Leverage the Cloud for B2B Integration (Pros and Cons)

If you are thinking about transitioning your existing B2B integration to the cloud, or you don’t have any B2B integration solution yet, and you are unsure if the cloud is the right way to go for your business, this guide is for you.

Traditionally, companies relied on elaborate in-house computer systems to store all their important information and vital data. Big companies needed to have a complete IT infrastructure dedicated to processing and storing all this data, and a special team of people to maintain and upgrade these programs and systems. Smaller companies would have a hard time keeping up and financing all those investments.However, the evolution of IT has opened up the opportunity for alternative ways of working that are more flexible and more cost-effective, and this is where cloud computing comes in. In fact, it is likely that you already use some cloud services; tools like Gmail, Google Drive or Dropbox. Even though cloud computing is fast, reliable and cost-friendly, and it has been around for quite some time, many companies have been reluctant to transition to this “new” model.To help you decide, we have prepared an overview of the pros and cons of cloud computing, so you can have all the information you need to help you consider the many ways in which cloud computing can help you grow, optimize your resources and streamline your business processes.

Pros and cons of cloud computing for B2B integration

One of the first concerns that our clients usually raise with ‘the cloud’ is security. The reality is that data loss is possible in any IT system and cyber-attacks are a real risk, but the risk of an event affecting your data in the cloud is actually a lot lower than with traditional in-house IT systems. Any number of physical incidents, such as a power surge, a spilled drink or a disaster like fire represent threats to your data. On the other hand, cloud service providers make security a priority. They invest a lot of time and resources into making their cloud-based software as safe as possible, probably much safer than what a small to mid-sized businesses would be able to. And because of the size of their operations they are able to make the most comprehensive investment into backup, contingency and recovery capacity and planning.Another significant consideration is internet connectivity. With the cloud, you do need to have a stable internet connection. There is no other way around it. Fortunately, this is an easy-to-meet condition for most cases today.

7 Pros of cloud computing for businesses

There are many advantages of cloud computing, from reduced cost and faster cash flow, to better customer experience and happier employees. With cloud computing, you can move the focus away from non-value-added tasks and instead improve communication for critical functions. And we know that in a digitalized world, successful digital communication is imperative for long-term success.So here are some key advantages you and your business can benefit from with cloud B2B integration.

1. Flexibility and scalability

Compared to traditional on-site solutions, the cloud offers significantly greater flexibility and scalability. If you are a small company looking for simple ways to upgrade your everyday business operations, an on-site solution is simply too expensive and complicated. On the other hand, for bigger companies with an existing in-house solution, it may be quite difficult and costly to match the fluctuating needs of the market with the existing on-premise solution and IT resources. But if instead of your own capital investment in IT infrastructure, you have access to an adaptable cloud, it’s easy to expand to the capacity you need. Likewise, if your needs for processing or storage decrease for any reason (think post-season drops in sales or pandemics), you can easily scale your capacity down.

2. Cloud security benefits

We already mentioned that data kept in a secure cloud is usually more secure than on traditional servers, primarily because cloud providers can’t afford to lose customers due to poor security so they make sure to take good care of your data.At Omnizon, we rely on the powerful AWSAWS is an acronym for Amazon Web Services. It is a comprehensive cloud computing platform provided by Amazon.com. AWS offers a wide range of services, including computing power, storage, databases, networking, analytics, and more, allowing organizations to build and deploy various applications and services in a flexible and scalable manner without having to buy and manage their own equipment. cloud as this is where our platform is hosted. The AWS security principles apply across the world, which means you are protected wherever you are located. AWS ensures multi-layered protection of your data, from physical infrastructure to edge security mechanisms, such as encryption and access control.With Omnizon and AWS, you are in safe hands of experienced professionals who provide services to lots of clients, so you don’t need to worry about the technical side of security. If we consider the needs of an average business owner managing a small company, of course they don’t want to get involved with the details of cyber security or spend precious time and money studying compliance mechanisms and building infrastructure. After all, that’s what experts are for, and our guess is you have better things to do.With AWS, you can be sure that your data is very secure and compliant with all relevant regulations such as GDPR, without the need for any investment in infrastructure or extensive knowledge on the topic. In addition, encryption is readily available at the click of a button and it is free to use. Although there will always be a chance of data loss, in any scenario you choose, the cloud is the safest place for all your important information – and also the simplest way to manage and use it.

3. Customer experience

From the point of view of customer experience, we can highlight the difference between using Managed EDIEDI stands for Electronic Data Interchange. It is a standardized method for exchanging business documents electronically between different computer systems in a structured format. EDI enables the automated exchange of documents such as purchase orders, invoices, and shipping notices between trading partners, helping to streamline and automate business processes. services and iPaasiPaaS means Integration Platform as a Service. It is a cloud-based platform that facilitates the integration of different applications, systems, and data sources within an organization. iPaaS provides pre-built connectors, data transformation tools, and workflow capabilities, enabling businesses to create seamless data flows and integrate various applications without the need for extensive coding or infrastructure management. EDI. The main feature here is customization.

• Managed servicesManaged Services refer to outsourced services provided by a third-party vendor or service provider to handle and manage specific aspects of an organization’s operations or technology infrastructure. These services are typically delivered under a service-level agreement (SLA) and can include activities such as EDI services, IT support, network management, data backup, security monitoring, and more.

