Application Service Providers (ASPs) - Guide to Cloud Computing for Business and Technology Managers - page 237

solution or business service. The focus is on the value added. The IT orga-
nization often comes into the discussions to address security and network
issues. IT needs to view the ASP as an alternative, not an interloper. IT
needs to become advisors, not turf protectors. Potential customers must
be convinced that their application and its data will be available to them
24 × 7 but yet secure from outsiders. As Internet traffic continues to grow,
potential customers must also be convinced that their access will not
slow down. As mobile use escalates, ASPs need to deal with the needs of
employees out of the office and the security requirements mobile access
demands.
Some of the challenges faced by the ASP concept are
• Security of information
• Scope and flexibility of services
• Overall quality of service and support
• Adaptability of software
11.6 Oracle SAP CRM On Demand
Oracle SAP CRM On Demand provides organizations with all the compre-
hensive SAP CRM capabilities along with the power of SAP's software devel-
opment, infrastructure management, and operational services to maximize
the business value of their software investment. Delivered to users over the
Internet, SAP CRM On Demand frees IT organizations from day-to-day
maintenance, upgrades, and software management while providing unparal-
leled levels of availability, reliability, and security. This results in a far more
efficient and cost-effective approach to managing CRM and SAP CRM tech-
nology over the long term.
SAP CRM On Demand achieves operational excellence and low total cost
of ownership (TCO) using standardization and automation as key enablers
to improve customers' experience across the entire software ownership life
cycle, including in the core service areas like
• Infrastructure management
• Service-level management
• Security management
• Software management
• IT governance