What does the term “cloud” mean and how does it work?

Cloud (computing) means data and applications are stored on remote servers located in data centers, and are accessed by users over the internet, rather than locally through a hard drive or a local network server. Cloud allows small- and medium-sized businesses to access their data and applications securely on demand, without having to invest in their own hardware and software. We partner with many trusted cloud service providers such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and IBM to provide cloud solutions to our customers.

What are the benefits of using cloud computing?

Some of the biggest benefits of cloud ERP include Security and data protection, cost savings, always up-to-date software, improved scalability, and increased accessibility and agility.Security and data protection: We partner with many trusted cloud providers such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and IBM who invest heavily in securing their systems, so customers enjoy economies of scale. Layered data storage and redundancy allow data to be saved to multiple storage areas across geographic locations to ensure data access and accuracy, should a server fail. Because data is remotely stored, it is safe from disasters that might strike a business. The average claim of a cyber-attack is over $130,000 and can easily force you out of business, yet only 14% of SMBs are prepared to face such an attack, according to Accenture`s Cybercrime Study. Additionally, with our cloud solutions, our team of cloud experts focuses 24/7 on staying on top of the latest security threats, technologies, and best practices.Cost optimization: Cloud providers typically offer pay-as-you-go pricing, which means that SMBs only pay for the resources they use. This can be a major savings over traditional on-premises IT infrastructure, where businesses have to purchase and maintain hardware and software upfront, regardless of how much they use them. A cloud-based solution also requires fewer (if any) personnel to maintain. A customer’s IT staff can be freed up from daily server maintenance and auditing for software compliance to perform more business-critical tasks.Always up-to-date software: With a cloud-based solution, the software vendor handles all software updates and upgrades which are done automatically in the background. This means no more worries about having to manually manage updates which can deliver significant cost savings and efficiencies.Improved scalability: Cloud providers offer a high degree of scalability, which means that SMBs can easily add or remove resources as needed. This can help SMBs to save money by only paying for the resources they need, and by avoiding the need to overprovision their IT infrastructure.Increased accessibility and agility: Cloud enables you to access your data and applications remotely from anywhere, anytime, 24/7. A cloud-based system is automatically updated in real-time which improves business planning, accelerates decision-making, and improves response to customers’ needs.

What happens if the internet goes down? How will I run my business then?

There are a number of easy, inexpensive solutions to avoid lost access to cloud applications in the event of an internet outage. For customers with unstable or rural internet, we recommend a cellular wireless access point or a router that fails over to cellular wireless automatically if the hard-line goes down. Another option, if you have very unstable internet is to obtain a secondary provider.

Is it possible to customize my cloud setup to fit my business requirements?

Definitely! Cloud service providers offer many options and tools to shape your cloud experience according to your business needs. For instance, you get to pick the kind of cloud system, services, and software that suits you best. The provider will then set these up exactly how you want them for your business. You can also make changes to your network layout, level of security, and who can access what – all to match your specific security demands. With automatic software updates, all customizations are preserved. On top of that, many cloud service providers have tools and APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that allow you to create custom apps and integrations with other systems. These additions can make your cloud setup even more powerful and useful for your business.

Data in the cloud is typically more secure than on-site data, as the cloud environment’s firewall is much stronger than most SMBs maintain. Cloud providers offer multiple layers of security. Your data is automatically backed up and stored at multiple sites owned by trusted cloud providers, a practice known as “redundancy,” so it is also safe from server theft, fire, or a natural disaster. Should your company suffer a calamity, you will be back in business much faster.

What does ECI do to ensure my business’s security in the cloud?

At ECI, we offer cloud-based solutions that help small- and medium-sized businesses maintain data security best practices. We use encryption and strong firewalls to ensure the highest level of protection as well as advanced cybersecurity techniques such as continuous monitoring for detecting and stopping unauthorized access. This means that only authorized users can access their data through highly secure identity and access management. Your data is kept safely in a remote location, automatically backed up, and can be quickly recovered if something like a natural disaster, fire, or theft occurs.

Cloud Computing | ECI Solutions

The Benefits of Cloud Computing

Securely access business data from anywhere

ECI's cloud-based solutions allow customers to maintain business operations with anywhere-anytime access, sustain data security best practices, reduce operating costs, and adapt their businesses to meet the demands of a global marketplace.

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Challenges with On-Premise Software

What business challenges are you struggling with?

Rising hardware infrastructure costs

A cloud-based system requires no infrastructure investments such as servers and hardware. With cloud ERP software, the upfront fees can be dramatically lower than on-premise software.

Limited software maintenance resources

With a cloud-based solution, your ERP provider maintains your system, ensuring it's always up-to-date, reducing or eliminating IT and upgrade costs.

Slow response to business and customer needs

Having data in real-time improves business planning, quickens the decision-making process, and makes it easier to respond to customer needs.

Restrained business growth

It is much easier to expand a cloud-based software system to scale with a growing business when adding employees, locations, or business lines. No need to add servers, on-site space, or IT personal to maintain them.

Real Savings of Cloud-based Computing

Cloud-based software can save you time, money, and worry when it comes to accessibility and security

On-premise infrastructure costs

- Upgrading on-premise software often requires buying a new server
- New server installation and testing is time-consuming and costly
- Licensing costs can go up or change to expensive pricing models
- Requires ongoing maintenance, IT staff support, and cybersecurity expenditures

Download our Cloud Factsheet to learn about the real costs of an on-premise system.

Data loss consequences and costs

- Data loss can be caused by a security breach and, more likely, server failure or theft
- When a server fails, no business can be transacted, or work performed. Lost time means lost money
- Repeated downtime can result in lost customers
- 94% of companies suffering from a catastrophic data loss do not survive

Take our Data Protection Quiz to see if your business is vulnerable.

Frequently asked questions

Where does my data live?

Data is hosted offsite, backed up automatically, and is available for quick retrieval in the event of a natural disaster, fire, or theft.

How do I access my data?

Cloud-based software gives you 24/7/356 access to your business data via the internet

Is my business data safe?

Data is encrypted and protected by firewalls for maximum security, so only you can access it.

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