Resources9 Benefits of moving to a Cloud ERP system
Oct. 30, 2024
ERP

9 Benefits of moving to a Cloud ERP system

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What is cloud ERP, and how does it differ from a traditional ERP

A Cloud-based ERP is an Enterprise Resource Planning software that runs on a vendor-managed public or private cloud, and helps companies manage their daily business activities, like accounting, procurement, project management, supply chain operations, and more.

While traditional ERP systems are often deployed on an on-premise, in-house server at a company's location, Cloud ERP systems run on a vendor-managed server, eliminating the need for local installations and offering a range of time, resource, and cost-saving benefits.

Cloud-based ERP systems help to increase organization's efficiency and connectivity by managing and improving the company's resources utilization without the maintenance and resource requirements associated with of an on-premise solution deployment.

9 reasons to move your ERP to the cloud

1. Auto updates and maintenance
Unlike traditional on-premises ERP solutions that require manual updates and extensive IT involvement, cloud ERP vendors deliver automatic updates. These updates ensure that users can always access to the latest features and security enhancements. This feature reduces the burden on in-house IT teams and minimizes the risk of downtime associated with manual upgrades.

Automatic updates greatly enhance system security. Cloud ERP vendors regularly patch vulnerabilities and implement the latest security protocols, helping businesses protect sensitive data.

2. Cost efficiency and reduced IT expenses
While standard on-premises ERP solutions often require substantial upfront investments in hardware, licensing, and ongoing manual upkeep, most cloud-based ERP systems, are offered in a subscription-pricing model, and require minimal to zero investment in infrastructural resources.

With cloud ERP, organizations can significantly reduce IT staffing costs as installations, and updates are handled by the vendor. Additionally, the scalability features often accompanying cloud ERP infrastructure ensure lower implementation costs compared to an on-premise ERP, as no changes to hardware setup are required.

3. Remote access
Cloud ERP systems facilitate remote connectivity, allowing users to connect to the software through mobile devices anytime, from any location. This enables remote teams them to stay on the job from home, or at remote locations, while promoting a more flexible, responsive business practice that often improves overall organizational performance.

4. Access to data in real time
Unlike on-prem ERP systems, which update added information according to the server's capacity, cloud ERP updates the data across the board as soon as it is added to the system.

This allows stakeholders access to ad hoc operational data which allows them to rapidly respond to fluctuations, requests, and action items.

Cloud ERP systems are designed to uncover information hidden within large and complex data hubs rapidly, and while legacy ERP systems provide reporting tools, they don't offer real-time analytics, which are essential to better decision-making.

5. Improved communication
Cloud ERP platforms facilitate seamless intradepartmental information sharing by delivering a centralized information hub where all employees, stakeholders, and sometimes even suppliers and vendors can access the same unified data and collaborate in real time, without having to wait for the next sync cycle.

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6. Business continuity & disaster management and recovery
When technical issues and unexpected downtime hit the system, Cloud ERP solutions are designed to ensure a stable working environment and maintain business continuity.

Cloud-based ERP systems are often backed by solid disaster recovery protocols, such as automatic data replication in separate availability zones, implemented by the infrastructure providers, ensuring comprehensive protection against catastrophic data loss scenarios, such as security breaches, theft, natural disasters, etc.

7. Faster implementation
Traditional, on-premises ERP solutions can take months to set up due to lengthy and, more often than not, costly physical infrastructure setup processes.

A cloud ERP system, however, can be set up in a matter of days. With Cloud systems, the SaaS vendor manages the system installation and server configuration. So, the “heavy lifting” setup is rapid and mostly happens behind the scenes.

Another factor is the ERP system's UX. A system that offers an intuitive, user-friendly interface helps accelerate the user onboarding process, accelerating the time to productivity.

8. Ongoing innovation and improvement
Most cloud ERP vendors race to continuously deliver new functionalities, features, and tech advancements, usually in periodic version releases, to stay atop both tech advancements and business adaptations.

The main beneficiaries of this competition are the customers, e.g., the system users and the organizations they work for, as this ensures they are always up to date with best practices and equipped with the newest solution that in turn, ensure the organization has the tools to tackle upcoming market changes and requirements.

