Radix Technologies are proud of their pioneering use of cloud computing and software as a service in our applications. We are the first in our industry to offer it, and we will continue to be at the cutting edge for a long time. But what exactly is cloud computing and Software as a Service?

The chances are that you already use Software as a Service, or SaaS, applications fairly regularly: webmail services like Hotmail, Yahoo and Gmail all use the technology, and popular websites like Amazon are also based on SaaS platforms. Indeed Google in particular have embraced the technology, and provide a comprehensive suite of applications like GMail, Calendar, Google Docs (a fully featured office suite) and photo management.

SaaS and cloud computing are often interchanged, along with the terms on demand and utility computing, but they really all mean different things. Cloud computing refers to using the Internet (conventionally represented as a cloud in network diagrams) to host applications, instead of having them hosted on a local machine or a bespoke server. Applications hosted on the cloud are then served to the client on demand – i.e. as and when they are needed. SaaS is a type of on demand application that allows an web service applications to be accessed a number of different ways, such as on demand, or through other applications like SAP.

So what advantage does this have for businesses? Well, cloud computing allows companies to access their enterprise applications across the Internet; the end user accesses them through any web browser, eliminating the need for an organisation to install and run applications on their own hardware. Furthermore, purchasing software and hardware power as a utility means that organisations pay for what they use, and can easily and quickly scale up or down capacity depending on requirements

Radix Technologies produces the via suite of application for global mobility managers and relocation service providers. Managing director David Corriveau explains some of the benefits: ‘With lower up-front costs, introducing a new application doesn’t mean introducing a huge bill too. The Cloud computing/SaaS model means that we distribute resources by charging the client on a pay-as-you-use basis. This allows users to spread costs over time, and also to effectively manage those costs. In addition, via applications can be deployed in a matter of hours, and ongoing operational expenses are also much lower.’

David Continues: ‘Providing via using SaaS also decreases downtime, delays and the attendant costs. Software maintenance such as updates, and bug fixes are done by us, at the source, so to speak. Updates are available instantly to all users at the same time.’

But what about security? Organisation are understandably reluctant to had over all of their sensitive data to a third party, and even more reluctant to have it managed over the Internet. David explains: ‘Cloud computing is also safe and reliable; existing Internet security standards are more than adequate to provide robust data security, and all via applications comply with Sarbanes-Oxley and Safe Harbor standards as a matter of course. Take Internet banking: there were security concerns at the begining too, but is now an everyday utility that people use securely and safely.’

We hope that this explains the concepts of Cloud computing and other technologies. We rely on this technology to provide our clients with the best possible service, and we believe that it is truly industry changing.

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Tags | CRM Systems, customer relationship management system, hr, HR Tracking, on-demand saas application, records, Relocation, Saas, soft, Software as a Service