There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all.

 

"Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants...

...so long as it is black."

Henry Ford

 

The right deployment option for your agency depends on your preferences for accessibility, technology, security, and privacy. HawkSoft lets you choose the deployment option that best fits your agency needs.

Cloud/Online Deployment

Cloud services are the new shiny toy of our generation. They offer access to data from PCs, tablets, and phones with a username and password. A reality of using the cloud is that your data is hosted on someone else’s server (this called the “cloud”) that is outside of your office. You generally use a thin-client or app with an interface to access your data on their servers.

 

CLOUD/ONLINE DEPLOYMENT

Perceived Benefits

Potential Drawbacks
  • Location-independent access from outside the office
  • Access from any supported computer, tablet, and smartphone
  • Lower in-office hardware costs
  • Lower hardware maintenance costs
  • Data is safe when disaster or tragedy strikes the office
  • Your business data is hosted on someone else’s servers
  • Cost of hardware may be bundled into the Total Cost of Ownership
  • Privacy of your data is dependent on security measures applied by your cloud service provider
  • Security of your login credentials is your responsibility

 


In-office (Local) Deployment

This deployment uses the server/computer configuration in your office to store and run your management system database. This may be the right option for agencies that wish to limit access to data to the office only, or for agencies that more comfortable storing and managing all business technology and data in-house.

IN-OFFICE (LOCAL) DEPLOYMENT

Perceived Benefits

Potential Drawbacks
  • Sensitive data is stored in the office
  • Prevent out-of-office access by staff
  • More control over the costs and choice of hardware products
  • Fewer recurring fees when hardware is purchased upfront
  • Data may be lost or adversely affected if disaster strikes or hardware failure occurs
  • Hardware costs and maintenance are your responsibility
  • Privacy of your data is only as strong as your security protocols
  • Access to data outside of office and on mobile devices requires extra setup

 

There are many advocates of both sides to this debate. There is no universal right answer. The right answer is the set of risks and trade-offs that your agency feels most comfortable with. Does the vendor you are considering offer the options and freedom to choose which deployment is best for your situation, or is “black” (as in Henry Ford’s quote) the only solution given?