ERP software has a long standing history of being hosted on local servers, requiring costly maintenance and draining the IT department. While working in the cloud is not a new approach to ERP software, it has only recently become more mainstream, given that it provides a number of benefits; these benefits are especially prevalent when looking at small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) who do not have access to the budgets or resources of larger enterprises. Dynamics AX in the cloud can give SMBs numerous advantages over a traditional, on-premises ERP. Here are 3 reasons why small and medium sized businesses should invest in a cloud-based AX ERP:
- Access anytime, anywhere. If you have remote employees or multiple office locations, then accessing your information and data can be unnecessarily complicated. T1 connections can be a costly option to connect servers and client portals can be slow and difficult to access, while employees are out on the road. Installing new software can be tedious considering that each individual device or computer to have software manually installed on it, requiring a considerable time investment from the IT staff. Using Dynamics AX in the cloud allows for more streamlined collaboration and simpler access across locations and amongst employees, removing the need for client side portals or software. Personnel can access critical data through their smartphone or tablets while on-the-go by using the Dynamics AX app.
- Reduce reliance on servers. Servers can be costly to maintain and require comprehensive back up procedures to ensure the integrity of your data. Microsoft Dynamics AX is also a complex software that was meant to run alone on a server, so when it’s running alongside other enterprise applications it can put undue strain on your infrastructure – especially if your server wasn’t designed to handle intense workloads. Software updates hinder access to the server and require IT staff members to come in during odd hours so as not to interrupt normal business processes. Cloud-based AX bypasses these challenges by pushing that responsibility onto the cloud provider. Dynamics AX specifically uses Microsoft’s cloud-based Lifecycle Services to provide post-implementation support and updates. When using a cloud-based AX, your provider will back up your data, provide any necessary software updates, and remove the need for costly and complicated servers.
- Reduce overhead costs. When your IT department is juggling maintenance, software updates, and expensive servers, you can oftentimes find yourself running through your budget with alarming speed – not to mention putting an enormous amount of strain on your internal IT infrastructure. By switching to a cloud provider, you can reduce the overhead costs associated with your Dynamics AX services. Keith Reali, solutions architect at Indusa, describes Dynamics AX in the cloud as a smart choice for SMBs. “The quality of services provided by AX on the cloud are on par with the services found at large enterprises,” Reali says, “but at a price that small and medium sized businesses can afford.”
While implementing or switching to Dynamics AX in the cloud can be a significant transition for any organization, the side effects of implementing a cloud-based ERP are overwhelmingly positive. Without having to rely on costly servers and software, businesses can better allocate their budget and resources, significantly decreasing the amount of strain on their internal IT infrastructure. If your IT department consistently finds itself struggling to manage your on-premises ERP, then implementing Dynamics AX in the cloud is the logical solution.
about Indusa, a cloud AX provider and Microsoft Gold partner.
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