Cloud Computing/Software-as-a-Service

Software as a Service (SaaS), or Cloud Computing in general terms, refers to a type of software system that, typically, provides centrally hosted functionality and content that a user accesses remotely. This is usually achieved by the service provider maintaining a server (or set of servers) that run all the major processing of the application. On the user’s end, a type of thin client (a minimal computer interface, often delivered via web) is available to interact with the system. This setup allows for significant processing power, reliability, security and efficient setup for the core and simple, lightweight and useful points of connection with the system at any location with data access. Great, right? But what does that mean for you and your business?

     -  Savings

One of the main draws of such a setup is having a complete solution that fulfills all of the needs of a company without a full-time IT staff. Does your company maintain a full-time group of lawyers? Grounds-keepers? Telecommunications networks? Office supply production? Probably not, because you’re not in those sectors of business. You tap into the resources of another service provider to supply you with the products, services and expertise that are too costly and inefficient to keep on your own. Sharing the services of a specialist and splitting the cost while receiving the same or greater level of utility and support is a much sharper, leaner and more effective plan. This tracks through to Cloud Computing. With a contracted bundle of products and specialist assistance, you can have your IT requirements provided to you for a fraction of what you would spend managing your own.

     -  Expertise

Along the same lines as savings, an in-house group of IT professionals are going to come from myriad different backgrounds, have their individual strengths and weaknesses, and often be more geared toward general IT services with a spattering of specialties. Conversely, a company offering a particular system is going to be an expert in that system. They’re going to know the ins and outs about how it works, its limitations and the possible changes and configurations. You effectively have an army of individuals ready to help you and troubleshoot anything that may come along. Furthermore, you get the comfort of knowing that your system is managed and maintained by professionals focused on providing you with the best service possible.

     -  Ease

This one is pretty straightforward. SaaS companies know what they’re doing, going in. You don’t need to worry about learning a lot of new, yet limited information, training new people or even managing them or the software. They set it up and keep it going, you use it. Simple. If there are any issues, you let them know and they resolve it. This gives you more time for the matters-at-hand with your business and less worry about the support systems.

     -  Quickness

This is two–fold: quicker implementation and quicker upgrades. The system itself is already in place and all the necessary hardware is there and ready to go. The near-immediate availability makes implementing your new solution very quick and very easy. All that is necessary, generally, would be the setup of minimal, physical components and establishment of connections to the core.

Because the hardware is in easy reach of the developers in a Software-as-a-Service environment, this also means for quicker upgrades and updates. New additions and changes are able to be added instantly to the system without having to wait on new version packages, delivery and installation. Fixes and alterations can be added in directly and the new components are instantaneously ready.

Why not check out what Cloud Computng/SaaS can do for you and request a demo!