Mexico. Switching solutions is not always easy. Old but familiar processes and workflows are comfortable, even when outdated. Now, as businesses prepare for post-COVID recovery, the need for change can no longer be ignored. The cloud is the future.
By necessity, many companies accelerated their adoption of the cloud when they had to switch to a remote working mode, online services and contactless offers for customers. The jump to digitalization was not as tremendous as previously thought. The cloud experiments proved to be positive, avoiding the existing doubts in companies afraid to take the step.
Quarantine had its silver lining. We now know that almost anything is possible if we have connectivity. The cloud is present everywhere solving challenges big and small in our personal and work lives.
So what are the next steps like? Are companies ready to really commit and migrate their ERP to the cloud? There is no doubt that this is a big step for many of them, especially those where security is essential, or where systems cannot be disrupted. Some also worry that disassembling their original on-premise system can be challenging. Will all modifications be included? Can you succeed with a multi tenant cloud solution?
Cloud solutions that have best practices already embedded provide a better way to simplify workflows and processes. There is no need to reinvent the answers to develop new initiatives to experiment with data management Processes and tools are already there.
The cloud simplifies complexity and in doing so, simplifies many of the business challenges. Here are 10 examples:
1. Agility. Want to change course? No problem. Cloud solutions are highly flexible, making it easier to establish new divisions or branches, modify business units or merge with others.
2. Innovation. Think outside the box. Encourage collaboration between different sectors within the organization with real-time tools to share ideas, files and data. The huge storage capacity of cloud solutions helps R&D activities.
3. Automation of steps. Solutions backed by artificial intelligence (AI) help companies analyze and make intelligent decisions. Leverage the cloud's extensive storage capabilities, using AI-powered analytics to uncover anomalies that need to be fixed. Set trigger events and automate responses, such as quality control points.
4. Yes? No? Perhaps? Well-informed decision making considering the recommendations of the system. Some controls can/if they cannot be automated, and the system decides whether sufficient standards are met.
5. Optimization of security and services. Security is a major concern for many companies and they are relieved by having secure infrastructures, especially those provided by experts such as AWS. Businesses can also manage maintenance and disaster recovery in day-to-day needs, making the entire IT function easier to manage and maintain.
6. Rules. The standards requirements to be met become increasingly confusing and time-consuming. Modern cloud solutions help businesses stay up-to-date with the latest requirements.
7.Self-generated reports. In many older systems, reporting is a complex thing that requires the help of IT to make specific adjustments. Modern cloud solutions often already have AI-powered reports that guide the corporate user to create customized reports.
8. Staff empowerment. Cloud solutions provide the tools you need to get the job done, from anywhere, at all times. Simplifies remote connectivity without security risks.
9. Platform as a Service (PaaS). Selecting the right PaaS allows you to have the tools for no-code and low-code applications so that you can develop the specific functionality that is needed.
10. Resource expansion. Finding qualified IT technicians isn't always easy. The existing group may be working at capacity. Cloud solutions relieve IT of day-to-day maintenance, security and backups so they can focus on the most important tasks.
Cloud solutions provide powerful end-to-end applications for organizations that need to modernize and simplify processes. Complexity can be solved with the right solutions, by having all the processes in the cloud, companies can achieve changes of great impact. Best practices are applied and the company is thus prepared for the future.
Text written by José Rivero, Contry Manager of Infor Mexico.
