Your Data, Your Choice: SaaS, On-Premise, or Private Cloud
- cormacobrien8
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Why Hosting Choice Matters
Choosing the right hosting model is a foundational decision for any organisation deploying enterprise software. It determines who manages the infrastructure, how data is secured and isolated, where backups reside, and whether air-gapped operation is feasible. It also shapes how organisations address data sovereignty requirements — ensuring information stays within specific jurisdictions or under defined control.
To support the diverse needs of our global clients, we offer three flexible deployment options: Optial's Software as a Service (SaaS), On-Premise, and Private Cloud.
Hosting models at a glance
Hosting Option | Operated By | Hosted Where | Ideal For |
Optial-Hosted Cloud (SaaS) | Optial | Optial-managed Azure regions | Fastest deployment, lowest TCO |
Client Data Centre (On-Premise) | Client | Client-owned infrastructure | Full sovereignty, disconnected sites |
Client-Hosted Cloud (Private Cloud) | Client | Client's private cloud | Cloud-first orgs needing full control |
Optial-Hosted Cloud (SaaS)
Optial’s SaaS solution runs on secure Microsoft Azure based infrastructure, giving you the fastest, simplest, and most cost-effective route to value. Users access the platform securely via a web browser, no client installs—while our team operates, monitors, and hardens the stack 24/7. Azure’s world-class data centers provide physical, network, and platform security; we layer managed detection & response, continuous monitoring, and regular testing on top. Primary and disaster-recovery locations are contractually fixed, and we align backup/restore and SLAs to your risk profile.
At a glance
Security & assurance: Azure-hardened environment, encryption in transit/at rest, 24×7 MDR, proactive threat detection and continuous monitoring.
Reliability: Geo-separated primary/DR, resilient backups (including geo-redundant storage) and redundant power/network.
Convenience: No software to install. We handle database ops, patching, upgrades, and support—so you’re always on the latest secure version.
Access & identity: SSO via your IdP (SAML)—Entra ID (Azure AD), ADFS, Okta, etc. Optional secure API access where required.
Time to value: Go live in days to weeks.
Lowest TCO: No hardware to buy, no infrastructure to manage. We handle all operations, maintenance, and updates.
Current regions: EU (Ireland/Netherlands) and USA (East/West); additional regions can be discussed for data-residency needs.
Client Data Centre (On-Premise)
For organisations that must keep systems inside their own perimeter, Optial solutions can be deployed on-premises in your data centre. You provide and operate the environment; we provide installation packages, guides, and support.
At a glance
Your environment, your controls: Deployed within your data centre; integrates with AD/SSO/SAML, local keys, and your network segmentation.
Air-Gapped Deployment: Runs in a fully disconnected server environment (no internet required). Updates are securely delivered as signed offline packages with full rollback capabilities.
Operations & DR: You set patch cadence, backup/restore, and DR strategy; we supply runbooks and support.
Who it’s for: Highest sovereignty needs, restricted networks, or sites where external connectivity isn’t allowed.
Client-Hosted Cloud (Private Cloud)
For organisations that want to run systems on their own private cloud, Optial solutions can be deployed on your private cloud. You provide and operate the environment; we provide installation packages, guides, and support.
For organisations that want to leverage their existing private cloud infrastructure, this option deploys Optial solutions into your private cloud. You maintain full control of the environment; we provide the installation packages, guides, and support.
This option deploys Optial solutions directly into your organization's existing cloud (e.g., your AWS, Azure, GCP or other…). You provide and operate the cloud environment; we provide the installation packages, guides, and support.
At a glance
Your environment, your controls: Deployed within your private cloud; integrates with cloud native identity providers using SAML, your key storage, and your network segmentation.
Air-Gapped Deployment: Can run in a non-internet-facing private cloud. Updates are securely delivered as signed offline packages with full rollback capabilities.
Operations & DR: You set patch cadence, backup/restore, and DR strategy; we supply runbooks and support.
Who it’s for: Organisations with a "cloud-first" policy, strict sovereignty needs, and a desire to leverage existing cloud investments and infrastructure.
FAQs
Can you guarantee data stays in a specific country?
Yes—primary and DR locations are fixed in the contract per customer.
Do you support air-gapped deployments?
Yes—on-prem model supports air-gapped operation with signed update packages. Can run in a non-internet-facing private cloud.
Can we use our own identity provider?
Yes, we fully support SAML Identity Providers (Entra ID/Azure AD, ADFS, Okta, etc.).
Can we move later (e.g., private → cloud)?
Yes, at a later stage you can change options