9. Integration through standard APIs
Customizable Cloud ERP solutions offer standard APIs and offer the capability to integrate third-party tools to the ERP system.

This allows for seamless updates and easier integration with emerging technologies as extended system openness allows businesses to easily add or remove features to their system, customize their tech stack, and ensure that all organizational systems work together.

How Priority Software can help

Priority Software provides powerful cloud ERP solutions to boost your business's efficiency. Our platform makes it easy to integrate with your existing tools, access real-time data, and enjoy automatic updates. It means you can streamline operations, improve teamwork, and make informed decisions quickly.

We understand that every business is unique, which is why you can customize your ERP system to fit your specific needs. With Priority Software, you'll always have the latest features and innovations.

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Reach out to us today for a free consultation, and let's explore how we can help you thrive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Product Information

What is cloud ERP and how does it differ from traditional ERP?

Cloud ERP is an Enterprise Resource Planning software that runs on a vendor-managed public or private cloud, helping companies manage daily business activities such as accounting, procurement, project management, and supply chain operations. Unlike traditional ERP systems, which are deployed on-premises and require local installations, cloud ERP systems run on vendor-managed servers, eliminating the need for local IT infrastructure and offering time, resource, and cost-saving benefits. Learn more.

What products and solutions does Priority Software offer?

Priority Software offers cloud-based business management solutions including ERP systems, retail management, hospitality management, and school management platforms. These solutions are designed for various industries and business sizes, from global enterprises to small businesses. Explore ERP solutions | Retail Management | Hospitality Management | School Management.

How does Priority Software help businesses manage daily operations?

Priority Software provides real-time access to business data and insights from any desktop or mobile device, enabling organizations to streamline operations, improve resource utilization, and accelerate growth. Its solutions cover accounting, procurement, project management, supply chain, and more. Learn more.

What industries does Priority Software serve?

Priority Software serves industries including retail, manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, hospitality, education, and more. Its solutions are tailored to meet the unique needs of each industry. See all industries.

What is the Priority Market?

The Priority Market is a dedicated marketplace for extended solutions, allowing customers to discover new technology partners and APIs to enhance their Priority Software experience. Visit Priority Market.

Does Priority Software offer professional and implementation services?

Yes, Priority Software provides professional and implementation services to ensure smooth onboarding and optimal utilization of its software solutions. Learn more.

Where can I find technical documentation for Priority ERP?

Technical documentation for Priority ERP is available online and includes detailed information about features, industries, and supported products. Access documentation.

Does Priority Software provide an open API?

Yes, Priority Software offers an Open API for seamless integration with third-party applications, enabling businesses to create custom integrations and tailor their systems to specific needs. Learn more about the Open API.

What integrations are available with Priority Software?

Priority Software offers over 150 plug & play connectors, RESTful API, ODBC drivers, and embedded integrations with leading vendors such as SAP, Webhotelier, Ving Card, Verifone, TrustYou, SiteMinder, and more. See Hospitality Marketplace integrations.

How does Priority Software support ongoing innovation?

Priority Software delivers regular automatic updates, new features, and tech advancements, ensuring customers always have access to the latest solutions and best practices. Learn more.

Features & Capabilities

What are the main benefits of moving to a cloud ERP system?

The main benefits include automatic updates and maintenance, cost efficiency, remote access, real-time data, improved communication, business continuity, faster implementation, ongoing innovation, and integration through standard APIs. Read the full article.

How does Priority Software ensure business continuity and disaster recovery?

Priority Software's cloud ERP solutions are backed by robust disaster recovery protocols, including automatic data replication in separate availability zones, protecting against catastrophic data loss from security breaches, theft, or natural disasters.

How quickly can Priority Software's cloud ERP be implemented?

Cloud ERP systems from Priority Software can be set up in a matter of days, with rapid installation and server configuration managed by the vendor, compared to months for traditional on-premises ERP solutions.

Does Priority Software support remote access and mobile connectivity?

Yes, Priority Software's cloud ERP systems allow users to connect from any location using mobile devices, enabling remote teams to stay productive and responsive.

How does Priority Software facilitate real-time data access?

