Enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions are rapidly evolving into an indispensable cog in the complex machinery of modern business. ERP platforms serve as a unified interface for multiple services, including financial management, human resources, inventory control, and project management among others. These software are pivotal in streamlining business processes and enhancing collaboration across departments. By consolidating these essential functions, ERP platforms play a crucial role in optimizing efficiency and fostering collaboration across departments. Acumatica is a robust ERP solution designed to integrate various business operations into one centralized system. It helps businesses manage their finances, distribution services, manufacturing processes, project accounting, and customer relationship management (CRM) functionalities.
The platform is well-known for its user-friendly interface, flexibility, and scalability, which significantly contributed to its growth and establishment as a reliable option for businesses seeking to enhance their business operations without a steep learning curve.
Acumatica ERP’s key features include:
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Enables organizations to manage leads, contacts, and post-sales services. The straightforward nature of the platform is important in improving customer experience with integrated customer portals.
- Project Accounting: Businesses can regulate budgeting, time sheets, project inventory, and complex billing as well as visually compare the final project costs with original and revised budgets.
- Financial Management: Businesses can also accurately track their finances using comprehensive accounting functions and reporting tools. Acumatica ERP also supports multi-entity and intercompany accounting to streamline financial operations across multiple branches of the same organization.
- Manufacturing Management: Organizations can oversee core manufacturing and distribution processes and generate detailed reports on them. Includes material requirements planning (MRP) and production management.
- Retail and eCommerce: Also includes tools for inventory and order management, customer communication, eCommerce solutions, and multi-channel retail, enhancing customer interaction across various platforms.
Acumatica ERP was launched in 2008 and was designed from the ground up as a cloud-based ERP. However, the service provider also offers an on-premises version of the platform which is the preferable deployment mode for the control over the data and infrastructure it offers for specific organizations.
Benefits of Cloud-Hosted Acumatica over Locally Deployed
The following table highlights the benefits associated with utilizing a cloud-hosted application setup compared to an on-premises one.
| Aspect | Cloud Deployment | Locally Hosted (Desktop) |
| Initial and Ongoing Costs | Typically involves lower initial setup and ongoing expenses | Requires a larger upfront investment and additional maintenance costs over time |
| Performance | Enhanced performance driven by scalable cloud infrastructure | Performance is limited by the capabilities of local hardware |
| Hardware Requirements | No additional hardware or server investments needed | Requires investment in local servers and hardware to meet minimum system specifications |
| Flexibility | Accessible from any internet-enabled device | Limited to specific devices within a local network |
| Monitoring and Availability | Continuous monitoring and high levels of availability | Reactive monitoring, which may result in lower redundancy |
| Compliance and Security | Incorporates advanced security measures such as biometrics and multi-factor authentication (MFA) | Allows for customized security options, providing strong control over data protection |
| Scalability | Easily scalable by utilizing cloud resources | Scalability is restricted by the physical server capacity |
| Backup | Automatic backups are managed by the cloud provider | Manual backups are necessary, with customization options to ensure compliance |
| Maintenance | Handled by the cloud service provider | Requires ongoing manual updates and hardware upkeep |
| Data Access | Accessible globally with an internet connection | Access is confined to the local environment |
| Data Control | Control over data management within the cloud environment | Offers greater autonomy and control over data management and processing |
| Efficiency | Optimized efficiency thanks to scalable cloud resources | Efficiency is reliant on the local hardware capabilities |
Comparing the two deployment models shows us that cloud-hosted applications perform better across most metrics than their on-premises counterparts. While most users favor cloud-enabled software over locally deployed instances, there are valid reasons to consider the latter. Opting for a one-time purchase can be more cost-effective in the long run compared to ongoing monthly subscription fees. Furthermore, having the system and its associated data stored on company premises offers users enhanced control and security.
