23 February, 2022
ICG’s February webinar discussed ERP Hosting Options for Fourth Shift and Visual ERP. You can view the full recording by visiting ICG’s Presentations page. Or, we’ve recapped the webinar here:
With both Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS), there can be a lack of clarity around ownership costs. And these options may not necessarily be cheaper. The assumption is that everything is managed for you and included in the price. But this is not necessarily the case. You’ll want to pay extra attention to these items to ensure they are included.
Additionally, it’s important to clarify what exactly hosting means. Does it include monitoring, maintenance, or management? Your ERP needs to be both hosted and administered and you can’t assume this will happen with all cloud hosting options.
It’s also vital to pay attention to security. Again, there is a temptation to believe that cloud hosting is turn-key. But your cloud host will only secure your cloud, not your overall network. The onus is also on your business to supply up-to-date equipment. This includes redundant internet. It is also critical that your hardware is under warranty to prevent costly downtime and delays.
Cloud Hosting Options
There are three options we recommend: CloudFour, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
CloudFour Private Hosting
– Includes IT, SQL, and ERP management and architecture
– Includes all relevant licenses
– One time provisioning and migration fee
– Monthly fee includes the following features:
NIST compliant / fully encrypted
Annual independent audits
Backups and disaster recovery
Core ERP and client delivery workspaces
SQL DBA
SQL sandbox / dev
Fully managed and supported 24/7
Standard packages support 90% of most customers’ ERP footprint
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Azure & AWS
– Includes platform
– Includes all relevant licenses
– One time provisioning and migration fee
– Monthly fee does not include ongoing management, maintenance, and support
– Pricing increases based on services required, storage, users, and DR / backups
Budgeting for Costs
There are two methods to budget: CapEx and OpEx. There are pros and cons to each method, and there’s not one right solution. But it’s important to know the differences.
With CapEx, equipment is replaced over time. Make sure to stay current and under warranty. And try to budget for surprises.
With OpEx, costs are known upfront. Once the implementation / migration is complete, the only fees are the ongoing monthly subscription.
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Our experts will recommend the best hosting option for your business. We’ll ensure that you understand everything that’s included (or not) so that you are set up for success. For more information on selecting the best cloud hosting provider, contact your sales rep!