Top 5 Things SMEs Will love about going in the cloud for ERP Accounting

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There has been so much hype around cloud computing that at times it’s unclear exactly what it’s actually all about. There is a variety of software which promises to take your business apps to the cloud but the most irreplaceable, cloud native app of all times, is and will remain the humble web browser. So in our review of the things to love when a small business goes into the cloud for their ERP software, we are only considering 100 %cloud based ERPs that run wholly in the web browser and not through other clunky desktop apps that need further installation and carry additional licensing fees. So without further ado, below are the top 5 things, in no particular order, that your small business will love about going into the cloud for ERP Accounting

#.1 Bye-Bye clunky desktop apps

Your small business will appreciate the ease and convenience that comes with running your ERP software from your browser. This means

#2. Hassle free financial data backups

The next consideration after backing up financial data from on premises accounting software to tape drive is then the maintenance and security of the tape drives. This problem has created its own tape drive backup industry with companies that offer off site storage services for tape drives and for those businesses that cannot afford, the tape drives get carried home to the financial manager's home.

With free cloud based Accounting ERP software, data backups are handled seamlessly to the cloud to other cloud based data backup solutions like drop box and one drive which guarantee the safety of data after the backup is completed.

#3. Easy setup of ecommerce websites with integration to online payment gateways

On premises accounting software were built without the World Wide Web in mind. Because of this, it is expensive both in time and effort when it comes to extending their capabilities to the internet. With native cloud based ERP software such as ERPNext, this is an effortless exercise which is accomplished in just a couple of clicks.

Internet native apps are not limited to ecommerce websites, but come with handy accounting functions such as automatic foreign currency exchange rates updates which are directly interfaced with the ERP software. Communication tools such as online integration to SMS gateways, have lower communication costs which provide effective means to chase up payments from clients.

#4. Cost Savings

When you not only go to the cloud for your ERP but take it a notch further by switching to an open source , cloud based ERP software, your small business pays $0 for the entire solution. Why use paid tools when so many wonderful free tools are available? With open source cloud based ERP software, you do away with having to pay per module, or per user; giving your business a scalable solution that allows it to grow without increased costs. If you think open source ERP software is no good- think again -as shown by this business of 200 employees that switched from SAP (a reputable German ERP Accounting software vendor) to ERPNext, a free open source ERP Accounting Solution.

#5. Working remotely on any web enabled device

Earlier we mentioned desktop apps that enable remote access to on premises accounting software. These have the inconvenience of being limited to desktop software and rarely function on mobile devices. If they do, the main challenge remains in that the on premises accounting software they provide access to where not primarily designed for mobile access and thereby deliver bad user experiences.

This is not the case with native cloud ERP software that was built from the ground up primarily for the web. From design, right through to the user experience, cloud ERP software are designed for the agile, mobile user in mind.

Working remotely does away with your team having to drive to the 'workplace' just to gain access to business data. Study upon study has shown that staff that do not have to commute every day to work are happier and more productive. Staff that are entrusted to work remotely feel grateful because of the trust bestowed on them to work from wherever they please which results in greater satisfaction levels amongst team members and better loyalty to employers. Happier staff almost always results in better customer service.