Why cloud ERP platforms matter
If you are in the process of evaluating Cloud ERP, you’ll soon find that you’ll also need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the underlying cloud platform touted by ERP software developers. I use the words “cloud platform” loosely here, because the ERP software industry now labels everything a “platform” whether it really is or not. I’m sure you’ve seen elaborate PowerPoint slides from software vendors illustrating technology components artistically stacked on top of one another all encased in a beautiful cloud. But how can you tell what is a real, holistic platform vs a clever diagram of a traditional software stack? Put it another way, how can you tell the difference between a real cloud architecture vs a marketecture?
This is just one of the subjects we will be covering at our webinar with ERP Focus on May 7th: Top 15 Reasons to Move to Cloud ERP on the Salesforce Platform. Our aim is to look under the hood and shed more light on why your choice of a cloud platform matters and not just for ERP, but for your entire business. We will provide real life examples on how cloud platforms are applied to modern ERP business functions, and why your choice of a cloud platform has more strategic ramifications. We hope to help you not only prevent selection errors from the past, but also position you for the future, especially in three main areas.
How to avoid creating a frankencloud
If you have had problems with separated systems and data in the past, this a time when you can get it right and not let history repeat itself. Unfortunately, some early cloud adopters have done just that, they have created a Frankencloud as it were, of multiple cloud applications with different databases, master records, user interfaces, reporting tools, and technical underpinnings. They’ve created the same fragmented data monster from the on-premises days albeit in multiple clouds. We will advise you on how to avoid a Frankencloud and take a more holistic view of your entire business.
Why CRM and ERP need to be unified
The last time you selected and implemented ERP, you probably thought of it as separate from CRM, but that has changed. Leading research firms such as Gartner and Forrester now think of the system of record and the system of engagement as one and the same if companies want to become more customer-centric and efficient. For example, the Lead to Cash process is a high-volume, critical process that crosses marketing, sales, operations and finance departments while touching your customer multiple times. It should be thought of as one process if you want to be more efficient, agile, provide great customer service and manage cash more effectively. It is clear that a unified approach across CRM and ERP is the way to accomplish that.
How to get a 360° Customer View
Furthermore, companies no longer can afford to compete just on price or products features, they need to compete effectively on service too. Call it the Amazon effect or the result of global competition, but the competitive game has changed for manufacturers and distributors alike. The customer experience across all business functions needs to be unified and enabled by a 360° view across ERP and CRM. Which brings us to why we will be talking about the Salesforce Cloud Platform.
Why ERP and CRM are better together on the Salesforce platform
Salesforce paved the way for the potential we see for Enterprise applications in the cloud today, first for Sales Automation, then CRM and now cloud platforms. Salesforce cracked the code on how to provide multi-tenanted applications that can be individualized by anyone, yet still be upgraded and refreshed with new releases easily (unlike legacy ERP). Salesforce turned this into a wider platform that other software developers could leverage, creating an ecosystem of enterprise applications that work together on their platform, not unlike the applications in the Apple App Store that all work on the iPhone. Software applications such as ERP can co-exist with the Salesforce CRM data model and, use the treasure chest of tools including workflow, reporting, Chatter (social media), artificial intelligence and advanced analytics. This is exactly why Rootstock chose to develop Cloud ERP on the Salesforce Platform and is the thrust of this webinar.
Join us for our webinar on May 7th at 1 PM ET and in one short hour, we will demonstrate how combining Rootstock Cloud ERP and Salesforce CRM on one platform improves business processes, the customer experience, employee experiences and IT efficiency. You’ll understand the differences between a real, holistic cloud architecture vs a marketecture while simultaneously avoiding the dreaded Frankencloud. And you will hear how Unionwear, a manufacturer of custom hats, bags and portfolios uses Rootstock Cloud and the single cloud platform approach to differentiate itself in the marketplace.
If you want to make your company move faster, become more agile and ultimately more profitable, this webinar will be well worth your time.
Register for our webinar with ERP Focus on May 7th: Top 15 Reasons to Move to Cloud ERP on the Salesforce Platform. All attendees will receive a copy of the “15 Reasons you Need ERP on the Salesforce Platform” eBook.
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