Why You Should Put Your Inventory Management in the Cloud

January 10th 2017 11:00:40 AM

The cloud isn’t just for storing photos any more. It has applications throughout the business world, even in your most critical operations. Inventory management in the cloud offers significant flexibility so that you can quickly adapt your operations for growth, or changes in product strategy.

Inventory Management in the Cloud Expands to Fit Your Needs

Think about rain clouds for a moment instead of data clouds. Rain clouds grow according to how much moisture is in the atmosphere. They shrink when the moisture is released, and the “demand” on them is lessened.

Cloud computing is similar. As your company’s processing needs increase, the cloud expands to accommodate it. If you have one user on the system working late at night, it shrinks your usage so that you are using less.

More importantly, cloud computing can scale up as you need more bandwidth for your customers. Manufacturers with heavy seasonal demands may find that cloud computing easily adjusts and flexes to the demands at specific times of the year when order volume is high. During other times of the year, when the volume is low, their computer demands decrease. Instead of investing in new hardware to handle the high volume time periods, cloud computing adjusts with the needs easily and swiftly.

Add More Users, Easily

Another way in which the cloud can expand to fit your business is by easily adding new users onto the system at any given time. A busy warehouse may need to add temporary workers during certain seasons. The cloud can accommodate more logins without adding unnecessary terminals or additional software packages.

You can also add users from multiple locations. Some companies use freelance office workers, marketing or sales people to supplement their workforce. With cloud-based systems, you can add additional workers easily onto the system. They can access the database through their home computers, tablets, or smartphones. All you need is a web connection. It’s an easy way to get everyone working from the same data, and keeping your systems up-to-date no matter who accesses them.

Security Is Excellent

One concern that many business owners have when they consider cloud computing is the security level. Cloud computing works off of shared servers, and companies often worry that their data may be compromised or somehow less secure when it is kept off-site than when it is housed on hard drives within their four walls. If you require your systems to be on-site, you can still gain many benefits from an on-premises cloud. If you choose to have a cloud hosting vendor, you can expect to see some of the strictest security protocols available in place to ward off viruses and hackers intent on damaging or stealing data. You can’t “accidentally” access anyone else’s data on the cloud, so your company’s information is secure. Cloud computing is secure computing.

The Cloud Is Here to Stay

Cloud computing has moved from a “nice to have” to a “must have” as more businesses embrace cloud technology. It’s simple to use, highly secure, and less expensive than older technologies.

Many systems can run off of the cloud, including your operations. When paired with a cloud-based ERP, inventory management in the cloud offers remarkable benefits. If you are on an outdated inventory management system, now is the time to try the cloud.

Inventory Management in the Cloud from Scanco

Scanco’s warehouse automation systems run in the cloud to make your operations more flexible and profitable than ever. Contact us for a free consultation.