Should You Migrate to a Cloud Platform for Barcode Scanning?

As a JD Edwards user, you have several options in the marketplace for your barcode scanning needs. Many users rely on Cloud Inventory, which was bought by Nextworld in 2022. Cloud Inventory is promoting a conversion to their new cloud-based Enterprise Applications Platform (EAP) for JD Edwards users. 

This means converting their platform and software - and potentially barcode solution. Cloud Inventory is offering some incentives to make the move, including migration at no cost and underscoring their low-code/no-code platform, which make development and upgrades easier.  

At ERP Suites, we have helped many customers make critical business platform decisions. Our team of experts has the necessary industry experience to speak to the platforms that are best suited for your business. For customers looking at barcode scanning solutions, sometimes that means switching to products like ERP Suites Scanability – and sometimes it doesn’t. At the end of the day, we just want to help you make the best decision for your company.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of moving to a cloud platform for barcode scanning. We want to help you make the right decision for your business, regardless of the direction that takes you in. 

Why Is Cloud Inventory Investing in This Upgrade?

Nextworld, a cloud-based ERP company founded by one of JD Edwards’ original creators, acquired Cloud Inventory (formerly known as DSI). This move helps them streamline their operations by moving everyone onto their cloud platform. It makes sense for them—it’s cheaper to support one platform rather than several different versions of software.

To sweeten the deal for existing users, they’re offering incentives like free migration and the promise of an easier-to-use, low-code/no-code development platform. This means that theoretically, you don’t need to be a developer to create or modify workflows. If making quick changes without diving into complex code is appealing, this is a plus.

However, there are some drawbacks worth considering. Users switch solutions or stay with existing solutions for a variety of reasons.

The most important boil down to:

• Licensing – How are you paying for your solution?
• Location – Does your solution reside on premises or in the cloud?
• Longevity – Is your solution going to be around for the long haul?

A New Licensing Model Could Mean Losing Your Investment

One of the top-of-mind changes in situations that involve switching platforms is the potential for moving from perpetual software licenses to a rental model. This can make customers who have already invested in license purchases feel shortchanged.

Pro: Staying Aligned with Cloud Inventory’s Changes

Your perpetual license loss is a reality if you stay with Cloud Inventory, for example. There’s no way around it. But staying with Cloud Inventory and accepting the licensing adjustments means you’d remain aligned with the company and their new direction.

Con: Losing Your Investment in Perpetual Licenses

If you previously bought a perpetual license for Cloud Inventory, upgrading to Nextworld’s licensure model means switching to a subscription (rental) model. In simple terms: the investment you made when you purchased your license(s), believing it to be a one-time purchase, is now nullified. You now have to pay ongoing fees to use the software. That can be a tough pill to swallow.

Alternative: A Hybrid Model

Some barcode scanning solutions offer hybrid models, which can provide more flexibility. For example, ERP Suites Scanability is a subscription hybrid, offering three different tiers with different amounts of users for each. You’re not paying for anything you don’t need, and you’ll have access to any investments you’ve made with us. Each plan is tailored around the number of users, and support services you require. This allows you the flexibility to choose the best solution for your organization. 

Cloud-Based Solutions: Pros and Cons

Using the cloud can make many functions easier. There’s less hardware involved onsite, and upgrades can be easier. There are also several weaknesses – latency issues, dependency on internet connectivity, data privacy and compliance, and recurrent storage fees, just to name a few.

Pro: Cloud-Based Convenience

With the new platform being cloud-based, you could reduce the hardware you need on-site. This can mean fewer servers to maintain, lower power costs, and potentially easier upgrades since they happen on the cloud provider’s end.

If you’re looking to modernize and minimize your on-premises infrastructure, this could be appealing. Additionally, for businesses already committed to transitioning away from Oracle’s ecosystem, Nextworld’s cloud-first approach could align with broader digital transformation goals. 

Con: Cloud Connectivity Issues

A cloud-based solution means your barcode scanning depends on a reliable internet connection. If that connection goes down—due to a fiber line cut, a network outage, or even a glitch—you can’t scan. For warehouse operations, even a few minutes of downtime can lead to chaos. Orders get delayed, productivity grinds to a halt, and you’re left at the mercy of factors outside your control.

Your autonomy to decide whether to take upgrades is also eliminated. If you use cloud-based software, you have to do what that provider dictates.

Alternative: An On-Site Solution Means 24/7 Connectivity

On-premises solutions, such as Scanability, offer uninterrupted connectivity even during internet outages. However, they can lack some of the remote accessibility and scalability benefits that cloud-based solutions provide. 

Risks of Moving Away from an Oracle Focus for JD Edwards Users

JD Edwards has been around a long time. Thousands of companies around the world still use it, and Oracle keeps supporting it. As such, moving away from the Oracle world to any degree can feel quite risky.   

Pro: Future ERP Integration

If you’re interested in moving away from the Oracle ecosystem, Cloud Inventory’s new platform could be your solution. This upgrade could be a steppingstone to that end game. It might also feel that staying with Cloud Inventory is less risky. After all, you’re keeping things familiar.

Con: Divergence is Destabilizing

For folks who aren’t ready to make the switch, this move could make them feel isolated. And integrating new solutions like this with JDE can require custom work, adding cost and complexity.

Alternative: All in on JDE

Solutions like Scanability are deeply integrated with JD Edwards  through Orchestrations, which are built into JDE. This ensures Oracle investments continue to deliver value. However, businesses considering moving away from Oracle may find such deep integrations limiting in the long term. 

Make These Key Considerations Before Making the Switch

Migrating to a new platform for barcode scanning, whether with Nextworld or Scanability or anyone else, might seem like the path of least resistance, but it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully.

• Consider the total cost of upgrading: licensing fees, migration costs, training, and potential downtime. Remember that future JDE upgrades and new releases will continue to necessitate updating custom scripts and testing.
• Ask yourself: Do you want a solution that supports JD Edwards long-term, or are you willing to risk being nudged toward a new ERP platform?
• How will a cloud-based solution affect your daily operations, especially in terms of connectivity and control over scanning upgrades?

If you’re interested in exploring other barcode scanning solutions, this article outlines how Scanability, Cloud Inventory, and RF Smart compare to each other.