tIPS FOR YOU - oNLINE VS ONSITE

 This Online Vs. Onsite 6 Key Factors that can help you decide what’s the best fit for  your organization :

1.  ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

2.  FINANCIAL  MANAGEMENT / ERP  SYSTEM FUNCTIONALIT Y 

3.  SECURITY

4.   FINANCIAL EXPENDITURE.  HARDWARE & OTHER  FIXED COSTS

5.  STAFFING & TECHNICAL   EXPERTISE 

6.  DEPLOYMENT  FLEXIBILITY

 Determining how many people need access to your t financial management system  and where  they are located is important. Do you have one main facility or multiple locations? Do employees only need  access while onsite or do they need to have mobile access? Do they work full-time in the office or do they  need remote access? How will the financial management system be used and where will it be  housed?  

  What do you need your financial management/ERP system to do? How can it be as efficient and streamlined  as possible? Make sure your wish list items are addressed – from core system capabilities to modules that  enhance and tailor the solution to meet your organization’s specific needs.  

 Many agencies store data that could be a target for hacking or contains sensitive information. Knowing your  data is secure is critical. From ransomware threats to disaster recovery to increasing security risks among  employees, security remains top-of-mind in your financial management solution decision-making  

 Onsite solutions are generally considered to be capital expenditures where a license is purchased up front  with recurring fees for support and updates. Online services are a subscription basis and viewed as an  operating expense. Support, security and updates are usually included in the subscription fee.  As your organization thinks about updating its financial management/ERP system, take an inventory of  where you stand with your IT infrastructure, and what additional items are needed to get the system up to  current standards. 

Organizations come in all shapes and sizes and have unique needs and IT resources. Some have  internal IT departments who are capable and have dedicated staff to manage an onsite financial  accounting solution as part of their overall technology initiative. Other organizations have limited staff and  might be more comfortable outsourcing to an IT Consultant on an as-needed basis.  Does your organization have the IT infrastructure to maintain an onsite solution or is it best for your  organization to have the software provider manage IT Support?   

 Change happens. The decision you make right now, given all the research you’ve done, is the best decision  at this time.  But in 5 years, as your organization evolves, it’s possible your needs could prompt change. Based on some  or all of the categories we’ve identified – organizational structure, budget, expertise, functionality, and  security – there could be a need to revisit your organization’s  financial management deployment  option.  In fact, it is common (and encouraged) for  organizations  to review IT controls  and review best practices regularly.