Cloudy or clear skies
ahead?
There is a lot of debate (not least internally at MACS
Software) about the benefits or otherwise of cloud computing or the standard
local client/server approach.
Usually, however, the solution proffered as being the best
is dictated by the software capability of the vendor extolling the virtues of
its wares!
As in any arena, this can obviously lead to an unbalanced
comparison.
Irrespective of any technical advantages or disadvantages, the
key questions relate to the practicalities of doing business:
·
Am I in control of my own destiny (data/system)?
If my vendor goes bust, can I demand return of my data?
·
Servers can always fail, but what is my backup
operating procedure and am I comfortable with that?
·
What happens if the internet fails? How would I
have coped with the UK-wide BT broadband problem a few weeks ago? What if there
is a fire at the software hosting company?
·
What are the costs involved? Not just the software
payments (because paying monthly is no different to spreading costs using
finance) but the infrastructure costs associated with my chosen method of
working.
·
Can I easily change the number of licences I
need, short or longer term?
The answer to these questions will be different for
individual businesses. That’s why we at MACS Software treat our customers as
individuals who have different needs at different times.
And that’s why we provide solutions most suitable for the
needs of our customers, rather than forcing across our own ideological dogma.
