As organizations figure out what to do with their infrastructure, many companies that currently have Dynamics GP are deciding whether they want to migrate to Dynamics 365 Business Central or stay On-premise. Moving to a cloud-based ERP solution gives your business the flexibility to scale up or down, increase collaboration, accessibility and cuts out the high cost of hardware.

The decision to migrate from GP to Business Central is based on several factors can that include accessibility, cost savings, add-ons, and an updated modern user interface. Here is a comparison of both ERP solutions based on the criteria mentioned above:

     1. Cloud vs On-Premise

Business Central is a cloud-based solution, which means you can access the software anywhere, anytime, from any device. Upgrades are managed by Microsoft and rolled out automatically with no installation required. In comparison, Dynamics GP was designed to be an on-premise solution, and upgrades need to be done manually.

Securing your company’s data is essential. Businesses are constantly avoiding cyber threats, security alerts, and maintaining infrastructure. With so many things going on, your IT team can sometimes miss vital security threats.

To combat this issue, Microsoft has introduced Microsoft Azure Sentinel. This SIEM tool is a cloud-native service that provides intelligent security analytics at cloud scale for your company.

Collect data across your enterprise easily

Azure Sentinel allows you to aggregate security data with built-in connectors, integration of Microsoft signals and industry log formats such as comment event format and syslog.

You’re able to import your Office 365 data at no cost to you and combined it with other security data.

For many companies, the Cloud is still considered new and unfamiliar territory. For the uninitiated, the Cloud refers to the ability to share, store and process information through a network of servers. With Cloud hosting, a company’s online resources will be spread across various web servers, allowing companies to freely transmit and access their data outside of their place of work. The Cloud is more than just a place for companies to store their data however, and once integrated will actually shape the way organizations do business in the future. For companies considering moving their business to the Cloud, here are several changes you may expect to occur:

Expect a change in your IT Infrastructure:

Should you decide to move to the Cloud with a fully managed service provider, time consuming activities such as server maintenance and resource management will be handled by your Cloud-based service provider. As a result, companies have reported having to reassign their CTOs and IT directors to undertake additional tasks and roles such as managing IT expenses and strategic planning.

Prepare for an increasingly fast paced work environment:

According to a HBR-Verizon survey report, 75% of businesses state that the Cloud reduced business complexity, 61% claimed that it increased employee productivity, and 53% stated it increased response time with customers. With its automated tools, business operations have become more streamlined and allowed for greater flexibility for companies to enter new markets and for faster rollout for new businesses initiatives and exploit new opportunities.

Perhaps your company is struggling with existing complex and costly business software and hardware in order to carry out your day-to-day business activities. Your company has hired a team of expensive specialists/experts to manage and maintain these systems. It has come to the point that your company can no longer keep up-to-date with the latest technology due to limited resources. What should your company seek in a new enterprise solution? With the beginning of a new year, it's important to consider the advantages of making a transition to the cloud.

Cloud computing is a network of your company's business areas located externally on the internet.  The biggest advantage of cloud computing is that you no longer have to purchase expensive business software or hardware - not to mention the costly IT staff required to maintain your systems. All of your company's activities and information are located in an external online server which is supported and managed by an experienced vendor. As all your business functions are online, all necessary updates, upgrades, and backups are done automatically. Additionally, your company benefits from access to real-time information from each department such as HR, Marketing, Sales, and Accounting, among other business areas. Finally, your company benefits from being able to scale your cloud network up or down depending on your business needs and/or as your company grows. With these factors in mind, consider these 5 reasons to choose cloud computing as your next business venture:

• Up and running within days/weeks as there is no purchase of hardware or software. All you need is an internet connection.
• Reduce dependence on IT personnel.
• Remotely access your information from any location on any device.
• Real-time access to your company's information across all business areas.
• Scalability allows for your company to make changes as your company grows.

Make the Transition to Cloud Computing Today!

