Online V/S Offline Software — The Eternal Debate
In the good old days, most people lived in houses which were independent units. Each house had its own water storage, drainage, and plumbing etc., Nowadays, most people (at least in cities) live in housing societies which consist of several flats. Since several families live in a housing society, they all share a lot of infrastructure and can also afford several common amenities like swimming pool, garden, security staff etc,.
The common costs are shared by all, therefore a lot of amenities that are unaffordable by independent houses, become affordable in housing societies.
Conceptually, offline software is similar to an independent house. Online software is similar to housing society.
Offline software (or desktop software) is installed from a CD/pen-drive or a web-site. After installation, it resides on your PC/laptop. Examples of offline software include adobe reader, Tally etc.,
Online software (or cloud-based software) is a web-based software which runs on the internet and requires two things to run:
A Web-browser like Chrome/Edge/Firefox/Safari).
Internet connection.
Examples of online software include Gmail, and train/air reservation sites etc.,
Most online software can be easily adapted to run properly on tablet & mobile as well.
1. Information Access:
- Online Software: Access from anywhere — on laptop, mobile, or tablet — similar to Gmail. It provides full control to users.
- Offline Software: Access is limited to a specific PC. LAN connectivity can make desktop software workable but requires networking.
2. Software Updates:
Online Software: Updates are automatic, requiring no effort from the user.
Offline Software: Updates are manual and require user effort, often involving some technical knowledge.
3. Loss of Data:
Online Software: Data backups are taken regularly and automatically. Data is stored securely on servers in data centers.
Offline Software: There is a risk of data loss due to hardware issues, disk crashes, or similar problems.
4. Virus Risk:
Online Software: Servers are maintained and protected by experts, often using Linux/Unix systems, which are less vulnerable to viruses.
Offline Software: There is a high risk of viruses corrupting data. Anti-virus software can help, but viruses often strike and cause damage before protection updates.
5. SMS & Email Functionality:
Online Software: Cloud technology supports seamless integration of email and SMS. Servers can be configured for DKIM standards, ensuring proper email delivery through platforms like Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail.
Offline Software: Email and SMS functionality is erratic because desktop technology was developed before the mobile era.
6. Operating System Upgrades:
Online Software: Upgrades have no impact as no software installation is needed.
Offline Software: Operating system upgrades may require the software to be reinstalled. License keys must also be retrieved for reactivation.
7. Pricing:
Online Software: Usually based on a subscription model, either monthly or yearly. Some software may also include usage limits.
Offline Software: Typically involves a one-time purchase cost plus annual maintenance fees. Some vendors may charge for major upgrades.
Data Backups: An online software is expected to take data backups every day and ensure that it’s stored safely. Please confirm this with your software vendor.
Data Security: An online software is expected to ensure security of data as per international standards. Please confirm this with your software vendor.
Operating System: Linux/Unix operating systems are known to be quite sturdy and safe from viruses. Please confirm this with your software vendor if their server is based on Linux/Unix.
So, which one is better?
An independent house or flat in a housing society?
I hear you say ‘how about the best of both, like row house societies?
Well, at least in software, the biggest success has been with players who clearly took one of the two approaches. So then, which type of software is better?
Often this debate goes on a tangent and the bigger perspective is lost. Long-term growth of your practice is the big picture and software is just one part. We invite you to ponder over the following pointers and the right answer applicable for you should emerge.
How comfortable are you with the fact that your data will be hosted on the vendor’s server?
Just to give you a perspective, all your Gmail/Yahoo mail/Hotmail etc., are on the vendor’s server. Your entire social media interaction on WhatsApp, Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram are on the vendor’s server. The entire content of your smartphone (contacts, messages, photos, videos, applications, various accounts) are on the vendor’s server in most cases. Each time you use a card to make a purchase, somehow a bunch of companies come to know about it and you start getting promotional SMSes/emails. If your bank has an internet banking facility, then your banking information is on the cloud too. Now, with e-filing of income tax returns, your income tax data is online too.
What’s the trustworthiness of the software vendor?
Confidentiality and safety of your data is extremely important. Do take some time to find out.
If the vendor ever leaked anybody’s data.
If the vendor ever contacted anybody’s patients directly.
If the vendor ever lost/corrupted anybody’s data.
If the vendor’s business model includes commercial interest in your data. For ex., most software discovery platforms have products/services for patients, thus they have commercial interest in your data. Similar case with software which are owned by dental/pathological labs and pharma companies.
How important it is for you to enter/access your clinic information from outside the clinic (from a laptop at home or a mobile or a tablet).
Accessing up-to-this-moment information from multiple places or devices works with online software only. Further, if you have multiple clinics, then this becomes even more important.
How technically comfortable you or your staff are?
Offline software requires you are comfortable in taking regular backups, protecting your data from viruses, upgrading software when needed, reinstalling the software when operating system is reinstalled/upgraded etc.,
Physical proximity of software vendors
Offline software and the data reside on your PC. Your PC-specific factors become relevant (RAM, disk space, anti-virus, windows registry etc.,). Thus, when you need support from the vendor, physical proximity helps in troubleshooting. In online software, the software as well as the data resides on the vendor’s server.
Internet connectivity
Online software requires continuous internet connectivity. Thus, it’s a viable option for you only if you have good connectivity.
Your circumstances, preferences, sensitivities, and objectives are unique to you. Thus you must decide based on those. This blog is simply to enlighten you to relevant factors, so that YOU decide for yourself (not a vendor deciding for you!).
Source: www.bestosys.com