Top 10 things to consider when looking at SaaS (Software as a Service)

Software as a Service. We talk about technological change and why we must be ready to learn and relearn. I have just spent the last 2 days plunging myself into some deep research as to what cloud computing has to offer.  Mind was blown again and again.



To be quite frank I have been really busy these last few months with my corporate consulting, creating new training workshops, writing manuals for those workshops (doesn't it sound riveting?), researching on my domain areas, prepping the slides, activities and doing my further studies in counselling and trying to spend as much time as I can with my baby boy. So net result?

NO TIME to just hang around the Internet to check out what is going on. So the past few days has been like falling through the looking glass. I am in a new cyber world. I have picked up two words. Noob and SaaS.

(For the uninitiated A noob or n00b is someone that lacks intellegance or common sense, most people think that noob is a word used only in the online gaming world, but in reality it is becoming an ever popular word with teenage society. Not to be mistaken with Newb which means someone inexperienced or new to gaming) I actually caught this word when my younger brother used it in a conversation. Btw if you are parent reading this, this is but one of the many many many new and  exciting words of a typical youth's vernacular to verbalise disdain. They said the world is changing but I didnt' realise it has changed this much that I need to learn new words to feel an insult. Anyways... moving along

And more importantly Saas which stands for Software as a Service. I am shocked at the kind of advancement in the cloud computing world. I am convinced that in the future the more efficient way for small and medium enterprises to grow will be to learn how to deploy and manage them. Read more about SaaS

10 Main Considerations/Risks to consider when migrating to a Cloud Environment

1. Service Disruption (Will my business suffer if it breaks down and I do believe this the number 1 reason why many would spurn the concept of SaaS)


2. Upgradability for larger number of users and storage


3. Does it play well with other platforms (Integrative?)


4. How elegant and fuss free is the interface?


5. How secure it is?


6. Is it apple and android ready?


7. How real time is it? (how quick is the refresh?)


8. How intelligent is it? (Have the developers pre-empted what I might be needing)


9. How much is it per user ? (or are the packages infinite? which also means darn confusing)


10. Can I write my own apps within the platform for customisation? (This is found in SaaS like Salesforce)

SaaS I strongly recommend you take a look at (There are actually loads out there.  I am only listing those I have personally used or am using)

1. www.basecamp.com (Project Management tool - Kids in all schools should be taught to use this tool. Simple and to the point)

2. www.hokjoki.com (Collaboration Tool for Googledrive and other awesome Saas- My personal fav)

3. www.Highrise.com (small business crm and webbased contact manager

4. www.salesforce.com ( I did do trial and a rep from sales force called up subsequently to see if I was keen for a demo. how awesome is that?)

5. www.mendeley.com (If you work entails loads of research then you definately need to consider this)

So the next time we meet in the cloud again! Keep Evolving!

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Desiderata by Max Erhmann (1920)

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

 

12 Irrational Beliefs by Dr. Albert Ellis

We are the rules we make. Dr Albert Ellis, The father of Cognitive Behaviourial Psychology outlined 12 most of the common rules people have that causes them to suffer. To become aware of them is the first stage. Thereafter work on reducing their effects.

Here's to Rational Living.

Those of you who would like to print this out to share with others you may download the pdf at this

12 Irrational Beliefs Download

1. The idea that it is a dire necessity for adults to be loved by significant others for almost everything they do--
Instead of their concentrating on their own self-respect, on winning approval for practical purposes, and on loving rather than on being loved.

2. The idea that certain acts are awful or wicked, and that people who perform such acts should be severely damned --
Instead of the idea that certain acts are self-defeating or antisocial, and that people who perform such acts are behaving stupidly, ignorantly, or neurotically, and would be better helped to change. People's poor behaviors do not make them rotten individuals.

3. The idea that it is horrible when things are not the way we like them to be--
Instead of the idea that it is too bad, that we would better try to change or control bad conditions so that they become more satisfactory, and, if that is not possible, we had better temporarily accept and gracefully lump their existence.

4. The idea that human misery is invariably externally caused and is forced on us by outside people and events
Instead of the idea that neurosis is largely caused by the view that we take of unfortunate conditions.

5. The idea that if something is or may be dangerous or fearsome we should be terribly upset and endlessly obsess about it--
Instead of the idea that one would better frankly face it and render it non-dangerous and, when that is not possible, accept the inevitable.

6. The idea that it is easier to avoid than to face life difficulties and self-responsibilities Instead of the idea that the so-called easy way is usually much harder in the long run.

7. The idea that we absolutely need something other or stronger or greater than ourselves on which to rely --
Instead of the idea that it is better to take the risks of thinking and acting less dependently.

8. The idea that we should be thoroughly competent, intelligent, and achieving in all possible respects --
Instead of the idea that we would better do rather than always need to do well, and accept ourselves as quite imperfect creatures, who have general human limitations and specific fallibilities.

9. The idea that because something once strongly affected our life, it should indefinitely affect it --
Instead of the idea that we can learn from our past experiences but not be overly-attached to or prejudiced by them.

10. The idea that we must have certain and perfect control over things --
Instead of the idea that the world is full of improbability and chance and that we can still enjoy life despite this.

11. The idea that human happiness can be achieved by inertia and inaction --
Instead of the idea that we tend to be happiest when we are vitally absorbed in creative pursuits, or when we are devoting ourselves to people or projects outside ourselves.

12. The idea that we have virtually no control over our emotions and that we cannot help feeling disturbed about things --
Instead of the idea that we have real control over our destructive emotions if we choose to work at changing the “musturbatory” hypotheses which we often employ to create them.

Reluctancy is a prelude

Joseph Campbell-

Pls click the link above to read the little note i put up  on my facebook page.