What works best – on-premise or off-premise solutions?
There is no “one size fits all” when analysing the type of software solution to use within your organisation. Deciding whether to continue investing in on-premise software or move to cloud-based software solutions is all depended on your business’s infrastructure. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. For that reason, a brand must adopt a solution that works best with the way business operations are set up.
One solution for all
There is a powerful solution in SAP’s catalogue that makes provisions for all businesses, regardless of the type of infrastructure they have. With its built-in integration functions and adaptable capabilities, SAP Cloud for Customer (C4C) is useful to companies seeking on-premise, off-premise, and hybrid solutions.
SAP C4C is a cloud-based solution that manages of customer sales, customer service and marketing activities. Furthermore, this SAP solution follows 4 key objectives, which are illustrated in the below image:
ABOVE IMAGE: SAP C4C’s Objectives
The efficient solution easily integrates into SAP CRM, making it one of the key SAP solutions for customer relationship management. It comes with prepackaged integrations to SAP ERP and mobile interfaces, as well as strong social features. SAP C4C is based on a set of SAP products that speak to achieve the objectives above, namely SAP Cloud for:
- Sales
- Service
- Social Engagement
ABOVE IMAGE: SAP C4C Diagram
The SAP C4C solution is great on paper, but let’s compare it to general on-premise and cloud-based solutions. There are various opposing advantages and disadvantages for each solution type, including cost, security, and internal control.
Cost
On-premise solutions become a company’s full responsibility, as in-house server hardware, software licenses, and integration capabilities need to be set up on business premises. This creates a need for on-premise IT employees and support to manage technical issues when they arise.
Cloud-based software, however, works on a subscription basis. This allows a company to scale up or down on solution features effectively.
The above reveals the different financial implications for different software, but SAP C4C stands out for its feasible pricing offers. This SAP solution caters to different infrastructures and budgets because it can function as a cloud-based, hybrid and on-premise integrated solution.
Security
Some businesses feel a great sense of security knowing their data is stored within their servers and IT infrastructure. Those organisations generally handle extremely sensitive information, for instance in the banking industry. Therefore, they need the unbreachable software on-premise solutions offer.
On the contrary, some cloud-based solutions have a history of security breaches, which is a concern for IT departments. Despite this, many cloud solutions are completely safe to use and continuously work to improve their security.
All SAP Cloud solutions, for example, adhere to very high security and quality requirements – making SAP C4C a highly secure cloud solution.
Control
It’s easier to control what you own, unlike what you do not. Similarly, businesses experience greater control over on-premise solutions, as these solutions require them to purchase licenses/software that will stay under the management of the business itself.
On the other hand, cloud solutions store a company’s data on offsite (cloud) servers of third-party solution hosts. This virtual technology gives businesses instant access to features once they subscribe, thus decreasing installation and configuration costs.
The flexible nature of SAP Cloud for Customers allows businesses to enjoy the instant access and activity that comes with cloud-based solutions, while also allowing them some control over the types of features and customisations they opt into.
Differences between on-premise, cloud-based, and SAP C4C solutions:
For more on SAP C4C, click here.
