Definition of Web-Based Software: Use of a browser (thin client) to access a software application over the Internet (or intranet) to perform work.

By using web-based software, customers receive many benefits that are not inherently part of The Cloud. By eliminating client software, customers save time and money on installation and maintenance. In addition, the web delivers access from any device on any platform without expensive and complicated VPN and remote access software. Finally, web-based solutions such as MYOB Advanced from Leverage Cloud Technologies are managed from a central data store to guarantee that users can access real-time data and dashboards from anywhere. The benefits of web software are especially significant when companies have multiple locations or companies.

Hosted “Clouds”

When vendors place legacy software on a hosted virtual server such as Citrix or Windows Terminal Server, they claim to have a “cloud-based ERP solution.” But without web-based software, customers receive very few of the benefits described here. The presence of a thick client often requires longer installation times, dispersed data, client upgrades, and complicated remote access software not to mention additional license costs. When looking for cloud ERP software, make sure that it is web-based!

Vendors and advocates have introduced terminology and requirements which have been disputed as a source of being a true cloud environment.

• Multi-tenancy– Some cloud ERP vendors argue that multiple users must share the same software in order to qualify as a cloud application. SaaS companies argue that they can reduce the cost of upgrades and product updates by running this type of infrastructure. Multi-tenancy can occur at the infrastructure level, platform level, or application level. The trade-off between flexibility and cost easily justifies a multi-tenant infrastructure and a multi-tenant platform. Multi-tenancy only makes sense at the application layer if the cost of software is low compared to the need for flexibility.
• Internal clouds– A large corporation can own a server with as many servers as a cloud data center. In this case, it’s difficult to argue that a cloud cannot be internally hosted. However, if a company has only one server, the ability to add capacity would be limited and the NIST definition of the cloud could be challenged. Between these two extremes, there is a gray area where experts argue over whether an internal deployment can be considered a cloud.
• Hosted versus cloud– Hosting is another way to outsource IT operations. As described above, hosting is only effective if the software does not contain any client components

Leverage Cloud Technologies offers multiple solutions with different hosting and licensing options so that you can choose the model that works best for your business.

• SaaS: A subscription license for MYOB Advanced hosted in the Amazon Web Services public cloud.
• Private Cloud Subscription: A subscription license for a Leverage Cloud Technologies solution hosted in a private cloud with the hosting provider of your choice.
• Private Cloud Perpetual: You own the license for a Leverage Cloud Technologies solution hosted in a provided cloud with the hosting provider of your choice.

Cloud ERP is Enterprise Resource Planning software that is hosted on a platform over the Internet.

The use of the term “Cloud” includes a broad set of applications and software deployment models, namely Software-as-a-Service or SaaS.

After compiling several online resources, we created a generally accepted definition of cloud computing.
Definition of Cloud Computing: Use of the Internet to access hardware, software, and other resources that are provided on-demand in order to perform work and other business processes.

A more in-depth definition of cloud computing has been provided by the National Institute of Standards (NIST). Despite this work, disputes over multi-tenant, internal clouds, and cloud infrastructure versus cloud application create conflicting opinions of cloud requirements.

The bottom line is that ERP software that is deployed in a cloud environment becomes “Cloud ERP Software”. Most (if not all) Cloud environments are built using virtualization and load balancing technology that allows applications to be deployed across multiple servers and database resources.

Leverage Technologies Cloud ERP software and cloud accounting software is designed to address the inflexibility of existing ERP solutions by allowing businesses to choose the deployment option that fits their specific needs.

It’s all about helping you play to your strengths and more importantly, empowering your people to help unlock your business potential.

More importantly, however is that Cloud ERP is a flexible and cost-effective option for small and medium-sized businesses and offers extensive benefits for growth and expansion:

• Freedom to scale and grow: Lowers businesses’ total costs and flat-fee prices
• Freedom from IT constraints: Offers high-level security and privacy, easy accessibility and integration
• Freedom from lock-in: With your data in the cloud, you can move it at any time
• Freedom to innovate: Offers continuous new features and functions

Leverage Technologies can get you started with a right-sized ERP solution. To learn how you can benefit, view our Product Editions page. We offer three standard product editions that offer flexibility and choice in helping you select the Leverage Technologies solution that best fits your needs.