However, there is a superior option that combines the best features of both cloud and on-premises ERP systems. By hosting your locally deployed Acumatica ERP application in Apps4Rent’s SSAE-16 certified data centers, you can leverage the advantages of cloud technology while still retaining the benefits of your on-premises software. Organizations can combine the flexibility and scalability of cloud hosting with the control and customizability of local deployment, creating a solution that contains the best of both options.
System Requirements for Cloud and Locally Deployed Acumatica
Before considering a transition to a cloud environment, users must first gain a clear understanding of the requirements necessary to run Acumatica ERP effectively. The table below outlines the minimum specifications needed to optimally operate this ERP platform.
| Component | Local Deployment | On-Premises Server | Cloud Deployment |
| Processor Speed | Dual-core or better | 2 cores; 3.5 GHz | Dual-core or better |
| RAM | Minimum 4 GB | 16 GB RAM | Minimum 4 GB |
| Hard Drive Space | Sufficient space for the application and data | 1 GB + 200 MB for each additional Acumatica instance | Sufficient space for the application and data |
| Network Connection | Not Required | Stable, high-speed internet connection | Stable, high-speed internet connection |
| Operating Systems | Windows Vista (64-bit) | Windows Server 2012 | Windows Vista (64-bit) |
| Monitor Resolution | 1024 × 768 | 1024 × 768 | 1024 × 768 |
Why Cloud Experts are Indispensable for Cloud Hosting?
Shifting a locally hosted Acumatica ERP deployment to the cloud is no simple task. Cloud transitions are complicated processes and require an intimate understanding of cloud infrastructure and its underlying architecture to execute successfully. Having an experienced cloud hosting provider like Apps4Rent by your side can significantly accelerate your transition to the cloud. We offer all our clients looking to host any application on the cloud the following benefits:
- Cloud infrastructure tailored to your needs
- Streamlined transition to the cloud
- Automated backups, advanced data redundancy, and failover mechanisms
- 24/7 technical support to handle unexpected disruptions and minimize downtime
Choose Your Plan
Dedicated
Bronze
*For first 3 months
- 2 GB RAM and
2 vCPUs - 40 GB SSD
disk space - Additional user at
$20/user/month - Daily data
backups - 99.9% uptime
- 24/7/365 support
- Option to
add Booster plan
Dedicated Silver
Save 10% yearly
- 4 GB RAM and
2 vCPUs - 50 GB SSD
disk space - Additional user at
$20/user/month - Daily data
backups - 99.9% uptime
- 24/7/365 support
- Option to
add Booster plan
Dedicated Gold
Save 10% yearly
- 8 GB RAM and
4 vCPUs - 65 GB SSD
disk space - Additional user at
$20/user/month - Daily data
backups - 99.9% uptime
- 24/7/365 support
- Option to
add Booster plan
Dedicated Platinum
Save 10% yearly
- 16 GB RAM and
8 vCPUs - 130 GB SSD
disk space - Additional user at
$20/user/month - Daily data
backups - 99.9% uptime
- 24/7/365 support
- Option to
add Booster plan
Dedicated Platinum Plus
Save 10% yearly
- 32 GB RAM and 16 vCPUs
- 250 GB SSD disk space
- Additional user at
$20/user/month - Daily data backups
- 99.9% uptime
- 24/7/365 support
- Plan A Included
Contact Apps4Rent for Expert Acumatica Cloud Setup
We trust that this blog has convinced you of the benefits of using a cloud-hosted Acumatica ERP setup. The very nature of cloud-hosted software means that Acumatica is continuously available, remotely accessible, automatically updated and backed up, and secured compared to the on-premises version. Apps4Rent can empower you to leverage this distinctive, hybrid deployment model effectively, enhancing your business operations. Our skilled engineers and technicians have extensive experience with cloud and hosting-related issues and will expertly deploy your cloud infrastructure and manage it for you.
You can access Acumatica ERP through our cloud desktop solutions hosted on top-of-the-line SSAE 16 certified data centers. Our support staff works around the clock and is available over chat, mail, or call to answer all your queries and doubts. Contact us today to learn more about how Apps4Rent can tailor an Acumatica cloud solution specifically for your practice.
