Software as a service (SaaS) allows users to connect to and use cloud-based apps over the Internet. Common examples are email, calendaring and office tools (such as Microsoft Office 365). Show
SaaS provides a complete software solution which you purchase on a pay-as-you-go basis from a cloud service provider. You rent the use of an app for your organisation and your users connect to it over the Internet, usually with a web browser. All of the underlying infrastructure, middleware, app software and app data are located in the service provider’s data center. The service provider manages the hardware and software and with the appropriate service agreement, will ensure the availability and the security of the app and your data as well. SaaS allows your organisation to get quickly up and running with an app at minimal upfront cost.
If you have used a web-based email service such as Outlook, Hotmail or Yahoo! Mail, then you have already used a form of SaaS. With these services, you log into your account over the Internet, often from a web browser. The email software is located on the service provider’s network and your messages are stored there as well. You can access your email and stored messages from a web browser on any computer or Internet-connected device. The previous examples are free services for personal use. For organisational use, you can rent productivity apps, such as email, collaboration and calendaring; and sophisticated business applications such as customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP) and document management. You pay for the use of these apps by subscription or according to the level of use.
Gain access to sophisticated applications. To provide SaaS apps to users, you don’t need to purchase, install, update or maintain any hardware, middleware or software. SaaS makes even sophisticated enterprise applications, such as ERP and CRM, affordable for organisations that lack the resources to buy, deploy and manage the required infrastructure and software themselves. Pay only for what you use. You also save money because the SaaS service automatically scales up and down according to the level of usage. Use free client software. Users can run most SaaS apps directly from their web browser without needing to download and install any software, although some apps require plugins. This means that you don’t need to purchase and install special software for your users. Mobilise your workforce easily. SaaS makes it easy to “mobilise” your workforce because users can access SaaS apps and data from any Internet-connected computer or mobile device. You don’t need to worry about developing apps to run on different types of computers and devices because the service provider has already done so. In addition, you don’t need to bring special expertise onboard to manage the security issues inherent in mobile computing. A carefully chosen service provider will ensure the security of your data, regardless of the type of device consuming it. Access app data from anywhere. With data stored in the cloud, users can access their information from any Internet-connected computer or mobile device. And when app data is stored in the cloud, no data is lost if a user’s computer or device fails. Software-as–a-Service (SaaS) model allows to provide software application as a service to the end users. It refers to a software that is deployed on a host service and is accessible via Internet. There are several SaaS applications listed below:
Some of the SaaS applications are not customizable such as Microsoft Office Suite. But SaaS provides us Application Programming Interface (API), which allows the developer to develop a customized application. CharacteristicsHere are the characteristics of SaaS service model:
BenefitsUsing SaaS has proved to be beneficial in terms of scalability, efficiency and performance. Some of the benefits are listed below:
Modest software toolsThe SaaS application deployment requires a little or no client side software installation, which results in the following benefits:
Efficient use of software licensesThe customer can have single license for multiple computers running at different locations which reduces the licensing cost. Also, there is no requirement for license servers because the software runs in the provider's infrastructure. Centralized management and dataThe cloud provider stores data centrally. However, the cloud providers may store data in a decentralized manner for the sake of redundancy and reliability. Platform responsibilities managed by providersAll platform responsibilities such as backups, system maintenance, security, hardware refresh, power management, etc. are performed by the cloud provider. The customer does not need to bother about them. Multitenant solutionsMultitenant solutions allow multiple users to share single instance of different resources in virtual isolation. Customers can customize their application without affecting the core functionality. IssuesThere are several issues associated with SaaS, some of them are listed below:
Browser based risksIf the customer visits malicious website and browser becomes infected, the subsequent access to SaaS application might compromise the customer's data. To avoid such risks, the customer can use multiple browsers and dedicate a specific browser to access SaaS applications or can use virtual desktop while accessing the SaaS applications. Network dependenceThe SaaS application can be delivered only when network is continuously available. Also network should be reliable but the network reliability cannot be guaranteed either by cloud provider or by the customer. Lack of portability between SaaS cloudsTransferring workloads from one SaaS cloud to another is not so easy because work flow, business logics, user interfaces, support scripts can be provider specific. Open SaaS and SOAOpen SaaS uses those SaaS applications, which are developed using open source programming language. These SaaS applications can run on any open source operating system and database. Open SaaS has several benefits listed below:
