To meet changes, reliability, scalability, flexibility and promptness are necessary. The turning point in processes management goes through data analysis but also infrastructures. For this reason the answer is the ERP software in cloud.

The Cloud computing has a strategic role for the companies, both for the wide availability of services and because it is an essential instrument for the digital transformation. It consists of a complex and continuously changing technology –in most cases unknown to the users’ multitude – due to its technical characteristics which involve an optimised data management: these are transferred and archived in the “cloud computing” based on the network resources and the data center positioning.

To adopt the cloud implicates, consequently, a change of paradigm in the Information Technology (IT) field, because implies the transition from a system where each organisation has hardware and software in a local context, to a “fluid” scenario where users manage data which are archived in a remote service provider infrastructure (IT resources are geographically distributed and used on demand only when necessary, according to the workload profile).

The pandemic has brought to light the necessity to use edge technologies to improve services and to be competitive in an uncertain market. Today, although slowly, the demand in this sector is increasing. A recent International data corporation research underlines it. Reports by market analysists – company specialised in market researches, consulting services and event planning in digital innovation sectors –shows that in the last trimester of 2021 the purchase in cloud infrastructure is increased of 13,5%; generally, global investments have grown of 9% in relation to 2020 and for the 2022 the report estimates a growth of 22%.

Nevertheless Italy is lagging behind the European context: our country is struggling to reach the goals of the European Union digital decade in cloud, but the incentives of the recovery and resilience national plan could be a valid support. According to the Deloitte report commissioned by Vodafone titled “Progresses towards the ambition of the European Union digital decade”, only the 38% of the companies currently use cloud computing services, compared to a goal of 75% to reach within 2030. According the report “A cloud strategy for a more competitive and reliable Italy” realised by the Institute for the competitiveness, an adoption of Cloud computing solutions and particularly of a ERP software in cloud from the Italian companies could bring to a turnover increase up to 600 billions euros, of which more than half in favour of small and medium companies.

 

From the concept of license to that of subscription

The Cloud computing scenario has changed recently: from a sparked interest, to a real opportunity offered by the computer systems’ evolution. “Also the most traditional companies still characterised by on premise solutions, recognise the advantages; first of all the economic one, because they move from a concept of purchased licence to that of subscription”, explains Marcello Siliano, Product Manager Director of 2WS, a consulting company specialised in innovative technological solutions’ implementation, focused on the Infor ERP software in cloud for the manufacturing market. “Many companies that select the cloud begin activating hybrid solutions, moving to the cloud only part of the key applications. This facilitate the cloud transition and guarantee the operability of those systems available only on premise which have to remain local,”. First of all, the cloud ensures reliability and service continuity with unparalleled data security and protection standards. “While local solutions require huge investments difficult to manage; quite the opposite, in cloud the storage space can be expanded without limits and only the functionalities needed are charged” Siliano says. The system constantly updates autonomously: ”This allows the user take advantage of the last software versions, without software source code modifications; updates, as a matter of fact, are realised for example through satellite applications which offer additional functionalities”. As confirmed by Siliano, the choice to move to the cloud requests, like every decision, an assessment of advantages and disadvantages: “It is almost impossible to find the excellent solutions, but the best for your needs can be found. And it is important to evolve and to face an uncertain global market, it is essential to focus more on the business model than on the technical aspects, like solutions and functionalities updates; the cloud fulfils these necessities”. It concerns an architectural business model of IT nature, but that imposes a change in the company project mindset.