Maestro Technologies - Intelligent management software for the construction industry.

When Software becomes Service

One of the popular trends that we can currently observe on the software solution market is that these solutions are offered in service or lease mode. The acronym SaaS is used to describe the Software as a Service phenomenon. These new solutions are characterized by purchasing the desired functions only (by user), functions separately, periodic payments (every month or annually), and the hosting of the application and data by the supplier of the solution, making the application accessible over the Internet using a Web browser. Additionally, these applications usually use the most recent programming tools, providing rich user interfaces in remote modes that compete on an even footing with solutions in the traditional client-server mode.

It is easy to understand why users are attracted to this new offering:

• There is no initial investment. Payments are limited to the desired functions and they can be suspended if needs change or if what is promised by the solution does not materialize.
• Installation is easy. The only requirements are a Web browser and access to the Internet. This means there is no need to set up new infrastructures and maintain them afterwards.
• The procedure for making these solutions operational (implementation, training) is usually simpler and faster because the choices offered and the configurations to be set up are more limited.

One of the best known examples of solutions offered based on this new framework is salesforce.com, which is CRM software. A CRM application lends itself well to this new model, but it would be wrong to think that this phenomenon is restricted to specific applications. Instead, it is a change that is very likely to affect most of the applications offered in client-server mode today.

Given that nothing is perfect, the model has some negative aspects and raises certain questions. Developments in the model and technology will certainly succeed in resolving some of these problems, which can be summarized as follows:

• User data is saved somewhere other than on the user’s system, which can be an uncomfortable situation for many.
• Access to the system and its performance depend on the Internet connection and reliability of the service.
• New applications in service mode do not necessarily offer all of the richness and functions of applications in client-server mode, nor all of the options for adapting to the requirements of the user.
• Integrating these solutions into others or with software in traditional mode can be difficult.
• Since the user does not acquire a perpetual license, can he read the data created without the application?
• Will the final cost to the user over the years be higher?

What about maestro*?

It is also possible, to a certain extent, to reproduce the service model in traditional client-server applications. In response to a request from a new customer, we recently offered maestro* in the form of a service, with the application being hosted on our behalf by a partner (www.iGOvirtual.com).

Some customers who outsource their computer networks (refer to the article "Information outsourcing: how to succeed at the game", published in the last issue) also use maestro* in a third-party hosted mode.

The construction industry has not mentioned a significant need in terms of solutions based on the service mode. Many still prefer to acquire a perpetual right to use software, install it on their server and save their data locally.

Maestro continues to watch for new trends and conducts tests and research with the new development tools available on the market.