Arya and Elementi are SpinetiX's two CMS platforms — cloud and on-premises respectively. Both manage the same hardware, use the same widget library (250+), and produce the same content. The choice between them is a business decision: how you want to pay (Opex vs Capex), where your data lives (cloud vs your building), and how your IT team prefers to operate (SaaS vs self-hosted).
When This Decision Matters
- Procurement — Arya is subscription (Opex); Elementi is perpetual license (Capex). Your CFO has a preference
- Data residency — if data must stay on-premises by law or policy, Elementi is the only option
- Multi-site scale — Arya manages 10 sites from one browser tab. Elementi needs VPN and manual coordination
- Content complexity — Elementi's desktop editor supports more advanced template creation
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Arya Cloud | Elementi On-Premises |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | SaaS — launch in browser | Windows desktop — install locally |
| Pricing | Opex (monthly/annual subscription) | Capex (perpetual license) |
| Data location | Cloud (ISO 27001, GDPR, BSI C5) | 100% inside your network |
| Air-gap support | No (requires internet) | Yes (fully isolated) |
| Content editor | Browser-based (drag-and-drop) | Desktop application (advanced layers, scripting) |
| Widget library | 250+ constructors | 250+ constructors |
| Multi-site management | Native, multi-timezone | VPN required, manual coordination |
| Fleet monitoring | Real-time dashboard with alerts | Desktop view, manual refresh |
| Remote screenshots | Yes, on-demand | Yes, per-player connection |
| Firmware deployment | Scheduled, group-based | Manual push per player/group |
| User roles | Custom roles, SAML/OIDC SSO | Windows ACL-based |
| Audit trail | Full action logging | File system logs |
| Auto-updates (CMS) | Yes (always current) | Manual download + install |
| Server management | SpinetiX handles | Your IT team handles |
| Backup | SpinetiX handles | Your responsibility |
Decision Framework
Choose Arya Cloud When:
- You want fast deployment with no server management
- You manage screens across multiple cities or countries
- Your organization prefers Opex spending
- Your IT team is small or prefers SaaS
- ISO 27001 / GDPR certification satisfies your compliance requirements
Choose Elementi On-Premises When:
- Data must stay within your building or country
- Government, defense, or classified environment
- A air-gapped network with no internet access
- Your organization prefers Capex (own the license)
- You need the most powerful template editor for complex layouts
Choose Hybrid When:
- Content design team wants Elementi's powerful desktop editor
- IT team wants Arya's cloud-based fleet management
- Some sites are on-premises (e.g., government) while others use cloud
Common Mistakes in CMS Selection
- Choosing based on demo impressions. Both Arya and Elementi look great in demos. The real questions: where does your data live? How do you pay? How big is your IT team? These answers determine the right platform.
- Forgetting migration flexibility. Requirements change. A startup might go cloud-first then need on-premises after winning a government contract. SpinetiX hardware works with both — no hardware replacement needed.
- Not involving IT and procurement. Content teams want a pretty editor. IT wants security and manageability. Procurement wants the right financial model. All three must agree on the platform choice.
- Ignoring the hybrid option. Many organizations assume it's cloud OR on-premises. SpinetiX supports using both simultaneously — Elementi for creation, Arya for management. Deployment models explained →
SpinetiX Reference
Choose between ARYA cloud CMS and Elementi on-premises software.