Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of IT resources over the Internet with pay-as-you-go pricing. Instead of buying, owning, and maintaining physical data centres and servers, you can access technology services, such as computing power, storage, and databases, on an as-needed basis from a cloud provider like Amazon Web Services (AWS).

You will have to answer a fundamental question. Will I be adopting a cloud solution from scratch or migrating my existing workloads over to the cloud. How does the cloud align with the strategic goals of your enterprise is another important aspect of a cloud strategy.

In theory, any workload can be shifted over the cloud infrastructure. However, you will have to consider the impact of a cloud migration with special consideration to meeting all regulatory compliances where applicable.

In most cases, you will have to acclimatize your existing IT staff with the newly adopted cloud environment. The areas which need special attention include configuration, integration and understanding of the “shared responsibility model”.

ERP is a type of software application used most often by medium and larger enterprises, and sometimes by smaller companies. ERP software focuses on integrating business processes into a single, streamlined database and user interface by offering modules for each of the core business areas: human resources, financials, inventory management, sales and customer relationship management, along with other business-critical functionalities.

The return on investment for ERP implementation compares the software system’s cost against the cost savings and increased revenue created by the solution. Organizations should remember that implementation risks rise during compressed schedules, with the ERP less likely to align to business processes that serve specific goals. Essentially, chasing ROI with an aggressive implementation is a high risk, moderate reward proposition.

Small- and midsize businesses (SMBs) often work within tighter budgetary restraints, requiring more precision and discipline for implementation compared to enterprises with larger budgets

1) Following steps cans be taken to ensure that the implementation results in the expected benefits -Obtain full implementation support from the business owners, C-level executives, department heads, and managers first.
2) Define your business objectives, business processes, and the IT requirements that support your business goals
3) Outline the expected business benefits to be derived from the ERP.
4) Ensure that incoming ERP is compatible with any existing systems that will remain in place.
5) Train staff on the new system before full implementation takes place.
6) Facilitate communication within and between teams and departments.
7) Focus on quick, short-term wins before attempting larger victories.