11 Big Advantages Of Cloud ERP In A Small Business

While most businesses recognize the value of streamlining business operations, only some have taken action in the past. However, most companies are already familiar with Enterprise Resource Planning, or ERP software.

Nowadays, small firms use cloud ERP software to avoid arranging data on the company’s unstable server and update the software independently. Cloud ERP systems combine critical company operations such as accounting, inventory and task management, and human resources into a single cloud-based system.

Cloud ERP enables small businesses to expand efficiently and quickly. Because small firms are rapidly growing, the company can only sustain its growth with extra organizational advancements such as a reliable cloud-based ERP solution.

What Is Cloud ERP?

Cloud-based ERP is a business management system that cloud suppliers provide to companies on a subscription basis. ERP software features are accessible through any Internet-connected device on a nearby cloud server.

Why use cloud ERP? In a world where business partners may collaborate with sharing documents and updating data from any location, ERP is most effective when it is available over the cloud.

Because there is no costly upkeep required, the cloud makes an ERP system easier to operate. Furthermore, cloud ERP systems save organizations money since they don’t need expensive gear to access and operate.

Cloud ERP vs. Traditional ERP

Since 2013, cloud-based ERP has surpassed traditional on-premise ERP as the preferred corporate option. The cloud can save up to one-sixth of the ERP running costs that an on-premise solution would otherwise consume.

Some businesses prefer to employ on-premise ERP, which needs a significant financial expenditure to license for everlasting usage.

Once licensed, firm workers must next implement the solution, which might take many years for a big organization to deploy completely. Hence, the technological requirements for an on-premise ERP system can quickly pile up.

Fully deploying on-premise ERP may include updating a company’s hardware for system compatibility. They may also need to invest more money in hardware maintenance, component replacement, and software upgrades as time passes.

Some of which may result in new compatibility concerns. Furthermore, on-premise ERP requires highly experienced IT professionals to operate.

If you do not have ERP on the cloud, you will likely have an equal mix of benefits and obstacles. Aside from the fact that cloud-based ERP requires a monthly subscription price, which can pile up over time and eventually exceed the significantly higher upfront license expenses of on-premise ERP.

The advantages of cloud ERP system solutions considerably exceed the disadvantages. 

11 Advantages of Cloud ERP in a Small Business

The advantages of cloud-based ERP vary from reduced overhead and optimized operations to improved accessibility and mobility.

While the provider maintains the server, a third party offers system 24 hours support for the users. You don’t need to invest in a massive computer infrastructure to get the benefits of ERP because everything operates on a remote cloud server.

So, what are the advantages of cloud ERP system solutions? Cloud ERP systems provide the following benefits for small businesses.

1. Reduced Setup Requirements

You can free up local resources and space through cloud ERP, which may otherwise result in a complex and expensive setup. Because the system is entirely cloud-based, it frees up your in-house computational resources for other tasks.

Because you don’t have to spend for a separate ERP system, this may make operations much more inexpensive and suitable to invest in for smaller businesses.

Cloud ERP effectively gives smaller businesses access to the same ERP functions as large companies. Cloud ERP allows newer firms to avoid the infrastructure building that has taken larger organizations years to create.

When everything is on the cloud, there is no need for an in-house IT department or physical infrastructure. This effectively lowers the entry hurdle for entrepreneurs looking to compete in today’s business sector.

2. Reduced Operating Costs

Traditional onsite ERP requires manual maintenance and occasional hardware changes, which can impact a company’s budget. Cloud ERP, on the other hand, is a low-cost approach. With a little initial investment, you may have an ERP cloud system fully operational for your company in no time.

Cloud ERP subscription rates are inexpensive and are often designed to fit around the budgeting flow of small and medium-sized businesses. With cloud ERP, you won’t have to make large expenditures on hardware or software upgrades.

3. More Secure and Reliable

One of its significant advantages is its increased security for companies of all sizes and types. Methods of preserving and accessing classified enterprise data must always remain error-free.

You never have to worry about data being compromised by a third party with cloud ERP since the system records all activities and properly secures your data.

Cloud-based ERP systems are managed by vendors who specialize in enterprise resource planning. As a result, cloud ERP has almost no system downtime.

In fact, the leading cloud-based ERP suppliers’ users achieve 99.98 per cent uptime. Plus, cloud-based suppliers continually update regarding service developments to keep users on top.

4. Better Decision Making with Real-Time Analytics

Cloud ERP offers real-time analytics, allowing businesses to access critical information as it becomes available. While statistics and the economy vary, this information is easily accessible as you make essential business decisions.

