Blog > What is Software as a Service (SaaS)?
The Software as a Service (SaaS) provider manages everything from hardware installation, working to app functioning. End users are not responsible for anything in this model; they only use programs to complete their tasks. SaaS is a part of almost everyone’s daily life. Software as a service or SaaS is one of the three main categories of cloud computing and the most common with consumer-level products alongside Infrastructure as a Service and platform as a service. Simply put, the “as-a-service” translates to over the internet.
- On-Demand Service
- Pay per use of SaaS application software to users
- Independent platform
- You don’t need to install SaaS software on a PC
- Runs a single instance of the Software
- Available for multiple end-users
- Cloud computing cheap
- Computing resources managed by the vendor
- Accessible via a web browser or lightweight client applications
Software as a Service (SaaS) Applications
So SaaS is a third-party application available over the internet, with no physical connection to anyone’s device. The email clients are likely SaaS, Google Docs, Salesforce, Cisco WebEx, Slack, and Microsoft office 365 are SaaS, providing productivity apps over the internet. For businesses, there is SaaS for sales management, customer relationship management, financial management, Human resource management, billing, collaboration, etc.
Software as a Service (SaaS) applications are used by a range of IT professionals and business users, and C-level executives. Leading SaaS providers include Salesforce, Oracle, SAP, Intuit, and Microsoft.
Popular SaaS Providers
The Google ecosystem such as:
- Gmail
- Google Docs
- Google Drive
- Microsoft Office 365
- HR and Helpdesk solutions and customer relationship management services such as Salesforce
- One Drive
- Dropbox
Cost-Effective
Because Software as a Service (SaaS) eliminates the expense of hardware, maintenance, licensing, and installation, it can be cost-effective. SaaS offerings generally operate on a pay-as-you-go model, offering businesses flexibility.
Advantages
- SaaS also offers high scalability for any range of projects in need.
- Automatic updates.
- It provides accessibility and Persistence since users can access SaaS content from any internet-connected device and location.
- On-Demand service
- Universally accessible from any platform
- No need to commute; the user can work from anyplace
- Excellent for collaborative working
- Vender provides modest software tools
- Allows for multi-tendency
- The providers will do installation and up-gradation
- Resources are scaled based on the requirements
- Apps are accessible from any connected device
- The provider is responsible for everything
Disadvantages
- Organizations must rely on outside vendors for the Software.
- The provider might utilize user data as part of the service agreement.
- The provider has the entire control
- For instance, provides might experience service disruptions
- Impose unwanted service changes or fall victim to a security breach.
- Fall victim to a security breach
- Portability and browser issues
- Internet performance may dictate the overall performance
- Limited range of solutions for crashes
- The devices should connect for efficient working
Wide Variety of SaaS Applications
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
- Financial Management
- Sales Management
- Human Resource Management (HRM)
SaaS Is a Focal Point of Enterprise Digital Transformation Strategies
- Its adoption is rising quickly, which leads to SaaS sprawl
- SaaS decisions are now strategic and at the company level
- Mergers and acquisitions rely on the ability to join force quickly
- Remote work is here to stay, but SaaS makes it happen
The Principles of SaaS Operations
Cost Management
- Spend Management
- License Management
With the growing usage of Software as a Service (SaaS) technology by the enterprise, the licenses are neither overprovisioned nor under-provisioned. Identify unused licenses for repurposing is a big opportunity in this environment.
Security & Access Management
- Security
- Access Control
- User Lifecycle Management
Many global enterprises have or are implementing their single sign-On portals to employees for SaaS-based app access.
Classic Operations
- ESM
- Monitoring
Enterprise needs to understand a consolidated workflow management solution across multiple APIs to help with the day-to-day administrative tasks associated with SaaS applications.
Author: SVCIT Editorial Copyright
Silicon Valley Cloud IT, LLC.