Smaller businesses often lack the luxury of customization that their large enterprise counterparts have when it comes to software solutions, which means that they often have to make do with workarounds to handle some of their most unique financial management needs. Cloud financial software provider Intacct has addressed this challenge with the release of its new Flex Reporting features, which are designed to simplify financial report writing while giving users more customization options.

As companies of all types seek to improve their productivity and equip sales staff with information in an increasingly global market, cloud CRM solutions are becoming a more attractive proposition. Leading provider SugarCRM recently announced several new high-profile clients, highlighting the value of cloud CRM software for market leaders with evolving business needs.

Drawn in by the allure of multipoint access, easy upgrades and improved scalability, manufacturing firms are increasingly adopting cloud ERP software, business intelligence software, marketing tools and more. At the same time, substantial room for further adoption remains as manufacturers seek to improve their global operations.

Rather than ignoring today's cloud solutions for business, IT departments may need to be putting more effort into helping their organizations embrace them.

Just about anyone who's spent some time with spreadsheets has some kind of horror story, whether it involved making the graph that ruined a corporate presentation or simply falling asleep during the tedium of entering data in hundreds of fields.

Cloud skeptics remain as widespread and vocal as ever, but, according to some experts, they could be going the same way as those who doubted Copernicus back in the day. While the recent arrival of the cloud paired with the enthusiasm of those touting cloud solutions for business can make it seem like a fad, these applications fill a niche that legacy, on-premise software cannot.

Many companies are finding that legacy accounting systems do not give them the kind of flexibility and analytical oversight they need to meet modern market demands, but they are sticking to familiar solutions due to compliance and control needs. Those that make the jump, however, are realizing that they're able to make a change that feels as big as when they ditched slide rules for calculators. One such company is marketing and advertising firm Voltaris, which recently announced it had switched to cloud accounting tools from Intacct.

Consumer-based cloud applications have made most people familiar with the benefits of the environment and helped non-technical employees become confident in their ability to use Software-as-a-Service utilities. This familiarity often translates into the decision to adopt cloud solutions for business whenever a new challenge arises - in many cases without consulting IT advisors.

As with any big idea, the discussion surrounding cloud solutions for business is often subject to sudden trends and confusing rhetoric from self-proclaimed experts. With all the "knowledge" floating around, it can be easy to lose track of what cloud tools actually do and how the cloud actually works.

Anyone who's ever found himself or herself embroiled in a complicated network of interconnected spreadsheets knows that business data can get confusing in a hurry. Compared to the simplicity of everyday consumer applications, many budgeting and forecasting software offerings can seem unnecessarily obtuse. That's why usability topped the list of considerations for CIOs choosing business intelligence technology.

Handling accounting tasks with accuracy and without duplication across a geographically distributed company can be a challenge. With today's cloud accounting tools, however, there's no need to send an abacus back and forth on the pony express - or even to take the similarly outdated approach of emailing spreadsheets.

Financial advisors may need to embrace cloud accounting tools to stay competitive among younger small business owners. In a recent survey of small business owners by Australian information services firm CCH, two-thirds said they would consider transferring some of the services provided by their accountant to cloud financial software.

Advocates abound for cloud ERP software over on-premise solutions, noting that the elimination of server hardware and associated maintenance responsibilities makes the cloud substantially cheaper. On the other side, on-premise enthusiasts suggest that the subscription model of all cloud solutions for business means that the long-term cost is actually higher. So how can businesses determine whether to go with a cloud ERP software provider or stick to an on-premise system?

Today's businesses need solutions that allow them to seamlessly integrate inputs from different distributed locations, as well as tools that let them access their systems from anywhere on any device. In particular, delivering a satisfying, in-depth customer experience may require collaboration between teams in multiple locations, which means that businesses need the functionality of cloud CRM software such as SugarCRM.

According to Gartner, the number of mobile CRM apps available will increase 500 percent by 2014. Cloud CRM solutions are expected to enjoy a parallel rise in popularity as well as they fuel mobility habits with anytime, anywhere access capabilities. can be expected to improve their mobile offerings and grow as a result.