Business continuity has been a hot topic for many organizations for the bulk of 2020. With the pandemic driving many companies to evaluate both current and planned software packages, businesses with site-based on-premises systems struggled to connect remote employees to the necessary systems to keep business going. Many ended up spending more money on new software. Meanwhile, cloud ERP users were able to offer smooth business continuity to both customers and employees.
IDG’s State of the Network report states 58 percent of companies surveyed chose cloud ERP software because of their business continuity concerns. If you’ve been hesitant to shift to cloud ERP, the last several months may have propelled your decision to move as other businesses with cloud-based technology were able to continue operations during the stay-at-home orders.
Cloud ERP’s 5 Business Continuity Benefits
Some of the critical benefits cloud ERP offers for supporting business continuity include:
- Faster recovery time: If a disaster impacts your facilities, site-based data and software may take days to recover. Cloud ERP systems are backed up offsite; even if your building is compromised by a hurricane, tornado, flood, or other disaster, the data remains untouched. Businesses with data in the cloud report being able to restore entire databases within 15 minutes after a critical failure.
- Lower setup costs: Site-based software is expensive to set up. Necessary purchases include the software, considerable computing power and memory to run the network, and individual laptops or desktops for each employee. Additional personnel are required to monitor, maintain, and secure the system, as well as back up the data nightly. With cloud systems, any internet-enabled device easily and instantly connects to the cloud ERP system. You do not need expensive hardware or additional computers to begin using the system.
- Easily connect multiple locations: Many companies find site-based systems have limitations. Data housed within an onsite system must be accessed by people working nearby. Those working in the field—such as technicians or warehouse personnel—cannot access the system as quickly or as easily as they could if you were using cloud-based systems. Cloud ERPs easily connect warehouses, field service personnel, sales teams, and others. Where there’s an internet signal, there’s a way to connect to the same ERP.
- Simple to add additional users: Cloud ERP systems can quickly scale up as your company grows. They can also accommodate seasonal workers. It’s simple to add access to the system.
- Better security: Companies who have experienced losses due to cyberattacks can tell you they wished they’d had better systems to provide business continuity. CNBC reports cyberattacks cost small businesses $200,000 annually. If your data is housed onsite, you also need to invest heavily in cybersecurity. Cloud systems offer added built-in security through the system’s provider. There are multiple layers between your data and an attacker to make it safe.
Sage 100 offers additional benefits in this insightful article.
Find the Right Cloud ERP: Acumatica and Sage 100
No one knows what to expect for the future, whether we’ll return to pre-pandemic ways of life or be forever altered in how we do business. But you can start preparing now for whatever is next by ensuring your teams have the secure access they need to business critical data. With cloud technology on your side, your business has access to fully integrated business management applications whether they’re in the office or working from home.
Accounting Systems Inc. offers two cloud ERP solutions to choose from: Acumatica Cloud and Sage 100cloud. Each comes with its own specific benefits that will boost efficiency and access for organizations of all sizes who are seeking to ensure business continuity. Get a free consultation from one of our software experts today to find the right solution for your needs.