Digital publishing has revolutionized the way in which content is managed and presented. It has opened up a world of opportunities for marketing content by making it readily available across almost any portable device. This ease of access advantage has really benefited businesses across the world.
Whenever we plan on getting digital editions, we are met with two services – cloud based publishing and desktop publishing. Each approach has its pros and cons and accordingly, they appeal to different customers. It is important to know your specific needs t ensure you pick the right type of digital publishing solution. Check out the following discussion aimed at identifying the differences between cloud based publishing and desktop publishing.
Whenever we plan on getting digital editions, we are met with two services – cloud based publishing and desktop publishing. Each approach has its pros and cons and accordingly, they appeal to different customers. It is important to know your specific needs t ensure you pick the right type of digital publishing solution. Check out the following discussion aimed at identifying the differences between cloud based publishing and desktop publishing.
Simple Conversion or Creating from Scratch
Yes, this is indeed one of the most distinctive features of both approaches. If you already have a PDF file and you want to convert it, then cloud services like ePaperFlip are the best choice for you as you would be able to get faster processing with convenient access from anywhere. Moreover, you don’t even have to use physical storage to store your converted files as the content is managed on cloud servers.
Desktop publishing comes in handy when you need to create the entire content from scratch. This means you have greater control over the designs, layouts, and most importantly the hosting. All of this will be done digitally so you can actually see what the end product will look like. This option is really good for those who desire more creative control over their content and are satisfied with the file being stored on a physical storage unit with limited accessibility to the primary file.
Accessibility
Accessibility is another important feature that helps to distinguish between both forms of digital publishing. The cloud based solution provides global access and real time editing from any location, while the desktop approach limits the editable file to the system on which it is prepared. You can have copies of the file which may be used on other systems but it does not even come close to the advanced accessibility that is offered by cloud services. Cloud publishing is a great option for individuals who travel frequently and need portable access to a digital publishing platform.
Networking Capabilities
Desktop applications have an advantage in this category as they are free from connectivity and bandwidth dependencies. When you consider the need for uninterrupted and smooth work, then desktop publishing would seem to be the perfect solution for you. Cloud based publishing is dependent on the applicable internet infrastructure for the rendering of content and transport of data. However, your digital publishing provider should have sufficient storage space and bandwith.
Platform Dependencies
Cloud based publishing gets the upper hand here as these applications are designed to run on browsers that work well with various platforms. Desktop publishing, however, is limited to the platform(s) for which the software was designed. In case you want to access the file on a system with a different platform, then you would have to install the compatible software version in order to use it.
Basic Architecture
Desktop publishing software supports one user as it follows the single tenant architecture .The cloud based publishing supports a multi-tenant architecture. Now, based on your requirements, you may choose either. The best way to approach this is to consider the respective capabilities of both approaches as neither can be judged as the better one in this section.
Security
Desktop applications have a clear upper hand in this as the details of the files and the location details are clearly displayed. Other important information includes data storage location, encryption used, and user privileges. When it comes to cloud publishing, it becomes very difficult to track files due to lack of adequate information on the location of the data, recovery policy used, encryption method, and trustworthiness of the cloud service provider. Such conditions could deter people from uploading sensitive information using cloud services as there is considerable risk to it. With that being, consult your digital publishing provider on the available security it offers for the content it creates.
The Verdict
Both, cloud based publishing and desktop publishing, have their own pros and cons. Since their target users have different preferences, it would be difficult to state either as superior. The best approach would be to analyze your requirements and preferences and then select the publishing method meets your specific needs. Before you make any decision, please consider all the applicable factors and their implication on your digital edition content.
Yes, this is indeed one of the most distinctive features of both approaches. If you already have a PDF file and you want to convert it, then cloud services like ePaperFlip are the best choice for you as you would be able to get faster processing with convenient access from anywhere. Moreover, you don’t even have to use physical storage to store your converted files as the content is managed on cloud servers.
Desktop publishing comes in handy when you need to create the entire content from scratch. This means you have greater control over the designs, layouts, and most importantly the hosting. All of this will be done digitally so you can actually see what the end product will look like. This option is really good for those who desire more creative control over their content and are satisfied with the file being stored on a physical storage unit with limited accessibility to the primary file.
Accessibility
Accessibility is another important feature that helps to distinguish between both forms of digital publishing. The cloud based solution provides global access and real time editing from any location, while the desktop approach limits the editable file to the system on which it is prepared. You can have copies of the file which may be used on other systems but it does not even come close to the advanced accessibility that is offered by cloud services. Cloud publishing is a great option for individuals who travel frequently and need portable access to a digital publishing platform.
Networking Capabilities
Desktop applications have an advantage in this category as they are free from connectivity and bandwidth dependencies. When you consider the need for uninterrupted and smooth work, then desktop publishing would seem to be the perfect solution for you. Cloud based publishing is dependent on the applicable internet infrastructure for the rendering of content and transport of data. However, your digital publishing provider should have sufficient storage space and bandwith.
Platform Dependencies
Cloud based publishing gets the upper hand here as these applications are designed to run on browsers that work well with various platforms. Desktop publishing, however, is limited to the platform(s) for which the software was designed. In case you want to access the file on a system with a different platform, then you would have to install the compatible software version in order to use it.
Basic Architecture
Desktop publishing software supports one user as it follows the single tenant architecture .The cloud based publishing supports a multi-tenant architecture. Now, based on your requirements, you may choose either. The best way to approach this is to consider the respective capabilities of both approaches as neither can be judged as the better one in this section.
Security
Desktop applications have a clear upper hand in this as the details of the files and the location details are clearly displayed. Other important information includes data storage location, encryption used, and user privileges. When it comes to cloud publishing, it becomes very difficult to track files due to lack of adequate information on the location of the data, recovery policy used, encryption method, and trustworthiness of the cloud service provider. Such conditions could deter people from uploading sensitive information using cloud services as there is considerable risk to it. With that being, consult your digital publishing provider on the available security it offers for the content it creates.
The Verdict
Both, cloud based publishing and desktop publishing, have their own pros and cons. Since their target users have different preferences, it would be difficult to state either as superior. The best approach would be to analyze your requirements and preferences and then select the publishing method meets your specific needs. Before you make any decision, please consider all the applicable factors and their implication on your digital edition content.