Software as a Service or SaaS is a flavor for On Demand Business. However beneficial SaaS might seem it has its own challenges. Hence one must carefully evaluate the challenges along with the benefits before deciding to implement SaaS for some or all of the business processes. Key decision points to consider on implementing SaaS are
1. Security:
Data Security: For successful SaaS; the software vendor hosting the solution and the cilent need to execute business as a common entity. The client may have to share critical data with the software vendor and hence clear and secured guidelines and proccesses should be defined to ensure the security of data.
Data Flow: Data transfer method and protocols between the client and the software vendor should be secured.
2. Infrastructure: The software vendor should have a strong IT infrastructure. IT human resource, support structure, faliover policy, calamity policy etc should be defined clearly.
3. Knowledge: The software vendor should have a strong customer base of the clients industry. The client should consider the knowledge base (best practices, business analysts etc.) the software vendor possesses around the clients industry. Having a strong knowledge base on the clients industry ensures that the software vendor could make best practice recommendations to help the client runs its business better.
4. Service agreements:
Support:The client should ensure that the software vendor has infrastructure in place to provide virtually a 24 x 7 service and support. This client should consider the leverages gained out of an expectation of 100% customer service.
Contract termination: The client should ensure a smooth termination of contract agreements if necessary.
Protecting IP: The client should ensure proper and secure guidelines to ensure proper protection of its IP shared with the software vendor.
1. Security:
Data Security: For successful SaaS; the software vendor hosting the solution and the cilent need to execute business as a common entity. The client may have to share critical data with the software vendor and hence clear and secured guidelines and proccesses should be defined to ensure the security of data.
Data Flow: Data transfer method and protocols between the client and the software vendor should be secured.
2. Infrastructure: The software vendor should have a strong IT infrastructure. IT human resource, support structure, faliover policy, calamity policy etc should be defined clearly.
3. Knowledge: The software vendor should have a strong customer base of the clients industry. The client should consider the knowledge base (best practices, business analysts etc.) the software vendor possesses around the clients industry. Having a strong knowledge base on the clients industry ensures that the software vendor could make best practice recommendations to help the client runs its business better.
4. Service agreements:
Support:The client should ensure that the software vendor has infrastructure in place to provide virtually a 24 x 7 service and support. This client should consider the leverages gained out of an expectation of 100% customer service.
Contract termination: The client should ensure a smooth termination of contract agreements if necessary.
Protecting IP: The client should ensure proper and secure guidelines to ensure proper protection of its IP shared with the software vendor.
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