Cloud ERP helps process optimization for manufacturing organizations by offering real-time insights.

5. Flexible Accessibility and Increased Productivity

If your staff is spread worldwide, you may update data in real-time from any connected device, such as a PC, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Coworkers can collaborate over enormous distances and time zones (if everyone has an Internet or Wi-Fi connection).

Because cloud ERP is centralized, data interfaces display consistently across all devices. Furthermore, business intelligence tools integrate more readily with cloud ERP.

Because cloud-based ERP is remote, a firm may run with no downtime. If your locality has a power outage, you may still access the cloud over Wi-Fi to retrieve and enter data as usual. Even if your coworkers are unable to reach the office, they may connect to the cloud from their homes using PCs, laptops, tablets, or smartphones.

Once you integrate a cloud-based ERP entirely, your company’s productivity will rise tenfold. A team member can send notifications on the system using a mobile device while travelling. Similarly, suppose a team member is on vacation and suddenly remembers something important.

In that case, they may add it from the most remote location. Cloud-based ERP lets authorized workers to operate and collaborate on projects holistically at any time throughout any activity.

6. Easy Scalability for Every Stage of Growth

Scaling may be an expensive and challenging component of a company with a traditional, onsite infrastructure.

With an on-premise system, you may scale too slowly according to the size and complexity of your firm, resulting in a crowded infrastructure. Or, you may expand too quickly and overspend on unnecessary equipment, which costs a lot of upfront money and leads to expensive maintenance.

Scaling is a breeze with cloud ERP since you can adapt the whole infrastructure to the required scale for each stage of your company’s development. Cloud ERP enables new and smaller businesses to overcome the scaling challenges that plague many major corporations.

7. Service Support at All Times

With cloud ERP, customer support is available 24/7 in all time zones for any service concerns and software upgrades. On the other hand, on-premise hosting usually necessitates purchasing an extra support package.

8. Helps in Making Crucial Business Decisions

You can make more important business decisions with cloud ERP’s clutter-free and understandable UI.

For example, you can identify emerging market demands and study consumer behaviour by demography and location using year-by-year, season-by-season flowcharts, and heat maps. Similarly, you can figure out which goods to move up or down the priority list by looking at comparison charts and graphs that are updated daily from on-the-ground data.

9. Better Client and Order Management

Communication is simplified, and company operations become more integrated with cloud-based ERP.

As a result, your company’s various departments, such as the client database, accounting department, and warehouse, can benefit from improved coordination. Order fulfilment becomes easy to handle as these branches communicate in sync.

Cloud ERP enables invoice managers to handle many orders at the same time. Similarly, your personnel will be able to predict delivery times more accurately and dispatch more orders in a single day. Consequently, your clients receive better service and order delivery.

10. Efficient, Paper-Free Accounting

Accounting might be challenging if you manage an online retail shop without an ERP system.

Cloud-based ERP makes it easy to maintain track of your accounts and keep data up to date hourly. Furthermore, cloud ERP allows you to create invoices and submit returns without searching through files and managing paperwork.

With cloud ERP, you can quickly expand your business and easily handle fluctuations in order volume.

11. More Time and Resources for Company Improvement

Cloud-based ERP enables businesses to reduce expenses and efficiently use time. With cloud ERP, your company can increase productivity and execute activities more quickly.

With the time saved by cloud-based ERP, you can dedicate hours to company improvement, which might help your firm expand in ways you never anticipated. Hence, you can focus more on customer service and arrange employee meetings to explore methods to improve in this area.

Similarly, your organization may devote more time, effort, and resources to product development and online marketing.

Cloud-Based ERP Software for SME

Cloud-based ERP allows a small business to handle massive amounts of data and simplify complicated procedures that would otherwise be isolated.

With an ERP system, data can stay on track when duties are passed between accountants, management personnel, and inventory managers. Online ERP combines all relevant information on a remotely controlled platform for greater efficiency and collaboration.

Businesses that switch to cloud-based ERP can expect a 30 to 40 per cent rise in productivity in the next few years due to the enhanced efficiency of guidelines given by such systems.

For small businesses, increased efficiency, lower overhead expenses, and less bulky onsite equipment will improve operational speed and mobility. Hence, enabling companies to expand more quickly.

Justin Steves works as an Outreach Manager at MyDirecteur, a firm that provides small business owners with management tools. He enjoys conducting research, creating, and updating content. He is particularly interested in marketing, data analysis, and new technologies like automation in the business. Connect with him on LinkedIn: @justinsteves.