Cloud ERP provides small to medium-sized businesses with an affordable point of entry to the ERP marketplace. As features in cloud ERP solutions can vary from on-site solutions, what should you expect? The following are key cloud ERP features to keep an eye out for along with some additional features you might consider, depending on your niche.
Quality Support
This should be a given with any solution. In this day and age, 24/7 support is the standard to expect, whether through direct chat, phone, or a deep online help database. Since cloud ERP is often the right answer for companies that don’t necessarily have a deep bench of IT specialists on staff, this support can be pivotal in the success of an ERP solution based in the cloud.
Reporting & Analytics
Of course, reporting and analytics is going to be at the heart of any ERP solution. What you need to stay on top of is whether they are the right reporting and analytics for you. An ideal solution will offer reporting that you don’t necessarily have to be a programmer or developer to understand. Look for reporting and analytics features that empower any end user and don’t hold you back when filtering and sorting data.
Mobile Access
Mobile access is another must-have on any cloud ERP shopping list. Make sure to look for an option that offers two-factor authentication for security. Mobile access can be particularly effective if you have staff out in the field or working remotely on a regular basis and can even be an important tool for supervisors who need to approve and view content on the go.
Customization Tools
Many who look into cloud ERP worry that they might lose the customization that is at the heart of on-premise ERP solutions. That’s not the case— a top-grade cloud ERP will still extend customizable features. From the high-level perspective, you want a solution that edits their solution to offer industry-specific editions for a wide range of sectors, such as distribution or manufacturing. On a more micro level, however, look for an ERP that allow you to customize visual and functional features within the solution. If you have the technical knowledge on staff, you can also look for a solution that lets you use APIs and SDKs to integrate with external systems.
Financial Management
A financial management component is yet another essential to look for with cloud ERP. Financial management software brings with it a full suite of accounting features and functions, allowing you to track daily operations, generate reports, and budget and plan for the future. A big plus is that document management within the solution can also allow you to link documentation directly to financials and keep your audit trail neat and tidy.
CRM
No customer-facing business can go without a CRM these days. Top of the line cloud ERPs will offer a tool for customer lifecycle management, providing you with control of and insight into your customer’s journey. With the right cloud ERP, you’ll be able to track everything from marketing data and sales quotes to post-sales support to ensure a friction-free process for your customers and access timely and accurate customer data anytime and anyplace.
Going with a cloud-based ERP solution doesn’t have to mean sacrificing functionality. By knowing what cloud ERP features to look for, you can find a solution that is affordable while still extending the wealth of features businesses need to succeed in today’s marketplace. Ready to explore your cloud ERP options? Take a tour of our premier cloud ERP solutions to learn more.