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Nilofhar Zarif - Kadir, Web Marketing Assistant, WebSan Solutions Inc., a 2014 Ontario Business Achievement Award Winner for Service Excellence

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Cloud computing has become the rule and not the exception for applications in today’s business world. It is with no doubt the default IT platform and the reality is a lot of organizations use multiple cloud environments delivered within different platforms.

The challenge of managing these cloud environments in a consistent way has created the need for what is known as cloud brokerage. That is, a third-party, vendor-neutral business that serves as a single point of contact when working with multiple providers. Cloud service brokers help users benefit from best-in-class offerings from different providers, while keeping the back end simplified.

Another trend is to certify trustworthy cloud providers. Certified clouds will lead to better take up and wider use of different services with the assurance they bring. After the NSA revelations, there has been an increasing need for cloud security in the business world that can be reassured by cloud certifications. WebSan Solutions has already amplified the importance of security by maintaining its hosted Dynamics GP solution in its state-of-the-art Tier II SAS70/SSAE16 certified data centre located in Toronto, Canada.

Finally, cloud - based applications are gradually gaining ground against on-premise software. Taking into account there is a Google or IOS application for almost everything in today's business world, people can work on one device, either it is a desktop, tablet or mobile and then stop and pick up right where they left off on a different device in another location.

Business owners have many decisions that they have to make. From hiring employees to how the business should operate. Choosing the most efficient technology is not always priority number one. With the rise of software-as-a-service (SaaS), business owners have taken advantage of what SaaS has to offer. If you are still on the fence about switching to a cloud-based solution, make sure you take the following reasons into consideration.

The software is affordable

Business owners sometimes don’t have the extra funds to deploy a new system. The cloud is a fantastic solution because it’s less expensive than any on-premise system. You pay a lower subscription and maintenance cost and don’t require additional software and infrastructure.  For instance, Cloud hosted Dynamics GP is a robust, cost-effective business software that could meet your business needs.

Do you wonder how much it  would cost? Try our three step quote generator for instant results!

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Cloud computing has become a huge trend in the last five years; IDC has predicted a 130% increase in cloud computing by 2016. There are so many benefits to moving to the cloud that companies cannot resist anymore. For example, companies prefer a subscription payment model because they only pay for how much data they need. Cloud computing recovery services have been a cost-effective way to back up your whole company. Also, security is improving all the time; there is continuous effort to provide cloud computing companies with top quality safety structure. Here are three interesting cloud trends to watch which could help boost cloud computing in the long-term:

1. In a study done by Gartner, they predict the size of the cloud computing market could reach $150 billion in 2013.This is not a surprising number due to the excitement and benefits that cloud computing can offer businesses in the long run. An on-premise solution looks less appealing as the cloud computing market thrives.
2. Mimecast did a statistic based study and found that 7/10 companies using cloud services will move new applications to the cloud. Only 70%? Have you heard the saying “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”? This means some businesses are still skeptical about moving to the cloud. However, based on trends, they will probably move their applications to the cloud sooner or later.
3. Gartner also predicted that 60% of server workloads will be virtualized by 2014.This was not news to me because of the number of benefits you get in return. You don’t need to purchase hardware; you can reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy costs. This is a great way to save money in the long run. At WebSan Solutions, you have access to your data, through our secure network, in our SAS70/SSAE16 certified data centre.

To see what our business accounting software can offer you visit our website.

To read more about different cloud computing statistics click here.

Natalie Williams, Marketing Coordinator,WebSan Solutions Inc., a Canadian Certified Microsoft Partner

When there’s a question that needs an answer, we are quick to Google it to find a solution. If you wanted to inform your boss about the benefits of moving to Cloud ERP, how would you go about it? Just remember your trying to convince someone that might need more convincing than your average person because of the magnitude of the move. So make sure you clear up some of the perceptions they might have beforehand to ensure the best results.

