SaaS (Software as a Service) reduces users upfront costs by eliminating the need to constantly purchase software or invest in robust on-premise IT infrastructure – as with traditional software. However, SaaS customers must invest in high-speed network equipment, as the performance of the service is determined by the speed of the Internet connection.
Examples of Software as a Service include application service providers (ASP) such as Google Docs and Microsoft Office 365, and business services that provide HR software, e-commerce systems, customer relationship management tools, and integrated development environments (IDEs).
A software vendor generally selects one or both of the two typical deployment models:
- In their own data center
- through a public cloud service provider (such as AWS, Azure or IBM Cloud) that manages the cloud environment where
- the SaaS solution. is hosted.
Software as a Service applications use a multi-tenant architecture to segregate customer data. Software updates, bug fixes, and other general application maintenance are managed by the Software as a Service provider while users interact with the software through a web browser.
The nature of Software as a Service makes it easy for providers to introduce new features to customers. Most Software as a Service applications are pre-configured plug and play products where the SaaS provider manages everything behind the application, including:
- hardware components such as network, storage and data center servers
- Platform features such as virtualizations, operating systems and the middleware
- The software requirements, such as the runtimes, data, and the applications in themselves
Source : jogjahost
The SaaS model
Software as a Service applications rely heavily on subscription models for software licensing. Unlike a perpetual license, this software delivery model ties each account to a subscription that provides access to the SaaS for a specific period of time – usually annually or monthly.
This subscription fee usually provides access to product documentation and ongoing support governed by a service level agreement (SLA), but some SaaS providers charge additional support services for making custom code changes at the source code level.
Types of Software as a Service applications
Software as a Service many purposes, but Software as a Service applications can be divided into several different subcategories.
- CRM Software
- Project Management Software
- E-Business Applications
- ERP Software
- Billing Software
- SaaS-Based Collaboration Tools
- Marketing Software
- HR Management
- Vertical SaaS Applications
Read More What Is SaaS