Cloud vs. On-Premise CRM

Which is best for your business?

Just ten years ago, on-premise CRM represented the majority of the CRM market. According to a Software Advice study, 88% of CRM buyers preferred on-premise solutions in 2008. But by 2014, the numbers had flipped, and 87% preferred cloud CRM solutions.

The market has evolved similarly, with most industry-leading CRM providers offering cloud-based, SaaS CRM solutions, and many no longer offering on-premise software at all.

So which option should you choose?

Cloud-based and on-premise CRM systems offer two very different hosting models with different capabilities. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each requires a more granular analysis, and is critical to determining which model is best for your business.

Cloud-based CRM

Cloud-based CRM operates on a software as a service (SaaS) model, which means you do not purchase the software directly, but instead as a subscription service that typically includes updates, fixes, and support in addition to the CRM software and user licenses.

With cloud-based CRM, you or a service partner configure the CRM system, and then the software and your data are hosted on remote servers managed by your SaaS provider and accessible via an Internet connection.

Cloud-based CRM like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagment is often the best choice for small and medium-sized businesses without the existing infrastructure, personnel, and/or up-front spending power to build and run both CRM software and dedicated internal servers.

It is also the more flexible option for businesses anticipating significant growth or changes over the life of their CRM.

Advantages

• Off-site hosting significantly reduces your up-front infrastructure costs. There is no need to purchase additional hardware or software before getting started, and there is no need to pay in-house developers to build and maintain the system and/or servers.
• The SaaS model significantly reduces up-front costs, and spreads the cost of ownership across the life of your CRM.
• The set-up time for cloud-based CRM is significantly shorter, especially for companies that do not already run their own servers
• Cloud-based CRM saves you the operating costs and responsibilities of running your own dedicated server. It is also more energy-efficient overall.
• Updates and maintenance are the responsibility of your SaaS provider. Your system stays current, which means less depreciation across the life of your CRM.
• For most companies, cloud-based CRM offers more uptime, and shorter, less disruptive downtime.
• Using the cloud makes your system and data more accessible to your team across large distances, and typically offers easier mobile access to CRM.
• Cloud-based systems scale comparatively easily as your needs change. They are quicker, easier, and cheaper to customize.

Disadvantages

• You don’t have complete visibility and control over your data. Realistically, the security risks of cloud-bases systems are very similar to those of on-premise systems. However, the regulatory laws your company operates under may make third-party hosting a deal-breaker.
• You don’t always get to decide when and whether to upgrade. Don’t like that new version or feature? Too bad; it’s yours.
• Because you are less likely to have dedicated CRM IT and maintenance staff, you may need your vendor or service partner to fix issues that would otherwise be routine.
• Downtime, while minimal, is out of your control.

On-premise CRM

On-premise CRM is installed and run on your company’s servers. You purchase the software and user licenses up front, and you host the system database.

With on-premise CRM, the bulk of the cost is up front, and updates and maintenance responsibilities fall largely on you. But you are in direct control of your system and data.

On-premise CRM is often the best choice for larger enterprises with the infrastructure, personnel, and up-front spending power to run internal servers and develop/maintain CRM software.

It is also the better option for businesses with legal or operational constraints that require full, on-site control over CRM data and/or high-level offline capabilities.

Advantages

• You have complete visibility and control over your security, setup, and data. You also have much more control over where users can access CRM. Depending on the regulatory laws your company operates under, this may be extremely important.
• On-premise CRM allows you to take advantage of existing infrastructure and dedicated IT staff. If you run into performance issues, you can sometimes fix them with more people or more hardware rather than updating or changing the system itself.
• Buying, running, and maintaining your own system can be more cost-effective for companies with large numbers of users. SaaS systems charge per user per month. This is a cost-effective model for smaller companies, but very large companies may find the SaaS model costs more in the long run than building and running their own dedicated server and system.
• These days, many on-premise CRM solutions are fully-customized systems built specifically for (and sometimes by) your company.
• Most on-premise systems offer greater offline functionality than cloud-based systems, and all reduce reliance on your ISP. If your CRM is in the cloud and your Internet connection fails, then your CRM just did, too.
• You choose when and whether to update, upgrade, or customize. You can continue to use a system that your users know and love long after a cloud-based system would have automatically updated.

Disadvantages

• The system is only accessible while your servers are running.
• Development, deployment, and upgrades are expensive and often time-consuming.
• Costs are front-loaded, which can create a sizeable barrier to entry.
• Many systems can’t be accessed from anywhere. If you need users to have CRM access on the go, you may need to invest in or develop a mobile app, which adds to your initial investment.
• Maintenance requires additional time, money, and personnel expenditures.
• Unless you keep pumping time and money into development and upgrades, your system won’t grow with your company, and you are likely to see higher depreciation over the life of your CRM system.

Are you ready to move to the cloud?

If you’re running an unsupported, on-premise Microsoft CRM system, you’re missing out on the power, support, and flexibility that make Microsoft Dynamics 365 an industry-leading CRM solution!

Talk to us today to learn more about the benefits of updating your system and migrating to the cloud!