ChatBeacon supports Cloud, Dedicated Private Cloud, and On-Premise deployments, allowing organizations to align their customer communication technology with their infrastructure, privacy, security, and data-residency priorities.
The right deployment depends on where ChatBeacon runs, which features and connected services are enabled, and who controls the surrounding infrastructure and operating environment.
SmartMax hosts, operates, updates, and supports ChatBeacon on Microsoft Azure.
SmartMax hosts and operates a dedicated ChatBeacon environment on Microsoft Azure.
ChatBeacon runs within the customer’s Windows Server and Microsoft SQL Server environment.
Every deployment delivers the ChatBeacon platform with responsibilities aligned to the selected environment and applicable agreement.
Responsibilities vary by deployment model. Details that depend on the contracted architecture and customer agreement are confirmed during implementation.
| Consideration | Cloud | Dedicated Private Cloud | On-Premise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary infrastructure | Microsoft Azure, configured and operated by SmartMax for ChatBeacon Cloud | Microsoft Azure, with a single-tenant ChatBeacon environment hosted and managed by SmartMax | Customer-controlled infrastructure |
| Physical datacenter and physical infrastructure | Microsoft Azure | Microsoft Azure | Customer |
| Application operations | CSmartMax | SmartMax | Customer, with SmartMax support as provided in the applicable agreement |
| Network perimeter | SmartMax and Microsoft Azure controls | SmartMax and Microsoft Azure controls within the dedicated environment | Customer-controlled |
| Platform updates | SmartMax-managed | SmartMax-managed or coordinated according to the applicable agreement | Customer-coordinated with SmartMax according to the applicable agreement |
| Retention | Customer configuration and applicable agreement | Customer-specific configuration and applicable agreement | Customer configuration and database policies |
| External AI connectivity | Depends on enabled AI features, configuration, and connected AI services | Depends on enabled AI features, configuration, and connected AI services | Depends on enabled AI features, customer configuration, and connected AI services |
| Best aligned for | Rapid, fully managed deployment | Greater isolation and dedicated resources | Maximum infrastructure and database control |
Data location, backup architecture, and disaster-recovery placement are confirmed for each contracted environment. Request deployment documentation for details applicable to your environment and agreement.
ChatBeacon Cloud and Dedicated Private Cloud environments are hosted on Microsoft Azure. Microsoft is responsible for securing Azure’s physical datacenters, physical network, physical hosts, and virtualization layer. Microsoft also provides cloud security and reliability capabilities that SmartMax configures and uses for the ChatBeacon workload.
SmartMax is responsible for the ChatBeacon software, application code, product configuration, access to the hosted environment, operating and data components within its control, and the selection and configuration of Azure services used to deliver ChatBeacon. Customers remain responsible for their users, customer-side access decisions, endpoint security, lawful use, data submitted through ChatBeacon, and their own privacy and retention requirements.
The precise division of responsibility between Microsoft and SmartMax depends on whether a particular ChatBeacon component uses Azure infrastructure, platform, or other cloud services.
Datacenter, physical network, physical hosts, virtualization layer
ChatBeacon application and code, product configuration, hosted-environment access, and Azure service selection within SmartMax’s control
Users, customer-side access decisions, endpoints, lawful use, submitted data, privacy, and retention requirements
Reference: Microsoft's Azure shared-responsibility documentation
Data residency identifies where data is stored or processed. Data sovereignty considers the legal and operational authority governing that data. Organizations should evaluate the complete data path, including application hosting, databases, backups, support access, integrations, AI services, analytics, and disaster recovery.
For On-Premise deployments, the customer controls the hosting location and Microsoft SQL Server environment. When AI features or external integrations are enabled, selected information may require outbound processing. Those flows must be documented according to the customer's actual configuration.
An On-Premise deployment places the ChatBeacon application and database within the customer’s network. Depending on the features enabled and services selected, external AI providers, cloud integrations, licensing, updates, authorized remote support, email, SMS, video, or other capabilities may require controlled outbound connectivity.
Yes. ChatBeacon On-Premise places the core application and conversation database within a customer-controlled Windows Server and Microsoft SQL Server environment. This gives the organization direct control over its network boundaries, database, access policies, backups, retention, and supporting infrastructure.
Not automatically. The ChatBeacon application and database can reside within the customer’s environment, but enabled AI features, integrations, authorized support workflows, and other connected services may require controlled outbound data flows. The final architecture must be reviewed against the selected configuration.
The customer controls its Microsoft SQL Server environment, including infrastructure-level access, backups, and database administration, subject to the selected deployment architecture and applicable agreement.
Yes. SmartMax offers ChatBeacon Dedicated Private Cloud for organizations seeking a single-tenant environment with dedicated resources.
Request deployment-specific documentation and confirm the data flows, controls, and responsibilities that apply to your environment.
Contact the ChatBeacon team for deployment-specific information and available supporting materials.
ChatBeacon capabilities, data flows, and customer responsibilities vary by deployment model, configuration, enabled features, and connected services. Contact our team for documentation applicable to your environment.
Last reviewed: August 19, 2026
