Infor CloudSuite Pricing: Navigating the Costs of an Implementation

The short answer is that it depends on a multitude of factors. CloudSuite implementation projects have a wide range of effort, which drastically affects the overall cost.

On average, however, we typically see pricing for CloudSuite implementations hover between $500 thousand and $5 million.

This is clearly a huge window, but below we go into why CloudSuite pricing can vary so much.

Understanding the Complexity of Software Pricing

No CloudSuite implementation is the same, just like no organization is the same. With so many nuances, business needs, unique organizational processes, and workflows for maintaining your office back-end infrastructure, it can be difficult to baseline pricing.

There are several details that will increase the cost of the project though. And below are some of the major items to consider.

• Industry, size, and organizational makeup: Different industries require different needs, and as such may require either more functionality or user access. This coupled with the size of an organization plays a key role in determining the cost of the software. The bigger the business, the bigger the price tag.
• User-based pricing: Infor CloudSuite pricing often includes a user-based fee structure. This means that the number of users accessing the system can significantly impact the overall cost. Understanding your user requirements and selecting the appropriate licensing will drive up or down the total price.
• Module selection: CloudSuite is known for its modular design, allowing businesses to choose the specific applications that suit their needs. From finance and supply chain to workforce management and human capital management, organizations can choose which applications they want to integrate and when. Naturally, the more applications selected, the higher the cost of the software and the implementation. To keep costs in check, it’s essential to carefully assess which applications are necessary for your organization. Also consider staggering the implementation of select applications to better manage budget requirements.

What Factors Influence the Cost of the Implementation?          

The biggest factor for determining pricing for a CloudSuite implementation is the scope of the project. Certain applications will require more effort and time. Here are the three biggest factors.

• Customization: The level of customization required for your Infor CloudSuite implementation can greatly affect pricing. Highly customized solutions often demand more resources and, consequently, a higher price point. For example, organizations that have acquired businesses or maintain diverse operational structures have an added complexity during CloudSuite ERP implementations as well. Disparate processes and procedures across various business units can significantly escalate customization requirements. Another organizational challenge to consider when implementing CloudSuite is accounting for the number of years of customizations that have been added to the existing system, as well as the quantity and quality of documentation that is available for recreating those configurations.  To compound the issue, oftentimes, organizations don’t have the original developers on staff, and as such will need to factor in additional time to reverse engineer the current state for ensuring compatibility during the CloudSuite implementation. These areas can quickly increase the cost of the project.
• Integration complexity: If your business relies on multiple software solutions, the complexity of integrating them with Infor CloudSuite can affect pricing. The more intricate the integration, the more resources may be needed. Another integration factor is where is your organization coming from? What version of the application are you migrating from? How modern is the solution you’re migrating from and to. The change in technology can be a monumental level of work. Integration between on-premise and cloud applications needs to be rethought for the new system. Every interface needs to be rethought and redesigned based on the business requirements.
• Data storage: Data is the lifeblood of any ERP system. CloudSuite pricing may be influenced by the amount of data storage your organization requires. It’s recommended that you assess your data needs and choose a plan that accommodates them. This will help in determining what data needs to be carried over and what can be retired, which plays a part in the cost as well. Also consider the quality of your data, as a cleanup project, in addition to a migration project will certainly add to the cost of the project.

Additional Costs to Consider

Software is not the end-all-be-all, nor is installing said software. When implementing an ERP, consider that the average lifecycle is nearly 20 years, and that inevitably means additional costs may be incurred throughout that timeline.

Below are additional expenses to weigh when determining a CloudSuite budget.

• Team training: Beyond the software subscription fees, CloudSuite budgets should also account for the costs associated with team training. CloudSuite implementations, and all ERP implementations, are disruptive projects by nature and require training. Moreover, core users from affected business areas should have a seat at the table to ensure business requirements are met. Afterall, these are the people who will be using the system every day. Preparing team members with formal training throughout the implementation, as well as after it is completed, will ensure your teams can fully leverage Infor CloudSuite’s capabilities, and as such will heavily influence the overall cost of the project. Change management measures should be introduced early on as well to ensure greater user adoption.
• Support and maintenance: Don’t overlook ongoing support and maintenance costs. Ensure you have a clear understanding of what is covered in your subscription and what might incur additional charges. Organizational size and interface customizations will also play a role in determining the cost. An organization with 150 interfaces may need to consolidate and carry over those customizations over the length of the project and depending on their internal resources, will factor into the cost.
• Extended timelines: At the onset of a CloudSuite implementation, organizations may wish to implement everything at once. Rather than setting a “Big-Bang” timeline, organizations should instead look at the project through a phasing perspective. That way, your project management and IT teams can fully participate in the project and successfully adopt and maintain the system. Phasing also reduces the risk of delaying one area of the project influencing another area. It basically allows organizations to manage the project in the least disruptive, most cost-effective manner.

Most Common Questions We Receive About Infor CloudSuite

In our time as dedicated ERP implementation and optimization providers, we’ve received dozens of questions regarding CloudSuite costs. Below are the most common pricing questions.

1. Are there any discounts available for long-term subscriptions?

Infor may sometimes provide discounts to organizations that commit to long-term subscriptions. Be sure to inquire about available incentives during your discussions. Authorized software re-sellers, like RPI Consultants, may also be able to assist in securing any associated pricing adjustments.

2. Can I adjust the number of CloudSuite licenses as my business evolves?

Yes. Infor CloudSuite is designed to be scalable. You can adjust your subscription to align with your changing requirements. We often come across organizations that need to account for new entities acquired during mergers and acquisitions and thus require more licenses.

3. How long is a CloudSuite implementation project?

Like the price of the project, lengths vary greatly based on the resources available, scope of the implementation, the number of customizations, etc. However, we typically see projects range between 6 to 24 months in length.

4. Are there any additional costs associated with software updates?

Typically, software updates are included in your subscription. In fact, it’s one of the many benefits of a cloud-based ERP solution. However, it’s advisable to confirm with your services provider to avoid any surprises.

Get Infor CloudSuite Pricing for Your Organization

By now it’s clear that pricing for an Infor CloudSuite ERP implementation is complex.

With factors such as licensing, project scope, customizations, data migration, and training weighing heavily on the total cost, organizations need to be mindful when evaluating the system.

Despite these factors, CloudSuite is a popular ERP option, especially amongst healthcare organizations and public sector municipalities. In fact, RPI’s recent research report found that of the organizations on the cloud-based platform, most rate the system’s functionality and ease-of-use highly.

Due to the many moving parts required for a project of this scale, however, it’s advisable to consult with a third-party expert, like RPI Consultants.

With over 20 years’ experience guiding organizations large and small through complex implementations, we can help you evaluate which ERP applications make the most sense for your business, conduct a pre-planning exercise, and devise a timeline for implementing the system in the least disruptive, cost-effective way as possible.

To find out unique, custom Infor CloudSuite pricing for your organization, contact us below.