Investments in field service software can have great positive effects on your business by automating tasks, streamlining processes, and reducing manual input. Those are just some of the many reasons why field service businesses are using field service management software like Fieldpoint. And because Fieldpoint’s software is cloud-based, it doesn’t just get installed on one computer but instead is hosted on a server and utilized by your entire team.
While that sounds great, there are some large challenges to deal with when hosting field service software. In today’s technology environment, security plays an important factor in who is hosting your software solutions, ensuring that your most critical data is secure from potential outside threats.
There are also other key areas to consider when hosting related to costs, scalability, and your business’s ability to handle the IT requirements of a significant software installation. Let’s look at some of the challenges facing IT deployments of field service software that you need to consider.
Fieldpoint-cloud hosting
Fieldpoint customers have the option of allowing Fieldpoint to host their software solution. That means Fieldpoint’s consultants and developers have access to your software and can make direct updates quickly and efficiently. Many choose this option because they don’t have an IT department capable of handling a large installation, or prefer the security of a team managing their investment.
This fully-managed option allows customers to focus on the service they deliver and not the infrastructure needed to run the software. Fieldpoint maintains high security standards to ensure all information is entrusted to our servers and continuously monitored to ensure uptime is maintained, as we understand that your business functionality and efficiency is on the line.
On-premise hosting
Another option is to install the Fieldpoint software on your own infrastructure, either in your data center or in a private cloud (AWS, Azure, etc.). This allows you to ensure data associated with your software is secure to your compliance standards.
With this option, however, Fieldpoint’s software does require the IT support structure in place to be able to run a robust program like ours and maintain the deployment on your own servers. Managing your IT infrastructure is done by your IT Team or service provider, so you will need the proper skillset to support the deployment and manage the system. This can bring on significant challenges if the IT department isn’t able to handle the upkeep of the software solution and the volume of data required.
However, this may be the right option for businesses that need direct access to the database for custom reporting and integrations.
Costs and budgeting for your on-premise hosting
The costs of running your own server and cloud-based deployment model are why some customers choose to go with Fieldpoint hosting their software. The costs to maintain the proper server and IT infrastructure needed can be high, and there can be added headcount costs if you don’t already have your own IT department in place to handle such a deployment.
Scalability of your software solution
As your business grows, so too will your information technology deployments and department. More IT infrastructure will be needed to run more computers, workstations, and servers, and your department will need to get more hands-on to complete work. That also might mean adding more security measures in place, such as firewalls and security checks to ensure your networks are safe.
As you add more security and compliance requirements to your organization, your field service software would follow suit. You gain direct control, and many scaling customers choose to host their own software in order to have it scale with their company and the policies that grow with it. It’s then looked at as an internal system to maintain, rather than an external system that has to be managed by a third party.
And as you expand, you gain the agility needed to grow by having your own IT department handle any upgrades and advancements needed to ensure integrations are working correctly, and uptime is maintained to keep the business moving forward.
Data protection and security
Cybersecurity is of the utmost importance in today’s world as cyber threats can come from anywhere, shutting down entire systems. By hosting your own server, you gain control over your security and your deployment will follow your corporate policies. Fieldpoint maintains strict security policies, however, hosting your own on-premise ensures the standards and guidelines your business proposes are met. The Fieldpoint Cloud is fully certified with SOC1, SOC2 and SSAE 16 industry compliance standards.
Which deployment is right for you?
Fieldpoint can be hosted internally in your on-premise data center or a private cloud, or in the Fieldpoint Cloud. Both are secure options that ensure high availability of your field service software to maintain business continuity. The choice between Fieldpoint’s cloud-based hosting and on-premise comes down to your ability to host such software, and handling the upkeep costs and infrastructure required, along with your desire to have more control over security policies. If you have the confidence and security standards to host your software, then on-premise hosting allows for scalability and agility in your deployment, while maintaining your strict security standards.
Either option will ensure you are focusing on delivering exceptional service to your customers and worrying less about downtimes of your software. To find out which option is best for you, contact us today or request a demo of Fieldpoint, and see how we can help you deploy a system that works best for you.