Online services

Online services

1. Applications software

   • Locally installed
     • Advantages
       • Works without being online
       • You hold software licence
       • Security is good
     • Disadvantages
       • Large file space used
       • Needs to be backed up regularly
       • Must download & update regularly
   • Hosted software (Internet based)
     • Advantages
       • No file space needed
       • Can collaborate on a shared document
     • Disadvantages
       • Need Internet
       • Not as secure
       • Response time depends on network speed
   • Proprietary
     • Pay to use software e.g. Microsoft
   • Open source
     • Free to use e.g. Open Office, Google docs

2. Storage

   • Local storage
     • Advantages
       • Control over access to files & security
       • Quick data access
       • No need for Internet
     • Disadvantages
       • You have to keep data safe
       • Difficult to share data
       • Have to back up data
   • Online storage
     • Advantages
       • Data accessible anywhere with an Internet connection
       • Some free storage
       • Easy to share data
       • Data is backed up for you
     • Disadvantages
       • Trust host will keep data secure
       • Data storage may not be reliable
       • Need fast Internet connection to access data
       • Less control of your data

3. Commercial response to SaaS (Sofware as a Service)

   • To compete with free software, commercial producers have ..
     • Made products more appealing
     • Bundled software into new computers
     • Provided technical support
     • Used copyright
     • Offered own versions of software as a service