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Cloud ERP: Why?

The benefits of Cloud ERP are as follows: 

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  • All the benefits of cloud computing 

  • Why cloud ERP systems have such a dramatic, game-changing benefits for customers: 

    • Shorter ERP implementation times – On-premise ERP systems are time consuming and expensive, but because cloud ERP software and data are managed in the cloud by the software vendor, implementation can take as little as a few weeks (compared to months for on-premise solutions). 

    • Improved efficiencies – Cloud ERP modules for manufacturing serve every step in the manufacturing process, increasing strategies all along the supply chain. 

    • Rapid and on-the-go decision making – Cloud ERP solutions connect to all core business systems together via the Internet. this allows manufacturers access critical business information and make important decisions on the spot. 

    • Improved customer service – With cloud, communications between manufacturers and their customers are improved, allowing many manufacturing processes to be automated. Windows form based ERPs can not provide lead, customer, supplier and vendor portals that are integrated with the ERP modules (CRM, Finance, distribution, project management, WMS, Shipping, …). Windows Forms based ERP simply don't provide portals! 

    • Faster return on investment – Many cloud ERP solutions can be integrated quickly, meaning manufacturers get a faster return on its IT investment. 

    • Reduced IT stress – Because cloud ERP requires fewer technical resources than on-premise systems, it relieves the burden of having to take care of all the software, hardware and network administration for the IT department. 

    • Improved productivity – Cloud ERP lets companies integrate their business processes seamlessly and improves employee productivity through an easy user interface. 

    • Cloud innovation – Cloud computing is seeing an increasing amount of innovation. As more companies move to the cloud, they are able to adopt these innovations faster than before. Software companies like Microsoft, Oracle, Google focus on the cloud, and launch more applications in the cloud that can be accessed on any device, and integrated with only cloud solutions. Windows Form based ERPs will not integrate well with those new cloud applications, and will be left behind. 

  • New technologies will never stop coming and going, and they will be constantly changing the way we live and do business. It’s no wonder why cloud ERP solutions are becoming a total game-changer for customers, as cloud computing is only getting bigger and better. 

  • ERP investment risk is lower since the subscription fee per month is much lower than a one time license fee and the high hardware and networking infrastructure cost. If a mistake is made with the choice of an ERP (ERP not fitting customer needs), not much is lost.  

 

 

A Windows Forms based ERP sometimes aka a Server/Client system like SAP Business One, some Infor applications, .. that could be hosted in the cloud but need to be accessed via a Remote Desktop Services (RDS), and maybe via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection, miss most of the benefits of cloud computing.  SAP Business One requires you to enter the IP address of the remote SAP server in  the host file of your local PC, to access the SAP Business One server application. You have to do this for every PC from which you want to access SAP Business One. Click here for details. Forget about single sign on!

 

A Windows Forms based application has other following shortcomings: 

  • Customer himself can not customize the application, which is always required on a constant basis 

  • Integration with other applications is very cumbersome since 

    • CSV files need to be created by the ERP application, exported and then imported into the other application. This is not real-time integration 

    • No REST APIs exist 

    • No PowerBi features 

    • Integration requires heavy development which is expensive 

  • Mobile applications nearly non existing.  

  • Needs to be accessed via a Remote Desktop Services software client on your computer.

 

The problems with Remote Desktop Services (RDS)

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  • You can only use those computers where the RDS software client is installed, to connect to the remote server where the traditional/legacy ERP runs

  • Once connected, you will not have access to your local computers, printers and files. Only when you install special software on your local PC, that enables access to your local network, will you have access to those devices or files. Having no access to your local network means the following:

    • You can not upload a file from your local PC or your LAN to the remote server application/ERP​ or website that you visit while being in the remote server.

    • You can not download a file from the remote server application/ERP​ or website that you visit from a remote server, to your local PC or your LAN.

  • Once connected to the remote server, your lose the following:​

    • Browser history​

    • Browser auto completes

    • Browser settings

    • Browser plugins

  • The video (5 mins, 2020) will explain this.

The problems with a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

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If the connection to your remote server needs to be secured, you need a VPN connection.

The problems with VPN are as follows: 

  • Need to establish a Virtual Private Network connection from each PC that needs access to the Windows Form based ERP or application. This means the following:

    • On each PC that needs to access the WIndows Form application, you need to install a VPN client software. That VPN client software needs the to be configured with the right IP address and TCP protocol of the server on which the ERP or application runs. While you are connected to your server via the VPN, you have no access to computers and printers  in your Local Area Network. You can not upload a file from another computer in your LAN to the application on the server while you are on the VPN. 

    • If the server is far away, a VPN connection might be quite slow.

    • If your CRM application is on a server that is accessed via a VPN, and you want to email a customer from your CRM application using your eg. MS Outlook on your PC, you can not do this since you will not have access to your eg. MS Outlook client on your PC during a VPN session.

    • For a good VPN service, you will have to pay! Check here.

    • Click here to learn more.

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Connection with the Acumatica ERP system is secure (encrypted).

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  • SInce the Acumatica ERP requires HTTPS, all data send from your PC or mobile device browser is encrypted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL). 

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