Evaluating enterprise resource planning (ERP) or business management software can be challenging, and deciding how to take advantage of the cloud adds another layer of complexity. Your decisions will have important consequences for your organization’s long-term growth and profitability, so it’s essential to choose wisely.
Running some or all of your IT operation in the cloud—a form of “outsourcing”—gets plenty of attention these days because of its significant potential advantages:
- Low start-up costs and short time to benefit
- Low initial hardware requirements, particularly interesting when capital is tight
- Simple software management and system administration, which can help trim the IT budget
- The ability to quickly scale IT capacity to fit sales swings or rapid growth, so that fixed expenses move to the variable column
SMBs around the world count on Microsoft Dynamics to help them achieve profitable growth through greater operational control, improved employee productivity, and deeper insight. Check out these highlights below from a performing arts organization running business solutions from Microsoft in the cloud, and giving their approach rave reviews.
“By selecting a cloud-based solution, we have a complete, ready-to-run IT environment from day one. This ensures that we are up and running fast, without us having to think about anything related to IT. A cloud-based solution fits like a glove with our desire to simplify and streamline.” Effekt
Any new business solution you consider should help you take advantage of cloud computing, but in a way that supports the needs of your business. In your individual case, it may be appropriate to run some mission-critical applications on-premises, possibly for security or compliance reasons, while other applications are well-suited for the cloud. Even if you want to take your entire IT operation to the cloud, you may want to phase this in over time. So focus on a business solution that can accommodate your unique deployment requirements: on-premises, in the cloud, or a hybrid approach.
Let the Cloud Help Transform Your Business
With a business solution from Microsoft you have the flexibility to choose between on-premises deployment, a variety of cloud deployment offerings including Microsoft Azure or a private cloud delivered through the Microsoft Dynamics partner channel, or a blend of both. Our commitment to supporting cloud on your terms enables you to choose the deployment strategy that’s right for your business today, and then move between those options as the future unfolds. Microsoft believes that the combined strength of our proven product capabilities and flexible deployment models deliver the capabilities you need to take your business forward.
