3 Ways to Tell If It’s Time to Consider Cloud ERP

These days, the business world is filled with change from all sides. Of course, it all started when your customers started demanding faster service than they ever had before. However, the real problem right now is your competition. They all seem to have some secret method for meeting customer demands that you don’t have. And with increased global competition and those disturbingly disruptive start-ups that spring out of nowhere all the time… well, it’s clear your business needs to make a change.

You’ve heard that cloud ERP might be the way to achieve the change you’re looking for. However, you’re not sure if moving to the cloud is right for your business right now. Or, actually, maybe now is the perfect time to move to the cloud.

It can be hard to tell what the right choice is, and that means it’s hard to plan your next steps.

If you’re ready to make a change but you’re on the fence about whether cloud ERP is the right choice for your company right now, this guide will help.

The Benefits of Cloud ERP

Cloud ERP systems like Acumatica are just what they sound like: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems that house your business apps and data in the cloud, instead of on your own, on-premises servers.

(Of course, Acumatica Cloud ERP is more flexible than most cloud ERP solutions because it can be deployed in the public cloud, on a private cloud, or on premises, and easily switched between these options… but that’s another topic for another day.)

If we, therefore, simply consider cloud ERP as an ERP solution delivered through the cloud, the benefits become clear:

Modernized, user-friendly systems
Wide-ranging integration capabilities for a tailor-fit solution
Secure anywhere / anytime access
Significantly lowered IT and hardware costs
Effortless updates and maintenance

This list of benefits can be compelling, especially if you’ve been frustrated by the high costs and limited capabilities of your current on-premises software. Choosing a better solution can be tempting.

But unless you’re Richard Branson, you didn’t get to your level of success by doing every tempting thing you wanted to; you know that there’s a right time for all important business decisions.

Here are three ways you can tell it’s time to consider cloud ERP.

Your old system needs a pricy upgrade

You bought your current ERP system years ago, expecting that you’d eventually reach the break-even point on that high CapEx investment – but that hasn’t happened yet. What with the ongoing maintenance fees and IT support costs, as well as the never-ending upgrade expenses, you’re still waiting to achieve your expected ROI.

In short: If you’re not sure if it’s worth it to plunk down even more cash on yet another upgrade, it’s time to consider cloud ERP.

The pricing model on your current ERP has changed

There’s no denying the facts: the low monthly subscription costs of cloud ERP are a popular choice for today’s businesses… which is why your current ERP vendor has been steadily forcing you into a subscription model.

Subscriptions are a good thing because they’re pretty darn affordable, but if you’re being railroaded into new payment terms anyhow, you may as well take the time to check if your new subscription payments are getting you the most bang for your buck or if you can do better.

In short: Another ERP solution might be better for you. Plus, with today’s integration tools like Acumatica’s Migration Suite, you’d be surprised at how easy your software migration can be.

Your old system keeps crashing

Problems like system crashes typically occur when your business data has outgrown your ERP or accounting software solution, and these crashes can be a real hassle. Not only do they kill your productivity, they can also wreak havoc with your record-keeping accuracy.

Obviously, if your old software keeps crashing or is otherwise disastrously inefficient, it’s time for a change. As you’re shopping around for replacement ERP solutions, just remember that cloud ERP is scalable, which means you’ll never outgrow its storage capabilities. You read that right: you’ll never outgrow cloud ERP storage.

In short: Why choose a series of short-term ERP or accounting solutions with limited capacity when you can choose one, ever-evolving ERP system that’s in it for the long haul?

Your Next Step

Still on the fence about cloud ERP and whether it’s right for you right now? You can make a better-informed decision when you fully understand the true cost comparisons between on-premises and cloud ERP options.