Exploring Factors for Adopting ERP as SaaS

Within the hype of cloud computing, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems delivered as Software as a Service (SaaS) is receiving more focus from ERP vendors. ERP vendors have for many years developed and sold ERP as ‘standard software’ that fits the needs of many firms, and now SaaS as a new approach to deliver software has emerged. In this study the value propositions of software as a service from an ERP vendor's perspective is explored. Using semi-structured exploratory interviews conducted amongst 20 Microsoft employees we aim at exploring which perceived benefits are realized by software as a service. Results show that the value propositions of ERP delivered thru SaaS model can be grouped into the following 10 factors: costs, security, availability, usability, implementation, ubiquity, flexibility, compatibility, analytics and best-practices. Been costs concerns, data security and system availability the most important factors.