Improving Third Party Service Integration The Cloud, SAAS, BPO Essay

Improving Third Party Service Integration The Cloud, SAAS, BPO - Essay Example The paper tells that Software-as-a-Service is both an application delivery model and a business model. It allows business owners and other customers to access and use an application without owning it but on a pay-as-you-use basis. This renders the need for installation and running of the software on the client’s machine or infrastructure redundant. Integration of SaaS into the business by third parties is an important process that should be well understood and handled. There are several risks that are associated with the integration of third-party BPO and SaaS services into clients businesses. Integration is now becoming a critical concept as far as SaaS is concerned. Currently, SaaS has gained more widespread acceptance and in so doing, it is becoming a key component of the entire corporate software requirement. Therefore, all these key components or parts need to be able to integrate and be aware of each other. SaaS is both an application delivery and a business model thus g iving cloud service consumers the ability to access and use various applications on a pay-as-you-use basis without having to install it and run it on their own hardware. SaaS applications are accessed over the internet through a thin client or via a web browser. They are mostly based on subscriptions and all required support, upgrades, or any ongoing maintenance is provided by the vendors as services. In the event that the capabilities of the software application is to be improved, customized or changed, it is provided consistently to all the cloud service consumers utilizing that application. ... For software vendors, SaaS application model enables adequate protection of their intellectual property rights. They also have control of the operational environment of the software and are sure of a repeatable revenue stream through subscriptions. Cloud computing has various capabilities, promises, and opportunities; however, there are some management complexities and various risk elements that those adopting this cutting-edge technology are faced with. In order to understand and properly achieve improved third-party integration, it is imperative that issues such as Integrating network, storage, and computer services from one or more third-party vendors, beadequately addressed. Managing business continuity and security risks associated with adoption of cloud services from various third-party application vendors. Managing the lifecycle of a particular service in an environment of a distributed multiple provider so as to be able to meet SLAs (Service Level Agreements) with consumers E ffectively maintaining audit processes and governance across integrated clouds and datacenters. Switching or adopting new third-party cloud services This research paper looks at how to improve third-party integration as pertains to the SaaS architecture. First, we will establish the need for integrations; what risks are associated with integration. The paper will then analyze some emerging issues as far integration standards and requirements are concerned. This will be ideal in helping us draw out an integration requirements document for both BPO and SaaS. We will then address issues that will emerge in implementing SaaS solutions. This paper will finally address the implication of third-party integration on the overall SaaS architecture. It will also be of great