Cloud hosting for accounting programs: advantages and disadvantages
Cloud hosting is a modern alternative to the use of expensive server equipment required to support round-the-clock operation of financial, accounting and other types of accounting programs.
Cloud Accounting Benefits
When placing programs on a cloud server, the binding to the office disappears. All programs and data are available from anywhere in the world where wired or wireless internet is available. To store information, highly reliable, fault-tolerant servers are used, located in leading data centers with full backup of all data.
Other benefits of cloud hosting:
- reduced costs for equipment and labor costs for the IT department that accompanies hardware and software (cloud technical support is included in the package of services provided);
- automatic (without user participation) installation of software updates (in the cloud, the versions are kept up to date in accordance with the releases of the next releases);
- no need to buy and renew licenses (this is done by the cloud provider);
- digital security (all data is securely protected from unauthorized access).
Consulting and technical support
Many hosting companies develop tariffs that include not only software configuration, but also the provision of consultations that help users understand the settings and functionality of modules and programs.
In order for customers to receive prompt assistance in the event of failures and errors, round-the-clock work of the technical support department is organized. Signs of quality support are:
- a variety of ways to create applications (phone, chat, instant messengers, e-mail);
- the minimum time interval between the occurrence and resolution of an incident;
- full feedback;
- no limits on submission of applications;
- the most polite and competent communication.
Migration
If the user is using cloud hosting services for accounting programs for the first time, he may experience difficulties associated with the transfer of information. As a rule, to increase loyalty, providers perform all the operations that are required during the migration free of charge.
Scaling
Account owners have the opportunity to increase the number of users in a few clicks and set their permissions. At the same time, there is no decrease in performance, which is typical for offline servers, which, as the company expands and the load increases, require periodic upgrades (upgrades).
Convenient forms of payment
Hosting providers of accounting services allow you to pay for services in different ways, for example:
- instant payment online with a bank card;
- in cash at the cash desks of banks and terminals;
- using electronic wallets;
- payment not only in national, but also in other currencies.
In addition, if the client did not pay for the service on time, he may be provided with loans.
Flaws
If we talk about the disadvantages of cloud hosting, then one of them is the obligation to periodically (for example, once a month, several months or a year) to pay for the services of the provider. However, even rough estimates show that the savings on maintaining your own infrastructure in most cases exceeds the cost of hosting.
Before entering into a contract for the provision of cloud services, it is necessary to clarify the aspects related to the termination of payment. For example, will it be possible to copy (download from a cloud server to a local workplace) databases and other important information if there is a debt.