Case: Customer Relationship Management Heads to the Cloud

Q1. What types of companies are most likely to adopt cloud-based CRM software services? Why? What companies might not be well-suited for this type of software?

Types of companies that are most likely to adopt cloud-based ERP and CRM software services are small to midsize companies that lack the knowledge about ERP and CRM. Companies that are struggling with lots of data, using too many systems to perform business functions and would like to cut cost are also companies that are most likely to adopt cloud-based ERP and CRM software services. These companies adopt cloud-based ERP and CRM software services because they want to achieve operational excellence and customer intimacy. Besides that, it releases the companies from infrastructural maintenance and its respective fixed (servers, storage, networking components) and operational cost. Operational ubiquity is also one of the reasons the companies would want to adopt cloud-based ERP and CRM software services. Moreover, it allows them to subscribe and cancel the subscription without losing large up-front software licenses and hardware investments. Companies that might not be well-suited for this type of software are companies that are concern about security issues. In addition, companies that are concern about control of their data are also not well-suited for this software. Moreover, large companies that had made huge investments on traditional and customized software that already work will also not be well-suited for this software.

Q2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using cloud-based enterprise application?

One of the advantages of using cloud-based enterprise applications is availability. These services are accessible irrespective of anything given that there is internet connection. Another advantage is it is environmental friendly. Users who uses cloud-based enterprise applications gets to reduce electricity expenses. Through saving electricity, the users also save on resources to cool off computer and its component. Besides that, it has higher security. Clouds tend to be more secure than traditional business models because clouds offer real-time backup which results in less data loss. Moreover, it is easy to expand and uses fewer resources. Users can immediately access more resources if they need to expand their business. 

Advantages	Disadvantages
Cost Efficiency: This is the biggest advantage of cloud computing, achieved by the elimination of the investment in stand-alone software or servers.	Security and privacy in the Cloud: Security is the biggest concern when it comes to cloud computing.
Backup and Recovery: The process of backing up and recovering data is simplified since those now reside on the cloud and not on a physical device.	Limited control and flexibility: Since the applications and services run on remote, third party virtual environments, companies and users have limited control over the function and execution of the hardware and software
Increased Storage Capacity: The cloud can accommodate and store much more data compared to a personal computer and in a way offers almost unlimited storage capacity.	Increased Vulnerability: Related to the security and privacy mentioned before, note that cloud based solutions are exposed on the public internet and are thus a more vulnerable target for malicious users and hackers.
	Dependency and vendor lock-in: One of the major disadvantages of cloud computing is the implicit dependency on the provider.

Q3: What people, organization and technology issues should be addressed in deciding whether to use a conventional CRM system versus a cloud-based version?

People will provide firm wide information to support decision making. They also will enable rapid responses to customer requests for information or products. Besides, removing hardware and its complications are companies not suited for ERP and CRM. People also can made large investments on traditional and customized solutions that already work. 

In an organization, the Human-Resource Optimization will act as while traditional ERP and CRM solutions demand for technical staff, cloud-based solutions allows optimizing HR to focus on operation. In technology for security: using the web as infrastructure, cloud-based ERP and CRM solutions have difficulties in offering security-comfort to companies that own sensible data. Besides, seeks to cut cost Companies That Use Cloud Based ERP and CRM Services: it enables them to achieve operational excellence and customer intimacy.  It releases them from infrastructure.