Moving Microsoft Dynamics ERP to the Cloud? Avoid the Lightning

The benefits of moving to the cloud are many and well documented.   However, before making the leap of moving your critical financial data offsite, it's best to understand the risks associated with the cloud. One of the biggest risks is choosing a private cloud provider to manage and support your Microsoft Dynamics system.  When selecting your cloud, there are some questions you must ask and some qualification you might want to demand.

Some of the most frequently asked questions by prospects are: Is my data protected and secure in the cloud? Will anyone outside of my business have access to my data?  Will support be available 24x7x365? Will my data have regular backups?

Ask any cloud provider these questions and you will receive prompt assurances.  Make sure the provider can back up their security claims with an SSAE 16 audit report.  Passing an SSAE 16 audit means that an independent auditor examined the cloud provider's policies, procedures, communications and monitoring related to the following areas: physical and environmental security, confidentiality, availability, privacy and processing integrity.  

Carl Hentsch, Solution Consultant at Myappsanywhere, a leading Microsoft Dynamics cloud provider, said that completing an SSAE 16 audit, "gives our clients and prospects confidence that we have demonstrated an environment committed to effective controls and processes."  If a cloud provider has not completed an SSAE 16 assessment, ask to tour the data center and focus on the aforementioned areas included in the auditor's review.

If your company falls under regulatory compliance, using an SSAE 16 compliant cloud provider is mandatory.  RoseAsp, the 2011 Microsoft Dynamics US ERP Cloud Reseller of the Year, provides services to companies that are publicly traded and are subject Sarbanes-Oxley audits.   ...