Here are a few perceptions that you might come across:

1. Cloud ERP Software is only for small businesses

Cloud ERP Software is for all types of businesses from small to large companies. Moving to the cloud was more popular for SMBs because it was easier to convince them of the value and impact that it could have on their business. With larger businesses, there were more hurdles to overcome and more people to see before they were convinced. Some benefits of Cloud ERP for any type of business include:

• The cloud is everywhere. So it doesn’t matter if you’re a Multi-National company or a mom and pop shop. Cloud software can serve remote offices without the addition of more servers and IT staff.
• Cloud security has advanced greatly. Companies can guarantee your data is always secure. Here at WebSan Solutions we have a secure network, in our SAS70/SSAE16 certified data center.

2.“Cloud” and “Hosted” are the same thing

Organizations across all industries are increasingly looking to the cloud as a way to help boost their productivity, revenues, returns on technology investments and customer satisfaction. It is important to realize that cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are not easier to implement or use than on-premise systems. However, when implemented properly, cloud ERP system software can save organizations a lot of money. These cost savings come in the form of reduced IT staffing and reduced hardware expenditures. In general, these are the two most common benefits that organizations refer to as reasons for switching to the cloud.

Before your organization decides the transition to the cloud, it is vital to consider the amount of effort required for the implementation. Cloud ERP implementations are not easier than traditional ones. The most common problem is poor cost estimation and is likely related to the lack of an appropriate framework for enterprise-wide prepackaged software maintenance, which of course requires an ongoing relationship with the software vendor. Moreover, you should keep in mind that all typical issues, such as organizational change management, adoption and use of new business processes are always an obstacle, no matter what ERP solution you choose.

Therefore, whether you are implementing an on-premise or cloud-hosted ERP solution, operational improvement is achieved only through guidance from a highly experienced implementation partner, proper resource allocation and executive commitment. To realize cost savings from cloud ERP, organizations should also budget for all essential components, including everything from organizational change management to business process re-engineering (BPR).

Here are 3 tips for maximizing cost savings with cloud ERP software:

1. Know your Requirements – You should gather all the requirements and complete Business process mapping (BPM) before the implementation so that your organization can select the ERP solution that best fits your business.
2. Partner with the Right People – Cloud ERP software requires an IT Partner with unique skill sets. Look for a Vendor who has experience in your industry and has a number of references.
3. Understand the Costs – When evaluating ERP vendors, consider the total cost of ownership (TOC) and not just upfront costs. Remember that TOC is like an iceberg, which means a lot of the costs are usually hidden.

If you incorporate all of the above tips in your strategy, it will not only save money on upfront infrastructure costs but it will most definitely realize cost savings in IT staffing, licensing fees and annual maintenance. These fees only escalate the longer you wait, thus plan to engage in organization change management and business process re-engineering (BPR) early in the project.

According to Webopedia, BYOD (Bring your own device ) refers to employees who bring their own computing devices – such as smartphones, laptops and PDAs – to the workplace for use and connectivity on the corporate network.

Employees want to have the ability to work anywhere using their own device. Work flexibility is one of the key elements required in order to recruit good talent and increase employee retention.

Companies are reporting a reduction in employee turnover because BYOD and work shifting are able to bring more employee satisfaction, compared to any other motivational strategies that companies have traditionally implemented.

Employees prefer close workplace proximity and people generally choose their work based on commuting time and convenience, so working from home or anywhere else other than the office can lead to a tremendous boost in satisfaction.

A particularly good way to protect your company’s data is to implement a virtual environment within the device.  Employees can work and access all relevant data, but no data is ever actually saved within the device; both applications and data are cloud based, with the device simply serving as a portal.

The dictionary definition of productivity is: “the quality of being productive or having the power to produce”.  Some businesses prefer a structured environment while others prefer a flexible environment. But every business strives to be productive, efficient and proactive. The cloud computing movement has allowed businesses to free up time to focus on other aspects of their company.

