How to choose a Cloud ERP system for your business

Finding the Right Fit for Your Organization

Succeeding in today’s digital economy is a major challenge for companies relying on disconnected, legacy business solutions. A report by Mint Jutras, an independent research and advisory firm, says it is time to replace legacy ERP systems:

“If you are still hanging on to a legacy Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that limits your ability to adapt and respond, there is now a real case to be made for replacing it. If you have added solutions piecemeal, with the assurance of integration that proved to be clumsy and far less seamless than promised, now is the time to course correct.”

The best course correction tactic is implementing a modern cloud ERP solution. But with so many ERP software to choose from, how do you know which is right?

Accessed over the internet, a cloud ERP solution brings a company’s separate systems together, under a single technology “umbrella.” Mission-critical and specialized applications (e.g., sales, financials, CRM, construction, eCommerce, marketing, operations, distribution, manufacturing, and more), as well as any desired/required third-party applications, are seamlessly integrated into a scalable, future-proof platform.

The benefits of operating from a centralized solution are many: streamlined, automated, and standardized business processes; a 360° view of the entire organization; increased collaboration; improved efficiency; and reduced IT costs. Cloud ERP solutions also give companies real-time access to their synchronized data from anywhere, at any time, via any web-enabled device.

Choosing to implement a cloud ERP system may be an easy decision, but pinpointing the right cloud ERP system for your organization is less straightforward. Company decision-makers must roll up their collective sleeves and invest time, energy, and resources into learning how to choose a cloud ERP system.

Your Business Requirements

Every business has unique requirements. You—with help from a cross-functional project team—must first understand those requirements before choosing the right cloud ERP system for your context. What are your specific challenges and pain points? Are you looking for general functionality (such as financials or CRM), or are you looking for industry-specific functionalities? Have you calculated the return on investment (ROI) to financially justify implementing a cloud ERP solution?

After answering these questions, you can move on to consider the functions and capabilities you expect from a cloud ERP system. For instance, do you require advanced features, fast implementation, high usability, competitive pricing, or comprehensive ERP vendor support? Prioritize these requirements according to the following categories.

• Absolute
• Highly desirable
• Not needed now but important for the future
• Not essential but nice to have

After organizing your requirements, shift gears and look at the importance of “personalization” when choosing the right cloud ERP system.