Last year, IDC predicted that Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery will significantly outpace traditional software product delivery in the near future. By 2020, the cloud software model will account for $1 of every $3.51 spent on software. (IDC, September 2016) If you aren’t already using SaaS applications from your vendors, you will be. If you are still distributing your software product by the download-then-install model, or the (shudder) we’ll-mail-you-a-DVD model, it’s time to join the 21st century and bring your customers to your network using the SaaS model.
Changing your software delivery method is no small undertaking. As with any project that involves software architecture, careful planning helps you avoid future problems or costly mistakes. Today we’re talking about the various things to consider when making the decision to move your software to a SaaS provider.
Gartner recommends that one of the key things to do when looking at SaaS solutions is to understand that SaaS solutions are fundamentally different from off-the shelf solutions. (Gartner, 2016) Here are some things you should consider when choosing a SaaS provider:
- Does the provider offer a solution that delivers most of the desired business functionality? Will customization be needed? Is the cost of customization warranted?
- As hackers continue to get more and more sophisticated, Gartner recommends a switch from thinking about security as ‘protection’ to thinking about it as ‘detection and recovery’. (Gartner, 2016) Does the provider think along these lines as well? What is their plan for detection and recovery if there’s a breach?
- What kind of integration and interoperability does the provider offer? Do they have partners who can facilitate integrating this solution with current architecture?
- Cloud based SaaS solutions often offer lowered costs from in-house solutions due to their billing models. To realize these savings, favorable contract terms negotiated up front are necessary.
What about DNS traffic management? Cloud computing, including SaaS offerings, rely on Internet connectivity in order to provide the information and services you need. Security, architecture, customization, interoperability, and cost savings are all important when considering a SaaS solution. However, none of this works if you are not managing the DNS traffic that connects your users and you to your SaaS solution.
How NS1 Can Help
NS1’s intelligent DNS and traffic management platform, with its data-driven architecture and unique Filter Chain routing engine, is purpose-built for the most demanding, mission-critical applications on the Internet. NS1’s comprehensive platform technology leverages infrastructure, application and network data to make intelligent routing decisions in real time, ensuring optimal application performance and reliability.
NS1 helps companies of all types and sizes solve their application delivery challenges including:
- Cloud-based Managed DNS & Dedicated DNS
- Multi-CDN Optimization
- Data center migration
- Digital transformation
- Load balancing
- End User Quality of Experience
- Redundant DNS and Fault tolerance
- Cloud migration
NS1’s customers include Yelp, LinkedIn, Imgur, MaxCDN, Collective Media and others. The company is backed by leading investors including Flybridge Capital Partners, Sigma Prime Ventures, Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners, Two Sigma Ventures, and Telstra Ventures among others. Visit NS1.com to learn more.
For a deeper dive on these ideas and some best practices for getting the job done, check out our White Paper on the subject, entitled "Migrating To The Cloud? What You Should Consider". As always, our team is happy to talk shop around making the Cloud work for you, so don't hesitate to reach out.
Sources Cited
Hill, Janelle B., Plummer, Daryl C. The CIO’s Journey to Cloud SaaS: Leave Your Legacy COTS Mentality Behind. Gartner. August 2016. Retrieved from https://www.gartner.com/document/3419718?ref=solrAll&refval=179842908&qid=df2b480fd1866980461b9f0a9cc84bbf February 2, 2017.
McGrath, Benjamin, Konary, Amy, Nakul Narayan. Market Analysis Perspective: Worldwide SaaS and Cloud Software, 2016. IDC. September 2016. Retrieved from http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US40851916 February 2, 2017.