Cloud Accounting Demystified

What is Cloud Accounting? Am I on the Cloud or in the Cloud? Is my software True-Cloud, or just sitting on the Cloud? What is Hybrid Cloud? What is SaaS versus SoSaaS?

Over the last few years, we have had many discussions with companies around what Cloud does and doesn’t mean, and it’s understandable that there is confusion. Prior to the prevalence of electric cars, if car manufactures started talking about full electric or hybrid electric the differences and implications might not initially have been obvious.

So, let me start with What is Cloud Accounting?

Accounting software for businesses and organisations designed from the ground up as an entirely new Cloud software. It uses the latest Cloud development languages and technologies. It runs via a web browser and can therefore run on any device from anywhere. It does not need local servers, locally installed components on workstations, RDP/VPN or Microsoft windows.

Cloud Accounting is the future. It is fully scalable Cloud software that is licenced on a monthly SaaS basis (Software as a Service) and is seamlessly and constantly updated/upgraded.

Running on the Cloud V True-Cloud

There are many server-based applications that were originally designed to run on Windows servers and workstations. With the introduction of “hosted” Windows servers, some of these solutions have been “re-packaged” to run on a hosted Windows server as a normal Windows solution, but are now made available for users to connect to over the internet or “on the Cloud”

In the early 90’s when Windows based software was beginning to replace Dos applications (showing my age here) some Dos programs were run in a Windows emulator “pretending” to be a Windows application.  We called that “Dos with aspirations”.  It was technically running on Windows, but it wasn’t a true Windows program. Now 30 years on, the modern term for traditional software being presented as Cloud software is SoSaaS.

If SaaS is “Software as a Service”, which is synonymous with true-Cloud software, SoSaaS, “Same old Software as a Service” is traditional software hosted in a private or public data centre.

The differences for the end-user are striking. True-Cloud software does not need to run as a Windows program in the background. It is designed to run in your browser. You have fully multi-tenanted, secure, and scalable software rather than separate Windows “instances” for each deployment. Cloud software is automatically upgraded, whereas SoSaaS software still requires cumbersome upgrades, additional costs, disruption, and downtime.

The multitenant design of True-Cloud software requires less resources than a provider hosting individual servers/instances of Windows server for every individual client with all the challenges of remote connectivity, security etc.. Think of the complexities of hosting many hundreds or thousands of individual client servers, and then compare that to the scalability and load-balancing of the most popular Cloud apps such as Netflix or Facebook – these are natively designed to grow and expand with usage.

True-Cloud software takes advantage of the latest in Cloud security, multi-factor authentication, allocation of resources as and when needed, replication and back-up of data, muti-browser/device capability and a look and feel that is intuitive and designed for enhanced performance across all devices.

And let’s not forget, it is modern code designed to enhance your usage and avail of the latest technologies rather than old code just being hosted elsewhere.

So what is Hybrid Cloud?

The hybrid electric car is the best analogy. Hybrid Cloud is software that has some element of web/Cloud screens or apps but fundamentally still requires local programs installed on workstations, or local servers, especially when your volume of users or transactions increase. It is a mix of technologies and often is found where server-based software endeavours to provide a web or digital interface for connectivity.

Don’t get me wrong, these are all valid working solutions. Many companies will choose either of the above options for their own internal functional or technical needs. There is a very strong place for combinations of Server based software and Hybrid Cloud where client needs dictate. However, it is important to understand what you are being promised and to not be mis-led. To understand the nature and the future of the technology that is being offered.

So, what should one ask when reviewing the many flavours of True-Cloud, On-The-Cloud, or Hybrid Cloud software?

• Can users access the software from anywhere on any modern internet browser on any device and what is the process?
• Can smart devices or mobile devices be used to operate the full system, and not just a separate bolt-on App with limited functionality? Or must it be an actual windows desktop?
• Is there a published API for integration to third parties, or are all integrations non-API based?
• Is it written in a development language such as the Microsoft Stack or similar modern equivalent, and not server-based languages such as Visual Basic, Pascal, Delphi?
• Does the application work with Microsoft Office in the Cloud, and not just the Server/local versions?
• Are you required to use RDP (remote desktop) or VPN technologies to connect?
• How are upgrades to the latest version applied? Is it automatic and behind the scenes, or is it similar to traditional server-based upgrades?
• Can you instantly add users or modules or is it as complicated as previous sever-based offerings?

Cloud technology has evolved. The internal functionality and capability of iplicit offers a genuine opportunity to improve efficiency, automate repetitive tasks, use Machine Learning to enhance your time-consuming processes, and to equip you for the future of remote working in increasingly complex and challenging times.

I would love to hear from you and discus your future needs.

Alan Connor
Managing Director
iplicit Ireland