search icon

Cloud-based ERP software for real-time data access

How to find the best ERP software for your business.

Discover ERP software

What is cloud-based ERP software?

Cloud-based ERP software refers to enterprise resource planning tools and applications that users access through the internet. Unlike with desktop ERP, you can manage every area of your operations from anywhere.

What is on-premise ERP software?

On-premise ERP software, rather than storing data in the cloud, stores information within a company’s internal server infrastructure.

While this type of ERP system provides companies with more custom options, it tends to be more expensive than cloud-based ERP systems. It also needs to be updated and serviced to stay current, in addition to taking longer to implement.

New and small businesses without clear business procedures and sophisticated IT infrastructures are likely to find on-premise ERP software cumbersome, complicated, and expensive

The only real advantage of on-premise ERP software is that it can be customised, which may provide greater ROI for larger businesses with complex needs.

Advantages of cloud ERP

The advantages of cloud ERP include:

Reduced hardware maintenance and energy costs

Support for collaborating on business-critical information in real-time.

Less time spent on upgrades and backups

Options for creating additional users quickly and easily

Access to the latest cloud tools and technologies

Cloud-based ERP vs. on-site ERP

Typically, the size and type of a business dictates whether cloud-based ERP or on-site ERP is the right choice. For example, a relatively new business that doesn't have many well-defined business processes or sophisticated IT can implement a cloud ERP solution quickly and easily. However, an older, larger business may need a customisable solution that takes longer to implement.

Why cloud-based ERP is becoming more popular

Today, businesses of all sizes, across a spectrum of industry sectors, are using cloud software to manage almost every area of their business.

CIO, in conjunction with Sage, carried out a survey of 100 CIOs and senior IT decision-makers to find out about their cloud usage and views on cloud-based business software.

We also garnered the best advice from the ones who have been using enterprise cloud applications for several years. We discovered that a huge majority of our respondents (71%) are using business-critical cloud applications, with most of them praising cloud for its efficiencies and ROI. 90% of the respondents say they have had a return on investment from cloud implementation.

Of the respondents who use business-critical cloud applications, such as ERP, 54% say they invested in them less than two years ago. A significant chunk (46%) have been operating business cloud apps for more than two years, and a tenth of them for more than five years, indicating a reasonably high level of maturity among organisations.

Collaborate with different teams in different locations

Create efficient processes across teams, offices and geographical locations using a shared database that supports the way your business works.

See what's happening in every area of your business

Unparalleled insight into all areas of the business, including inventory and order management, accounting, human resources and customer relationship management (CRM). Harness the cloud to bring together real-time information on the company’s inventory and financials for faster, more informed decision-making.

Make better decisions using real-time data

Adopt a faster, simpler and more flexible business management solution. You can expect to increase productivity, save money on overheads and find more customers.
Discover more

Additional ERP and business management resources

Sage X3 helps you gain oversight into all aspects of your business.

Do you want advice for managing your business?

Read our articles, guides, expert tips and more.

Victorian government announces pilot scheme to pay casual workers sick leave

Victorian government announces pilot scheme to pay casual workers sick leave

It’s been a busy year for payroll professionals in Victoria, with the state government introducing landmark, nation-first changes to the payroll landscape.  In July, the state became the first to introduce criminal penalties for businesses found guilty of ‘wage theft.’ Now in the wake of Victoria’s second COVID-19 lockdown, the state government has announced it’s creating a nation-first scheme that will provide sick and carer’s pay for casual workers.  How will the scheme work?  The ‘Secure Work Pilot Scheme’ will provide casual […]

Read More Read More
Single Touch Payroll Phase 2 is coming: What can you do to prepare?

Single Touch Payroll Phase 2 is coming: What can you do to prepare?

When it was first rolled out in July 2018, Single Touch Payroll (STP) dramatically changed the way Australian businesses reported their payroll.   For most, ensuring STP-compliant payroll reporting is now a familiar process. So it may be easy to forget just how much effort was required for businesses – and their payroll software vendors – to transition to STP reporting when it was first launched.  Businesses had to work tirelessly to ensure that they not […]

Read More Read More
How business intelligence can enhance your practice’s performance and client services

How business intelligence can enhance your practice’s performance and client services

If you’re a practice manager who’s aware of the intrinsic value of business data, it’s likely you know about the hoo-ha surrounding business intelligence. You can most probably recite the promises of greater business visibility and the reassurances that a better view into your practice data will help it thrive. But by the time you’ve […]

Read More Read More
Sage MicrOpay enhancement: How your payroll team can make reporting a lot easier

Sage MicrOpay enhancement: How your payroll team can make reporting a lot easier

With more pressure on Payroll and Finance teams to provide accurate and ‘real-time’ reporting to their stakeholders, how much time could you save by implementing Sage’s General Ledger Module for MicrOpay? The General Ledger is a tool for keeping record of an organisation’s total financial accounts. This is essential for tracking income, business costs and […]

Read More Read More
Finance Futurists: Why seasoned finance professional Nunzio Giunta always places people above money

Finance Futurists: Why seasoned finance professional Nunzio Giunta always places people above money

The Finance Futurists are an elite group of leaders who embrace constant evolution as a necessity in the ever-changing world of finance. More than number-crunchers, these leaders represent a new era for finance—one defined by a shift from pure analytical expertise to emotional intelligence and strong communication skills as well. Here, we spotlight one of […]

Read More Read More
How modern technology can help your practice attract and retain younger accountants

How modern technology can help your practice attract and retain younger accountants

Millennials. They’re the next generation of talent shaping the accounting industry, who by 2025 are expected to comprise 75% of the Australian workforce.[1] Is your practice positioned to accommodate this new generation of young talent? According to Sage research, 84% of Australian accountants believe that younger employees have progressive expectations, attitudes and talents that will […]

Read More Read More
Finance Futurists: How CFO Magdalena Kosior-Molloy cultivated a team of trusted financial advisors

Finance Futurists: How CFO Magdalena Kosior-Molloy cultivated a team of trusted financial advisors

Meet Magdalena Kosior-Molloy, CFO for Holman Webb Lawyers. Learn how she's transformed the finance function and adapted to the challenges of COVID-19.

Read More Read More
ATO sets tax cut deadline for 16 November – Is your payroll team ready?

ATO sets tax cut deadline for 16 November – Is your payroll team ready?

The Budget 2020 tax cuts have passed through parliament. Payroll teams must now make the changes necessary for the cuts to be reflected in employees’ pay.

Read More Read More
Get more Sage Advice