As healthcare organizations continue to explore new ways to lower their costs, one of the latest technologies being considered is cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. These cloud-based systems are mobile-enabled and provide real-time access to all of the organization’s information, from financials and procurement to compliance and human capital management. The question is: Is your organization ready to utilize an ERP in the cloud?
Healthcare is complex, but with mergers and acquisitions so prominent, many organizations have even more complexity to deal with. How to merge the supply chain, HR, and finances of multiple organizations. That’s a lot of moving parts, and as an organization, you should be asking yourself, “Are we positioned to handle this?” Integration is key! Your ROI could include lower costs, improved operational efficiencies, including real-time analytics, with better tools to configure and integrate healthcare organizations.
What’s the difference between on-premise systems and cloud-based systems? It comes down to costs and labor.
Let’s review the benefits of cloud-based systems:
Lower Costs: Every CIO’s dream. On-premise systems cost money and require space for hardware in order to deploy and maintain, by the time they are implemented, they are obsolete. Cloud solutions are always up-to-date! Cloud-based solutions can replace capital and labor intensive systems with a lower cost of ownership and have a smaller technical footprint. Additionally, resources would be freed up to focus on other priorities.
Improve Operational Efficiencies: With on-premise systems, organizations may find it difficult to pull data from different organizational departments. There are different tools, to do different things. With cloud-based ERP solutions, all of the tools are together in one place, allowing for a better ease-of-use. Other benefits here may include better data security, standardization of data, and one source of truth. Imagine a system with a single configuration and a standardized user interface. All departments would be integrated, allowing for more efficient use of the system.
Access to Real-Time Data: Since a cloud-based system is more agile than an on-premise system, hospital decision-makers could have access to real-time data and analytics to drive faster decisions. Whether historical data or current data, decision-makers have a complete view and if the system allows, have access to enterprise-wide predictive analytics. All of this at their finger-tips on customizable dashboards.
Easier Configuration and Integration: Managing data from integrated networks or large organizations is one of the most reported pain points for healthcare organizations today. The critical difference between older on-premise systems and more modern cloud-based systems is the benefit of integration vs. interfacing. A fully integrated system is far better than one that is fully-interfaced with multiple systems. The keys to an integrated system are shared standards for workflows, security, and analytics.
With a majority of healthcare organizations now evaluating ERP systems, weighing the benefits of cloud-based vs. on premise is an important decision. Optimum Healthcare IT has a dedicated practice focused on healthcare ERP systems to assist organizations with decisions like this. We have the expertise to help you determine what the right system is for your organization that fits YOUR unique needs. You don’t need to go about this alone.
Don’t forget to register for our free webinar on ERP System Selection taking place on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, entitled: ERP Software Selection: Evaluating Options and Building Consensus. Click here to learn more and register.
To learn more about our ERP services, click here or contact us today.
