Comments on: The Problems and Challenges with Software as a Service http://www.geardiary.com/2008/04/09/the-problems-and-challenges-with-software-as-a-service/ Everyone can understand technology; sometimes it just takes a little translating. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:34:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Peterhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/04/09/the-problems-and-challenges-with-software-as-a-service/#comment-30930 Peter Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:53:38 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/04/09/the-problems-and-challenges-with-software-as-a-service/#comment-30930 I think that it depends on the SaaS provider. Some of them, especially the sites that are "for pay", do provide export functions or offer an export if you work through the helpdesk system. The free ones typically offer the bare minimum. You use the software and if you get extra capabilities for backup, that's a bonus. I would argue that if you pay some monthly fee you should get backup/restore through a ticket and the ability to export/save locally as needed. I can see the pros and cons of both sides. SaaS lets you work through a browser with no (or little) trouble. However you're at the mercy of the provider. Working through client apps means you can access without being online, but are limited to workstations with the necessary software. You also need to provide your own backups. I think that it depends on the SaaS provider. Some of them, especially the sites that are “for pay”, do provide export functions or offer an export if you work through the helpdesk system. The free ones typically offer the bare minimum. You use the software and if you get extra capabilities for backup, that’s a bonus.

I would argue that if you pay some monthly fee you should get backup/restore through a ticket and the ability to export/save locally as needed.

I can see the pros and cons of both sides. SaaS lets you work through a browser with no (or little) trouble. However you’re at the mercy of the provider. Working through client apps means you can access without being online, but are limited to workstations with the necessary software. You also need to provide your own backups.

]]> By: Christopher Sperahttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/04/09/the-problems-and-challenges-with-software-as-a-service/#comment-30929 Christopher Spera Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:08:50 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/04/09/the-problems-and-challenges-with-software-as-a-service/#comment-30929 Wayne, I am not talking about web hosts at all. From an end user perspective, it doesn't make a difference if a server glitch is caused by a web host or a software service provider. Your data is in the cloud, and not on your local PC. If the cloud evaporates (for a while, like you're on a laptop and don't have access to any kind of connectivity) you can't get to your data. If the service or site goes down, you can't get to your data. While software as a service might represent a licensing savings, might be a better way of completing enterprise deployments, might help to save the planet (no more plastic media..?), without a way to save and/or view/edit locally, my data is held hostage until I can get back to the cloud. Wayne,

I am not talking about web hosts at all. From an end user perspective, it doesn’t make a difference if a server glitch is caused by a web host or a software service provider. Your data is in the cloud, and not on your local PC. If the cloud evaporates (for a while, like you’re on a laptop and don’t have access to any kind of connectivity) you can’t get to your data. If the service or site goes down, you can’t get to your data.

While software as a service might represent a licensing savings, might be a better way of completing enterprise deployments, might help to save the planet (no more plastic media..?), without a way to save and/or view/edit locally, my data is held hostage until I can get back to the cloud.

]]> By: Wayne Schulzhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/04/09/the-problems-and-challenges-with-software-as-a-service/#comment-30907 Wayne Schulz Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:35:40 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/04/09/the-problems-and-challenges-with-software-as-a-service/#comment-30907 A similar argument could have (and probably was) made when things moved from pencil and paper to computer. Heck I still have clients that argue along the lines of "not trusting the computer". Part of this argument confuses me because you're talking about online web hosts and (I think) making comparisons to Google Apps (et al). Are these really in the same league? An online host (in their mind) is essentially renting hard disk space and bandwidth. SAAS like Google Apps, are usually providing the entire package of use and storage - bundled in a do it yourself package. These SAAS usually take some responsibility for data privacy and backup. I'm really confused how we discuss this issue without discussing SAAS. Isn't that what the entire story is about? A similar argument could have (and probably was) made when things moved from pencil and paper to computer. Heck I still have clients that argue along the lines of “not trusting the computer”.

Part of this argument confuses me because you’re talking about online web hosts and (I think) making comparisons to Google Apps (et al). Are these really in the same league?

An online host (in their mind) is essentially renting hard disk space and bandwidth.

SAAS like Google Apps, are usually providing the entire package of use and storage – bundled in a do it yourself package. These SAAS usually take some responsibility for data privacy and backup.

I’m really confused how we discuss this issue without discussing SAAS. Isn’t that what the entire story is about?

]]> By: alesehttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/04/09/the-problems-and-challenges-with-software-as-a-service/#comment-30904 alese Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:03:28 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/04/09/the-problems-and-challenges-with-software-as-a-service/#comment-30904 It's funny that this is becoming a problem, since I allways thought that one of primary benefits of going with the online services is the "built in" security. Basically if I use Google docs or Gmail, Google is taking care of the backups, so that my data is safe. I guess I'll have to rethink my idea of having my mails "in the cloud" and that backups are taken care of... It’s funny that this is becoming a problem, since I allways thought that one of primary benefits of going with the online services is the “built in” security.
Basically if I use Google docs or Gmail, Google is taking care of the backups, so that my data is safe.
I guess I’ll have to rethink my idea of having my mails “in the cloud” and that backups are taken care of…

]]> By: Joel Mclaughlinhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/04/09/the-problems-and-challenges-with-software-as-a-service/#comment-30890 Joel Mclaughlin Thu, 10 Apr 2008 05:42:57 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/04/09/the-problems-and-challenges-with-software-as-a-service/#comment-30890 I think the most important thing that the online service can do is to let you get your data. For example, for wordpress, I would see if you can add a button to the editor that spits out a HTML file and images or something like that. Make it easy to pull the stuff out of the editor. I think the most important thing that the online service can do is to let you get your data. For example, for wordpress, I would see if you can add a button to the editor that spits out a HTML file and images or something like that. Make it easy to pull the stuff out of the editor.

]]> By: Chris Magnussonhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/04/09/the-problems-and-challenges-with-software-as-a-service/#comment-30889 Chris Magnusson Thu, 10 Apr 2008 05:35:14 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/04/09/the-problems-and-challenges-with-software-as-a-service/#comment-30889 In addition to my comment on the SimpleTech Signature Mini USB 2.0 Portable Drive Review yesterday, I duplicate anything I post online to a folder within My Documents or My Pictures. So that gets backed up six times as well. :twisted: In addition to my comment on the SimpleTech Signature Mini USB 2.0 Portable Drive Review yesterday, I duplicate anything I post online to a folder within My Documents or My Pictures. So that gets backed up six times as well. :twisted:

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