Saas Model Solutions: How To Achieve Scalable And Cost-effective It Infrastructure

Software as a Service (SaaS) is one of the latest buzzwords in the IT industry

. Is it all hype or is it a real solution for today's IT infrastructure? The fact is SaaS, particularly when offered by a SAS 70 certified provider, has a number of advantages over traditional software deployment.

Security

One concern some clients have about SaaS is that outsourcing their IT infrastructure will undermine the security of the information. While this is a concern for any business, companies that deal with health or financial data are particularly concerned over how these services fit regulations like HIPAA or Sarbanes-Oxley.

Clients should ensure that any SaaS provider follow basic security protocols. Connections to SaaS should be through encrypted connections that are effectively impossible to hack into from the outside. Data stored at the SaaS provider should be protected from outside inquiry even from the provider's own IT personnel. Finally the provider should be SAS 70 certified to show their commitment to exceptional efficiency and service.

The IT infrastructure in a SAS 70 certified SaaS provider will be far more secure than the client's own data center. These professionally managed facilities can afford to implement security measures such as round-the-clock security personnel and top-of-the-line intrusion detection software. The centers are typically better protected against fire, power loss or natural disaster than a typical data center and can offer 100% uptime to users. Redundant power supplies, servers and networks ensure that the application is available no matter what.

Scalability

IT infrastructures are not infinitely expandable. As a company grows, more users mean more strain on existing systems. To serve the larger user base, organizations may have to buy additional servers and hire staff to administer the new equipment. When there is no more room in the data center, what is the organization to do?

Companies also run into the problem that many applications, even enterprise software, can handle surprisingly small numbers of users simultaneously. Slow response frustrates employees and slows production. Workstation-based solutions have the problem that the more users, the more copies of the software that have to be maintained. It is a challenge to keep all copies updated with the latest patches.

SaaS are designed from the ground up to be highly scalable. They are meant for large numbers of users and designed to transmit information efficiently between client and server to minimize network traffic. The IT infrastructures are optimized for high user load and won't slow down as the company grows. Centralized administration means updates are easy, since all users are accessing the same application.

Affordability

Software is expensive. The cost of workstation-based software can quickly become prohibitive as a company grows. Enterprise applications are typically more cost effective, but the IT infrastructure must be capable of handling the user load. As more users access applications, data centers have to expand as detailed above. In addition to space requirements, new equipment and personnel add significant expenses to an organization and can cause costs to spiral out of control.

SaaS solutions don't require additional hardware or personnel so can be implemented quite inexpensively. Even as the company grows, no additional costs will be incurred. This not only makes operations more profitable, it makes expenditures more stable and predictable, facilitating the development of long-term strategic plans.

Security expenses are typically smaller under SaaS. Since providers operate centralized IT facilities that service many clients, they can use the economy of scale to provide high level security to their clients at a much lower cost than clients could implement these same security measures.

Outsourcing much of the IT infrastructure to a SAS 70 certified service provider allows an organization to manage a smaller data center with a smaller core staff. Excess IT personnel can be redirected to more lucrative endeavors, allowing the company to focus on growth and service rather than tedious IT maintenance. A smaller power also means lower power costs, an IT expense many companies underestimate.

Many IT managers resist the move to SaaS out of fear of sacrificing control, but these concerns are unfounded. SaaS offers better security, scalability and affordability than traditional software solutions and allows a company to focus its efforts on more lucrative activities.

by: Steve Bulmer

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