Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard a thing or two about Cloud computing. While Cloud computing seems to be quite the trend, the technology has not caught fire with many of today’s businesses. However, researchers are predicting that as the Cloud continues to morph into a sustainable solution, more companies will begin to make the transition to Cloud-based software. In fact, according to a recent study performed by Gartner, nearly half of businesses surveyed indicated they had plans to move to the cloud within the next five years. Early adopters only accounted for 2 percent of the market survey, and trends are showing that Cloud-based software is infiltrating the market at a moderate pace.
If you’ve considered moving your ERP system, CRM software or business intelligence to the Cloud, you know this isn’t a decision to be made lightly. Migrating to a cloud-based ERP, CRM or BI software solution is a time-consuming operation that requires a lot of energy and resources to get right. Moving from an on-premise solution to a Cloud-based solution is not for the faint of heart, and companies who are considering making the switch need to thoroughly assess their business needs and determine if the Cloud is truly the right fit for their company. If you have done your research and feel the Cloud is a good fit, make sure you take the time to outline business goals and strategies to make the transition seamless and successful.
As with any new technology venture, it’s important for you to be well-prepared and ready to make the transition when the time is optimal for your business. With that in mind, take a look at the top 6 future Cloud trends business leaders need to be keeping an eye out for over the next few years:
- A la carte systems will make the Cloud more relevant for businesses relying on special programs and applications. Right now, Cloud-based ERP software is a robust and complex system that can be all-encompassing for a business. Many companies are hesitant to make the transition to the Cloud because they don’t want to lose valuable programs that have been a part of their success model for years. However, industry leaders are now seeing a new wave of Cloud-based ERP systems that contain two-tier deployments, allowing companies to keep certain on-premise aspects while moving other programs to the Cloud.
- Mobile is expected to drive Cloud growth. Mobile devices have played a huge role in the growth of Cloud computing, and experts predict this trend to continue to grow at a high velocity. As ERP expands to a mobile solution and businesses continue to hire younger, more tech-savvy employees, Cloud ERP adoption is expected to rise. As a result, mobile ERP will become a dominant feature of today’s workplace for users will need to increase flexibility and agility as customer demands continue to shift.
- The Cloud will become industry-focused. While ERP systems are already an essential element of most manufacturing and distribution companies, Gartner discovered that more financially-based or administrative businesses will most likely move to Cloud-based software at an increasing rate.
- Manufacturing and distribution cloud software will grow as business adapt to mobile and two-tier ERP trends. Speaking of distributors and manufacturing, according to research and advisory firm MintJurtas, Cloud-based applications are expected to grow from 22 percent of all manufacturing and distribution software installed to 45 percent within the next decade. According to Forbes, a primary driver of this trend is likely both the use of mobile technology and the two-tier ERP system adoption.
- More educated consumers results in more successful Cloud ERP implementations. While Cloud computing has become a popular buzzword, many companies do not understand the full capabilities of Cloud-based software. As the software continues to mature and grow in the marketplace, however, businesses are more likely to develop an accurate understanding of the Cloud and its many uses to improve business success. As a result, businesses will begin to ask more intelligent questions about the Cloud and its potential for their business, which could result in a slew of Cloud implementations.
If you are interested in learning more about Cloud-based ERP solutions, contact us today. While we don’t believe the Cloud is the best option available for every business, we do think it can have its merits if you go about it correctly. Knowing your business requirements and having adequate knowledge about what the Cloud can do will be crucial in your decision-making process.
For more information about preparing for the future of technology, download our whitepaper, “The Four Wheels Driving Your Business into the Future”. This guide is packed full of useful information to help you make the most informed technology decisions.