Some common examples of EDI managed services include automated purchase ordersORDERS (Purchase Order): The ORDERS message is used to convey a request for goods or services from a buyer to a seller. It includes information about the items requested, quantities, pricing, delivery details, and any other relevant terms and conditions. The ORDERS message serves as an official document for initiating the purchase process., invoices, shipping statuses, customs information, inventory documents and payment confirmations.With managed EDI, if anything needs to be customized, you first need to contact your managed service provider. Obviously, the request may not be implemented as soon as you need it, which implies a loss of time. On the other hand, managed EDI services will allow you to focus more time on your core business and less time on manual administrative processes.

• iPaaS

iPaas EDI allows you to perform customization quickly and easily by yourself, using the documentation prepared for our users. This means you can adjust your solution easily and instantly without the third party and additional costs implied for the service.Omnizon iPaaS is simple to use and manage yourself, regardless of the volume of documents you encounter. With a custom solution like this, you save time, and you are completely in control of your needs. You get to keep both the flexibility and autonomy, all at a very low cost.

4. Pay-as-you-grow solution

With an on-premise solution, you need to plan your expansion in advance and know how much storage space you are going to need in two or five years. This can lead to unnecessary expenses and lost money if you purchase too much capacity that ends up unused. Scaling down is usually not very easy.Cloud services are a completely different story. At Omnizon we offer a pay-as-you-grow model, which means you can plan on the fly – start small and build on top of that. When your needs increase, you can add infrastructure components, and you can again scale your solution down if your growth slows down for any reason. The up-front cost savings are significant compared to traditional IT infrastructure as they are operational costs and not capital costs, and you have no worries about long-term capacity planning investment.In addition to having flexible capacity, you are also very flexible in a geographical sense because the cloud is not tied to a specific location or country. Easily access and use your data from anywhere in the world – the EU, the US, Canada or anywhere else you decide to expand.

5. Disaster recovery

While you may not be able to prevent every possible disaster that could cause damage to your business, you can definitely reduce the time needed to bounce back. Cloud service providers offer ‘best in class’ systems and data recovery, so you can minimise the impact time caused by an incident and preserve your ongoing operations and brand reputation. This is much more difficult and expensive to achieve if you depend on your own in-house system.

6. Mobility

Something that is increasingly important as we enter the world of remote work is mobility. Employers no longer need to work exclusively at their workspace all the time, so it only makes sense to be able to match the remote nature of working with remote access to data. Secure access provision to in-house IT systems adds another layer of complexity, responsibility and cost to businesses, whereas cloud providers handle all of this for you.

7. Better communication

The cloud is the best method of increasing digital communication (and minimizing costs). It enables transparency and better team collaboration, while file-sharing is easy due to instant data synchronization. This gives you, our clients, access to important information, it provides a reliable service and, as a result, you have happier and more loyal customers.

Cons of cloud computing

The number one cloud computing disadvantage would be the need for a fast and reliable internet connection. Of course, this can usually be easily provided but it may represent a challenge in some specific situations.Another possible disadvantage may be the complexity involved in migrating the data to other systems if you change provider, so this might be a point to consider when choosing who to work with.The final concern is usually security. If, however, you choose a reliable and professional partner with experience in the field, the balance of probability is that their investment in security measures and experience in the field will outweigh pretty much any individual in-house IT operation.We can confidently say that for a cloud-based solution, the pros far outweigh the cons.

Benefits of Cloud Computing for your Business: The Omnizon Solution

As integration experts for more than 15 years, Omnizon can meet all of your integration needs and help you automate and streamline your business operation, at the same time keeping your data secure and protected.If you are a small emerging company that doesn’t see the need to invest in your own IT structure, but you would like to have a B2B/EDIB2B/EDI Business-to-Business Electronic Data Interchange. It is a standardized method for exchanging business documents electronically between trading partners in a structured format. B2B EDI enables seamless communication and transaction processing between different businesses, automating various processes such as purchase orders, invoices, and shipping notices. integration platform ready for use at moments’ notice, with a set of built-in functionalities that can match your changing needs, our Omnizon solution is perfect for you. From a financial point of view, a simple and customizable solution like this is also a much cheaper option that buying and implementing new on-site equipment, then hiring new staff and providing them with appropriate training. You don’t need any of that with our Omnizon platform.We use the AWS cloud to host our platform, and so you don’t need to worry about compliance or regulations. We do that job for you, so you can focus on your core business instead of rules and governance.Finally, perhaps the greatest benefit is that you don’t need any special infrastructure or the added costs of a managed service provider – instead, you can just use our intuitive platform for all your digital document exchange needs. Plus, there are no big upfront costs involved and you don’t need to hire any IT experts to do this.You can start using our platform within a few days, with the help of our videos and tutorials designed just for users like you. And, of course, you can always reach us for any additional help.

The future of B2B Integration

With the endless increase in data that we see in today’s digital world, it is becoming increasingly difficult for both companies and individuals to meet all the demands of the market, as well as government and security regulations, using the traditional on-premise approach. Cloud computing is beginning to establish itself as the new business standard in data processing and storage, and it is especially suited for implementing a successful B2BB2B stands for “business-to-business” and refers to transactions, interactions, and commerce conducted between two or more businesses. It involves the exchange of goods, services, or information between companies rather than between businesses and consumers. integration. With all the benefits it has to offer, the low cost and virtually endless flexibility, it’s easy to see why the future of B2B integration is definitely in the cloud.