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SaaS-Cloud-Hosted-On Premise
FAQs
| Software as a Service | Hosted | On-Premise | Considerations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deployment Method by Defining Features | SaaS: Software that is housed by the software developer with clients accessing the system remotely. Most often, the developer only offers this via an annual subscription payment plan. | Hosted: Infrastructure for housing database and connectivity servers is provided by a third party as a separate fee from the use of the software systems. Usually the software developer recommends a hosting company or the client can select their own. | On-Premise: Everything to support the software systems from hardware to network to communication to the developer's software system is installed on the client's site. | In general, the more in-house developed systems you may already have that requires integration to a new system the more you may lean towards an on-premise solution. |
| Where is the database server? | Remote -not on your premises - usually at the SaaS provider's facility. | Not on your premises-remote per contract. | On-Premise - at your facility. | Security. Do you share the server with others? If there are problems what processes are in place to correct problems quickly? Is there back-up and redundancy? |
| How are you connected to the server? | External Connection:Wireless (WiFi) via the internet (The Cloud).The Cloud is the internet or any application that runs remotely via internet. Note: Mobile devices are merely portable devices with a wireless communication method. |
External Connection: Wireless via the internet (The Cloud) OR Wireless (non-internet) OR External cable (eg:T1 line) Citrix or Terminal Services software. Will depend on the nature of the software provider's system technology. | Internal and/or External Connections: Internal cable or internal WiFi (non-internet) OR External WiFi or Internet OR External cable (e.g.T1 line) Citrix or Terminal Services software or your internal network. | Speed and reliability, Redundancy, Cost, Security. Do you share the connection with others? |
| Who owns the software/perpetual usage rights? | Software is rented: there is a rental agreement but no perpetual usage license as with on-premise systems. | The client own the perpetual usage rights to the software licenses. | The client own the perpetual usage rights to the software licenses. | When software is 'rented' consider the loss of service if you miss a payment with a SaaS provider. Generally, with on-premise providers annual maintenance fees are optional without loss of system use. |
| Where is the software and the database? | Primarily the same place as the server. In the case of integrating with email systems or office applications, those applications are on the clients' workstations. | External Server per contract. Small login app may be needed on computer or phone/PDA. | Client site. | Speed and reliability of the server is more in your control, if desired, the more you are hosted or on-premise. Security. If there are problems what processes are in place to correct problem quickly? Is there back-up and redundancy? Without a SaaS deployment at least consider an outside technical expert to monitor your system infrastructure. |
| How is the software updated? | Automatically, at no additional cost to the client. | You schedule with server owner and software vendor. Software maintenance fees must be current and upgrade fees for services could apply. | You schedule with software vendor or consulting firm. Software maintenance fees must be current and fees for services could apply. | Cost of maintenance, consulting fees for installation of upgrades, control & convenience of scheduling. |
| Who owns and maintains the server? | The SaaS provider. | The Owner of the External Server per contract. | You (unless you are leasing your server). | Cost of server and server repairs. Cost of labor to maintain and repair. Cost of any leasing agreements. Also service obsolescence and it's related operating system components become an on-premise cost. |
As you can see "there's a lot of ins and outs and what-have-yous." That's where we come in...VBS can guide you thru this constantly changing technology and help you make the choices that will best position you to achieve your goals. Give us a call or drop us a line - we're here to help - that's what we do!