Enterprise resource planning streamlines and increases functionality in the cloud

12/16/2011 at 12:16 pm by The Sage ERP Team

One of the most important trends in business intelligence and ERP system adoption is the appearance and popularity of the cloud. By remotely hosting both data and processing activities, companies can achieve new levels of functionality that wouldn't normally be available to them. Instead of relying on a set physical location at which to manipulate information and make plans, computations and data inquiries can be carried out from any office.

Going a step further, mobile devices remove even more barriers and boundaries to ERP access. Employees can be positioned anywhere that allows them to use a wireless signal or cellular network and will be able to manipulate company records and add to stores of data. This kind of geographic dispersal isn't possible with any other sort of technological schema, barring massive spending and the adoption of expensive proprietary devices.

However, there are more advantages to cloud-based ERP systems aside from the fact that they offer companies some new abilities that are otherwise impossible. Generally speaking, the cloud can streamline any other mundane effort that enterprise resource planning usually accomplishes. Here are some of the more common processes that can benefit from ERP systems that additionally give new levels of functionality.

Self-service
Enterprise resource planning is designed to be easy to use and intuitive so that a wide variety of employees can take advantage of its functionality. However, putting ERP systems in the cloud makes them even easier to manipulate. This is because hardware and highly technical details surrounding the software are no longer an on-site responsibility. Problems with installations, firmware and drivers simply won't arise, and any functionality issues will be addressed by the software vendor that hosts and manages the program.

Reduced costs
The savings felt by companies that use enterprise resource planning mainly stem from the efficiency with which they can perform general record keeping tasks. These savings are even more significant in the cloud because programs will presumably run much more smoothly. Additionally, no hardware (or attendant IT caretakers) is necessary besides standard PCs and an internet connection.

Agility
If there's one thing that enterprises need to possess in order to to deal with fluctuating markets and changing demands, it's agility. This means that they should be able to adapt functionality and processes quickly, which is a hallmark of enterprise resource planning technology. The cloud streamlines such activities even further by making software changes and adaptations quite a bit easier.