Is Your ERP in the Cloud? If Not, You’re Already Behind

Timesheets, leave requests, and payroll processing are no longer being done the old-fashioned way, according to a 2013 report by Gartner Research. More businesses than ever are realizing the value of the cloud in managing every aspect of their operations, from human resources to inventory management and beyond.

Accelerated Growth

In the coming years, Gartner predicts the industry will begin a shift toward “legacy ERP,” where a suite of solutions specific to their needs will reside in the cloud. By 2018, Gartner predicts 30 percent of service-oriented businesses will have moved most of their ERP operations to the cloud.

What does this mean for your business? In short, if you’re delaying your move to the cloud, your competition may not be. One delay in a shipment due to outdated shipping systems could send customers to the competition, who don’t experience such delays because they’ve removed much of the room for human error.

In the Interim

One problem businesses will face in this interim period is that for a while, the corporate world will be operating in limbo. As a result, hybrid solutions will emerge were part of an organization’s operations is in the cloud and another part will rely upon Excel spreadsheets or paper ledgers.

During this period of transition, businesses may experience errors. It’s important that businesses ensure that systems are in place to reduce the risk of mistakes. It’s important to avoid systems that require duplicate entry or multiple employees involved in the same process. Not only can such systems be prone to error, they also increase the workload and generate a state of constant confusion.

The move to cloud-based ERP is exciting for businesses, who will experience an end to grueling tasks. This will allow professionals to focus on more high-level activities, which will promote your business’s growth.