Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
Traditionally businesses have purchased "perpetual" licenses based on CPUs, users, sites and more. Once licenses have been purchased these entitle the business to use that software indefinately within the constraints of the license. Typically minor updates and bug fixes are provided as part of the license agreement. Optionally, businesses may choose to purchase "software assurance" - an annual retainer (usually a percentage of the capital costs of the licenses) that entitles the business to a "free upgrade" when new major releases are made. This is an expensive way to buy software. Businesses must "write-off" the capital expense and consider their Return on Investment (ROI) over a period of typically 3 to 5 years.
Software as a Service (SaaS) is a new method for the delivery of business software. Instead of businesses investing huge capital sums into a platform it enables a "turn-key" approach to software delivery. Businesses pay for the amount they use (typically the number of users in the organization, although not all users necessarily require access to all software, eg. accounts department). This makes trialling software and deploying new software across the organization as simple as flicking a switch. If a more suitable alternative replacement is found, one software service is "switched off" in favour of another. Software can be ready-to-use in most circumstances within minutes. Billing is much simpler, since you only pay for what you use. Managing growth is much simpler too, since the costs are fixed and easily predictable. Furthermore, software assurance is built in. Upgrades (both minor and major) are handled centrally with an adopted change management process, and automatically deployed to all users in all sites. Finally, businesses no longer have to justify the ROI beyond one month. How valuable do you think those Microsoft Windows 95 or Office 97 licenses gathering dust on a shelf are to the business now?
Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS)
We all know too well how quickly new technology becomes redundant. Given the rate of change with computer hardware, the growing need to remain competitive, and with new applications consuming more computing power and bandwidth, how can technology refreshes every 3 years be effective? More often than not, traditional technology refreshes are staggered over a a three year period, leading to inconsistancies in hardware and capability across the organization in an effort to minimize the burden on capital investment.
As an extension of SaaS, Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) adopts a similar model. Instead of investing large amounts of capital into current hardware and justifying the ROI over 3 to 5 years, why not lease hardware as and when required? With HaaS all users benefit from the latest hardware with technology refreshes every 12, 18, 24 or 36 months with incentives at various stages. Hardware is delivered preconfigured and ready to use. New network hardware, laptops, desktops and servers are supplied, ready to go within 48 hours. This form of "hardware assurance" means that again, the business only pays for what is uses in a tax-efficient and cost effective manor. How valuable is that old Compaq Armada sat in storage? Or worse - that one STILL being used by the sales team?
Managed Service Provider (MSP)
A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is your traditional IT outsourcing company who take care of your day-to-day networking, security and end user support. Having onsite IT staff is a costly luxury and one that doesn't necessarily make business sense. Onsite staff become entrenched with the culture of the organization, and rarely run their department as though they deliver your staff a service. The business case for outsourcing and accessing pooled knowledge in all IT sectors has been successfully made. But how many times have they blamed the manufacturers who made the equipment? Old equipment that should have been retired long ago? The DSL supplier, or that guy who installed or configured the network before they arrived on scene? In a scenario where the MSP doesn't source and supply your equipment, or doesn't provide end-to-end services directly, the potential to pass-the-buck from pillar-to-post exists at every turn. And how often do you find it exploited!?
A Managed Service Provider who has selected proven technology and who understands the complexities of your organization both culturally and technologically is in a better position to deliver the standard of service you expect from outsourcing. Extensive and diverse pooled knowledge and resources combined with investment in secure data centres and industry acknowledged best practices. The best MSPs provide 24/7/365 telephone and remote support and monitoring for all their clients. MSPs have evolved the way organizations look at their IT - without a doubt it's a step in the right direction.
IT-as-a-Service (ITaaS)
Delivery of software + hardware + managed services = IT as a Service (ITaaS). This model can be more accurately described as Utility Computing - delivering "utility" in much the same way as you purchase electricity, gas and telephone services. ITaaS delivers an agile and dynamic IT infrastructure for your organization, backed with high levels of support and value added services. Many of the major headaches involved with managing an IT department as part of the organization are removed. Additionally, some MSPs, Pemrose included, deliver not just IT services but fully integrated telecoms and communications services across the entire ICT estate.
Utility Computing - The Benefits
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No need to invest in expensive licenses. Pay only for what you use. Switch software on or off.
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Never pay for "upgrades" or "bug fixes" again. Software assurance is built-in.
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Justify ROI over one month, not 3 to 5 years.
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Benefit from the latest, reliable preconfigured hardware with onsite warranty.
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Regular, inexpensive technology refreshes.
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24/7/365 technical support and leading SLAs.
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MSPs who deliver an end-to-end solution have insight into the entire ICT estate.
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An agile, dymanic IT infrastructure which grows easily and predictably with your organization.
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An IT instrastructure that adapts to meet requirements, on-demand.
Shouldn't your organization be consuming IT as a Service? Speak to Pemrose today to arrange an audit or IT healthcheck and see how Utility Computing could transform the way your company looks at IT...
SaaS + HaaS + MSP = ITaaS = Pemrose.