The Sky is the Limit with Cloud-Based Software
We’ve undoubtedly all heard of this mysterious “cloud”, it’s the new buzzword of mobile technology. But how many of us know what the cloud actually is? Or how it can offer numerous benefits to small businesses?
Cloud computing is defined as “the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer.” But what does this mean for you and your business? How would switching from an on premise software to a cloud-based software be beneficial to your day-to-day operations?
One of the greatest benefits of Cloud Based Software, is the ability to access your data whenever and wherever you are. With a world increasingly dominated by smartphones and mobile technology it only makes sense that as our personal lives become more and more tethered to our gadgets, that our professional and business lives do too. The capability of mobile work that emerges with cloud based technology greatly increases efficiency in business. Estimates can be entered in real time in the field, your employees can clock in and clock out on-site leading to more accurate labor costs, and your inventory is updated remotely with the swipe of your finger. Essentially, the cloud allows for more controlled, accurate and efficient management of a business, both for larger corporations but more importantly for small to medium sized businesses who might have previously lacked the resources to enact such comprehensive measures. Which brings us to our next upside of the emergence of cloud-based technology.
The cost. Simply put, cloud-based software is less expensive than on-site installation. For small to medium sized manufacturers, this can be a huge tipping point towards leaving the ground-based software of yesteryear behind and ascending into the cloud. Instead of investing money in your own servers, a location to store them and staff to maintain them, only to use a very small portion of what you purchased, with cloud-based software your information is hosted on a secure-server maintained by the software company itself. Since there is a more efficient use of server-space, it allows the cost of the software to decline as it is spread among more than one business. Unlike other cloud-based ERP software, we don’t charge you extra for updates and additional features. If we develop an update with an exciting new feature, it is yours, included in your monthly per-user fee. Although we do offer on premise software with the same benefits, the updates are significantly faster and easier on the cloud version.
You may think that it is a scary thing, trusting your information to some mystery server, but we use cloud technology every day for our most sensitive data without a second thought. How often do you check your bank account online? You are accessing your financial data through cloud servers. In many ways, cloud-based software is more secure than traditional grounded software. Rather than having your information physically stored on your hard drive, your information is stored on the cloud. This means that should your hard-drive or laptop get stolen, or go missing, you don’t need to worry. It can still be accessed from the cloud but only with your personal and secure log-in, making sure that you can still access it, but no one else will be able to. Furthermore, there’s no need for you to worry about losing your data, CASper on the Cloud backs up all of our customer’s data three times a day, to ensure that should anything happen, we have your most up-to-date data stored, and ready to get you back up and running as quickly as possible.
Speed is another benefit of converting to a Cloud ERP. In general, because of the remote-hosting, the time period from purchase to implementation is greatly reduced with the cloud versus on premise software. There is no need for your company to spend time setting up and buying your own equipment and servers, if you have an internet connection, you have your software. At CASper on the Cloud, we find the implementation to be the most important part of the process. Too often, people purchase software and never come around to actually implementing and using it. We work with each client to get their data converted into CASper for easy implementation, but the longer the wait to implement, the less likely the client is to actually begin using the software. In addition to our individual conversion and training plans, we find that the added benefit of cloud-based software is the speed at which you can start using CASper Sign Business Software at your business, and begin reaping the benefits of your investment.
Ultimately, it is your choice whether you opt to stick with on premise software, or dive into the endless possibilities of the cloud. Although here at CASper, we do love the Cloud and highly encourage it for most of our clients, we do still offer both forms of software and support. As cloud technology becomes more and more prevalent, you will need to make the decision as to what is right for you, and what will allow you the most flexibility and control in your business.
