The systems of most businesses were designed to operate on premise. The traditional way was for people to go to the office in the morning and then do the work from there.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, organizations were left with little choice but to try to accomplish work from various locations. Restrictions in mobility are indeed crucial to stemming the effect of the virus, but would they allow employees the same level of productivity and efficiency?
Studies have found that the ability to switch to remote operations hinge largely on the quality of an organization’s existing ERP solutions.
Sure, ERP solutions have been used for many years. These solutions are responsible for linking the various business units and presenting a clear, comprehensive view of the organization to serve as the basis for strategic decision making.
Unfortunately, not all ERPs are created equal. Not all businesses have effectively switched or upgraded to cloud ERP, where anyone can access records or work on documents from anywhere, even outside office premises.
Cloud ERP is crucial to empowering employees because it allows them to continue doing work without the added anxiety and health risk if they did go out of the house. It is a crucial tool that shows companies care about their workers’ safety and well-being while also ensuring the continuity of the business.
During the pandemic lockdowns, organizations which have had a headstart in using cloud ERP found that they were better able to cope with the disruption.
One year into the crisis, and with vaccinations starting in many places, people are imagining what a post-COVID world might look like. Foremost among the questions is, will working from home remain a viable option?
This is a valid question since the pandemic experience highlighted that many things could indeed be done without physically coming to the workplace. Aside from minimizing if not eliminating the risk of contracting the virus, working from home allows workers to do away with the inconveniences of traffic and commuting, gives them more time to be with their families, thus enhancing their productivity and efficiency. For their part, companies are able to save on operating costs.
Thus, when the pandemic is finally contained, would companies be inclined to require people to gather people together in one place just to do the work?
The consensus seems to be that functions which can be accomplished remotely can continue under a WFH arrangement by design. Of course, employees need to touch base with their superiors, mentors and colleagues on a regular basis, and some issues are best discussed in person. However, this may no longer be a necessary daily affair. The workweek could be broken up into on-premise and remote working days. It is the flexibility — the option of coming to the workplace when needed and not doing it when unnecessary — that spells the difference between the pre- and post-pandemic scenario.
Having quality cloud ERP solutions is a requisite for having this option in the first place. Choosing the best provider of cloud ERP solutions is one of the most crucial, impactful and consequential decisions that a company would make. They will best be served by providers that have an established reputation for expertise and service excellence.
It is heartening that people are now able to contemplate an environment after COVID-19. Despite the toll on people’s health and livelihood, the pandemic acted as a catalyst in ushering in changes in mindsets and practices leading to the next revolution in industry — the cloud.