Speedy server boosts Foresite SPA's online performance

Since moving to UKFast, Foresite SPA has:

• Tripled the speed of its offering
• Pushed its product to the forefront of SaaS

Performance software

"Speed is invaluable for Foresite SPA and SaaS," says Graham McNamara of Foresite SPA. "To make the software operate as effectively as possible it needs to perform well in terms of both download and post-back speeds, as well as screen rendering. Whilst we can do so much with code optimisation and web design to make things work faster, a server which runs three times more quickly than our previous one and delivers content as if it were installed on your own PC is a real achievement. It makes the software operate as well as local software and it's something that many other SaaS start ups simply are not delivering.

"We were astounded by the speed of the UKFast server and this is definitely because of their network. Because of the speed of the UKFast server we're at the forefront of our industry online in terms of SaaS. 18 to 20 per cent of software is now SaaS but not every provider optimises it for the internet like we do."

How does server speed benefit SaaS?

For anybody not acquainted with SaaS, the acronym stands for Software as a Service. It refers to software which operates over the internet and is a growing phenomenon in worldwide business today. The range of outsourced IT and new methods of accessing business software solutions has created a multi-billion dollar market.

Benefits of the SaaS service include accessibility and significant cost savings due to the absence of investment in hardware, software and IT infrastructure. Updates and innovations can be implemented and accessed by users immediately. Whilst SaaS is becoming more popular year on year (2/3 of CIOs now consider the subscription model) it is exposed to internet performance. Performance of installed software is by comparison more consistent. With UKFast hosting Foresite SPA is changing this attitude.

The secret of speed

UKFast consistently builds upon the speed of its network in order to increase the speed and therefore the user experience of every client. Based at the hub of the internet UKFast is able to process information extremely quickly. Additionally, because UKFast aggregates bandwidth from the major internet providers, its network runs fast and true. Foresite SPA agrees:

"We were astounded by the speed of the UKFast server," enthuses Graham McNamara. "And this is definitely because of their network. We've had some wonderful feedback from our users who are enjoying the performance of the software. Whilst performing the speed tests it is important to note that the UKFast server is a similar spec to our previous one so we are comparing apples with apples here. The speed was phenomenal, at its fastest, UKFast's server was around seven times quicker than our old one.

"The speed of the UKFast network has certainly been a huge factor in the success we've had so far."

The future for Foresite SPA

"SaaS is the future for software," Graham adds. "SaaS revenue in enterprise application software alone is estimated to reach $11.5 billion by the end of 2011 and is growing at 21 per cent year on year (Gartner). But it is often stifled by its creator's inability to make it perform to users' expectations. Speed is one of the most important things we can offer online, because web users crave it. If you don't give it to them, you will lose their custom."

UKFast has taken note of the importance of speed from research performed by Google. The search engine giant showed that a 0.5 second delay in the page load speed of a website can reduce traffic by 20 per cent.

"That both Foresite SPA and UKFast hold speed in such high regard makes for a great partnership," Graham says. "I highly recommend UKFast, especially to other SaaS providers - their speed is incomparable. You won't be disappointed."

Visit Foresite SPA at www.foresitespa.com.