SaaS benefit #1: Lower deployment costs

SaaS deployment of distribution ERP solutions reduces or even eliminates the many costs associated with locating, installing, deploying, and ramping up on-premise systems. The software lives in the cloud, so configuration happens in the cloud—not on dozens or hundreds of machines. From software licensing to staffing, your costs drop dramatically.

SaaS benefit #2: Faster implementation

In any business, time is money. A SaaS deployment doesn’t make you wait to see the business advantages of a cloud-based distribution ERP. SaaS deployments don’t require custom-fitting to your IT infrastructure (or to different systems in different locations).

Instead, a SaaS distribution ERP leverages proven best practices and standardization to facilitate deployment across all users and locations. (A SaaS distribution ERP is also ready to scale as your organization grows, and it will keep working well with your technology as it evolves and upgrades.)

SaaS benefit #3: Better reliability

The reliability of an on-premises enterprise distribution ERP environment really rests on the shoulders of you and your team. Which begs the question: How well are you positioned with staffing, equipment, and budget to ensure your ERP’s reliability—from software upgrades to hardware optimization to data backup—every hour of every day?

In a SaaS distribution ERP system, reliability is “baked in.” You should be able to depend on your SaaS solution provider to assure 24/7 performance, so you can keep your focus on your business operations. Their success as a business depends on it!

SaaS benefit #4: Better security

One word about security: Equifax. Cyber threats—hacking, malware, viruses, and more—are a daily fact of life. The security of your data is very much a part of the total “reliability” picture I discussed in benefit #3 above. Are you in the data security business? Or would you rather entrust that responsibility to someone for whom data protection is a core business function? SaaS solutions providers constantly strategize and act to stay ahead of threats and keep your data protected.    

SaaS benefit #5: Disaster recovery readiness

Knock wood, but how much productivity would you lose if your IT infrastructure sustained damage from a fire or flood? Does a power outage mean a business outage? For how long?

SaaS providers understand that they’re in business to keep YOU in business. So they invest heavily in redundant systems, distributed data centers, and other protections that minimize your downtime. SaaS distribution ERP solutions provide a high level of overall security that’s typically beyond the reach of medium-sized enterprises—included in the solution cost. Which brings us to...      

SaaS benefit #6: Lower long-term costs

I get it: It’s easy to think that when you commit to a SaaS distribution ERP solution, you’re putting your company on the hook for initial deployment costs, PLUS a new IT outlay every month for the foreseeable future. But take the long view of costs for on-premises ERP:

• How often do you have to upgrade software, and what’s the expense to do it on every machine?
• Are you projecting and budgeting for a future hardware upgrade or replacement, to keep pace with your software?
• What about staffing to keep software and hardware running?
• What’s your monthly cost per square foot to house equipment?
• Is your budget sufficient to assure data security and fund effective disaster recovery protocols?

From headcount to hardware, consider ALL the expenses and efficiencies as you assess the pros and cons of a cloud-based SaaS distribution ERP. To learn even more, be sure to download the whitepaper, Why SaaS is Taking Over Distribution Software (and how your business can benefit).