Moving to cloud ERP software can be a game-changer for bev-alc companies, providing the scalability and flexibility needed for growth and eliminating the burden of on-site server maintenance. While the debate between on-premise and cloud software solutions is not new, many business owners don’t understand the key differences between the two and what those differences mean for their operations.
Cloudy With a Chance of…
For the last decade, software companies have been transitioning most of their products to the cloud. Cloud solutions provide maximum uptime, are more sustainable, and improve performance, along with myriad of other benefits to businesses. On-premise software requires significant time and money to maintain, limiting resources for other areas of your beverage company.
But what are the real reasons cloud and cloud ERP solutions are considered king and on-prem is the way of the old?
- Increased flexibility: Cloud solutions, including cloud ERP software, are much more flexible than traditional on-premise systems. You can scale up or down as needed without having to worry about the physical limitations of aging server hardware and other infrastructure. New services or features offered by the software provider will come online automatically without causing system downtime that on-premise upgrades require.
- Improved collaboration: Software-as-a-service (SaaS), another term for cloud solutions, allows for quicker and easier employee collaboration. Employees can access the data and applications they need from any device, at any time, and from virtually anywhere in the world. Maximizing accessibility in this way allows for greater collaboration and helps improve productivity.
- Reduced costs: Owning and maintaining server hardware and infrastructure is expensive and demands much of your IT staff’s time and resources. By choosing cloud ERP software, all maintenance and replacement costs fall to the host provider. This reduces overall costs for your beverage company, allowing you to reallocate resources to other areas of your operation.
- Increased security: Cloud ERP software, in particular, provides more security for your data, making it less vulnerable to corruption and theft. The cloud offers multiple layers of security, which can be further beefed up with capabilities like data encryption and two-factor authentication. Automatic security patches, updates and new features will help you feel confident that your data is safe and secure.
- Better Decision-making: Better visibility into your data helps you and your team make smarter and faster business decisions. Cloud solutions allow you to see real-time data about your operations, inventory and performance — essentially all facets of your business. This enables you to identify areas of improvement and make changes accordingly.
Cloud ERP Solutions Are the Way Forward for Fast-Growing Beverage Companies
Now that we’ve examined some of the benefits of moving to the cloud, let’s dive into cloud ERP software. When it comes to selecting the right platform for your beverage manufacturing business, it’s important to know not all cloud ERP systems are created equal. Cloud-native, cloud-based and cloud-enabled are probably the three most common cloud computing terms used interchangeably. But, they are actually quite different animals — each with its own set of implications for your business.
Cloud-native applications are literally born in the cloud. They’re built and deployed within cloud computing environments and fully leverage cloud services. They are designed to take advantage of cloud characteristics like elasticity, transparency and automation, and they allow for maximum accessibility, scalability and quick addition of new services. According to a 2022 report, 75% of software companies are focusing on building cloud-native applications.
In contrast, cloud-based platforms take a hybrid approach, meaning they use some cloud capabilities, but their framework wasn’t built within a cloud environment. The user interface for such platforms still happens locally on a browser or mobile app, but storage and data processing happen within a hosted environment. This can be a reasonable middle ground, but it will certainly have some limitations.
Finally, cloud-enabled technologies are traditionally built and then migrated into the cloud while continuing to be dependent on local hardware and resources. This means that such an application will not be able to take advantage of shared services or resource pool and may not deliver the scalability and resiliency of either cloud-native or cloud-based systems.
When deciding which type of cloud ERP software to select for the future of your beverage company, keep the following in mind about cloud-native beverage software platforms like Crafted ERP.
A cloud-native ERP system is:
- Built specifically for the cloud, which means it’s designed to stay nimble and take advantage of all the benefits that the cloud has to offer
- More scalable than a traditional on-premise ERP system, and can grow with your company as your needs change
- More accessible than non-cloud applications, allowing for seamless remote collaboration
- More secure than other types of ERP systems, better protecting your data from both physical threats and cyber threats.
- Equipped to empower you to make the best decisions possible for your company by leveraging real-time data and multi-faceted visibility
It’s Better in the Cloud – See You There?
Crafted ERP is a true end-to-end, completely cloud-native ERP platform. Built in Oracle NetSuite, the global leader in cloud ERP, Crafted is designed and supported by beverage industry professionals who understand what it takes to succeed and grow your business. If you’d like to learn more about cloud-native capabilities and the full breadth of what Crafted offers, contact us to schedule a discovery call.
