SaaS Overview
At the most simplistic level,  Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is the delivery of software functionality over the Internet from a single application instance that is shared across all clients. SaaS solutions require only a Web browser for access, eliminating the need to install or maintain software or hardware. They also replace upfront licensing fees and lengthy implementation cycles of traditional installed applications with a "pay-as-you-go", subscription-based service relationship.  Simply put, Bigfoot’s "on-demand" approach allows our clients to incrementally add new users, services and capabilities when ready.

However, SaaS is less about technology architecture than it is about a new business philosophy that incorporates the delivery of software, content, and services as flexible Web-based solutions. For you this means accessing application functionality, business intelligence, and support as an integrated Web services.

Traditional enterprise application businesses are not built for such dynamic performance. Application development cycles at these firms are lengthy and complicated by the need to support antiquated architectures and legacy application versions. Their service groups are primed for large, complex, and costly implementation and integration projects -- not rapid on-boarding and flexible lifecycle support services. 

Bigfoot's suite is architected as a next-generation Software–as–a–Service offering designed to accelerate adoption and value without the cost, burdens, or risks of implementing costly software or hardware. The flexibility of the On Demand model extends to our service offerings. Bigfoot also designs and delivers services tuned to Clients’ unique requirements. We have a proven track record of providing low-cost, rapid deployment, on-demand solutions.

On Demand Benefits

 Benefits breakdown: 

Low Upfront Costs: With no need to license costly software or hardware or hire expensive implementation services, initial solution fees are less than half those of installed software.¹

Low Total Cost of Ownership: With no technology to maintain, total cost of ownership is 5X – 10X less than installed software.²

Fast Deployment: You can get started with a basic Internet connection. Full deployment is measured in days and benefits begin accruing immediately.

Rapid Adoption: Internet delivery, high usability, and online help and training drive rapid adoption, increasing solution ROI and value.

Optimal Service Levels: Bigfoot’s success is tied to the success and satisfaction of our Clients. Our data centers, technical support, and expert services offer higher performance, faster adoption, and better support and response than most companies can deliver internally.

Global Support: Bigfoot offers global support for our Clients through phone support, on-line help desk, integrated step by step manuals, community forums and tutorial videos.  Bigfoot provides customers with at least 24 hours notice of any scheduled maintenance. Scheduled maintenances are preformed outside customers’ normal business hours.

Regular Upgrades: Bigfoot’s agile development process and SaaS model deliver frequent functionality enhancements and upgrades automatically and free to all On Demand Clients.

Secure Infrastructure: Bigfoot delivers its On Demand solutions through secure data centers built from the ground up for continuous, secure, and reliable Web-based service delivery.

Global Deployment:
On-Demand services do not stop with the continental United States. Bigfoot’s On Demand solutions can meet the needs of organizations in the U.S., Europe or any where in the world.  All that is needed is a Web browser on a computer to connect from anywhere, anytime.
 
1 Aberdeen Group 2 TripleTree

On Demand Security

Secure Data
The strongest available encryption protects Bigfoot's client data transmitted over the Web. An SSL certificate signed by GeoTrust, as well as the lock icon in the corner of the user's browser, assure customers that their data is fully shielded from access while in transit over the Web. Bigfoot uses the strongest encryption currently supported by browsers, using a 1024-bit RSA public key and letting users access their data with a 128-bit encryption from their browsers.
 
Network Security
Bigfoot’s internet connections operate at the highest possible level of security. Network IDS, IPS & DDOS - Industry best solutions from Tipping Point are utilized to guard against denial of service, malicious traffic, viruses, malware, phishing, spyware and other types of Internet threats via wire speed detection and remediation coupled with automatic and zero day response.
 
Application Security
A valid username and password is required to log into Bigfoot’s solutions. Our solutions require that passwords are at least seven characters long and require both alpha and numeric characters.
 
In addition to the password controls, there is an auto log off feature. This feature will automatically log off users when there is a period of inactivity of a specified duration.

On Demand Data Center

 The building sits atop three redundant electrical grids from TXU delivering diverse power to each quadrant of the building. HVAC needs are supplied via five one hundred ton onsite water chillers to deliver N+1 cooling requirements. Access is monitored using Proximity Security Badge Access and Digital Security Video Surveillance. The data center offers complete redundancy in power, HVAC, fire suppression, network connectivity, and physical security. Redundant GigE Backbone connections to the Internap, SAVVIS, VERIO/NTT, and Abovenet core backbone exchanges located in the INFOMART in Dallas, Texas, provide solid and reliable network connectivity. Network engineers also continuously monitor the health, reliability, and performance of the network using state of the art tools from Cisco and Arbor Networks.
 
Optimal Performance
Bigfoot’s technical experts continuously monitor response time, performance and security. Bigfoot’s N-tiered network infrastructure is highly scalable to meet both planned expansions and unexpected usage demands.
 
Every component in the Bigfoot server farm is designed to ensure there is no single point of failure. Web servers, database servers, document servers and other devices are all configured so that the interruption of any component results in automatic fail-over to a backup component. This ensures that Bigfoot’s solutions not only stay online, but it also ensures maximum performance..
 
Maximum Availability
Our servers provide us with data redundancy via Raid5 disc arrays. Raid5 supplies safe recovery of data in the event of hard disk failure. Any server's hard drives can fail without loss of data. Raid5 also provides for hot swappable hard disks, in order to replace a failing hard disk without service interruption.
 
Additionally, Bigfoot provides path-diverse entrances and exits, through redundant GigE Backbone connections to the Internap, SAVVIS, VERIO/NTT, and Abovenet core backbone exchanges.
 
Disaster Recovery in Real Time
Bigfoot uses Enterprise Level Data Backup Systems that allow us to keep
7 copies of all system data in the event of a data emergency. We can quickly restore any File, Web Site, Database or System File in a matter of minutes. The primary servers create nightly backups of all user data. The nightly backup tapes are stored at a secure, off-site storage location. Bigfoot not only has full-time, disaster recovery to stand-in for our primary site, but could also recover your data from off-site tape storage in the unlikely event this is ever needed.