Software as a Service Application Evaluation Framework Addressing Configurability
Date
2014-06
Authors
Owiti, Yvonne Mwajuma
Marwanga (Dr.), Reuben
Orero, Joseph Onderi
Kiraka, Ruth
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore university
Abstract
Software as a Service (SaaS) is a global technology trend to watch as adoption keeps soaring, yet configurability concerns linger. SaaS users may make uninformed decisions when choosing an application by failing to factor in configurability limitations. In view of the frameworks reviewed by the researcher, there is no framework for SaaS applications that can be used to evaluate a system that meets users' requirements with configurability limitations addressed.
In an attempt to determine the specific configurability limitations currently experienced by SaaS users in Kenya, the study listed sixteen (16) configurability items. Fifty (50) percent of them were reported to have configurability limitations. These include; custom fields' definition, data export, in-house application integration, domain name modification, listing report pagination, custom fields' behavior modification, plug-in installation and dashboard customization. SaaS industry is yet to mature the processes and models of dealing with these configurability concerns. This means that configurability limitations will still linger. SaaS users therefore need to be armed with the knowledge of such weaknesses ill order to source wisely for a SaaS application. An evaluation framework was proposed by the researcher. This was validated by two IT managers. The feedback from the validation process (usefulness -100%, effectiveness - 100%, completeness- 90% and accuracy 95%) was used to further enhance the framework. This framework will help prospective SaaS users make the right choices during sourcing.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master of Science in Information Technology (MSc.IT) at Strathmore University
Keywords
Software, Service application, Evaluation framework, Configurability