On-premises software is located and operated within a user’s data center. As such, it uses the user’s computing hardware rather than that of a cloud provider. Also known as “shrinkwrap,” on-premises programs are among the most used enterprise and consumer applications that require licenses per server or computer. Vendors are no longer responsible for their security and overall management but do provide after-sales technical support.
Users have varying requirements and resources. Here are some factors they can consider.
Cost
Advantage
Lower long-term costs: Annual maintenance costs and one-time license fees are lower compared to paying recurring expenses associated with cloud software.
Disadvantage
Requires substantial capital investment for hardware and infrastructure: On-premises software users must deal with ongoing costs related to space, server, and other equipment, along with power consumption.
Control and management
Advantage
Full user control: An on-premises environment allows users complete control and management of assets. That is particularly useful for those who work in highly regulated industries where privacy is a top concern.
Disadvantage
Requires dedicated tech support: Since users have full control and management of all assets, the organization needs a dedicated IT support team.
Security
Advantage
Allows implementation of own security policies and procedures: Industries that deal with sensitive information often prefer to use on-premises software because this gives them more control over security. It allows them to contain information within their walls.
Disadvantage
Requires dedicated tech support: Again, an internal IT support team is needed so users can implement their self-devised security policies.
User access
Advantage
No need for Internet connection: On-premises software can be accessed even without an Internet connection. That makes it useful for areas where there is no reliable Internet connection. Multiple users can also access the system simultaneously without affecting the speed.
Disadvantage Cannot be accessed while on the go: On-premises systems must be accessed within the vicinity of the user’s office or field. Remote access may be complicated to set up.
Although the importance of cloud computing is steadily growing, on-premises is still the better choice in many cases for companies and organizations. In sectors like finance or healthcare, companies are subject to particularly strict data protection requirements. With on-premises, sensitive data can be protected more effectively from unauthorized third-party access since the company itself manages the data and internal processes. The company defines who gains access to which data.
The Azure platform aims to help businesses manage challenges and meet their organizational goals. It offers tools that support all industries — including e-commerce, finance and a variety of Fortune 500 companies — and is compatible with open-source technologies. This provides users with the flexibility to use their preferred tools and technologies. Seventy-three percent of organizations have at least one application, or chunk of their infrastructure, in the cloud already, according to a recent report. A further 17% plan to make a move toward the cloud within the next year. Average spend on cloud computing is also increasing, rising from $1.62m per business in 2016 to $2.2m today. And it is not just enterprises who are shelling out to ensure their business is at the forefront of this digital shift; SMBs now typically invest around $889,000 in cloud tech, up 210% on the average 2016 budget. It might seem like everyone is doing it, but cloud computing is still new phenomenon, and there is still a lot of misunderstanding and misinformation about the cloud. But worry not, we are going back to basics to offer straightforward answers to the questions you were too afraid to ask with our Microsoft technology FAQ series.
What is Microsoft Azure? Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing service offered by Microsoft. There are over 600 services that fall under the Azure umbrella, but broadly speaking, it is a web-based platform on which applications and services can be built, tested, managed, and deployed. A wide range of Microsoft’s software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) products are hosted on Azure. Azure offers three core areas of functionality: Virtual Machines, cloud services, and app services.
What is Microsoft Azure used for? There are hundreds of services available through Azure; practically any cloud computing product that a business could need can be found on the platform. In terms of scope, Azure covers more regions than any other cloud provider and is the only consistent hybrid cloud.
Who uses Microsoft Azure? Due to its accessible nature and massive scalability, Azure can be and is used by companies of every size and circumstance, from garage startups to Fortune 500 companies; in fact, 90% the Fortune 500 trust run processes on the Microsoft cloud. In addition to the vast choice of innovative, and business-critical services, there are many other benefits to Azure which make it appealing to organizations across the board. Azure is flexible; users can add new services, up their storage capabilities, and create new applications as they go, without having to worry about whether they have the infrastructure to support any changes. As Azure largely eliminates the need for costly hardware like servers, routers, and load balancers—plus the in-house IT manpower to maintain them—it can save companies a lot of money. Many Azure services operate on an on-demand, pay-as-you-go, and users can get a real-time view of how much they are spending through their admin portal, making budgeting IT spend much easier and more precise. The reliability offered by Microsoft’s cloud services is also a bonus for businesses. Azure’s 99.99% uptime guarantee, huge range of disaster recovery plans, and thorough backup systems mean organizations, their processes, and their data, are in safe hands.
