Robert DeSisto

Are you annoyed as much as I am when analysts and pundits stop at no end to espouse the benefits of cloud computing or SaaS without providing the downsides or risks? We all have all seen the behavior.  Cloud Huggers are the first to blog when a negative press event comes out about a cloud outage, or security breach. They are also first to create analysis that discuss business drivers but conveniently leave out inhibitors.

 The reality is SaaS and Cloud Computing has value and a place. SaaS and Cloud computing also have issues that should not be swept under the rug. It is imperative that both value and challenges are weighed when considering cloud computing and SaaS. At US Symposium in Orlando, Florida, I will be presenting: “Software as a Service’s Uncertainties Revealed” (October, 20^thTuesday, 5 PM – 6 PM).  Rather than stand on stage and give a “rah, rah” presentation stating SaaS will take over the world (something you can get for free by looking at most cloud computing or SaaS vendor websites), my goal is to make sure everyone in the room walks away with a pragmatic view of the role SaaS will play in their IT future with a focus on the relevant trade-offs of SaaS versus on-premises deployments.  The presentation will open in a court room style drama where I will present the vendor case for SaaS. I will then cross examine the vendor points, and ultimately reach a verdict.  Cheaper, quicker, more innovation are just a few of the SaaS vendor arguments I will examine. The presentation will conclude with a 4 step action plan everyone should take as it relates to SaaS.