Thanks to the rise of cloud computing, it’s become easier for companies to create and deliver solutions over the Internet. The sheer power that a cloud solution can bring, not to mention the ease of delivery, gives business an avenue for powerful solutions that clients and users can access from anywhere. There are many types of service models for a cloud-based technology delivered via the Internet, giving rise to the trend of “as a service” solutions. One of the most popular of these service models is software as a service, or SaaS. What exactly is SaaS, though?
Software as a service, or SaaS, is one of the most common types of cloud-based solutions on the market. It was one of the first applications of the cloud to be publicly introduced, and odds are just about every enterprise has adopted a SaaS solution into their infrastructure. Those unfamiliar with the term might be wondering; what is SaaS, and what are its benefits for both software distributors and end users?
What is software as a service?
Software as a service refers to a software distribution model where software is made generally available to users via the cloud. Software distributors host applications locally on their own hardware; then, via a connection to the Internet, users on other systems can access these applications via a web portal. This means that the software relies on the distributor’s hardware rather than the user’s hardware to run the solution. Typically, SaaS programs are offered via a subscription, but they may also be offered for a flat rate up front.
What are the benefits of SaaS for software vendors and users?
Software as a service deployments offer a number of advantages for developers looking to distribute their software. First, it avoids the process and costs of setting up physical distribution for your programs. Traditionally, software developers needed to physically deliver their projects to users; typically, this is done through a storage method that stores the program that users then install on their computer. The SaaS delivery method means that developers don’t need to worry about physical distribution and only need to allow users to access resources on their on-premise hardware.
This also makes providing software updates to users much easier. Because users are accessing your software via your own infrastructure, pushing out updates is as simple as updating the program locally. Businesses need to rely on software vendors to maintain the availability of their services, which can cause problems if the provider isn’t maintaining their infrastructure. However, users also have easier accessibility to software; users only need a device connected to the Internet to access the solution.
Finally, SaaS is also cost-efficient for the end-user. Some SaaS solutions use a pay-as-you-go model, which means that users only pay for the resources they use. Also, because the user doesn’t need to invest in any physical hardware to install the solution, you’ll only need to purchase the software. This alone can severely reduce the cost of buying and running a solution.
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