What type of deployment to choose for my IT project?

The As-a-service is coming in hot. In fact, it’s already well in place in today’s IT reality. Whether it is to implement a big ERP project, or for the configuration of your email accounts, the Cloud is getting bigger and bigger, transforming the hosting formula of software and applications. In 2010, there were already talks of a market of 8.5 billion. Today in 2016, SaaS represents almost 20% of the IT-specific markets.

For your next IT project or initiative, will you have to consider the SaaS option? Is it profitable for your organisation? Are the functions and flexibility offered useful for your tech team? We thought we could give you some tips to help you in your decision. Here are some important points to consider in your evaluation.

Why go to the Cloud?

Because you will like the formula of pay as you go, or the payment per month, that can depend on the number of users. The Cloud offers a panoply of options, versions, length of plans and payment options. That way, you can choose what fits you and your business.

You’ll be able to avoid the extra owner-cost, while having an option where you’re not necessarily committed to a long-term solution.

Another advantage resides in the fact that you’ll free a part of the maintenance of your network (if it’s not already in the Cloud!). This represents a considerable amount of time, effort and money.

Be careful however, this approach has some disadvantages. like less control of your data and limited personalisation options. System integrations can also need new methods.

Am I the only one considering this option?

Absolutely not. As mentioned above, the SaaS market and its communities are constantly growing.

Despite that increase, a good number of small and big businesses still have some reservations towards the SaaS model. Either because it doesn’t fit with their financial needs or they're simply lacking the right context, for a variety of reasons.

However, this model allows the users and acquirers of SaaS software to spread out their investments and manage risk better. According to a study 63% of IT managers interviewed confirmed having saved money by using the Cloud.

Once again, be careful, this model does not apply to everyone.

It’s also a financial question

The famous total cost of ownership takes all its sense in this type of decision, Implanting software and hosting it can be more expansive over 3 or 4 years than if you had decided to go with an On-Premise model. You’ll continue to pay monthly payments, while your organisation could have depreciated the cost of the next service desk solution over time. The notion of CAPEX versus OPEX here determines if your team has interest to acquire SaaS, from a financial perspective and based on its budget, size, etc. Your business case must take into account this analysis.

This decision is a business decision, but it is also a technical decision, where the selected mode of hosting should not slow down your ambitions. On the contrary, it should become an asset in the growth of your business and in you product and services delivery.

Autonomy vs Turnkey

The SaaS option allows you to free yourself of certain actions and focus on your expertise, imparting the hosting and security of your data to your partners. This partner offers you peace of mind and the insurance of good performance and stability.

Beyond this insurance, the configuration and implementation is also generally quicker.

Security and peace of mind

Data security, particularly in banking and finance remains very important and the arrival of the Cloud doesn’t make things easier. Many businesses still doubt the capacity of providers to manage this type of sensible data.

Still, the SaaS providers are conforming more and more to the different norms of conformity, whether those are legislative norms ( HIPAA, FISMA) or simply of the industry’s best-practices ( ISO27001, 27002, SOC1, SOC2, PCI, etc.)

More options for a better choice

Building on the options showcased here, there can be Cloud-hybrid and private solutions that can be interesting and assure a gradual system transformation. Putting aside preconceptions on one choice or the other is a good way to start. After that, a financial analysis of the project and a functional exercise to find out what your needs are will allow you to figure out what it is you need.