Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
The client does not run its own computer system to handle operations, but lends servers from the software manufacturer that are managed and maintained by the software manufacturer. A great example is SAP.
Advantages:
– No cost in employing personnel to maintain system
– Software manufacturer can provide help in cases of malfunction
– Maintenance and updating managed by software manufacturer → they have staff that fully understand the system
– Client enjoys the professional know-how of the software manufacturer
Disadvantages:
– Data security issues resulting from trusting your information to someone else (loss of control)
– Host may be in a different time zone, so maintenance can happen at uncomfortable times
– Because host is not the user itself, user feedback is harder to get
Local vs Remote
• When deciding whether to use local hardware or utilise the cloud there are several considerations that must be made.
• There are four main models of computing that can be offered in the cloud.
– Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
– Platform as a Service (PaaS)
– Software as a Service (SaaS)
– Network as a Service (Naas)
• Each of these will have their pros and cons in terms of hosting locally or in the cloud.
Cloud computing
+Convenience
+Backups
+Collaboration
-Security
-Service
Local computing
+Security
+Legacy software
+Full control
-Lack of Collaboration
-Hardware cost