Cloud Hosted CRM
Hosted CRM software, also known as "cloud-based" or "SaaS (Software as a Service)" CRM, is a type of software that is hosted on a remote server and accessed over the internet. This means that the software and data are stored on a vendor's servers, and customers can access it from anywhere with an internet connection.
On-Premise CRM
On-premise CRM software, on the other hand, is installed on a customer's own servers and accessed from within the organization's network. This means that the customer is responsible for maintaining and updating the software, as well as ensuring the security and backup of the data.
Which is better Cloud or on-premise
The main difference between the two is the location of the software and data. Hosted CRM software is accessible from anywhere, while on-premise CRM software is only accessible from within an organization's network. Hosted CRM software is typically more cost-effective and easier to set up and maintain, while on-premise CRM software may offer more customization options and tighter control over data security.
It really depends on your organization's specific needs and preferences which one you should choose. Hosted CRM is more suited for small and medium businesses, while on-premise is more targeted towards large organizations.
If you are considering on-premise it's really important to make sure you understand the following points:
- Redundancy - If one of your servers/network fails you may not have access to a critical system for your business.
- Backups - These are often forgotten about until the point you need them. Time should be allocated regularly to test that you can restore the system from your backups. I've seen a few companies think they have backups in place but when they attempt to restore they find out there's an issue and are unable to recover.
- Security - The data you're storing might be highly sensitive personal information, you have a responsibility to ensure it's kept safe. This means making sure systems are kept up to date, are configured correctly and policies are in place around things like access control.
For more information on Customer Database Software take a look at our CRM help page.
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