Escrow Associates has released its SaaS (News - Alert) software escrow agreement which has been designed to address the fears of the growing market, protecting data and software at a secured location, and making it available when needed.


A recent report from Forrester (News - Alert) reveals that SaaS backup and security policies are among the three major concerns of companies interested in SaaS. In addition, Gartner has predicted that SaaS will comprise 9 percent of total software sales by 2012. According to Heath Odom, VP of Business Development at PointClickCare, a provider of SaaS-based solutions for the long-term care industry, they service more than 4000 long-term care centers across North America and it's critical that their technology is secure and uncompromised. Their clients also need to know that their clinical and financial software is always available to them and Escrow Associates helps PointClickCare to achieve this.

The primary difference between SaaS and traditional source code escrow solutions is access to data. While an end user has possession of his data and can find another application if the software vendor failed, SaaS often hosts the data offsite which makes the data inaccessible if the vendor fails. However, Escrow Associates' SaaS technology escrow agreement provides for the data to be deposited and updated, so that the application and data are always available for release. This enables businesses to resume their vital operations quickly.

Some agents make the process even simpler by ensuring the integrity and currency of the source code with software escrow verification services. In a SaaS environment, these testing services will recreate the hosting environment and provide access for end user testing. These services protect both providers and subscribers, because they know that the escrow account contains useable code.

Escrow Associates provides software escrow services that protect the interests of both the depositor and the beneficiary. The customizable escrow services from Escrow Associates include software escrow (escrow of source code or other critical licensed technology), technology escrow (protection of critical technology assets like hardware and design documents) and technical verification services (verification that escrow deposits are complete, accurate and capable of regenerating the technology). Escrow Associates also carry professional liability insurance and maintain strict procedures for the administration of escrow agreements as well as the safe storage of deposited materials in media vault facilities.

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