This page is about who carries hosting, security, and recovery when Coalesce360 runs as Azure-native SaaS, how to compare total cost with on-prem tools, and why IBM z/OS can stay on-prem. Control detail is on Coalesce360 Security.
Shared responsibility for Coalesce360 on Azure
Moving to SaaS does not remove accountability. It clarifies who owns which layer:
| Area | Microsoft Azure | Coalesce360 | Your organization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform & hosting | Azure App Service, Azure SQL, storage, regional infrastructure | Application design, releases, platform configuration | Choosing the SaaS model and validating fit for policy |
| Identity & access | Identity platform capabilities used by the stack | Role design, app-level permissions, session controls | User provisioning, least privilege, joiner/mover/leaver process |
| Data governance | Encryption at rest/in transit options at the service layer | Application data model, retention in product design, backups of SaaS data | What you store, retention policy, export/legal holds, access reviews |
| Security operations | Physical security, platform patching, many monitoring services | Secure development, vulnerability handling for the product, Key Vault usage | Internal policy, MFA expectations, incident escalation contacts |
| Business continuity | Regional resilience building blocks | SaaS recovery design and service continuity for the application | Your RTO/RPO needs, offline contingency for critical processes |
A TCO lens for buyers leaving on-prem tools
Compare more than license line items. For on-prem or self-hosted tools, include hardware refresh, database care, patch windows, VPN or remote-access friction, local backup and disaster-recovery testing, and the staff time spent keeping the stack alive. For Azure-native SaaS, include the subscription, expected usage growth, identity administration, and the work of moving users—not a second server farm for the same application.
Sticker price alone does not decide it. SaaS usually reduces infrastructure labor. It does not remove every cost.
Hybrid is normal for mainframe shops
Keeping IBM z/OS and other mission-critical systems on-premise while running operations software as Azure-native SaaS is a common pattern. Coalesce360 does not require you to move the mainframe to Azure to modernize sales, delivery, support, and production change governance around those workloads.
On-prem tools vs Azure-native SaaS
The rows below are the short comparison. They are not a general primer on Microsoft Azure.
| Area | On-prem or self-hosted tools | Coalesce360 on Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs the servers | Your team: hardware, patching, backups, and recovery tests. | Microsoft runs the platform. Coalesce360 runs the application. You run identity and what you store. |
| What you still own | Nearly every layer, from the building to the database. | Access reviews, retention, MFA expectations, and the decision to use SaaS. |
| Remote access | Often a VPN or a path into the internal network. | Browser access with the same role controls as the desktop app. |
| Mainframe workloads | Stay where latency, control, or the existing estate requires. | Stay on-prem. Operations software around them can still be Azure-native SaaS. |
A Practical Decision Framework
The best decision is usually not based on a generic cloud preference. It should be based on the workload and the operating problem you are trying to solve.
Consider Azure-native when...
You need easier scaling, secure remote access, faster deployment, lower infrastructure maintenance, better resilience, modern integrations, or a SaaS operating model.
Consider on-premise when...
You need strict physical control, the workload is stable, the infrastructure is already paid for, latency is critical, or specialized local dependencies make cloud migration difficult.
Consider hybrid when...
You want to modernize selected workflows while keeping certain legacy systems in place until there is a strong business reason to move them.
Reevaluate when...
Maintenance burden, security expectations, hardware refreshes, integration challenges, or disaster recovery concerns begin taking attention away from the business.
Looking for an Azure-native operations platform?
Built specifically for Azure App Service and managed data services, Coalesce360 delivers one SaaS workspace where revenue teams, delivery pods, support desks, finance reviewers, and release engineers collaborate without maintaining duplicate datasets on-premises.
See the Coalesce360 PlatformFrequently Asked Questions
What does Azure-native mean for a SaaS product like Coalesce360?
It means the application is designed to run on Microsoft Azure managed services—such as App Service, Azure SQL, storage, identity, Key Vault, monitoring, backup, and scaling—rather than on customer-owned application servers.
Who is responsible for security with Coalesce360 on Azure?
Security is shared. Microsoft secures the cloud platform. Coalesce360 is responsible for the application and how it uses Azure services. Your organization remains responsible for identity administration, access reviews, data you put in the system, and internal policy.
Is Azure-native SaaS always cheaper than on-premise tools?
Not always by sticker price alone. Compare total cost of ownership: hardware refresh, patching, VPN and remote access, local DR testing, and FTE time versus subscription, identity admin, and expected usage growth. SaaS usually reduces infrastructure labor more than it eliminates all cost.
Can we keep the mainframe on-prem and still use Azure-native operations software?
Yes. Many organizations keep IBM z/OS and other systems on-premise while moving business operations, support, and change governance to Azure-native SaaS. Hybrid is a deliberate strategy, not a failed migration.
When should on-premise tools still win?
On-premise may still fit when strict physical control is required, the workload is extremely stable, recent infrastructure investment must be used, latency constraints dominate, or specialized local dependencies make cloud migration impractical for that system.