SPLAYPrivate AI / buying guide
Local AI vs. cloud AI for business
The first decision is where your work will run. A local AI system runs a model on hardware at your premises. A cloud AI service runs it on a provider’s infrastructure. Either approach needs a clear policy for the files staff can use and the output they must review.
Data privacy and local processing
With a local system, your organization manages the machine and the files made available to it. In SPLAY’s standard installed configuration, files and model traffic stay local, and connections to external AI models are blocked and tested.
Cloud services process requests outside your building. Their contracts and settings determine retention, access, and permitted use. Check the specific service and account tier instead of assuming every cloud product handles data the same way.
Local processing does not remove the need for staff permissions, backups, security updates, or professional review. Record those responsibilities before choosing either approach.
What changes for your organization
Compare the operating arrangement as well as the model’s answers.
| Decision | SPLAY local installation | Cloud AI service |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | Customer owns the installed machine | Provider operates the computing infrastructure |
| Access | Browser on the customer’s local network | Provider’s application or API |
| Internet | Standard local workflows can run offline | Connection to the provider is generally required |
| Capacity | Depends on the installed hardware and selected model | Depends on service limits and the selected plan |
| Operations | Customer IT, with optional SPLAY support | Provider handles infrastructure; customer manages accounts and usage |
| Model changes | Planned and validated for the installed system | Depends on the provider’s version and release policies |
Test the work you actually need
Prepare a short list of recurring tasks: comparing contracts, drafting from templates, searching an archive, or processing spreadsheets. Use representative files that you are authorized to share in the evaluation environment.
Judge answer quality, time to a usable result, and the amount of review required. Include a busy period when several people request work at once. A model that performs well on one short example may behave differently with longer documents or concurrent requests.
If a task depends on live web information or an external application, include that dependency in the requirements. Do not assume an offline configuration includes those connections.
Ownership and data sovereignty
With a local installation, your organization has custody of the hardware and decides how it is operated. Identify who maintains accounts, approves updates, and restores backups. For cloud services, review account administration, export options, usage limits, and the provider’s terms.
SPLAY provides operating and restore documentation so your IT team can run the system independently. Support takes place on-site or in a scheduled, customer-controlled session, without unattended Splay access. The installation includes 90 days of Launch Care; Managed Care, staff training, and model updates are optional. Machines and services are by consultation only, and all machines are pre-order only.