ERP Cloud Transition Paves the Way for a More Agile Future
August 25, 2023 by Shauna Seaver
From Crisis to Opportunity
Cities everywhere face ever-growing demands to streamline operations and increase accessibility to their services, and this demand only multiplies in times of crisis. Situated just south of Atlanta, the City of Jonesboro, Georgia employs about 55 people and serves just under 5,000 citizens. These employees continued to serve their community in 2020, when the pandemic caused closures nationwide — but beyond health and safety concerns, the city faced the challenge of continuing their services with an on-premises accounting system.
The next year brought new opportunities for the city to improve their business processes and adapt to the pandemic’s challenges. First, Nina Robinson joined the city’s staff as finance director — and she came with a new vision for the future of Jonesboro’s ERP system. When ARPA funds became available, the city took the opportunity to improve their infrastructure, moving their ERP Pro solution to the cloud to increase scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
A Partner in Transformation
While the ARPA funding that became available for pandemic recovery made the transition to a cloud-enabled ERP system possible, the need for a more flexible and connected system had been felt earlier as the city grew and evolved. “With the influx of funds from ARPA, which came in the aftermath of COVID-19, it was clear that the timing was right, and the resources were available to make this project a priority,” said Robinson. Her deep understanding of the city's financial processes and operations enabled her to identify the potential advantages of migrating to a cloud-based ERP system. Her expertise was complemented by Rodney Virgil, the city’s IT specialist, who made invaluable contributions in securing the IT infrastructure needed to make the implementation a success.
Robinson fostered collaboration and encouraged open communication throughout the transition, leading to a seamless partnership between Tyler Technologies’ implementation team, Jonesboro’s IT team, and the City Hall staff. Moving the city’s ERP system to the cloud without any significant disruptions — from data migration, to system integration, to user adoption — required expertise from all sides. Tyler’s implementation team brought a wealth of experience in deploying cloud-based solutions, while Virgil and the Jonesboro IT team possessed an in-depth understanding of the city's unique infrastructure and technical requirements. By working together, they were able to customize the cloud-based ERP Pro solution to suit the city's specific needs and workflows.
Well-Positioned for the Future
Jonesboro leadership and employees found that with the implementation of the cloud-based ERP system, collaboration and communication were greatly improved. The city continues to add to its system’s capabilities, which is facilitated by the cloud environment. The ease of access to real-time data enables better decision-making and streamlined workflows. With these improvements, city employees have access to better tools and data, thereby improving the efficiency of service delivery and responsiveness to the needs of citizens.
Robinson noted the most significant impact on operations is seen in the financial modules that allow for the staff to streamline budgeting and financial reporting processes. Users can access the system from home and complete tasks related to budget development. “I was excited to know that I could access the financial applications from anywhere with an internet connection,” said Robinson. “We really wanted the flexibility to be in place and the staff to be comfortable with the functionality in a remote working environment. Being able to pivot and respond to global crises as well as personal needs of staff is the greatest part of this transition. We are better equipped to be responsive to a multitude of needs.”
The successful move to the cloud-based ERP Pro solution brought significant benefits for the City of Jonesboro:
- Enhanced Accessibility: With the system now cloud-based, city officials and employees can access critical data and applications from anywhere with an internet connection, enabling remote work flexibility and improving overall productivity.
- Scalability and Flexibility: The cloud-based ERP system allows the city to easily scale up or down based on its changing needs, ensuring resources are optimally allocated.
- Data Security and Redundancy: The cloud environment provides robust data security measures, reducing the risk of data breaches and ensuring data redundancy for added protection.
- Streamlined Processes: ERP Pro automates various tasks, reducing manual effort and streamlining workflows across departments.
“The city's decision to embrace cloud-based technology has positioned it on the cutting edge of efficiency, setting a precedent for other municipalities to follow suit,” said Robinson. “The city is now poised for a more agile, secure, and innovative future.”