SOFTWARE
MAKING THE MOVE TO
cloud-based software By Robert Patterson
Johanna Shikomba, a geologist at B2Gold’s Otjikoto project in Namibia, logs chips using the MX Deposit android application on a Samsung tablet. CREDIT: B2GOLD
A
s mining and exploration companies become more dependent on software to run their business, there is a push to move towards cloudbased platf orms as opposed to managing sof tware systems on-premise. This article explores the benefits and drawbacks around moving your software systems to the cloud and presents some of the key considerations and approach options around integrating these platforms into your organization and day-to-day operations. In my former career, my colleagues and I spent years travelling the world installing on-premise drillhole data management sof tware f or mining and exploration companies. Through that experience we gained a good understanding of the challenges that companies f aced with 24 | CANADIAN
MINING JOURNAL
the technology that was available at the time. Those experiences motivated us to start Minalytix and build a Software-asa-Service platf orm named MX Deposit to help companies better manage their drillhole and sample data using modern technology. What is cloud-based software? Simply put, cloud-based software means that the sof tware that you are using is hosted online, usually on an established cloud platform like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsof t Azure, or Google Cloud. Also referred to as Software as a Service (SaaS), you are effectively renting the use of the software through a subscription as opposed to buying it outright and paying
an annual maintenance f ee f or bug f ixe and support. Cloud sof tware is typically accessed through a web browser and often offers mobile apps so that you can work with your data offlin When we founded Minalytix in 2013, the majority of mining and exploration companies that we worked with were cloud-averse. The main reason f or this was concern around data security; companies were af raid of being hacked and having their data stolen. Over the past f ew years, mining and exploration companies have become more open to the idea of using these solutions and storing their data on the cloud, due to the key benefits that they offer over their on-premise competition, including: n Accessibility: You can access your cloud-based sof tware f rom anywhere in the world using any device that has a web browser. n Af f ordability and f lexibility Cloud software does not require an up-front capital investment and instead offers diffe ent subscription options which allow you to easily predict and manage your costs. This is beneficial to exploration and mining companies that need to throttle usage to support their business activities (e.g. drilling season). Also, if a given solution is not working well for your team, you can take your data and cancel your subscription without having to worry about walking away from a heavy investment. n Less overhead: You do not need a server to host your application, nor do you need a resource to manage the server, install updates, or take backups. All these aspects are covered by the vendor. Thisallows you to f ocus on your core business www.canadianminingjournal.com
