Cloud Information Technology: A Model for the Networked Company

Technology is rapidly changing the way B2B interactions are carried out.

One of the greatest breakthroughs is the emergence of affordable cloud technology platforms, which provides a benefit that no amount of investment in traditional software can obtain — the exponential effect a robust network of companies with a common goal has on the quality of the technology and its users.

The outcome of adopting a cloud technology platform is impressive; a single source of truth from which to make vital decisions emerges.

The IT team of a company moving to cloud-based software must correspondingly adapt the structure of its department. The role of IT must become more strategic as the focus shifts from in-house system maintenance to the management and configuration of a network of the company’s business partners.

This is especially true in global trade and logistics, where many stakeholders play a part in moving a product along the stages of the supply chain.

The best cloud offerings in supply chain will not only provide a platform. They will include tools that the IT team can use to configure the software to meet their unique business needs, gain access to a community of partners, connect seamlessly to other systems, and analyze high quality data from a single information source.