Is MyServices a cloud service?
We think so. To be more specific we call them cloud data services.
The term "cloud" is often used as a catch-all for three different types of internet-based service:
- Software as a Service (SaaS) where entire applications, such as Salesforce and Netsuite, are provisioned from a remote and usually indeterminate location.
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) where hardware-like resources, such as PCs and servers are supplied on demand. The Amazon Electric Computing Cloud is the most well know IaaS.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS), such as Google App Engine and Microsoft Azure, where entire development and provisioning environments are supplied, again via the web.
We would classify MyServices as falling into a new category, called Data as a Service (DaaS). It enables applications running anywhere that are web connected (in the cloud, on a LAN or WAN) to access two types of data.
- Proprietary data (customer records, stock information etc.), which a user owns.
- Third party data (Royal Mail PAF®, Dun and Bradstreet, Mortascreen etc.), which is supplied under the terms of a licensing agreement.
There are two important things that all of the above share in common, and with MyServices.
Firstly, their existence is "virtual", meaning it is abstracted from the physical world. For instance, a Windows Server supplied by an IaaS provider is unlikely to be a physical unit. It is almost certainly a virtual machine running on any one of a number of machines in a data centre. Indeed, the physical device it is running on may also be running other Windows Servers, and be replicated on other machines to ensure availability. This is why we call them ‘cloud’ services – it’s hard to pin down exactly where they are and where they begin and end.
Secondly, users usually only pay for what they use. The great thing about cloud services is that they can become available in minutes and you can pay for them by the hour, month, day, or year, or even just the processing power, disk space and bandwidth you use. Nothing has to be purchased or installed, making the business case for using them very strong, largely due to the reduced payback period.
Why would you use MyServices instead of a conventional SQL database?
An SQL database lies at the heart of MyServices, so it would be fair to say that if you have your own database system, you could use this to deliver MyServices-type features.
However, that would be missing the point.
SQL Servers are typically designed to operate as a single box. Because MyServices runs on many servers in concurrent data centres, it offers SQL-like services rather than a carbon copy. MyServices provides many features that you’d expect, but differs from MySQL, Oracle and MS SQL Server.
MyServices is a data publishing technology. Using it you can provide access to all kinds of data from web sites, intranet and extranet applications, SaaS solutions and the cloud. You don’t have to install hardware, write code or optimise any databases, because MyServices does it for you – more quickly, reliably and securely, from an experienced and proven web services company.
There will be times when you want to access your own database. But there will be others where MyServices will offer a simpler and speedier way forward.
How are MyServices different to Microsoft Azure (Azure) and Amazon Web Services (AWS)?
Both Azure and Amazon are complete cloud offerings, incorporating infrastructure and Platform as a Service. They offer an array of services from virtual servers to fully hosted applications and even include sophisticated data synchronisation.
MyServices differentiates itself by doing one thing very well – enabling any internet-connected application to exchange data with another. It is:
- Easy to use and understand, so you can get basic web services up and running in less than an hour.
- Platform independent, so it doesn’t matter what technology the data consuming applications have been developed in.
- Self-documenting with automated sample code generation and test pages, so your developers don’t require technical support.
We believe that the world of cloud computing is going to be much messier than vendors imagine. It’s likely that in a few years' time most businesses will be using cloud-type services from a range of different vendors. MyServices will facilitate the stitching together of these systems at the click of a mouse button.
I currently use…….is there an easy way to migrate my data into MyServices?
Absolutely. If you want to host your data in the cloud, MyTables will take an Access database or Excel sheet as a starter. You can also upload data from any data source that supports ODBC. If you want to externalise the data then MyFeeds just needs an ODBC connection and it'll do the rest.
You say your system is both highly secure and highly reliable, what steps do you take to ensure both of these?
Our service operates from two completely different UK data centres. This is vital to maintaining the highest levels of reliability and availability. We also have a very comprehensive security system that operates at every level. Our 'active management' system constantly monitors every account and every transaction to identify unusual patterns. That way we can proactively block any unwanted or fraudulent activity instantly.
Are there any limitations to the range of SQL-like language I can use in the services?
MyTables supports most of the SQL languages including joins and complex where clauses. Group by and aggregate functions aren't currently supported although that is planned.
Is there an on-premise version of MyServices?
Yes, you can host MyServices, by installing Postcode Anywhere Enterprise Server v4.0 on your LAN.
Can I share and sell my data using MyServices?
Yes, you can. Using account management web services it is possible to create licence keys, record usage and monitor for fraudulent activities. So, you can provision data to whoever you want at whatever price you want.
What we can’t provide, right now though, is the billing functionality to support this. Nor do we have any programmes to facilitate the joint promotion of data. However, we are looking at this for the future.
How much does MyServices cost?
MyServices are currently in Beta and free to use. You can register for the beta trial here.
A full price list will be published before January 2011 and our intention is to offer MyServices on a pay-as-you-go and subscription basis. All sales of the MyServices will be commissionable for Postcode Anywhere Partners.
We appreciate that this may present an obstacle for people wishing to integrate MyServices into their web sites and applications.
If you need a price for your use of MyServices, please contact Postcode Anywhere sales on 0800 047 0495. If you are able provide a description of your applications and reasonable estimate of the level of usage, we will provide a price, plus any help and advice you need implementing the services.
If our standard pricing turns out to be less than the price quoted, we will provision the services at the lower price.
If our standard pricing is higher than the price quoted, we will honour our initial quotation for a period of 24 months from receipt of order.
We hope this enables you to make the right choices for your business.
If you have any queries, contact Postcode Anywhere sales on 0800 047 0495.
