reply IFSM 3

gary
1. List two benefits of the IT Strategy to use a SaaS solution to support the hiring process. The two benefits are the low-cost and the scalability and integration. 
2. Identify three things the CIO and his team should look for as they consider which SaaS vendor to select.  Explain what they are and why they are important to MTC’s business. The (3) Things that the CIO and their team must consider is the Data Integrity, which is the process of handling data should be seamless and secure enough. This process can be achieved by adhering to professionalism while migrating and backing up data. Secondly, the Compatibility with Business Model. This is the SaaS vendor chosen should play an important role in ensuring that the vision and mission of the team is easily achieved. This will also promote the growth and development of the business. Lastly, The Cost which the team will enjoy spend what they can afford. All the costs to be incurred should be considered so that the process does not become costly. Activities such as support and training of the individuals, as well as of the future upgrades should also be covered.
3. Then, explain what you think is MTC’s biggest risk in outsourcing this IT function, why you selected that risk, and what MTC’s IT department’s key responsibilities are to minimize risk and protect the business as they select and use a SaaS solution. The biggest risk of outsourcing the key responsibilities of the IT functionality as Shi (2007) explained, ” Is project cost overrun or worse, an outsourcing project that results in an increase in overall operations costs for the client.” (page 28). So when IT functions are outsourced without considering the company’s long term plans, there are chances of engaging a service provider who is not in line with the company’s strategic vision. Also, When critical information and data is left in the hands of a third party, there is a chance that the information can be accessed by someone outside the company. 

Reference:

Shi, Yuwei. (2007). Today’s Solution and Tomorrow’s Problem: THE BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING RISK MANAGEMENT PUZZLE. California Management Review, 49(3), 27–44. 
https://doi-org.ezproxy.umgc.edu/10.2307/41166393

rebecca
1. Enhanced security and high scalability are two benefits of using a SaaS solution. Since SaaS systems exists in cloud settings, they are easily scalable and can be integrated with other systems. In addition, security is more secure with a SaaS system which is cloud-based and can be backed up by the provider, unlike a traditional system (Chong, 2015).  
2. CIO Raj Patel and his team should take into consideration the vendors financial stability, credibility, and how robust their customer support base is (Implementing a SaaS Solution, n.d.). The vendor should be financially stable to support and provide services for MTC. Its credibility covers how customers/suppliers trust the vendor in terms of how well they meet and deliver the organizations expectations. Credibility is important since it influences MTC’s decision of whether to trust and work with them or not. High credibility attracts and retains loyal customers which is also why having a robust customer base is extremely important for MTC.
3. One of MTC’s biggest risk is lack of control. SaaS providers manage everything, which causes MTC to rely heavily on the vendor’s capabilities. To mitigate this risk, MTC can identify specific people within their organization who can be given access by the SaaS provider to manage critical business applications. This ensures that authorized users can access SaaS applications and protect its business data without the vendor having to step in each time to manage things.
References 
Chong, D. (2015, December 15). Key features and benefits of SaaS (Software as a Service). LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/key-features-benefits-saas-software-service-desmond-chong

Implementing a SaaS Solution. (n.d.). University of Maryland Global Campus. https://learn.umgc.edu/d2l/le/content/579460/viewContent/21818930/View

Jade
1. List two benefits of the IT Strategy to use a SaaS solution to support the hiring process.
Two benefits of the IT Strategy: 
-Performance: allowing the system to meet the required time requirements and if it is able to handle a massive work overload
-Availability: If the IT system is available to all when need be; then if there is any system breaches that requires maintenance, will it fit the organizations needs? 
2. Identify three things the CIO and his team should look for as they consider which SaaS vendor to select.  Explain what they are and why they are important to MTC’s business.
The three things that the CIO and his team should look for as they consider which SaaS vendor to select are: how long the vendor has been in business, how robust their customer support is, and their industry reputation. With looking out for these specific factors, because the business needs to ensure that the vendor will be able to support the business as time goes on. Although, the vendors are the ones that own and hosts the system, the reputation of the business could possibly reach risky-taking measures from the cause of issues and not having those issues properly addressed. 
3. Then, explain what you think is MTC’s biggest risk in outsourcing this IT function, why you selected that risk, and what MTC’s IT department’s key responsibilities are to minimize risk and protect the business as they select and use a SaaS solution.
I think MTC’s biggest risk is not having a secure system, because if the system is inefficient and not compatible with modernized technology, then the security of the system lacks secure programs. If using the same technology that worked before the modernized tech. came out, it will only take the business so far. Without updates and better improvements on the systems, then the business will only go so far; especially if it starts to be overloaded with information such as pdx. files, spreadsheets, powerpoints, resumes, etc. 
Reference
UMGC. n.d. Implementing a SaaS Solution. Differentiating Between Commercial Off-the-Self Software (COTS) and SaaS Solutions. https://learn.umgc.edu/d2l/le/content/579460/viewContent/21818930/View