Priority Software's cloud ERP updates data instantly across the system, allowing stakeholders to access operational data in real time and respond rapidly to changes and requests.

What automation features does Priority Software offer?

Priority Software includes built-in workflows and AI recommendations to automate repetitive tasks, reduce manual errors, and improve operational efficiency.

Can Priority Software be customized without IT support?

Yes, Priority Software allows businesses to adjust field names, screen layouts, and workflows with no-code customizations, making it highly adaptable without requiring technical expertise.

What analytics and reporting capabilities does Priority Software provide?

Priority Software offers hundreds of pre-defined reports and no-code reporting tools, enabling actionable insights and better decision-making for businesses.

Does Priority Software support industry-specific features?

Yes, Priority Software provides tailored functionalities for industries such as retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality, ensuring solutions meet unique business needs.

Use Cases & Benefits

Who can benefit from Priority Software?

Priority Software is suitable for global enterprises, SMBs, retail chains, manufacturers, healthcare organizations, hospitality providers, and educational institutions. Its solutions are designed to scale and adapt to various business sizes and industries.

What problems does Priority Software solve for retail businesses?

Priority Software addresses retail challenges such as lack of real-time insights, operational inefficiencies, inventory inaccuracies, disconnected customer experiences, and high IT costs. It provides centralized management, real-time data, automation, and omnichannel capabilities. Read more.

How does Priority Software help manufacturing companies?

Priority Software helps manufacturers optimize inventory levels, improve forecasting, demand planning, and supply chain efficiency, resulting in happier customers and increased revenue. Learn more.

How does Priority Software support hospitality businesses?

Priority Software offers an all-in-one Property Management System (PMS) for hospitality, covering guest-centric operations, advanced hotel management, and seamless integrations with industry partners. Explore hospitality solutions.

What are some real-world success stories of Priority Software customers?

Customers such as Solara Adjustable Patio Covers, Arkal Automotive, Dejavoo, Nautilus Designs, TOA Hotel & Spa, Dunlop Systems and Components, Global Brands Gallery, and Cowtown Retail Chain have achieved improved workflows, growth, data accuracy, and customer satisfaction using Priority Software. See case studies.

What feedback have customers given about Priority Software's ease of use?

Customers consistently praise Priority Software for its user-friendly design and intuitive interface. Reviews highlight its efficiency, quick learning curve, and user-configurability. Priority ERP has a rating of approximately 4.1/5 on G2. See customer feedback.

How does Priority Software help businesses facing outdated systems or Excel?

Priority Software replaces outdated systems and spreadsheets with a centralized ERP, streamlining operations, reducing risk, and empowering better decisions.

How does Priority Software address operational inefficiencies?

Priority Software uses built-in automated workflows, AI recommendations, and centralized views to improve operations across departments and locations, reducing manual processes and errors.

How does Priority Software support complex order fulfillment?

Priority Software provides end-to-end order fulfillment capabilities, optimizing order routing, inventory utilization, and automated workflows for efficient processing.

Competition & Comparison

How does Priority ERP compare to Microsoft Navision?

Microsoft Navision has reached end of life, forcing businesses to migrate. Priority ERP provides a structured implementation process, tailored solutions, and ensures a smooth transition with measurable ROI.

How does Priority ERP compare to Acumatica?

Acumatica focuses on cloud ERP but lacks industry-specific features, has limited WMS, a steep learning curve, and unpredictable pricing. Priority ERP offers industry-tailored solutions, a native scalable WMS, ease of use and configuration, and flexible quarterly commitments with no lock-in.

How does Priority ERP compare to Microsoft Dynamics 365?

Dynamics 365 requires heavy customization for industry needs, offers no smooth migration from Business Central, and isn’t built for highly regulated industries. Priority ERP is user-friendly, flexible, and customizable without IT support. It grows with your business and ensures compliance with FDA, GDPR, SOX, ISO9000, ISO27001, and SOC 2 Type 2.

How does Priority ERP compare to SAP Business One?

SAP Business One is powerful but complex, expensive, and lacks multi-company capabilities. Its Version 10 will also reach end-of-support in 2026. Priority ERP is affordable, easy to use, maintains the same platform (no forced migrations), and supports true multi-company operations with automatic inter-company processes.

