System Functionality | Client Services and Support | Data Conversion | Implementation | System Access
                                                     Application and Data Hosting | Database Platform | Selection Process

Application and Data Hosting

There are many options for application and data hosting, but the majority of hosting scenarios fall into one of the following four options:

1. ASP (Application Service Provider) - In the ASP scenario, the application and claims data resides at your vendor's site. A vendor who provides this service is called an ASP (Application Service Provider). The facility housing the data is called a data center. All database work is done at the data center. All upgrades are performed at the data center. The vendor performs all support and maintenance, so you are relieved of the burden of hosting data and applications and dealing with your internal IT department. This can ultimately save time and money for many risk management departments. Some IT departments will not allow outside vendors to host their organization's data, so this may not be an option for you. Check with your IT department to determine if using an ASP is a viable option for hosting your risk management information data.

2. Mainframe - Vendor hosting can also be accomplished using a mainframe computer at a vendor facility. The application is loaded on each user's machine but the data resides on the vendor's mainframe. The difference between mainframe hosting and the ASP model is the location of the application. With mainframe, the application must be loaded on each user's machine. Again, check with your IT department to determine if mainframe hosting is an option for your organization.

3. Client hosting - In this hosting scenario, the database server resides at the client site. This is the solution for you if your IT department will not allow outside vendors to host your risk management data. In this architecture, you must buy and maintain all hardware and server licenses. Your IT department will be responsible for back-up and disaster recovery of the RMIS data. Make sure you know all of the expenses associated with hosting your data if you decide that client hosting is the RMIS solution for you.

4. Web-based - The newest breed of involvesrisk management information system is fully web-based. In a true web-based environment, users launch a website, enter a user ID and password, and they are logged into the RMIS application. Web-enabled systems provide flexibility and ease of entry, because there is no software for the end user to load, very little server configuration, and the cost of hosting a web-based application is significantly lower than mainframe hosting and client hosting. Security of web-based systems varies greatly. If you choose a web-based RMIS, make sure you review the security features in detail.

back to top

 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 

 
 
      
Privacy Statement


 Online Information Resource Group
P.O. Box 191133
Atlanta, GA 31119
© 2001 by RMIS Information