In due course, more and more companies are contemplating a move to ERP cloud as they can sense the biggest saving costs associated with ERP cloud. There are other benefits too that come with Cloud ERP such as pay as you go model, low server costs and infrastructure etc. However, the shift from on-premise to cloud ERP is not an easy one. The transition demands persistence, due intelligence, careful examination and sound analysis. So, before you aspire to take leap forward to SaaS solutions, here are the questions you must think about,

The underlying reason behind the implementation

What is the main reason to go about Cloud ERP? Is it merely due to peer pressure? Or everyone is doing it so you also want to take the lead. Be clear with the reason behind the implementation. If you know your reasons well, you will be able to choose a system that fits your business needs precisely.

Is it about saving money in the long run?

Are you switching to Cloud ERP to save unwanted costs? Organizations generally make a move to SaaS to save money.   After switching to Cloud ERP, you need to pay a certain amount as per usage. It is thus wise to figure out all possibilities before moving to Cloud ERP.

Have you checked the vendor’s reliability? 

This is a valid question to ask. Look for a vendor with a strong track record of service. You must also check his website, scan social media profile, check its background, and know the viability of the vendor. You can also go one step further to know any partnership status the company enjoys. Do complete online research. Approach existing customers as their opinion matters!

Your expectations from Cloud ERP
What kind of features does the software need to have to fulfill your mission critical needs? Do you need software  to improve data collaboration or for any other purpose? Understand your needs comprehensively and set your expectations and then invest in the right system.

Evaluate Support level 

Evaluate what is the level of support you seek from your SaaS provider?If SLAs are properly defined, then there should be no bottleneck in rendering proper support and guidance in your cloud journey.

What is the other plan?

Have you evaluated plan B? This is perhaps the most important questions among all. What if things go wrong. How easy it is to move to another cloud hosting provider. Ask all these questions and you would be close to your mission.

Have you talked about data migration

Ensure and talk clearly as when your data will be migrated. Take into account all security aspects and talk openly about data migration.  Data needs to be secure so make this point very clear from the beginning. Ask about the disaster recovery plans.

Consider exit plans

Will it be possible for you to switch to SaaS or come back to on premise in a couple of days. Do you have SLAs contract? Carefully examine all the exit policies of the provide carefully.

Cloud ERP software is here to stay. It is replete with many benefits which are hard to ignore. So, before you take the plunge, ensure that your checklist is well in place for a smooth and safe transition.