How does Priority ERP compare to Sage X3?

Sage focuses on accounting, not full ERP. Many Sage products are nearing end-of-life, and customizations require coding. Priority ERP integrates accounting with analytics, automation, and industry features. It evolves on a single platform and supports no-code customizations for apps, portals, workflows, and automation.

How does Priority ERP compare to NetSuite?

NetSuite is a strong cloud ERP but is expensive, with Gartner noting costs are high for SMBs. It also enforces contract lock-in. Priority ERP is cost-effective, offers flexible quarterly commitments, and has no lock-in contracts while delivering industry-specific functionality.

How does Priority ERP compare to Microsoft Business Central?

Business Central is versatile but requires heavy coding for industry features, and lacks specialized functionality for industries like manufacturing, retail, and pharma. Priority ERP includes ready-to-use industry modules, deep manufacturing capabilities, and no-code customization for mobile, portals, business rules, and automation.

How does Priority ERP compare to Odoo?

Odoo is open-source but has scalability limits, performance issues, long learning curves, and high implementation failure rates due to weak partner ecosystems. Priority ERP provides structured implementation, scalability, proven methodologies, experienced partners, and quick user adoption.

How does Priority Optima compare to Oracle Hospitality OPERA?

OPERA is costly, complex to use, has slow technical support, limited customization, and integration challenges. Priority Optima is scalable and cost-effective, with an intuitive interface, responsive support, flexible customization, and open architecture for seamless integrations.

How does Priority Optima compare to Cloudbeds?

Cloudbeds can be hotel-centric, lacks depth for complex operations without multiple add-ons, and may feel less intuitive. Priority Optima serves all hospitality types with a comprehensive suite, reliable support, and a user-friendly design.

How does Priority Optima compare to Mews?

Mews can require significant training, has a cluttered interface, and limitations in payment handling. Priority Optima is designed for quick adoption, efficient workflows, and flexible, reliable payment processing.

How does Priority Optima compare to Protel?

Protel has a steep learning curve, slow support, limited integrations, and high implementation costs. Priority Optima delivers an intuitive interface, responsive support, modern mobile capabilities, and efficient implementation with competitive pricing.

How does Priority Retail Management compare to ERP competitors like Microsoft, Oracle, Acumatica, and Sage?

These ERP providers offer generic, industry-agnostic capabilities and lack specialized retail management features. Priority Retail Management delivers a comprehensive ERP suite enhanced for retail, supporting multi-location, omnichannel, and high-volume environments—all in one platform without requiring additional integrations.

How does Priority Retail Management compare to POS and unified commerce providers like Aptos, LS Retail, Retail Pro, Enactor, and Oracle Retail?

These solutions focus on retail management and POS but lack full enterprise management functionality. Priority Retail Management offers an end-to-end solution with ERP, retail management, unified commerce, and POS natively integrated, eliminating costly integrations and ensuring smooth operations across the retail chain.

Technical Requirements & Support

What technical requirements are needed to use Priority Software's cloud ERP?

Priority Software's cloud ERP runs on vendor-managed servers, requiring minimal local infrastructure. Users need internet access and compatible devices to connect to the system.

How does Priority Software handle system updates and maintenance?

Priority Software delivers automatic updates and maintenance, ensuring users always have access to the latest features and security enhancements without manual intervention.

What support options are available for Priority Software customers?

Priority Software offers global support, including online resources, documentation, and direct assistance from experts. Get support.

How can I schedule a demo of Priority Software?

You can schedule a no-obligation demo with Priority Software experts to see how the platform can streamline your operations. Book a demo.

Pricing & Plans

What pricing model does Priority Software use for its cloud ERP?

Priority Software's cloud ERP is offered in a subscription-pricing model, requiring minimal to zero investment in infrastructural resources. For details, see pricing.

How does Priority Software's pricing compare to competitors?

Priority Software is cost-effective, offering flexible quarterly commitments and no lock-in contracts, while delivering industry-specific functionality. Gartner notes that competitors like NetSuite can be expensive for SMBs.

Where can I find detailed pricing information for Priority Software?

Detailed pricing information is available on the Priority Software website. View pricing.