Ten years ago, most companies here bought a server and kept their accounting software in a back room. Today, most new projects in the region start in the cloud. But not all of them, and the reasons are worth understanding.
Why most companies choose cloud now
- No server to buy, cool and back up.
- Updates arrive without a project every time.
- Staff can work from the office, a site or home.
- Costs are spread as a monthly or yearly subscription.
For most small and mid-sized companies, cloud is simply the sensible default. Zoho is cloud-only. Odoo and Business Central both have strong cloud options.
When on-premises still makes sense
Some groups have good reasons to keep systems in-house: government contracts that require local hosting, very large data volumes, poor internet at remote sites, or a board that wants payroll data on its own servers.
A hybrid setup is also common. Finance in the cloud, payroll on the company’s own server, connected to each other.
What to check in each country
- UAE: most companies go cloud. Government suppliers and large groups sometimes need data hosted in the country.
- Saudi Arabia: some sectors prefer data inside the Kingdom, which narrows the hosting choice.
- Qatar and Bahrain: cloud works well. Check where backups are stored if you hold government contracts.
- Oman: cloud is common. Remote sites with weak connections may favour hybrid.
- Kuwait: some groups keep payroll on-premises and finance in the cloud.
- India: cloud is the norm for SMEs. Larger firms sometimes keep payroll in-house.
Questions to ask any provider
- Where exactly is my data stored, and where are the backups?
- Can I get a full export of my data if I leave?
- What uptime do you commit to, and what happens when you miss it?
- Who can access my data on your side?
Questions we’re often asked
Is cloud ERP allowed for government suppliers in the UAE?
Usually yes, but some contracts require data to be hosted in the UAE. Check the contract terms.
Can we move from on-premises to cloud later?
Yes. Odoo and Business Central both support moving from on-premises to cloud, though it takes planning.
Which is cheaper, cloud or on-premises?
Cloud has lower upfront cost. On-premises can cost less over many years for large groups, but you carry the server and support costs.
ZEO Cloud runs as a cloud subscription, or on your own servers with the Enterprise plan. We set up Odoo and Business Central either way. get in touch if you’re weighing the options.