what’s stopping cfos from moving accounting to the cloud?
DESCRIPTION
CFO's are well informed on the potential benefits of the cloud. But recent surveys indicate that CFO's are still reluctant to fully move their back office operations into the cloud, citing integration issues, security concerns, and the pain versus gain of implementing new processes. As the market has matured, the offerings related to integration, security, and other implementation issues have become even more diverse. During this webcast, we'll cover the lesser understood challenges of moving accounting & ERP into the cloud, including what to look for, and what to guard against. When it's time to move your back office into the cloud, you’ll understand how to maximize the gain without the pain.TRANSCRIPT
What’s Stopping CFOs from Moving Accounting to the Cloud?
What We’ll Cover Today
How Can Cloud
Accounting Benefit You?
The Right Conditions to
Consider Cloud ERP/ Accounting
What Do CFOs Still Fear About the
Cloud?
Under-standing
Cloud Contracts and
Pricing
1 42 3
What about Bob?
Bob McAdamVice President of Finance, Dynamic Communities Inc.
Security Concerns
CostIntegration Capabilities
Ongoing Support and
Upkeep
Case Study: Dynamic Communities
Why We Chose Cloud:• IT Footprint • Full solution• Expertise and Reputation
Dynamic Communities replaced their
outdated, fragmented ERP system with Tribridge
Concerto Cloud.
Dynamic Communities provides educational, networking and knowledge-sharing programs for companies using Microsoft Dynamics.
address thePRIORITY SYSTEMS
first
alignINTERNAL IT
support
don’t underestimate
IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING
Keys to Success in Moving to the Cloud
understandCOSTS
INVOLVED
andTEST
TEST TEST
validateSUPPORT
REQUIRE-MENTS
FOCUS
Focus resources on
more important
topics
LOWER COSTS
Lower overall costs
SPEED
Speed of implement-ation and
deployment
FASTERDELIVERY
Faster delivery of new
features & functions from SaaS providers
Top 5 Benefits of the Cloud according to the latest Forrester Survey:
And the Survey Says…
AGILITY
Improved business
agility
Forrester Software Survey, Q4 2011
Top 5 Benefits of the Cloud according to the latest Forrester Survey:
IntegrationWith Other
Applications
Total CostIs Actually
HigherPerformance
Being Locked In
And the Survey Also Says…
Security and Privacy Issues
Forrester Software Survey, Q4 2011 and Gartner Research Survey
(combined list)
TransitionAnd Migration
Is Risky
Internal IT Doesn’tSupport
Can’t FindWhat We Need
In ASaaS Model
Pricing Is Unclear
SaaSIs Not
Customizable
Top Ten Concerns of CFO’s (combined list of Forrester and Gartner Surveys)
CFO Concerns of Cloud
Computing
CFO Concerns of Cloud Computing
Security and Privacy Issues
Ensure the security and privacy of your Cloud ERP with• Compliance• IDS/IPS• Protection for Data at Rest
1
CFO Concerns of Cloud Computing
Integration with Your Other ApplicationsKeys to ensuring your systems will integrate:• An open platform• Dedicated Resources• Test, Test, and Verify
2
CFO Concerns of Cloud Computing
PerformanceThree key things to understanding performance are:• Built for speed or need?• Burstable• Enterprise at SMB price
3
CFO Concerns of Cloud Computing
Being Locked InYou may be less locked in with the Cloud; here’s why:• Monthly amount, with outs• 36 month upgrade cycles• No more reliance on the few
4
CFO Concerns of Cloud Computing
Total Cost is Actually HigherTo understand total costs, one must consider the following:• Software, Maintenance, Hardware• Power, Cooling, Space, DR• People, Process, Procedures
5
CFO Concerns of Cloud Computing
SaaS is Not CustomizableEnsure your solution meets your needs by:• Measuring the tangibles• …and the intangibles• Check out Private Cloud6
CFO Concerns of Cloud Computing
Transition & Migration is RiskyEnsure a smooth transition by:• Been there, done that• Process and People• Relationship Trust
7
CFO Concerns of Cloud Computing
Can’t Find What We Need In A SaaS ModelEnsure a smooth transition by:• Dedicated Environment• Expertise• All-In-One
8
CFO Concerns of Cloud Computing
Pricing is UnclearEnsure you understand cloud pricing:• Determine your true costs first• What’s in and out?• What are your future costs?9
CFO Concerns of Cloud Computing
Internal IT Doesn’t SupportCloud systems are a new era for internal IT departments:• Get them on board• Get them trained• Work with experts
10
when you mustREDUCE IT
COSTS
for anINCREASING WORKFORCE
(adding quickly in multiple
timezones)
when you need collaboration
among MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Favorable Conditions for Cloud Accounting
you need to REDUCE COST OF CAPITAL FUNDING
you needSUPPORT
you need to REPLACE DATED
INFRA-STRUCTURE
Understanding Cloud
Agreements
• Watch for Auto-Renewals
• Payments typically monthly or quarterly
• Contracts are 1 to 3 years on average
PRICING
$
Understanding Cloud Agreements
• Define format of data and frequency of back-up
• Ability to get data at termination of contract
• How is vendor allowed to use data during relationship
DATA USAGE & ACCESS
Understanding Cloud Agreements
• Look for Back-ups (nightly is typical)
• Look for multiple data centers in multiple locations
• Find out if disaster recovery plan is actually tested and how often
BUSINESS CONTINUITY
Understanding Cloud Agreements
• 99.9% or higher
• Performance/Response Time
• Payouts for uptime failures
UPTIME
Understanding Cloud Agreements
• Look for audits that match your industry
• Password Compliance• Logs and Audit Trail
• Physical and Electronic Security of Facilities
• Right to Customer Audit
SECURITY
Understanding Cloud Agreements
• Define hours, modes, escalation, governance, response time, and terms of severity
• Is there an RTO and RPO?
• The agreement itself is an indicator
SUPPORT
Understanding Cloud Agreements
• Note causes for exit and no cause terms, as well as windows for notification
• Who owns the data?
• How long makes sense?
EXIT CLAUSE
Understanding Cloud Agreements
About Tribridge
TribridgeConcerto Cloud Services is the leading provider of Microsoft Dynamics and Microsoft business solutions in a true SaaS model.
www.tribridge.comwww.concertocloud.com