Customer and Partner Continuity in the Cloud

Historically, when you purchased a piece of software, you were only dependant on the provider for updates and bug fixes. The software itself was assured to run, because it operated on your own machines, and under your own control. Still, you never had access to the source code, and if the maker went bust, or if you didn't like their terms of maintenance, cost of upgrades, or cost of support, you were left running unsupported software.

With custom-built applications, you always had the comfort of direct access to the source code if you needed support, however you didn't have anyone else to rely on. Also, one then had to shoulder the burden of many support needs typically provided by a software vendor. To some extent, an emerging class of open-source applications represents the best of both worlds, however outside of a few notable applications most are largely unsupported in the way required by a mission critical business application, and therefore not viable in the enterprise.

Today's software as a service model represents a particularly challenging business decision, as customers rarely have control over the platform, the code, the hosting environment or the data, and as such are completely dependent upon an evaluation of the business stability and commitment to the customers needs.

Cloud computing, and in particular Platform as a Service has opened up new questions about maintenance of business continuity for both customers and channel partners as they make important decisions about the longevity of their software applications and in fact their business.
In general, when evaluating cloud providers it is important to note that Cloud Computing and Platform as a Service are growing. You can expect that the industry will only take root over the coming years and that those vendors who can deliver value while enjoying a solid, stable business model and unique positioning will thrive and grow.

MODEL FOR EVALUATING CONTINUITY:
In general, one should consider (1) access to data, (2) control over hosting, (3) access to source code of the application, and finally (4) the business health and market potential of the software vendor as the main variables responsible for assuring continuity of your business should you adopt a particular piece of software.

1. WorkXpress is proud of its business continuity offering to both customers and channel partners, as it spans data ownership, access to code, control over the host environment and finally corporate stability and commitment;

2. Full access to all data via api's, reports and other methods. Data can be exported in any tabular format required by the exporter. Key fields can easily be defined in the exports
Export templates can be maintained and reused at later times

3. All WorkXpress applications can be hosted on the cloud of your choice, including a virtual appliance behind the firewall. In this way you are not dependent on any particular provider to maintain your application functionality. This choice can be changed over time as needed.

4. The five building blocks "code" behind any particular WorkXpress application remains the intellectual property of the creator. Therefore, a customer can elect to have full access to the 5 building blocks "source code".

5. In addition to this already substantial business continuity offering, for large customers, WorkXpress contemplates entering of platform source code into escrow, to ensure complete business continuity.

6. WorkXpress is committed to its customers and the quality of its product. To this end it is a privately held, revenue generating company that to date has not received venture capital funding, and therefore is not under pressure to behave in ways that run counter to its mission of customers and product.