Once you’ve decided to make the move from locally hosted financial software to a cloud-based accounting solution like Sage Intacct, it’s tough to know where to begin making the transition. But by going into this change conscientiously and intentionally, you can increase your chances at a smooth conversion.
With that in mind, here are 7 rules to make your journey to a cloud accounting solution a successful one.
Dive in
A lot of businesses make the mistake of porting over to new software too slowly. It can be tempting to try to make that transition to new software as undisruptive to workflows as possible, but the end result tends to be underutilized software and fragmented work processes. The sooner you dive fully into the new software, the better it will serve you and the faster your team will acclimate to the new processes.
Decentralize
Because cloud-based accounting software is all about making your work processes more flexible, it’s time to embrace the ways in which it streamlines your workflows. Move your data to the cloud. Move your processes to the cloud. Get your team to a place where they can do everything on the go, thereby maximizing the value of cloud-based software. The ability to use mobile devices anywhere, anytime to access data is guaranteed to help you to better meet your customer requirements.
Understand Cost Breakdowns
Cloud accounting pricing can vary for a small company to an enterprise organization. Intacct comes with a broad set of core financial functionality alongside optional, more specialized features – and you probably don’t need as many as you think.
But you do need to be responsive and agile to stay ahead so the features and time-savings offered by the cloud accounting make it a no-brainer. Cloud-based accounting software is all about saving time by making your financial processes more efficient, so trust that these savings are fundamentally a mitigating factor to the expense of the buy.
Embrace Technology
People generally understand that technology does a lot to make our lives easier and there are those who readily accept automation. These are your ambassadors for change and can go a long way to help reluctant team members buy-in.
Make sure your existing teams value technological innovation and the benefits it offers for the workplace. New talent may take to cloud-based software easier but be sure to train your entire staff on how to use new cloud accounting software.
Read Next: How to control your Sage Intacct implementation project
Know the Breadth Integration Options Available
Cloud-based accounting software is designed to function as a part of a larger whole in your business solution ecosystem. Take advantage of the seamless integrations and partnerships available with a cloud-based financial system like Sage Intacct in order to streamline as many of your interrelated processes as possible.
Track Your KPIs
Any new work process in business is only valuable to the extent that it can be measured against other process options. Before you transition to cloud accounting, understand the efficacy of your current system with quantifiable performance indicators. When your new system is up and running, rescan your environment and compare the data. Troubleshoot any issues you notice.
Because Sage Intacct lets you sift through multiple data streams to track the most relevant data to manage your KPIs, you’re able to identify, track, and manage cost overruns and profitability metrics, conversion rates, procurement efforts and more.
Commit
Getting new software is scary, and it’s almost always attractive to go back to familiar old processes when things get tough. Don’t let yourself or your staff do this. Whatever software you choose will likely feature extensive user support options, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of training and support when necessary.
Read Next: How to find the best Sage Intacct partner for your cloud-accounting success