Where is Azure data held? Azure runs on data centers around the world, enabling the service to cover more regions than any other cloud provider; Microsoft’s datacenters contain enough fiber cabling to reach the moon and back three times over. Azure currently operates 54 regions—a set of locally-based datacenters dedicated to a particular geographic location—in 140 countries; customers can select the region that’s right for them, allowing users around the world to preserve data residency, maintain compliance and take advantage of a wide range of resiliency options. Microsoft has invested over $15bn in infrastructure since opening its first data center in 1989 and continues to add new regions to its Azure coverage all the time, expanding the services available to each location. However currently, not all Azure services are available in every region.
Consequently, Microsoft Azure’s capabilities have become increasingly innovative and open, with improved support for Linux and open-source application stacks. Furthermore, many customers that are pursuing a multi-cloud strategy will use Azure for some of their workloads, and Microsoft’s on-premises Azure Stack software may potentially attract customers seeking hybrid solutions.
The Mindweb eSolutions Team with the assist of the UV ICTD Team, conducted a comprehensive IT Infrastructure and Employee Skill Assessment at the University of the Visayas Main Campus last November 06, 2020, to gauge the magnitude of a system overhaul that will be used as the basis for the proposal of a new UV ICT organizational structure lead by the Mindweb eSolutions Team.
This initiative was spearheaded by Engr. Wilcris Cortes, the CEO of Mindweb eSolutions, with him were Dr. Edgardo Cortes, Mindweb’s VP of External Relations, Engr. Stephanie Grace Villarubia, Mindweb’s Operations Manager, with the help of Mr. Neilroy Impas, UV Communications and Public Affairs Head, Mr. Roel Belarmino, and Mr. Romulo Villanueva of the UV ICTD. These assessments will be the first step in making long-lasting, critical changes to the UV ICTD environment. The goals were to identify issues requiring immediate attention and to understand the current standing of the existing technology infrastructure. The outputs of these assessments will be integral for future infrastructure upgrades. All school servers and the laboratory computers were carefully examined. The current computer network implementation was thoroughly inspected and the computer applications that the UV ICT Team hosted and maintained were also deliberately checked.
Mindweb eSolutions is the strategic partner of the University of the Visayas, who helped the university in laying the foundation of a quality, flexible, and efficient virtual learning environment in response to the inconvenience and restrictions brought by the pandemic. The project’s goal was to adapt and to continue to provide a well-rounded, relevant education that will prepare its students for the future and empower them for success, even during this kind of situation we currently experiencing. With this meaningful collaboration, UV was recognized by the CHED-7 as the best presenter during the webinar on “Preparation of all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Sharing of Best Practices and Developmental Plans for the New Normal/Flexible Learning Environment, Concerning Services for Student Welfare and Development: Student Affairs”. With all these accomplishments, the blossoming partnership of UV and Mindweb is now starting to solidify. UV offered Mindweb to take over the whole management of the UV ICTD, which was the main reason for the aforementioned assessments conducted by the latter.
Custom software development is the designing of software
applications for a specific user or group of users within an organization. Such
software is designed to address their needs precisely as opposed to the more
traditional and widespread off-the-shelf software. Such software is typically
created just for that specific entity by a third-party by contract or in-house
group of developers and is not packaged for reselling.
Custom software vs.
Off The Shelf
Off-the-shelf software consists of a packaged software
application available to a large audience with varying, albeit fundamentally
similar needs. For example, Microsoft Word is designed for the mass public as a
diverse solution to the many different needs of its users. It does not,
however, cater to any specific entity as custom software would.
Customized software development entails the commissioning,
development, and release of a software product tailored to a single specific
entity. For example, an application created for JPMorgan Chase would only be
used by that company and the department for which it was designed. The software
is designed keeping the company’s infrastructure, branding and implementation
needs in mind, implying it can only work for that organization.
How to know when your business needs custom software?
1. Evaluate your company’s needs.
Business owners should assess the needs of their company and
consider what specific functions you are looking for in a program.
2. Check the market to see if software already exists.
It is important to ask if custom software is the only option
before you commit to building a from the ground up. Many businesses are
surprised to learn that other firms like them have already done the hard work
by developing software.
3. Investing in customized software.
Customized software can be instrumental in improving the
efficiency and output of small businesses, but it should only be invested in if
the functions you are looking for cannot be found elsewhere.
One of the solutions we provide to businesses is custom software
development. Contact Mindweb eSolutions now at support@mindweb.com.ph. Visit
our website mindweb.com.ph for more info.
