Enterprise Resource Planning on CLOUD

By: Mohammed Fareeduddin

What is ERP?
It is a company-wide computer software system used to manage and coordinate all the resources, information, and functions of a business from shared data stores. ERP relates to the integrated software infrastructure that supports the entire company business process. ERP refers to a view of a company and all its parts as connected whole, rather than small silos of activity

Cloud computing refers to the use and access of multiple server-based computational resources via a digital network

OBJECTIVES
In the cloud there is no need to delay implementation of new modules while you wait to purchase NEW hardware You can reduce the time to copy and refresh systems significantly within a virtual environment, while improving flexibility to project teams and minimizing the impact on the business.

Contd..
IT managers in many cases are finding cloud computing applications easier to use and deploy thus further reducing the time and cost of meeting specific business needs with robust, on demand ERP Cloud Computing technologies IT manager are looking for more affordable, high powered enterprise systems and ERP software solutions such as the web based ERP applications

KEY BENEFITS

Applications are a faster time to value Minimal to zero capital outlays, Minimal operational and maintenance costs, Fewer required IT resources (both on the front end and the back end), Easier implementation and integration.

Under which condition can we adopt ERP on Cloud

they should make sure they are set up properly to integrate the Cloud Computing application or web based ERP solution the cloud computing application should have a user friendly the open source application should have a secure and reliable development environment if not upgraded and maintained, this could be a significant business disruption blow to your organization down

Contd..
software as a service (Saas) has become a standard part of many companies' IT infrastructure. Cloud ERP too has become a mainstream technology option, with its supporters insisting it can replace those never-ending implementations and big upfront costs with a simple, web-based subscription model.
Let us further discuss the key impacts that a Cloud ERP deployment will have on the implementation.

LIFE CYCLE OF ERP

A repeated value proposition for Cloud ERP is a quicker implementation and deployment. There are two areas of consideration for the Cloud ERP deployment model: customizations and integrations . These two areas are impacted based upon the cloud model. ERP upgrades are necessary for software maintenance compliance and generating opportunities for ROI.

MODELS TO DEPLOY

CURRENT AND FUTURE SCENARIO FOR CLOUD ERP

APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT CLOUD: Cloud computing requires an operating systems. Currently grid systems and cluster computing is utilized to deploy cloud. Full fledged OS are on the way.

But the recent editions have gained significantly like Azure from Microsoft and Vmforce from Salesforce.com
Industries are also building internal infrastructure to host internal services like alliance with their vendors, customer services.

Contd..
Vendors such as CA, BMC, NetSuite, Eucalyptus and so on, are virtualized and outsourced management offerings are also available from most of them. Example are 1. NASDAQ adds 30 to 80GB of trading data every day at Amazon S3. the initial monthly bills received from Amazon is just $5. (Azure journal, Amazon InfoQ).
2. Volantis saves US$ 30 million in rolling out a new service for users by not having to purchase, deploy and manage a new infrastructure (Microsoft case study, volantis)

CURRENT TRENDS IN CLOUD ERP

Infosys offers platform for BPOs that are essentially functional in the cloud areas like HR, procurement, legal and knowledge Services. Large ERP players like SAP and Oracle as well as other small ERP player like sugarCRM have started offering on demand cloud services (SAP, Oracle, SugarCRM).

FUTURE OF CLOUD ERP

Predicting a future and that too for a technology is a fools errand Even though the competitive advantages, challenges of cloud erp is exciting the CIOs, IT managers. Most of them are considering to implement the cloud erp. The recession has paved the way for many companies to think of cloud computing. Even the smaller organizations are thrilled about cloud erp as a Saas (software as a service) as the price is much lower than having an ERP infrastructure.

Conclusion
The companies who run on softwares consider it to implement it like salesforce and HR. Besides the maintenance will be taken care by the provider. The cloud ERP space is still in its infancy stages. The number of proven ERP-in-the-cloud vendors is growing, but the space is not well defined. Currently, there are only a few true cloud ERP providers (e.g., Workday, Infor24, SAP Business by Design and NetSuite).

REFERENCES
1. http://www.infosys.com/offerings/industries/ high-technology/white-papers 2.Source: http://www.silicon.com/technology/itservices/2011/06/10/erp-long-difficult-expensive-iscloud-erps-next-big-thing-39747517 3. : http://gbeaubouef.wordpress.com/2011/05/22/clouderp

THANK YOU!