PD-Trak Application Hosting Options

PD-Trak project portfolio software can be operated in three ways. The easiest and lowest cost method to get started is to use our Software as a Service (SaaS) approach where we host the application in the cloud. Alternatively, the software can be run in the cloud on a dedicated server or can be implemented on your organization’s internal servers. Users log on to the system by entering their credentials through the log-in web page. PD-Trak can be optionally integrated with your Active Directory system, allowing standard corporate network user credentials to be used to log in to PD-Trak.

Application Hosting	Features
Cloud-Based Software as a Service (SaaS)	Highly secure environment with daily offsite back-up No company IT support required Rapid setup and implementation Software automatically upgraded with new releases User-based pricing or project-based pricing (facilitates project team collaboration)
Cloud-Based Software as a Service (SaaS) with Dedicated Server	Highly secure environment with daily offsite back-up No company IT support required Rapid setup and implementation Timing of upgrades can be controlled (by an Administrator) and coordinated with any associated training on new features Software may be customized to meet your organization’s unique requirements Business area function allows major groups of projects to be separated with controlled access Pricing is based on number of projects (unlimited number of users - facilitates project team collaboration)
Internal Company Server	Highly secure environment behind your company’s firewall Timing of upgrades can be controlled (by an Administrator) and coordinated with any associated training on new features Software may be customized to meet your organization’s unique requirements Best solution if integration is required with other organization applications Business area function allows major groups of projects to be separated with controlled access Pricing is based on number of projects (unlimited number of users - facilitates project team collaboration)

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Software as a Service (SaaS) is an alternative to the standard software installation in the business environment (traditional model) where the user has to build the server, install the application, and configure it. Businesses who deal in this area may need help in acquiring buyers, this is where Expedition Co. can help as they are able to bring SaaS companies that assistance when needed. There is a method of software delivery where the PD-Trak application is hosted remotely and is made available to your organization over your network or from an internet connection. Simply put, your organization rents the software instead of purchasing it. However, those businesses that do sell SaaS, can use resources such as FastSpring for billing necessities, to help the buyer find it easier to purchase through an eCommerce platform. Although it is a departure from the conventional method of purchasing software, SaaS can provide the following advantages:

1. Cost: SaaS eliminates the upfront cost of hardware and software purchase. Furthermore, our pay-as-you-go model allows your organization to pay for only what they are using. This can also provide a low cost way for a department, business area, or small business unit to economically access a powerful application that might have been otherwise uneconomical through conventional licensing. Having us manage the IT infrastructure can mean lower IT costs for hardware, software, and the people needed to manage it all.
2. Time: Installation is as simple as having an internet connection and acquiring a log-in. Your organization does not have to deal with hardware and software maintenance and upgrades.
3. Scalability & Accessibility: Another great feature of SaaS is that the pay-as-you-go model provides flexibility and scalability. Because the software is hosted externally, changing your usage plan is easy. Additionally, web-based use allows subscribers to access the software easily from any location around the world with internet capabilities.

One option with our SaaS approach to provide greater flexibility to meet your needs is the use of a dedicated server. This is a necessary approach if your organization wants to customize the application or have control over the timing of system upgrades.

All SaaS solutions include offsite backup of data. These cloud-based approaches are highly secure.

Internally Hosted

Customers can also choose to host the software on their own internal servers.

A typical configuration with 100 projects requires the following:

SERVER HARDWARE MINIMUMS
Dual Core
4GB Memory
Gigabit Ethernet
500 GB Hard Drive

SERVER SOFTWARE
Windows 7 or 8 / Windows Server 2008/ Windows Server 2012
MySQL
PHP
–

Access for System Installation and Maintenance

A network log-on will need to be created for the PD-Trak representative that performs the initial installation and configuration, or a client employee can log on and then give the PD-Trak representative access to the server.