Emerging Service Technologies

Stephen Rosenfeld

Software as a Product

• Evolved with computers.• Pay for one license and install on one local

machine. • Data is transported via external memory– Floppy disks– USB disks

• Many license purchases means a large upfront cost for businesses.

As a Product Cont.

• Majority of cost in producing a product goes into creating the first installation.

• Difficult for new businesses to compete due to such a large upfront cost.– Results in industry giants.

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

• “Software as a Service (SaaS) is a software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a vendor or service provider and made available to customers over a network, typically the Internet “– (SearchEnterpriseDesktop.com )

SaaS Cont.

• Gaining Popularity– Increased availability and reliability

• Yearly licensing fees• Hosted customers get ease of mind– No local equipment needed (need for IT dept.).– Service is completely supplied

• Servers• Maintanance • Support• Troubleshooting

SaaS Advantages

• Cost Savings• No Compatibility Issues• Mobility– Processing done on server.– Anywhere access improves workflow.

• Upgrades– Needed only on the server.– Time & money

SaaS Cont.

• Data Backups – Done in one place.– No worries if hosted.– Burden taken from businesses

SaaS Challanges

• All processing done on the server– Too many users bog down system

• Data?– Main concern– Security• Banks & Hospitals• Sensitive and Valuable

SaaS Challanges

• Integration– Clients used to rich applications.– Applications stored on separate servers.

What Google Does

• Google Docs– Instantly share documents with selected users.– Document is updated in real time.– Download documents in external formats

Google Cont.

• Google Apps– Google Docs, – Google Video– Google Sites– Email– Calendar sharing

SaaS for small/medium businesses

• Lowest service level – no hardware– no software– No upgrade costs– Instant Upgrades

• Update documents online with coworkers– Offline then upload to share

Software-plus-Service (S+S)

• “Software-plus-Services ….represents an industry shift toward a design approach that is neither exclusively software-centric nor browser-centric. By deeply and genuinely combining the best aspects of software with the best aspects of cloud-based services, we can deliver more compelling solutions for consumers, developers and businesses.”– http://www.microsoft.com/softwareplusservices/soft

ware-plus-services-full-story.aspx

S+S Advantages

• Users are not forced to upgrade.• Functional without an internet connection.• Share documents with others.

S+S Challanges

• Bussinesses are not able to alter their IT dept.– Cannot be (fully) externally hosted.

• Where is my data being stored?– Some data stored via services, but not all

• Device must have physical and virtual memory • Compatiblity• Install Permissions

What Microsoft Does

• Microsoft Live– Microsoft Instant Messenger– Mail– Movie Maker (currently in Beta)– Writer (for blogging)

• Microsoft Office Live– Collaborate during development– Single file access

Microsoft Cont.

• Microsoft Live Mesh– Sync files across devices– Notified when files are updated.– Tool for developers to “mesh” their own applications.

• Windows Azure– runtime environment– “on-demand compute, storage, and automated

systems management” http://www.microsoft.com/azure/webdev.mspx#whatis

Where is SaaS going?

• Internet access continues to become faster and more reliable.

• Application integration tools (APIs) to allow communication between multiple SaaS systems– Convenience

• Allow users to interact with their documents locally (much like S+S)– Google Docs Offline – Google Toolbar

Where SaaS is going.

• Google will need to find ways to attract users to charged services.

• Offer the right services for a small amount of money to many people.

Where is S+S going?

• Main Disadvantage cannot be overcome– Businesses using S+S will still need to employ an IT

department• Installations may not be possible due to – permissions – system requirements

• Low functionality web delivered apps (SaaS)

Leading To

• SaaS and S+S applications will begin to collide.• S+S will offer online only services.• SaaS will offer offline alternatives.