Like it does for other IT functions, using a cloud-based inventory management system has compelling business benefits:

• No more worrying about on-site servers. Make sure your system and information is secured from theft, damage, power outages, overheating, failure, etc. A cloud-based service gets you out of the worry-about-hardware business.
• No more worrying about software upgrades. Cloud-based services handle this for you. Also, no more worrying about an underlying operating system, and keeping that OS updated and patched.
• No more worrying about the corresponding software for employee desktops and notebooks. Cloud-based software typically is accessed via web browsers, with apps available for employee and customer mobile devices.
• Accessible from just about anywhere — office, warehouse, or on the road. To access cloud services, all that's needed is a wireless or wired Internet connection, and a desktop or notebook computer, or a tablet or smartphone. This also lets groups and teams around the country or world collaborate on decisions.
• Pay for the service you need, and don't worry about running out of hardware or storage capacity as your volume grows — and be able to serve more offices and warehouses without additional IT involvement.

Moving to the cloud isn't just about simplifying the IT support for an inventory management system. It's also your chance to get a raft of new inventory management capabilities, like:

• View inventory in real-time (versus only nightly or weekly) — so point-of-sale, customer support and others can see whether requested items are available, and you can get low-inventory alerts.
• Send packing lists for each order directly to warehouses.
• Automate input for what's received and removed, including through barcode scanning.
• Analyze sales by location, reseller, time-of-year, pricing and more.
• Do shipment tracking, including reorders and returns.
• Integrate with e-commerce and delivery services like Amazon, eBay, ShipStation, UPS and Fedex.
• Establish audit trails.