Who's The Boss? Business Owner's Guide To Mastering Administrative Basics

When buying software for your company, you have a choice between traditional downloadable software or cloud-based software as a service. This applies to almost everything, from accounting software, to payment processing software, to client relationship management software, and everything in between.

There are pros and cons to both of these options, but if you're looking for an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution such as GP online, you may want to opt for SaaS over a traditional download. Here's a look at the tops benefits of cloud-based GP SaaS compared to an on-premise or downloadable solution:

1. Less Equipment

If you decide to run GP online, you don't need special equipment. You simply need a computer with the latest version of Windows and an internet browser. This fact makes it easy to run your analytics software on laptops and tablets, and it potentially saves your company money on hardware costs.

2. Accessibility Control

When you use GP Online or similar types of software, you can sign into your portal from almost anywhere. That makes it easy to work while on business trips, and it allows you to support your telecommuting team. However, you don't have to allow unmitigated access. If necessary, you can also control who accesses your software and from where they access it.

For example, you can work with your GP Online provider to restrict access to the software based on the location of the user. This gives you an extra layer of control and security.

3. No Servers Required

Just as you don't need large computers with lots of memory, you also don't need special servers to run most SaaS. Instead, the bulk of the data is stored on servers in a remote location. This reality saves you money on equipment and maintenance.

4. Improved Up-Time

Additionally, using third-party servers also boosts your uptime. If you're reliant on local internet and your own equipment, you may experience downtime or other issues. In addition, most data centers are built to withstand issues such as electrical storms, surges, and power losses. That increases uptime, but it also minimizes the threat of lost information.

5. More Support

Whether you're dealing with ERP solutions or any other type of software, when you turn to software as a service, the "service" is a big part of the overall product. Depending on the company you work with, you may get access to support over email or the phone. In some cases, technicians can even help with training staff how to use the software or modeling best practices for you.

With downloaded software, there can also be a service component, but it's typically not as extensive or effective.

6. Real-Time Analytics

When you use a cloud-based solution, all the details you add to the software are synced automatically. To explain, imagine you open your GP Online at home and at the same time, one of your employees updates the system at work.

In cases like this, you don't have to worry about missing any details. All of the information is immediately accessible and visible regardless of where you are. This synchronicity ensures that you are always looking at up-to-the-minute information. Additionally, this allows you to create reports and analytics that reflect the exact position of your company, rather than reports that show outdated information.

7. Integration

Finally, with SaaS, you can work with your provider to integrate the software with your existing solutions. Syncing your accounting, payment processing, client management, invoicing, and other types of software together saves time on manual entry and eliminates errors.

If you want to learn more about the benefits of SaaS or other cloud-based solutions, contact a GP Online provider today. They can answer your questions and guide you in the right direction.