Considerations and Options for DV Service Providers running Alice Software
DRAFT
Summary
In reviewing platforms, there are a number of options and considerations. Each DV service provider (DVSP) should make their own determination regarding the best platform for them.
Sample Platform Options:
There is an infinite variety of combinations of services. Here are four sample categories of service with examples.
- Standalone server running DVSP’s instance of Alice with standalone DB instance in DVSP’s facility
- HW - Standalone server in the service provider’s facility
- SW - single copy of Alice SW owned by DVSP
- Maintenance/DR: DVSP hires a consultant for sysadmin services/DR (basic details such as nightly backups and hardware recovery)
- DB - standalone DB instance (rather than combined with DBs of other DVSPs)
- Example - Transition House’s current setup
- Server leased/owned by DVSP running DVSP’s instance of Alice in co-located facility where maintenance/disaster recovery services may be contracted.
- HW - Standalone server in the service provider’s facility
- SW - single copy of Alice SW owned by DVSP
- Maintenance/DR: DVSP contracts with co-location facility for sysadmin services/DR (basic details such as nightly backups and hardware recovery)
- DB - standalone DB instance
- SP’s instance of Alice running on “cloud” provider’s hardware in cloud facility, maintained by “cloud” provider
- HW - Standalone server in the “cloud” facility
- SW - single copy of Alice SW owned by DVSP
- Maintenance/DR: included in “cloud” provider basic service contract (in theory, need to verify this)
- DB - standalone DB instance
- SAAS- Software as a Service (does not exist for Alice to our knowledge)
- HW- Provided and maintained by SAASP in their location
- SW - Provided and maintained by SAASP in their location
- Maintenance/DR: performed by SAAS provider (in theory, need to verify this)
- DB - Virtual partitioned DB for DVSP, may or may not be part of larger consolidated DB with other DVSPs
- Example - salesforce.com (does not exist for Alice to our knowledge)
Summary of Considerations:
- Technical
- Human/Usability
- Legal
- Financial
Analysis of considerations. Note, SAAS is excluded as this option does not yet exist to our knowledge.
- Technical - Option 3, Running on “cloud” provider’s HW in their facility is technically easiest for DVSPs
- Human/Usability - Option 3, Running on “cloud” provider’s HW in their facility is easiest for DVSPs
- Legal - If client data is subpoenaed, DVSP does not own data under Third Party Doctrine when using outside computing service providers.
- Financial - Option 3 should be least expensive, but individual quotes may vary