Accentis Enterprise On-premises or in the cloud
Contents
Windows Applications vs Browser-Based Applications
Running Accentis Enterprise on-premises
Advantages of on-premises hosting
Considerations of on-premises hosting
Running Accentis Enterprise in the cloud
Considerations of cloud hosting
How do you subscribe to a cloud hosting service?
Overview
One of the most common questions we are asked is whether Accentis Enterprise runs on-premises or in the cloud. The answer is simple: it can do both.
To understand how this works, it is important to first understand the difference between traditional Windows applications and browser-based applications.
Windows Applications vs Browser-Based Applications
Accentis Enterprise is a Windows application, it is not browser-based.
Just like Microsoft Word, Outlook, or your web browser itself, Accentis Enterprise is a native application that runs on Windows. It is not a website and does not run inside Edge, Chrome, or another browser.
Browser-based applications operate differently. They run within a web browser and are essentially a collection of web pages delivered over the internet.
With many browser-based applications, your data may be stored anywhere in the world. While providers usually offer information about their hosting arrangements, the physical location of the data is often abstracted from the user. In most cases, the only practical way to access that data is through the software subscription itself.
This means that your ability to work with your data is closely tied to your continued access to that service.
With Accentis Enterprise, your data is stored in an SQL database. You know exactly where that database is located, who has access to it, and how it is managed. The database is typically hosted alongside the Accentis Enterprise application on your server infrastructure.
Because the data exists in a standard SQL database, it remains your data regardless of whether the system is hosted on-premises or in the cloud.
Neither approach is inherently right or wrong. However, understanding the distinction is important because it affects how your software is deployed, accessed, and managed.
Running Accentis Enterprise on-premises
Traditionally, Accentis Enterprise is installed on an organisation's own servers.
In an on-premises deployment:
- The Accentis Enterprise application is installed on your servers.
- The SQL database is stored on your servers.
- Your IT team maintains the underlying infrastructure.
- Users access the application across your local network or via remote access solutions.
This approach provides maximum control over both the application and the infrastructure supporting it.
Advantages of on-premises hosting
- Complete control over servers and infrastructure.
- Direct oversight of where data is stored.
- Existing server investments can continue to be utilised.
- Internal IT teams can manage security, backup, and maintenance processes according to organisational requirements.
- Internet connectivity is generally only required for external access and specific online services.
Considerations of on-premises hosting
- Hardware must be purchased, maintained, and eventually replaced.
- Server maintenance remains the responsibility of your organisation.
- Backup, disaster recovery, and security management require ongoing administration.
- Capacity planning is required as the system grows.
- Remote access solutions may need additional configuration and management.
Running Accentis Enterprise in the cloud
Because Accentis Enterprise is a Windows application, moving to the cloud is straightforward.
Instead of installing the application on servers within your office, it is installed on virtual servers hosted by a cloud provider. These servers function much like traditional servers but reside in professionally managed data centres.
Your Accentis Enterprise application and SQL database are installed on these virtual servers, while users access them remotely using technologies such as:
- Remote Desktop
- RemoteApp
- Other virtual desktop solutions
From the user's perspective, they continue to use the same Accentis Enterprise Windows application. The primary difference is where the server is physically located.
Advantages of cloud hosting
- No need to purchase or replace server hardware.
- Infrastructure can often be scaled more easily as requirements change.
- Reduced server maintenance requirements for your organisation.
- Accessible from virtually anywhere with an internet connection.
- Hosting costs are typically presented as predictable recurring expenses.
- Professional hosting providers often include infrastructure monitoring, redundancy, and backup services.
Considerations of cloud hosting
- Ongoing hosting costs apply.
- Reliable internet connectivity becomes critical.
- Cloud infrastructure remains dependent on the hosting provider's availability and support arrangements.
- Performance is influenced by internet connectivity and remote access technologies.
- Organisations still need to consider security, backup, and disaster recovery responsibilities, even when infrastructure is hosted externally.
How do you subscribe to a cloud hosting service?
Moving Accentis Enterprise to the cloud is generally a straightforward process:
- Research and select a suitable cloud hosting provider.
- Subscribe to the hosting service and obtain access to the new server environment.
- Contact Accentis Support on support@accentis.com.au to install and configure Accentis Enterprise and your databases on the new server.
- Users connect to the hosted environment using Remote Desktop, RemoteApp, or another supported remote access solution.