Demystifying the cloud

Tight budgets and small IT teams can hinder your ability to create an IT infrastructure that supports the growth of your business. With cloud computing, you gain easy access to IT services over the internet that helps you to deliver scale, flexibility, agility and innovation while reducing cost.

But what exactly is the cloud? And how does it help you achieve all of this?

What does cloud ERP mean?

With cloud ERP, it means you’ll have one solution installed on a server that multiple people can use online. This can be managed by a vendor like Microsoft who will take care of:

• Upgrades
• Security updates
• Patches

This allows you to focus using the software because the tasks that typically disturb your normal business processes will be handled by Microsoft.

What’s the difference between cloud and on-premise?

An on-premise system is one that’s purpose built by a business for their own use, with the data stored in servers on their premises. Hence the name. A cloud-based system on the other hand, can be accessed via the internet and is available on the servers of a vendor like Microsoft.

To read more about how an on-premise system compares to a cloud alternative, click here.

So, if it’s hosted by Microsoft, do you still need a partner to implement and manage it?

Simply put – yes. Implementing these systems is complex and requires specialist knowledge. Software can be split into two components:

• Technical aspect – e.g. the software itself which you need to buy, install and check it’s working correctly
• Implementing it into your company – e.g. ensuring your people know how to use it, it supports your specific business processes (your item numbers, pricing, etc)

A partner like Columbus have carried out thousands of implementation projects for over 30 years across a range of industries, including food. They will be able to guide you through your implementation journey and set you on the right path to success.

Moving to the cloud isn’t a walk in the park – that’s why we’ve created a guide to cloud migration. You’ll read everything you need to know before, during and after a migration. We’ve also included a checklist so you can see if your business is really ready to migrate.

Click the button below to download it now.