Software as a Service (SaaS)

CASE STUDY #4 ITM 501

The network as "somewhere else": everything as a service and the idea of "the cloud"

The case for this module calls for you to explore some of the divergent opinions about this new approach to organizational information systems and weigh some of the competing claims. First off, if you don't know anything about computer networking or what a client/server network is in particular, it's recommended that you start with this reasonably good short guide to network terminology (if you're already on top of this stuff, you can probably skip this one):

Sensible Computer Help (2008) Choosing the best computer network. Sensible-Computer-Help.com. Retrieved February 27, 2011, from http://www(dot)sensible-computer-help(dot)com/computer-network.html

With that foundation, you can now begin to learn about "the cloud." A good general reference to start with is here:

Chee, B. and Franklin, C. (2010) Applications for Clouds. Chapter 4 in Cloud Computing: Technologies and Strategies of the Ubiquitous Data Center. CRC Press. Retrieved November 15, 2010 from http://media(dot)techtarget(dot)com/searchSystemsChannel/downloads/Cloud_Computing_Techn_Strat_of_the_Ubiq_Data_Cent_Chapter_4.pdf

As we noted in the introduction, a term often used more or less interchangeably with “cloud computing” (despite some significant differences of focus) is “software as a service”—described as a software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a vendor or service provider and made available to customers over a network, typically the Internet. The following article discusses some of the difficulties with organizational implementation of this model:

Fornes, D. (2010) The Software as a Service Dilemma. The Software Advice Blog. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from http://www(dot)softwareadvice(dot)com/articles/uncategorized/the-software-as-a-service-dilemma-104071/

Finally, this discussion would not be complete without the views of the skeptic; the following article points out some of the all-too-apparent complications that might ensue from a wholesale stampede into the clouds:

Schneier, B. (2009) Cloud Computing. Schneier on Security. Retrieved November 15, 2010 from http://www(dot)schneier(dot)com/blog/archives/2009/06/cloud_computing.html

But back to the enthusiasts. Tom Kemp's "Internet of Things" Signals Eventual Merger of Cloud and Mobile Managment discusses security in the SaaS world. It’s a good place to see how people committed to this model think and what they bring to the table.

You should spend some time reading about areas that you find interesting in SaaS operations, implementation, or results. Perhaps they will relate directly to issues in your own environment; perhaps they will remain largely academic—but in either case, you should be alert to the language of the discussion and how both technical and social issues are being talked about.

In addition, the Background readings page lists some optional readings that may be useful to you as you consider these issues, or you may find other sources yourself (be sure to reference properly whatever specific sources you draw on).

When you've read through the articles and related material and thought about them carefully, please compose a short paper on the topic:

Why “software as a service” is (or is not – pick one) going to dominate the next several years in information management.

Be sure to include some reference to SaaS material in your paper.

Assignment Expectations (50 points total)

Length: Minimum 5–7 pages excluding cover page and references (since a page is about 300 words, this is approximately 1,500–2,100 words).

Assignment-driven criteria (25 points): Demonstrates clear understanding of the subject and addresses all key elements of the assignment.

Critical thinking (10 points): Demonstrates mastery conceptualizing the problem. Shows analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of required material.

Scholarly writing (5 points): Demonstrates writing proficiency at the academic level of the course; addresses the Learning Outcomes of the assignment.

Quality of references (4 points) and assignment organization (3 points): Uses relevant and credible sources to support assertions. Assignment is well organized and follows the structure of a well-written paper.

Citing sources (3 points): Uses in-text citations and properly formats references in APA style.