What is SaaS?
In today's digital world, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) generally refers to a new and alternative way of accessing software, as opposed to more traditional methods of access.
Whereas in the past software would generally be purchased outright and loaded onto a device, SaaS normally refers to a subscription based model where the software is hosted in the cloud and accessed via the internet. There are a number of benefits of this to consumers, whether that is individuals using software for private purposes, or businesses.
There are many well-known examples of SaaS, including Office 365, Google Apps, Salesforce, Citrix GoToMeeting, Cisco WebEx and Netflix.
Examples of where SaaS can be used by enterprises:
- Accounting and invoicing
- Tracking sales
- Planning
- Performance monitoring
- Communications (including webmail and messaging)
Traditional software vs. Software as a Service
Traditional software
- Users purchase the software upfront as a package and then install it onto their computer
- Licences may be limited to the number of users and/or devices where the software can be deployed
Software as a Service
- Users subscribe to the software, usually on a monthly basis, rather than purchase it, meaning no upfront costs
- Users can usually end their subscription when they no longer require it
- Applications are updated and used online with files saved in the cloud rather than on individual computers
Benefits of SaaS
No hardware costs
Processing power is supplied by the cloud provider
No initial setup costs
Applications are ready to use once the user subscribes
Pay for what you use
Particularly beneficial when something is only required for a short period
Usage is scalable
Additional storage or services can be accessed on demand without needing to install new software and hardware
Updates are automatic
Updates are often free of change and deployed automatically by the software provider
Cross device compatibility
Applications can be accessed via any internet enabled device, such as desktops, smart phones and tablets
Accessible from any location
Users aren’t restricted to one location and can access applications from any internet enabled device
Applications can be customised and white labelled
Applications can often be altered to suit the needs and branding of particular customers
Example – office software
Office software is the best example of businesses utilising SaaS. Tasks related to accounting, invoicing, sales and planning can all be performed through Software as a Service.
Businesses may wish to use one piece of software that performs all of these tasks or several that each perform different tasks.
Benefits include:
- The required software can be subscribed to via the internet and then accessed online via any computer in the office using a username and password
- If needs change they can easily switch to software that better meets their requirements
- Everyone who needs access to a particular piece of software can be set up as a user
Our Service
Our award-winning platform, Virtual Data Centre (VDC), is unique.
It provides public cloud infrastructure but with dedicated network free-of-charge, making it private by design.
To find out more, visit our Cloud marketplace, CloudStore, or sign up for a free trial today.
Interoute’s networked cloud is the infrastructure platform for 98% of all the IT services that UEFA provides... Interoute understands our events process and has an agile model to fit with the needs of the ICT systems we use...
DANIEL MARION - Head of ICT, UEFA
Extra Information
Related Services
Private & Hybrid Cloud
SD WAN
Skype for Business
Colocation
Cloud Articles
|
Cloud Computing describes a scenario whereby computing resource is delivered as a service over a network connection, usually the internet
|
|
|
Cloud hosting services provide hosting on virtual servers which pull their computing resource from extensive underlying networks of physical web servers
|
|
|
A private cloud is a particular model of cloud computing that involves a distinct and secure cloud based environment in which only the specified client can operate
|
|
|
The most recognisable model of cloud computing to many consumers is the public cloud model, under which cloud services are provided in a virtualised environment
|
|
|
A hybrid cloud is an integrated cloud service utilising both private and public clouds to perform distinct functions within the same organisation
|
|
|
Cloud servers offer great benefits over the traditional options of shared or dedicated servers
|
|
|
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is one of the ‘layers’ in the Cloud Computing model, whereby hardware is provided by an external provider and managed for you
|
|
|
Platform as a Service, often simply referred to as PaaS, is a category of cloud computing that provides a platform and environment to allow developers to build applications and services over the internet
|
|
|
In today's digital world, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) generally refers to a new and alternative way of accessing software, as opposed to more traditional methods of access
|
|
|
SD-WAN (Software Defined Wide Area Network) is the application of software-defined networking (SDN) to Wide Area Network’s (WANs)
|