Definition “cloud”: It is hardware and software that is owned by somebody else and made available for business or consumer use for a pay-per-use fee (typically charged monthly).
Definition “SaaS”: Software that is loaded on your own hardware on the internet or on a cloud. Your software application is made available to business or consumers as a service and without the need for them to install the software on their own computers.
So how is Cloud and SaaS being used for management systems?
Management software lends itself to SaaS as it simultaneously manages many geographically distributed nodes. Stakeholders and managers need access from ‘anywhere’ making global accessibility a key requirement.
In 2006, Exinda launched Service Delivery Point (SDP), its WAN Optimization Central Management System (CMS), offered as a SaaS based system.
SDP puts all of Exinda’s advanced network visibility, control and optimization capabilities at the network administrator’s fingertips. It also offers significant cost savings by reducing network operating costs, simplifying common network control and optimization tasks and lowering total cost of ownership (TCO).
In 2009 Exinda moved its SDP to the Amazon cloud.
Exinda is leading the way
Exinda was the first WAN Optimization provider to offer central management via SaaS in 2006. Now it is leading the way again by hosting SDP in the cloud.
Lets review the benefits.
Benefits of SaaS and cloud for SDP
1. Software as a Subscription
Our customers do not need to buy, configure or maintain hardware and software for the management of distributed WAN Optimization devices. For a small fee per appliance per month they get instant access to this system via SaaS.
2. Increased Reliability
Increased reliability stems from the fact that the cloud runs on systems that are extremely reliable and redundant. Unless a user takes the time to setup a backup system with offsite redundancy, they run the risk of losing valuable and sometime unrecoverable data.
3. Increased Scalability
In a cloud computing environment, scaling computer resources (like Hard Disk storage, CPU, RAM) is not an issue. Exinda can easily add servers or shift load from one server to another to accommodate for the additional resources.
5. Cost Reduction
Costs are reduced in a number of ways. Capital expenditures are reduced because hardware and software licenses don’t need to be purchased. Ongoing IT staff costs are reduced because the maintenance is performed by Exinda.
6. Environmentally Friendly
One of the greatest advantages of cloud computing is the increased longevity and use of older hardware used by datacenters. This lessens the amount of electronic waste dumped because equipment is older and use of those resources are increased. Also the fact that more customers are utilizing less servers results in less power utilization and reduces the carbon footprint.
7. Accessibility
The SDP is anywhere that there is an internet connection. This brings forth added accessibility and productivity for those that are on the road and require access.
8. Versionless Software
Versionless software refers to the elimination of software upgrade projects. Changes and updates to software are regular and version numbers transparent to the user, all the user would see is added functionality. It also give users access to new technology early and often rather than forcing them to wait for a final, packaged product to be shipped. This enables the enterprise to remain in the cutting edge of technology and would reduce training costs associated with new software releases.
