Why Sage 300 Customers Are Heading For The Clouds?

Many customers have asked us about ways to update their Sage 300 (previously Accpac) system while avoiding IT difficulties and server maintenance, given the buzz surrounding new technologies like web-based screens, simple mobile access, and cloud-based ERP.

We therefore wanted to take a moment to clarify why some Sage 300 clients are opting out of maintaining their own servers and systems in favor of having their ERP system hosted in the cloud.

What is a Cloud?

To put it briefly, it indicates that your Sage 300 software and the server it installed on are both offshore and can accessed remotely over the internet. The term “cloud” is typically used to describe this distant location.

A firm that offers you a hosting service typically updates and maintains the server and other technological infrastructure that houses Sage 300 in the cloud and enables you to access it online.

Hosting and cloud computing frequently used synonymously.

Having stated that, why would you pick cloud-based Sage 300 hosting over a conventional on-premises setup?

Let’s examine a few typical justifications given by clients for selecting hosting.

Outsource the Technical Cost & Headache

For the majority, this is undoubtedly the greatest advantage, especially for small companies with little to no in-house technical knowledge.

Someone else is in charge of overseeing the technical infrastructure, which includes servers, databases, and networks, when Sage 300 hosting used. You are no longer accountable for or burdened with any of the IT problems, troubleshooting, server upkeep, and system upgrades. All you have to worry about is using Sage 300’s features to manage your company effectively.

You save money by doing away with the need for servers, databases, and other technological infrastructure to run your Sage 300 software, and you also do away with the need of hiring full- or part-time IT people to manage and support it all.

Faster & Reliable

Companies that provide ERP hosting are often operating ultra fast servers on world-class technology that many small and mid-sized enterprises don’t have the ability or budget to implement in-house.

The majority of hosting providers also keep redundant systems up to date so that, in the unlikely event that the server powering your Sage 300 system fails for any reason, another server will quickly take over and you won’t even know it happened.

All of this indicates that your company is operating on technology that is far quicker than what you would normally buy for internal use, and that it is up and running with almost 100% reliability and no downtime. Many businesses that run their software on-premises don’t have the same level of dependability and frequently have to take their systems offline for troubleshooting.

Easy Mobile Accessibility

The simplicity of system access is another advantage that businesses frequently experience after migrating their Sage 300 software to the cloud. Using an internet browser and a secure login, you can use Sage 300 from any laptop, PC, mobile device, or tablet, whether you’re at work, home, or on the go. You no longer restricted to your workstation or required to follow cumbersome procedures for remote access.

Automated Backup

The majority of hosting companies also automatically backup the data from your ERP system. Some of them even perform daily, continuous backups. You also receive monthly backups that kept for a year or more, and daily backups that kept for a minimum of one month.

It’s quite simple to forget to backup data when operating your system and servers in-house, or to fail to backup often enough and wind up having to spend many days manually recreating transactions and records. Even worse, some businesses fail to recognize that the backups they ARE making incorrectly formatted, only to have the misery of realizing when they attempt to restore the erroneous files that the backups are useless.

Advanced Security

Most small businesses don’t have nearly the same level of server and system security as a hosting provider. These measures, which include user access restrictions, encrypted data, redundant firewalls, and authentication, create an environment that is at least as secure as any bank or financial institution.

To put it briefly, critical financial data and your Sage 300 system are actually MORE secure offsite with a hosting provider than they are on your office server down the hall.

Flexibility

Some businesses believe that switching to a hosted environment means giving up control over your Sage 300 software and losing the ability to modify it in the same way that you could if it installed on-site.

However, that is untrue. You have complete control over the server and Sage 300 software when you choose Private Hosting. The system can still set up as you see fit, the software may modified, and Sage 300 can integrated with external third-party apps like eCommerce and insurance billing, among others.

Conclusion

Every organization has a different opinion regarding Sage 300. While some have a large budget and full-time in-house IT staff and prefer to have their technological infrastructure close by, if only for peace of mind, others see significant cost reductions and other benefits. In the case, Sage 300 is the perfect choice for you.