Starsoft
If you’ve never heard of SaaS before, then, surely, you must have used or might even still be using one of its services.
So, what is Software as a Service?
Software as a service, commonly called SaaS, is a form of cloud-based computing that delivers a cloud application hosted by a cloud service provider to end-users in a web interface or mobile application accessed via an internet connection.
Ok, that’s a long definition, but it might still sound confusing to you. So, like always, I will break it down using a common example that, hopefully, you know of.
Web-based email services like G-mail, Yahoo mail, e.t.c. are all SaaS. To access these web-based email services, you only need an internet connection and the mobile application(or web interface) of the email services. That’s all you have to do as a user, but that’s not all there is to how these email services work.
Who takes care of storing your emails and keeping them up to date for your next login? Who provides the software for the email services rendered? Who pays the cost of purchasing and maintaining the software for the email services? All these are the works of your SaaS providers.
Regardless of what device you are using to access the email services, as long as you input the correct login details and all your information stored on the cloud, all your data will be processed and configured to the application.
These SaaS providers make software available to you in the form of a service that you can purchase via a subscription model instead of investing all your money in getting the real hardware. At the same time, they take care of all the complex stuff for you.
How does SaaS work?
Software providers deploy Saas applications( also called on-demand software or hosted software) via two channels:
- A cloud service provider that hosts the software
- Personal data center
They could use either channel or both at the same time.
Once deployed, the SaaS applications are then preconfigured from the service-providers end such that the users can access them for use.
The software providers mostly apply the pay-as-you-go principle, where access to the application is granted once the subscription is enabled and renewed. They would release data relevant to each user using networking and computing via the above channels.
Features of SaaS
Certain features are peculiar to SaaS, and they are:
- Multi-Tenant model:
Saas uses the multi-tenant model to supply its various tenants(users). It uses a single infrastructure or instance to deploy software across multiple customers.
This allows SaaS to have more control over the software and also saves it a lot of time that it could have used to deploy various versions of the software for multiple users.
It also prevents the risk of errors and mistakes in dealing with the software and the users.
- Easy accessibility
Due to cloud data computation, SaaS applications are accessible anywhere, from any device or web interface.
Also, it protects your data from the risk of getting lost because they are not saved on devices but in the cloud.
- Subscription-based model
SaaS handles the cost of acquiring, installing, and managing software. So instead, it operates on a subscription-based model where users can access its software and the features that come with it after paying for usage.
- Internet-based connection
SaaS is internet dependent. As easily accessible and cost-effective as SaaS is, if there is no internet connection or the internet connection is not too sable, SaaS cannot be accessed.
So, to enable access and ensure rapid software usage, you need a stable internet connection.
- Database customization
SaaS allows its users to customize their services the way they like or depending on the business they run. SaaS applications present a lot of customizable features that each user can apply.
Benefits of SaaS
Asides from handing over management responsibilities to your software provider, there are many other benefits that you enjoy from using Software as a Service. These benefits include:
- Eliminates management costs
- Scalability
- Automation
- Accessibility
- Cut down irrelevant costs
- Data security
Eliminates management costs
The expenses that come with acquiring, purchasing, and maintaining hardware or the installation and constant updating and upgrading of software are completely avoided by using SaaS.
SaaS holds the responsibilities of hardware and software acquisition, licensing, and maintenance. At the same time, it allows SaaS users to access sophisticated software applications without worrying about the resources to get the software or the skills to manage it.
Scalability
SaaS allows its users to explore the options of expanding or reducing their access to various features on the software application. It will enable the users to request more or less from the services provided.
For example, if a user decides his storage space is not enough for him to use, the user can access features on the application that allows him more storage space. Also, if the user decides otherwise, there are options to choose from.
Accessibility
Saas ensures accessibility to the software, as far as there is a stable internet connection. You can access SaaS applications anywhere( not remotely accessible) and from multiple devices.
Automation
SaaS providers mostly automate the process of upgrading/ updating SaaS. This paves easy access for its users because they do not need to constantly upload and update when the application calls for it on their end.
Cuts down irrelevant costs
The subscription model that SaaS integrates into its service allows the users to pay per usage level, i.e., only for what they use of the service.
The users do not need to invest in buying and installing the hardware and software, only to use a part of its services.
SaaS cuts down expenses on irrelevant costs, so the users can pay for the services that they use only.
Data security
In SaaS, your data is stored on the cloud and has little to no risk of getting lost. Regardless of your method of accessing the SaaS, whether, through applications or web interface, your data is safely stored in the cloud.
So, even if you lose or damage the devices you use to access SaaS, it does not affect whatsoever on your data.
All you need to do is log into another device ( with an intact internet connection, of course), and your SaaS is accessible again.
Disadvantages of SaaS
Using SaaS also has its setback and challenges, and they include:
- Difficulty in data transfer
- Security risk
- Loss of control
- Network dependency.
Difficulty in data transfer
When you want to change software vendors or your SaaS provider, it isn’t easy because it involves migrating large data volumes.
This is one of the problems associated with using SaaS. Transitioning between software providers is almost not always smooth due to different data types and technology.
Security risk
Using SaaS means entrusting all your business’s or company’s data to a third party, your SaaS provider. Your business’s data and information are at risk at the hands of your SaaS provider.
It is the responsibility of your SaaS provider to manage all your data, and to do this, the security and privacy of your data are at risk of compromise.
Loss of control
You have no control over the management and maintenance of your software database. Everything regarding your software is in the hands of your software vendor, so the management depends on the vendor’s experience and capabilities.
Network dependence
One of the setbacks of using SaaS is the absolute dependence on internet connection. Without an internet connection, your accessibility to SaaS applications is restricted or non-existent.
Your data and information are stored in the cloud, and to access the cloud, you need a cloud application that can only be accessed via an internet connection.
Services provided by SaaS
SaaS offers the following service:
- Mail services
Saas offers web-based mail services for businesses. It is responsible for the management, accountability, and storage of a large volume of mail, putting them in their order of arrival or as arranged by the business. Examples of SaaS applications include Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo mail e.t.c
- Document management
Due to its maintenance and management features, SaaS offers to manage businesses’ documents to prevent disorderliness and ambiguity in storage and sorting. SaaS keeps track of the contents, dates, and other related information regarding the records.
- Social media services
Social media sites use SaaS to manage the data and accounts of their users. It helps to monitor the users’ activities and keeps them up to date.
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
SaaS helps businesses build a strong relationship with their customers. This promotes efficiency in results delivery as SaaS can now keep up with customers’ data and activities and structure their services to meet the users’ requirements.
- Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
SaaS offers its services to help businesses and enterprises in resource planning. It puts the resources in order of costs, how relevant they are, and how all these build up to promote products or services for the business. SaaS also aids in the marketing process of the company.