The following diagram shows the SaaS implementation based on SOA: Software as a service (SaaS) is the most commonly used option for businesses in the cloud market. The reason? It’s easily accessible – all you need is an internet connection and a browser – and it’s hands-off. The SaaS delivery model requires vendors to manage all the technical issues – meaning customers don’t need to lean on their in-house IT expertise. As businesses become more comfortable operating in the cloud, SaaS solutions are becoming more popular. While many end users can self-provision SaaS technology on their own, others find that they need a third party to help with integration, customization and security. Learning how to analyze, evaluate and design cloud computing solutions requires a fundamental understanding of the different components commonly used. Common types of cloud computing services include the following: SaaS offers organizations several advantages, namely in flexibility and savings. When SaaS vendors manage the tedious tasks like installing, managing and updating software, employees can focus on other priorities. Read on to learn exactly what SaaS is, the benefits it offers an organization, the challenges it may present and common use cases and emerging tech. Read more about Cloud Computing. Software as a Service (SaaS) DefinedSaaS is a software deployment model in which a third-party provider builds applications on cloud infrastructure and makes them available to customers via the internet. This means software can be accessed from any device with an internet connection and web browser rather than just on the local machine where it’s installed, as with traditional software. Customers can deploy SaaS in one of three different models, as defined by the National Institute of Standards Technology (NIST):
Advantages of SaaS TechnologyFor software developers, SaaS is the holy grail of a recurring revenue model and provides faster deployment time than on-premises software. In keeping with other cloud services, SaaS offers small businesses an opportunity to disrupt existing markets while taking advantage of fair SaaS pricing models. Other advantages include the following:
SaaS solutions are beneficial in a variety of business scenarios:
SaaS implementation can be fairly straight forward and self-provisioned for simple applications accessible via public clouds. However, SaaS solutions designed for private clouds will require hands-on configuration and training by the vendor. Challenges of SaaSNot surprisingly, the number one advantage to using SaaS is also the number one challenge – needing an internet connection. If you have a strong, reliable connection, then it’s a pro. Obviously, if you don’t have dependable connection, it’s a con. With the increasingly wide availability of broadband and high-speed networks, like 5G, this is becoming less of an issue. But there are a few other scenarios to consider before deciding to go with a SaaS solution. Other challenges may include the following:
Examples of Software as a ServiceEmail and messaging apps are a prime example of SaaS. Commonly used software like Microsoft Outlook is ingrained in business culture, and its accessibility via the cloud can be a game-changer. While email is still the most popular method of communication in the world, messaging apps like Slack and Microsoft Teams are starting to creep in. Other SaaS solutions improve the capabilities to store, organize and maintain data. SaaS marketing automation tools and customer relationship management (CRM) solutions are great examples of how software on demand is helping businesses reach their goals. Whatever the solution, today’s SaaS customers run the gamut from individuals who are attracted to the affordable (or free) aspect of online applications, to others coming from larger enterprise companies that are integrating SaaS solutions into line of business departments. Popular software as a service examples include Office 365, Google G Suite (Apps), Dropbox, Salesforce, SAP Concur and Zoom.
What’s the Difference Between SaaS vs. IaaS vs. PaaS?As you now know, software as a service (SaaS) makes applications available through the internet. There is no need for customers to install or run programs on their devices to use SaaS solutions. Platform as a service (PaaS) provides a framework for creating and deploying applications while removing the need for infrastructure management. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) provides pay-as-you-go infrastructure for a company with the benefits of flexibility and control. The difference between the three cloud computing services really boils down to layers of control. IaaS offers the most control to the customer as they are responsible for their applications, data, runtime, middleware and operating system. On the other hand, PaaS customers only manage their applications and data, while SaaS customers are only responsible for their own data within the software. The Future of SaaSThe future promises a great acceleration of more cloud computing adoption as companies design and develop new technologies to supply that demand. Some companies predict a rebirth of SaaS technology that will be heavily focused on mobile devices. Other companies are putting stock in the trend that artificial intelligence (AI) will dominate the SaaS market in the fields like logistics, transport and retail. As technology continues to evolve, SaaS models will as well. But the fact is that out-of-the-box and ready-made tools will always have a place in business. Overall, SaaS offers a wide range of benefits that work in the interests of both suppliers and users. Companies will continue to need qualified IT pros who can analyze, evaluate and design cloud computing solutions that fit their current and future needs. Whether you’re looking to work in cloud computing or simply want to increase your knowledge on the subject, be sure to check out our other cloud computing resources. |