Cloud Computing- SaaS
Hello Techies. As we know, Cloud Computing is a renowned service growing in the IT world. So, Today we will look at one more popular service, and it is known as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). So let us begin with Cloud Computing- SaaS.
What is SaaS in Cloud Computing?
SaaS stands for Software-as-a-Service, is a renowned cloud-based service for providing softwares to users. The second most popular name of SaaS is On-Demand Service. SaaS is a distribution model, and its services and hosting responsibility is taken by the cloud vendor. The users have to simply subscribe to an application rather than paying a heavy amount on purchasing or subscribing to it.
The users can log in to any SaaS application with any device by using the Internet. The services are accessible by end-users, and it does not require installing any devices for accessing these devices.
SaaS Services
Cloud Computing SaaS providers provide the list of services as follows:
Business Services: SaaS providers provide users with many business services for leveraging their business. The service includes ERP, which stands for Enterprise Relationship Manager, CRM is known as Customer Relation Manager, billing purposes, and sales.
Management of Documents: Document Management is a software application service provided by SaaS providers for creating, managing, and tracking electronic documents or e-docs. Some of the famous examples are Slack, Zoho Forms.
Social Media: In today’s world, social media is mainly handled by many people. Thus, Social Media service providers take the help of SaaS according to their convenience and manage the public information.
Mail Services: Many email service providers are using SaaS to handle users’ uncertain traffic on email services.
Characteristics of SaaS
- The characteristics of SaaS is as follows:
- SaaS can be accessible by users with Internet
- It is hosted remotely from anywhere around the world from a Third-Party Provider
- This is easily scalable
- It offers security, compliance and maintenance is included in the subscription cost
Advantages of SaaS
1. Lowering of Hardware Requirements
The software will be hosted from any part of the world, so the organizations are relaxed on investing in extra hardware.
2. Scalability
The SaaS provider will take up the responsibility of scaling up the applications. Like the addition of more databases, compute power as the requirements grow.
3. Cost Saving
IT Organization’s costs will reduce with the help of SaaS. The provider will look after the server along with its infrastructure support for the application. The client has to only pay the price of the subscription.
4. Updations or Installation is not requires
The SaaS provider will take the complete responsibility and it is their duty to update or install the patches on a running application.
5. Integration of Application Programming Interface (API)
SaaS services can easily combine with other software or services between standard APIs.
6. Multi-Device Support
The user can access the SaaS service on various devices such as desktops, laptops, mobiles, tablets, and thin clients.
Drawbacks of SaaS
1. Internet Dependency
If there is no internet connectivity, SaaS services are functional.
2. Switching between SaaS vendors is tough
The user will face difficulties while switching between SaaS vendors. For example, a long time for transferring vast volumes of data files and later converting and importing them into new SaaS vendors.
3. Security
All the data gets stored in the cloud, and the user is entirely dependent upon the service provider. So security might be a question to some users. As the cloud is not more secure compared to in-house deployment.
Famous SaaS Providers
- Salesforce.com
- Microsoft Office 365
- Google Apps
- Oracle CRM
- GoToMeeting
- NetSuite
- DropBox
Conclusion
Finally, we have completed today’s article. In this article, we learned about a fantastic service in cloud computing known as SaaS. We have mentioned all the essential points that a user must consider while choosing Saas.