When you hear the term enterprise resource planning (ERP), things that automatically come to your mind could be on-premise, and Cloud ERP, among other things.
These two actually are the top-of-the-mind recalls for the people who have got the slightest idea about the ERP systems.
The people who think about web-based ERP systems after hearing the term ERP are very rare, and those who can distinguish between the three, especially between Cloud ERP and web-based ERP, are even rarer.
And even as most of the people struggle to differentiate between the two, it remains a fact that there are significant differences between them.
A web-based ERP system, in particular, has gained popularity in recent times. It has been instrumental in helping businesses simplify their operations.
To understand how it manages to do it, let’s first see what a web-based ERP is, and also how it differs from Cloud ERP.
First things first, what’s a web-based ERP?
It has been a well-established fact by now that an ERP software has the potential to revolutionize any business.
By consolidating all the critical business functions and processes into one integrated system, an ERP software hands over to the businesses massive strategic and operational value, as well as complete control over their operations.
The set-up of a traditional ERP software, better known as the on-premise software, involves firms investing heavily in their own hardware and software and setting the system up locally.
But a Cloud ERP, and a web-based ERP are increasingly popular options these days.
Talking specifically about the latter, the web-based ERP involves locating the system off-site and accessing it over a network through a web browser.
In this case, the browser becomes the client. A web-based ERP allows its users to perform virtually any function on-the-go, using just an internet-enabled compatible device, the URL, and a web browser.
Web ERP solutions offer several functionalities and advantages over the traditional solutions, doing multiple tasks efficiently and easily, and in the process, saving a lot of time, money, and other resources as well.
Such solutions are cost-effective, easy-to-use, and can be implemented quickly without requiring any significant efforts.
It’s different from Cloud ERP
There are some misconceptions regarding Cloud ERP and Web ERP being the same.
A lot of businesses have this notion that the two aren’t any different. However, that’s not true, as even though both Cloud ERP and web ERP share certain similarities, they are inherently different.
A Cloud ERP Software works on a subscription/membership-based model, wherein the user has the option of going by the ‘per user, per month fee’ option.
Also, the system is housed on the vendor’s/third-party’s infrastructure and accessed on shared computing resources via the internet.
The data control, in Cloud ERP software’s case, resides in the vendor’s hands.
On the other hand, a web ERP can be availed on either subscription or ownership model of a one-time payment.
Here, the system resides either on-premise, or on vender’s servers, and can be accessed using a browser with just a URL. Also, the data control is fully in business’ hands.
You can read more about how the two differ, here.
How web-based ERP simplifies business operations?
Web-based ERP systems deliver a host of benefits, which play a major role in simplifying business operations. Let’s understand this from the points mentioned below:
Ease in accessing the work from any remote location:
Businesses often work on multiple projects simultaneously, and these projects have a delivery deadline.
Working on tight schedules may require certain team members to operate from home or from some other location that’s away from the main office.
In this scenario, businesses find it challenging to complete the projects under the set deadline, causing an interruption in the overall workflow.
A web ERP software offers device & location independence, which means it can be accessed from any remote location using any internet-enabled device, any operating system, a web browser, and just a URL- without any interruption.
The fact that a web ERP is compatible with almost every web-enabled device also helps the businesses, as it creates centralized depository to all your crucial data, keeps all the stakeholders well connected with each other irrespective of where they are located, facilitates data exchange and updates for remote users, and also maintains the overall smoothness of the workflow.
Helps in managing complex growth:
All businesses operate with the basic objective of achieving growth. But managing growth isn’t easy, as it comes with a number of challenges.
Growth means more customers and more requirements in terms of processing data and managing resources. Without the requisite tools to manage this growth, businesses can struggle on a lot of fronts.
A web ERP system is highly scalable and reduces the complexity associated with growth.
It simplifies the process of scaling your business to a great extent by introducing an efficiently designed workflow system, allowing you to scale up your operations efficiently when demands are higher, and scale down when they aren’t.
Lesser installation time & quicker customization:
In today’s times, businesses face a peculiar challenge of their customers becoming more demanding than ever. In such times, the ability to customize at a faster rate becomes vital.
A web ERP software comes in handy for all such businesses, as it can be set-up much faster as compared to other traditional forms of ERP software.
In its case, the hardware installation requirements are reduced substantially, and customizations to the basic design can be done relatively quickly.
Frees up your resources significantly:
Organizations can operate more efficiently, and uncomplicate things easily when they manage their resources optimally.
If they have a tool that frees up their time and other resources, running business operations becomes all the simpler.
A web-based ERP solution scores big on these criteria, as a team of IT professionals manages your maintenance, support, and up-gradation of the data center, eliminating the need for manual intervention at your end.
Besides, it significantly reduces overhead expenses too, by relieving you of the compulsion to invest in powerful servers, and other hardware equipment on the IT front.
Simplifies operations on the whole:
Being accessible both offline and online, a web-based ERP comes as a boon for businesses, allowing their key decision-makers to operate from virtually anywhere just by hooking up their laptop to the net- a vital requirement in the globalized networked economy, thereby facilitating timely decision making.
A web-based ERP software also does a lot of other things to streamline the business operations, such as simplifying back-office process automation, improving business among customers, suppliers & partners, and providing real-time information about finance, order management, purchase, inventory, quality control, compliance, and much more, through analytics & reporting.
To sum up
A web ERP software allows an organization of any size and type to accelerate its business cycles, improve productivity& reliability, and provide matchless service to its customers. In short, it allows businesses to simplify their operations.
Connect with the experts at BatchMaster to know about the best-in-class web-based ERP for process manufacturing businesses.