Examples of ways that cloud computing can improve productivity:

The cloud offers flexibility

Your employees have more time to be productive and creative! No need to contact your IT department for access to different software and applications. You now have the ability to access services through the web on your own.

Improve communication amongst employees

WebSan Solutions Inc. has been named a finalist in the Best Small Business Solution category for this year’s CDN Channel Elite Awards. http://www.itbusiness.ca/cea/home.html

This award honors the partner that has created the most innovative and problem solving hardware, networking, cloud or software-based solution for an organization or department with up to 100 seats or less using the solution.

CDN’s Channel Elite Awards recognizes IT Solution Providers for their innovation, leadership and commitment to creating value for their customers.

As a finalist, we will be judged by a panel of CIO or IT director level executives. Category winners will be chosen based on the following criteria:

Innovation - originality in the application of the IT solution to the business problem

We recently attended the CDN Channel Elite Awards Gala, and even though we didn’t win, were a top finalist. CDN Canada’s number one IT channel publication recognizes Canadian solution providers in ten categories. WebSan Solutions Inc. was nominated for “Best Small Business Solution”. This award honours partners that have created the most innovative and problem solving hardware, networking, cloud or software-based solution for an organization or department with up to 100 seats or less using the solution. “The Channel Elite Award program demonstrates that Canada has a growing number of talented, innovative Solutions Providers that are capable of delivering solutions that help businesses of all sizes.” said Paolo Del Nibletto, editor of CDN.

We are very honoured to be nominated. Being recognized for our talents in this industry drives us to work harder and to continue to keep our customers satisfied.

CDN recognizes IT Solution Providers for their innovation, leadership and commitment to creating value for their customers.

A while back Microsoft offered two new cloud-based services that can be very beneficial to your company if you are already in the cloud or if you’re planning on moving to the cloud.

Microsoft has announced the first two accounting offerings for Dynamics GP 10.0 and GP 2010. Payment services and commerce services are the new two new services that are cloud based. Payment services have credit and debit card that is processed from Dynamics GP. Payment services work with: VISA, MasterCard, Discover Card, American Express and PayPal. The good part about it that there will be the same existing data entry screen and you don’t have to install or integrate new software and your customer benefits from this service because they have more options to make payments.

A commerce service has item catalog functions also with integration to Dynamics GP, using the same tool used to connect Dynamics CRM to Dynamics GP. This service is to support a business to consumer website it also allows you to extend your sales reach.  The great benefit about commerce service is that you can expand your sales across different channels and enabling online shopping, therefore, using another resource to increase your sales.

By: Natalie Williams, Marketing Coordinator, WebSan Solutions Inc., a Canadian Certified Microsoft Dynamics Partner

Many companies have started to embraced enterprise resource planning (ERP) in order to maintain their competitiveness. They have quickly learned a fundamental truth: technology can move a company forward only as far as its business processes will allow.

Amongst most organizations, paper or hard copies is the principal format for sharing invoices and associated documents for approval. Paper processes generates uncertainty and blind spots in a business. An example could be your Accounting department. Accounting has no way of knowing where a paper invoice resides on someone’s draw or desk after it is sent around for approval, nor how long it will sit there. Executives are unable to make accurate financial predictions because they see only completed transactions—not those in process, floating somewhere in the company’s structure.

With paper processes restraining the real value of a paperless ERP for companies large and small, the need for a way to automate the transformation of paper documents into digital data and to manage the resulting documents has prompted technology developers to innovate a new generation of devices and services. This is where Hosted Microsoft Dynamics GP comes in.

The next technological move from paper format is for companies and their accounting departments to consider is the cloud—online services that can dramatically reduce the costs of technology. Instead of a company’s investing more in its own infrastructure—additional servers, software, networking and maintenance—it can turn to the cloud for the applications it needs. By integrating your company with the Microsoft Dynamics cloud platform, it easily scales with your company’s needs and automatically upgrades as innovations evolve.

To help your company get away from paper and into the clouds, contact us here.