The Same Software. A Very Different Job Description.
Nothing about Comply changes. What changes is the list of things somebody at your institution is responsible for when a filing deadline is three weeks out.
What RATA Takes On
An independently assessed platform
The platform underneath RHS is Microsoft Azure, which holds a FedRAMP High authorization against 421 NIST 800-53 controls. That authorization covers Azure rather than Comply, which is the honest way to read any hosting claim.
Standing it up
Installation and configuration of your Comply software.
Watching it run
Performance monitoring of both the software and the database.
Keeping it current
Every software update and patch.
One number to call
Troubleshooting across the software and the environment together.
Room to grow
Capacity for your current data volumes and your future ones.
Any machine you own
Access from any operating system, including a plain web browser.
Tuned by its authors
Optimal use of the RATA software, by the people who wrote it.
The drawbacks: you didn’t do it sooner.
- 39years, since 1987
- Hoursfrom decision to running
- 0servers for you to patch
- Dailybackups, verified
Everything Handled, Including the Parts Nobody Budgets For
Windows licensing, SQL Server, automatic software updates, daily backups and security compliance. You always run the current version of Comply with the newest regulatory changes, and no IT co-ordination is required to get there.
Usually cheaper, once everything is counted
Server hardware, Windows and SQL Server licensing, IT staff hours for installation, updates, backups, troubleshooting and security compliance. Add those together and RHS is frequently less than running the software on your own servers — and it removes the risk of filing from an outdated build.
Sized by the people who built the software
Growing volumes from mortgage applications, fair lending analysis, deposit files and peer comparisons need progressively more capable hardware. Who knows the right configuration for RATA Comply better than RATA?
A technician who can act, not just log a ticket
If something goes wrong, a qualified RATA technician has direct visibility into your environment and can correct it in real time — rather than waiting on VPN access, firewall rules and someone else’s availability.
A Microsoft Partner, on Azure
RATA is a Microsoft Partner, and RHS runs in Microsoft Azure, which holds a FedRAMP High authorization. Further reading: financial services compliance on Azure and FedRAMP on Azure.
Cloud Hosting vs Local Installation
Where you run your compliance software drives your total cost, your IT burden and how quickly you can act. Row by row against a traditional on-premise installation:
| Consideration | RATA Hosted (Cloud) | Local Installation |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Setup | Up and running in hours. RATA handles all configuration, database setup, and software installation on Azure. | Days to weeks of IT coordination. Requires hardware procurement, Windows/SQL Server licensing, network configuration, and security approval. |
| Security & Compliance | Microsoft Azure, which holds a FedRAMP High authorization. Patching, monitoring and platform updates are Microsoft’s responsibility rather than your team’s. | Your IT team must maintain security patches, firewall rules, antivirus, and compliance documentation. Security audits are your responsibility. |
| Software Updates | Automatic updates applied by RATA. Always running the latest version with newest regulatory changes and features. | Manual updates require IT scheduling, testing, and potential downtime. Risk of running outdated software during critical filing periods. |
| Database Management | SQL Server fully managed by RATA. Optimized performance, automatic tuning, and no DBA overhead. | Requires SQL Server licensing, separate database server hardware, DBA expertise for maintenance, backups, and performance optimization. |
| Data Backup & Recovery | Daily automated backups with Azure redundancy. Data is protected even in disaster scenarios. | Your IT must implement backup strategy, test restores, and maintain off-site copies. Often overlooked until data loss occurs. |
| Hardware Lifecycle | No hardware to purchase, maintain, or replace. Azure infrastructure scales automatically. | Servers require replacement every 3-5 years. Budget for hardware refreshes, storage expansion, and memory upgrades. |
| Troubleshooting | RATA technicians access and resolve issues in real time. Direct visibility into your environment speeds resolution. | Remote support complicated by VPN access, firewall rules, and IT availability. Issues may require back-and-forth coordination. |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Lower in most cases when factoring hardware, licensing, IT labor, and opportunity cost. | Higher when accounting for hidden costs: IT time, security compliance, hardware depreciation, and software licensing. |
Frequently Asked Questions
The four things institutions ask before moving Comply off their own hardware.
What is RATA Hosted Services?
RATA Hosted Services (RHS) is a cloud-based platform running on Microsoft Azure that hosts your Comply HMDA/CRA software. RHS handles installation, updates, backups, and technical support, so you can focus on compliance without IT overhead.
Is RATA Hosted Services secure and compliant?
RHS runs in Microsoft Azure, which holds a FedRAMP High authorization assessed against 421 NIST 800-53 controls by an accredited third party. Worth being precise about who holds what: that authorization covers the Azure platform, not Comply and not RATA, so read it as the foundation RHS is built on rather than a certification of the application itself. Alongside it, daily automated backups mean your compliance data stays recoverable.
What operating systems work with RATA Hosted Services?
RHS works with all operating systems including Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, Chromebook, and web browsers. You can access your Comply software from any device with an internet connection.
Does RATA handle software updates with Hosted Services?
Yes, RATA performs all Comply software updates and patches automatically. You always run the most current version without any IT effort from your team.
