What is SaaS? – Software as a Service Explained – AWS

SaaS is important because it gives businesses access to powerful software that would previously have been too expensive or energy-intensive to run from on-premises environments. The SaaS provider manages the hardware, the software tools, and the application in its own data center or cloud environment. You can access the software directly from the browser or mobile application. The subscription-based model of SaaS also means you can scale your use of software up or down as your business needs it. We give some benefits of SaaS below.

Cloud accessibility

You can access your SaaS from any device with an internet connection. Under more traditional software models, you could only access business applications from the workstations on which they were installed. This accessibility is increasingly in-demand because of hybrid and home working models.

Lower upfront costs

SaaS vendors typically offer a subscription-based model that reduces upfront costs of traditional software such as licenses, installation, or infrastructure management. There is also no need to invest in additional computing resources to run the software, as the vendor manages everything on its servers.

Reduced ongoing costs

As the SaaS model charges a standard fee, you can confidently plan how much your software services will cost per annum. Ongoing maintenance is overseen by your SaaS providers and covered by your subscription. You’ll also avoid paying for increased server capacity if you need to scale up your SaaS solution.

Rapid deployment

SaaS eliminates the installation and configuration associated with on-premises software, meaning you can roll out software across your business as soon as your enterprise subscription begins.

On-demand scalability

SaaS allows you to easily add more services or storage to your subscription as needed without incurring the costs of upgrading your infrastructure. The scalability of SaaS is perfect for businesses that are growing quickly, as they can add new features and users when it suits them.

Reliability

SaaS providers invest heavily in rigorous cybersecurity protocols and disaster recovery capabilities. Many SaaS providers promise 99% or even 99.9% uptime, meaning all you need in order to work is a reliable internet connection.

Automatic updates

Software vendors regularly make incremental updates and security patches to their software. Updates can be set to deploy automatically without the need for IT support. 

Integration

You can integrate SaaS applications with other platforms and systems using APIs. You can customize the software to suit your particular requirements without infrastructure costs.

Real-time data and analytics

SaaS applications often collect data regarding usage and performance, and can offer insights in real-time.