Software as a Service (SaaS)

 Cloud Computing Services Models

SaaS

Software as a Service (SaaS)

"On-demand software" is another term for SaaS. It's a type of software where the applications are hosted by a third-party cloud service provider. Users can use a web browser and an internet connection to access these applications.

What is Software as a Service (SaaS)?

• Software-as-a-Service, or SaaS, is a well-known cloud-based service for supplying software to consumers. 
• On-Demand Service is the second most prevalent concept for SaaS. 
• SaaS is a distribution system in which the cloud vendor handles all of the services and infrastructure. 
• Users must just subscribe to an application rather than purchasing or subscribing to it for a large sum of money.
• Users can access any SaaS application via the Internet from any device. 
• End-users can access the services, and they do not require the installation of any devices to do so.

The following services are offered by SaaS.

1. Business Services.
2. Document Management.
3. Social Networks.
4. Mail Services.

Business Services

• A SaaS provider offers a variety of commercial services to help a company get off the ground. 
• ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), CRM (Customer Relationship Management), billing, and sales are examples of SaaS business services.

Document Management 

• SaaS document management is a software application for creating, managing and tracking electronic documents that are provided by a third party (SaaS providers).

Example: Slack, Samepage, Box, and Zoho Forms.

Social Networks

• As we all know, the general public uses social networking sites, thus social networking service providers employ SaaS for their convenience and to manage the information of the general public.

Mail Services

• To deal with the unpredictable amount of users and load on e-mail services, several e-mail providers employ SaaS to deliver their services.

Characteristics of SaaS

There are the following characteristics of SaaS

1. Controlled from a single location.
2. The website is hosted on a remote server.
3. It's possible to access it via the internet.
4. Updates to hardware and software are not the responsibility of users. Updates are downloaded and installed automatically.
5. The services are available on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Advantages of SaaS cloud computing layer

SaaS is easy to buy

• Because SaaS pricing is based on a monthly or annual subscription, it allows businesses to have access to business functions at a lower cost than licensed programs.
• Unlike traditional software, which is offered as a licensed product with an upfront cost (and often an optional ongoing support fee), SaaS providers often charge a monthly or annual subscription fee for their services.
• पारंपरिक सॉफ़्टवेयर के विपरीत, जिसे एक अग्रिम लागत (और अक्सर एक वैकल्पिक चालू समर्थन शुल्क) के साथ एक लाइसेंस प्राप्त उत्पाद के रूप में पेश किया जाता है, SaaS प्रदाता अक्सर अपनी सेवाओं के लिए मासिक या वार्षिक सदस्यता शुल्क लेते हैं।

One to Many

• A one-to-many approach for SaaS services indicates that a single instance of the application is shared by several users.

Less hardware is required for SaaS

• Organizations do not need to invest in new hardware because the program is hosted remotely.

Low maintenance required for SaaS

• For businesses, software as a service eliminates the need for installation, setup, and regular maintenance. SaaS often has a lower initial setup cost than corporate software. 
• Some usage parameters, such as the number of users using the application, are used by SaaS companies to price their apps. 
• As a result, SaaS allows for easy monitoring and automatic updates.

No special software or hardware versions required

• The software will be the same for all users, and they will normally access it using a web browser. 
• By outsourcing hardware and software maintenance and support to an IaaS provider, SaaS lowers IT support expenses.

Multidevice support

• Any device, including PCs, laptops, tablets, phones, and thin clients, can access SaaS services.

API Integration

• Through standard APIs, SaaS services can easily integrate with other software or services.

No client-side installation

• SaaS services are accessed directly from the service provider via an internet connection and do not require the installation of any software.

Disadvantages of SaaS.

Security

• Because data is kept in the cloud, some users may be worried about security. 
• Cloud computing, on the other hand, is no more secure than on-premise implementation.

Latency issue

• Because data and apps are hosted in the cloud at varying distances from end-users, there is a chance that there will be more delay while interacting with the program than if it were delivered locally. (चूंकि डेटा और ऐप्स क्लाउड में एंड-यूज़र से अलग-अलग दूरी पर होस्ट किए जाते हैं, इसलिए इस बात की संभावना है कि प्रोग्राम के साथ इंटरैक्ट करते समय स्थानीय रूप से डिलीवर किए जाने की तुलना में अधिक देरी होगी।)
• As a result, the SaaS model is unsuitable for applications with millisecond demand response times.

Total Dependency on Internet

• Most SaaS apps cannot be used without an internet connection.

Switching between SaaS vendors is difficult

• Switching SaaS vendors requires the challenging and time-consuming operation of downloading huge data files over the internet, as well as converting and importing them into another SaaS.
• Example: BigCommerce, Google Apps, Salesforce, Dropbox, ZenDesk, Cisco WebEx, ZenDesk, Slack, and GoToMeeting are just a few of the applications available.

Famous SaaS Providers

• Salesforce.com
• Microsoft Office 365
• Google Apps
• Oracle CRM
• GoToMeeting
• NetSuite
• DropBox