organizations may oppose the idea of the cloud on the basis of privacy and security, but cloud ERP providers have proven they are better equipped to protect and manage data than organizations are on their own. Below are a few points to consider before choosing the solution and provider that are right for you.
Decide Between Public, Private, or Hybrid Cloud
For organizations looking to transition to the cloud, it is important to know what your organization is trying to accomplish before making the move. There are various options when it comes to cloud computing, including public cloud services, private clouds or hybrid clouds, which are a mix of the two.
Public clouds are offered by third-party providers and typically have pay-as-you-go metered scalability, which can be a cost-effective benefit. Public clouds can also offer greater reliability and disaster prevention then on-premise. For example, if one of the vendor’s data centers is unavailable, the network can redistribute the data among remaining data centers, guaranteeing users 24/7 access to their data, even if a disaster strikes.
Conversely, private clouds offer many of the same benefits of public clouds, but often with an added level of cybersecurity. Private cloud servers work within a business’ network, with all data protected behind numerous firewalls, which allows for added control over performance and provides flexibility to adjust it to an organization’s preferences.
Lastly, some businesses choose to build their own hybrid cloud strategy that includes both private and public cloud. For organizations looking for both scalability and added security, this option allows them to receive benefits from both. Once your organization’s unique goals are set, you will be able to choose the best path to meet the needs of your organization.
Choose a Vendor You Can Trust
For cloud ERP vendors, there are many different options on the market. Because of this, it is important to make sure your business is choosing a cloud ERP vendor that meets all of your specific business needs and all of your future scalability plans. ERP cloud vendors can provide customers with a dedicated team familiar with their business, who can either assist or fully manage the applications. By choosing an ERP cloud vendor, your organization receives inherent security protection services, added transparency, built-in disaster recovery, and much more.
VAI’s cloud offering uses its multiple data centers to secure and backup customers’ data. It also offers Platform as a Service (PaaS) deployment, which allows the customer to purchase all required ERP applications and host them on VAI’s cloud, rather than on the customer’s onsite servers. The applications are then delivered to the customer securely via the Internet, giving end users access via desktop or mobile device. With this model, VAI also assumes responsibility for hardware set-up, hardware upgrading, maintenance and support, allowing customers the assurance that they’re protected.
Conclusion
With many cloud options on the market, it’s important that you identify your specific business needs and choose a solution that can best meet your requirements. Unless your organization has invested in disaster recovery for 24/7 support for protection on your infrastructure, cloud ERP is the best solution to offer support, protection, and peace of mind for your business. By adopting a cloud-based solution, businesses can lower overall costs and improve security. In the always-connected business world we live in, mobility and transparency are essential for business success, and cloud solutions provide companies the freedom to operate whenever and wherever they choose with guaranteed protection.