SaaS and the global virtual stack

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More Complexity

Phil,

Let's stop talking about how complex IT can be. In reality, people want customisable on-demand applications sitting on a dedicated server, with a web presentation tier connecting to the business logic and database tiers. Trying to abstract the layers creates an un-manageable and exponential variable of versioning - the inherent weakness of SOA and its failed predecessors.

Even NetSuite admit they don't have a multi-tenant, single-instance architecture. Software is just an expression of process. What's import is how you create tailored on-demand solutions using visual code generators and a focus on task flow and user experience design. Not mash-up a bunch of 'one size fits all' CRM, Office 2.0, ERP et al.

The problem isn't SaaS architecture: it's matching task flow and user experience to make the software work the way users work. Have you found anyone who says that a CRM on-demand is a great user experience? Of course not - that's the problem - you need one database, one business logic and a presentation tier that works on any device or web browser.

Leveraging legacy IT is like buying a new car and fitting the engine from the old car. Yes, rip-and-replacing over-engineered IT apps is THE way to go. Not more of this nightmare of stitching multi-vendor SaaS together - it will fail in the same way multi-vendor on-premises has. It's too many variables and a version control nightmare. Virtualisation and SOA are by IT people for IT people.

Take a visual code generator, one code base and user experience design-driven approach and we start to see Business Designers
replacing introverted, complexity junkies from the IT world.

Posted by: XceliantBear   Posted on: 02/28/08 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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