Gives Negative Image Use of externally-hosted services may give the impression that the institution does not have the expertise to provide a solution locally. The user interface may not integrate with the user interface of the local service. Some counter arguments may be given. In the longer term the bandwidth concerns are likely to disappear. The additional functionality may not be needed, or not needed at the price it would cost to provide it.
Some services do allow the data to be exported in a number of formats for reuse.
Failure to Exploit Local Expertise Use of externally-hosted services will free expertise available locally to take on other tasks. Gives Negative Image Use of externally-hosted services should demonstrate that the institution is using local expertise efficiently. The user interface may be more manageable if it is contained within a frame on the local site. In addition, providers of externally-hosted services are increasingly providing the option to tailor the look and feel of their services, so that it can make use of an institutional design scheme. This article has mentioned a number of externally-hosted web services which may have a role to play in enhancing the services provided on UK University web sites.