Web-based or client-server recruitment systems?

There are two main types of recruitment systems in the market today: the ones that are Web-based; and the ones that have chosen a client-server architecture.

The selection of a recruitment software solution based on the systems architecture is not necessarily a matter of personal preference, but a critical factor that may dictate what you can or cannot achieve in particular circumstances. Client-server software typically needs to be installed, maintained and managed on your own computer hardware. You usually pay for a software license and an annual maintenance fee. Web-based, "on-demand" or Software as a Service (SaaS) recruitment software vendors host the system for you, looking after all the hardware and software in their own data centre and the service is delivered in real-time over the Internet. You usually pay a subscription fee (typically monthly), which gives you access to the platform again over the Internet. When it comes to configuration and flexibility, Web-based systems tend to have a serious advantage, as all changes can be deployed online without the need for installation patches and change management tasks at your end.