· SaaS (Software as a Service) describes any cloud service where consumers are able to access software applications over the internet
o Google, Twitter and Facebook are all examples of SaaS, with users able to access the services via any internet enabled device
o Enterprise users are able to use applications for a range of needs, including accounting and invoicing, tracking sales, planning, performance monitoring and communications
· SaaS is often referred to as software-on-demand and utilizing it as renting software rather than buying it
· With traditional software applications you would purchase the software upfront as a package and then install it onto your computer
· The software’s license may also limit the number of users and/or devices where the software can be deployed
· Software as a Service users, however, subscribe to the software rather than purchase it, usually on a monthly basis
· Applications are purchased and used online with files (data files) saved in the cloud rather than on individual computers
· There are no setup costs with SaaS, as there often are with other applications
· SaaS is scalable with upgrades available on demand
· Access to Software as a Service is compatible across all internet enabled devices
· As long as there is an internet connection, applications are accessible from any location
SaaS Architecture
· The diagram illustrates the key differences between the traditional software delivery model and a SaaS-based delivery model
o In essence, all users of SaaS-based applications run exactly the same code with customizations and configurations stored as metadata parameters
· The key difference between SaaS and traditional software delivery is that SaaS-based applications are fully hosted within some form of Data Centre environment
o All updates to the SaaS application are carried out within the Data Centre and therefore the user can always be assured that they are using the most recent version of the application
o These applications are designed to work and take advantage of operating within a web browser-based environment
· Since nearly every computer comes with a browser as part of the operating environment, there is hardly any implementation work required by a company’s IT department
· This allows the IT department to focus on other activities reducing support costs
· SaaS is traditionally sold on a subscription basis that includes upgrades, maintenance and some level of basic support
· These subscriptions operate on a monthly, quarterly or yearly basis
· SaaS is ideal for companies who would be using the application periodically
