The range of solutions on offer has been put together on a modular basis and covers the applications most commonly employed within middle-sized companies:
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Full CRM for Sales, Services and Marketing. Highly available system environment including 2 GB memory, daily back-up and ongoing maintenance.
- Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server Enterprise 2007 Collaboration tool that is accessed via an SSL-encrypted, web-based interface. Includes document management, site collection with 10 GB memory and central provision of layout templates.
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Groupware bundle including global address book, appointment diary, to-do list, spam filter, anti-virus software, Direct Push service and worldwide access via Outlook Web Access.
The "Try & Buy" promotion from Microsoft and Pironet NDH provides middle-sized companies with the opportunity to try out an SaaS solution without any contractual commitment. This enables them to see and evaluate for themselves the benefits of outsourcing for their particular company. These benefits include, naturally, the reduction in costs brought about by more flexible IT provision: monthly invoicing for each individual user enables this provision to dovetail more closely with the company's ongoing development. The use of SaaS also removes the need for time-consuming updates and extensive application protection.
Companies who participate in the promotion make no further commitments: At the end of the trial period the test comes to an end automatically and all the data are deleted. Companies that wish to continue using the products on offer after expiry of the trial can take advantage of the special conditions offered in the context of the Try & Buy promotion to secure themselves reduced monthly rates for each user.
"Middle-sized companies in particular are switching in ever greater numbers to SaaS provision, because the significant savings it brings enable them to concentrate on their core business", says Peter Lenz, Partner Management Director in the ICT Outsourcing department at Pironet NDH. Despite this trend, there are still a great deal of companies that remain wary of outsourcing their IT operations, mostly because of a lack of experience with the concept. "The Try & Buy promotion is aimed precisely at these companies, giving them the opportunity to discover for themselves the benefits of an SaaS solution without having to make any changes to their IT provision or commit themselves to anything", continues Lenz. "We also offer advice for any companies considering outsourcing their IT operation to a high-security data center."