Web Based vs. Local Server Based ERP Solutions
While doing research for my project I looked at all of the different systems that my company had to choose from before it performed this major integration project. They ended up picking a web based ERP over a local server based ERP.
So I decided to look at the differences between Web Based and Local Server Based ERP Solutions to see if it really made difference which approach you choose.
From talking to people at the company the clear advantage to the web is that remote users like executives and sales reps can access the company system with any browser, which is much more convenient than going through a laptop configured for Citrix or Terminal Services.
Also web based allows for more flexibility and customizations. For example if your ERP was written on ASP. ASP usually requires the customer to take the system as is. In other words, there may be major limitations around the customer's ability to modify code, add on third party products, and even to customize user screens. Also time to implement should be shorter given that you do not need to upgrade your network for Windows/Exchange Server and SQL Server database. Security concerns that companies had in the past seem to have subsided as the technology has improved.
Below are just a few of the reasons why my company decided to use a web based ERP.
1. A web hosted solution removes your headache from the Investment made towards Time and Cost in the maintenance of the server & other hardware.
2. A web-hosted solution also removes your worry about the new functions and features (service packs and fixes).
3. When you go in for a web-hosted solution, you can start using it from day one (avoids the worry towards implementation time, which has been cited as one major reason for ERP failure).
4. Optimized performance & Support
5. Access through hand-held devices made easy.
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2 comments:
Jane..Very interesting. I agree with your reason # 2. It does not completely exclude the worries of IT individuals but yes it does secure some room for them to relax. It has happened in the past that MS had released stuff that was not really compatible and had some bugs in it. One of them was done in 2003 (if i recall correctly). Reason number 5 is really for executives and senior management. :)
Your points about access while traveling and through hand held devices are interesting. My company vastly improved remote web based e-mail access within the last year. For other applications we formerly had access to software allowing VPN connections from any machine. That option was taken away for security considerations. The only current officially supported way to run some software is by taking a company laptop home or on the road. Demand from telecommuters and travelers will cause many companies to make the same selection of web based applications that Jane's did.
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