SaaS is here to stay as are conventional applications. The lines have been drawn and there is significant religious debate over which is better. Which is better for you? The answer lies in the results of your analysis of your needs. How your business is structured, how it is operated and so forth.
It is stated at the end of “What you need to know when considering SaaS – Part I”, this post is designed to help those trying to make a determination between conventional software and SaaS, to make an informed decision.
Here are the final five key points of consideration:
6. Integration with internal systems: Do you have custom in-house solutions that depend upon the service provider for data sharing or vice versa? If so how integration capable is the SaaS application? What is the cost of implementation?
7. Know how your data is transmitted: Ask yourself; if I must send and receive data to and from my service provider, is it being done through a secure protocol? If not it would be comparable to a bank with the most secure vault using a convertible automobile instead of an armored truck to move cash around.
8. Scaling up and scaling out versus getting up and out: It is assumed that service providers have the ability to scale up and scale out – meaning they can meet the infrastructure and complementary service demands of their clients. In the event that you have outstripped their ability to serve you, how difficult will it be for you to get up and get out? Is the service built on an open architecture that enables easy migration? Are there any costs associated with getting your data?
9. User Interface (UI) quality: This is an area of significant importance to your everyday quality of life. If the UI of the application makes you work harder than you would with a conventional desktop application then you will hate it very soon. Take the time to trial the application. Use it just like you own it. Put it through its paces before you take it to the races.
10. Understand the network capabilities between your firm and your service provider: Network latency (the time to send a packet from point A to point B) can have a significant effect on the quality of your experience. A series of tests should be made over a period of at least 10 days to determine the average expected performance of the SaaS application.
The support advantages of SaaS versus conventional applications stops with the use of the product. SaaS provides IT level advantages in central maintenance and delivery. However there is no difference at the usage support of either product. If a user cannot make a specific feature work or happens upon a bug the result in support effort is the same. With the advances of self-updating conventional applications the maintenance burden has been greatly reduced.
Thank you for your readership!