Over the last several years, the ERP market has absolutely exploded. Buyers have more choices than ever. And, while this growth is a good thing, it can make your decision more difficult. Not only do you have an endless list of brands to choose from (i.e. Microsoft Dynamics, Acumatica, NetSuite, Intacct, etc.). But before you can even compare brands to figure out which software will be the best fit for your needs, you must decide which deployment method you want to use. Your basic choices are an on premise or cloud ERP.
How do cloud and legacy ERPs differ? This is a question we hear often from potential clients. To decide which one is better for you, ask yourself this. Do you want to run your software on servers you own and support or do you prefer an ERP that runs on servers owned and maintained by the vendor? This very important question illustrates the key distinction between on premise, legacy ERPs and cloud ones. On premise generally run on hardware your company owns and maintains. Cloud ERPs run on hardware owned and maintained by someone else, usually the vendor.
While this distinction illustrates a key differentiator between cloud and legacy ERPs, it’s not the only important point you should look at when deciding whether premise or cloud ERP is right for you. In the three-minute video I’ve included below, we walk you through several other factors any ERP buyer should consider.
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Watch the video to explore other key differences between cloud and on-premise ERPs
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You will see how cloud and legacy ERPs differ across these key categories:
- Deployment Options
- Cost
- Support Requirements
- Customization and Updates
- Mobile Access
- Data Ownership and Security
We hope it will help point you in the right direction of which deployment style will be best for your business. Knowing whether you need an on premise or cloud ERP will help you narrow your search. A few ERP vendors offer both on premise and cloud options for their software, while others only give you one choice. So, when making your short list of software brands you’re interested in, make sure they offer the deployment style you need.
Want to dig deeper into cloud software, get a better understanding of it and what makes it so popular? Visit this webpage.
Ready to explore a few popular ERP options? Start your search here.
Need hands-on help to decide whether a on premise or cloud ERP will best meet your business needs? Contact us! Our friendly experts have over 30 years’ experience matching businesses with the software they need to succeed.