Software as a Service (SaaS)

Installing and maintaining applications on client’s desktop and server pose many challenges and limitations. There is added cost of infrastructure involved for companies. This can be avoided by implementing SaaS products.

SaaS (Software as a Service) is software delivery technique in which the software and the related data is centrally located on a cloud. To access this software, the only thing the users need is an internet connection and a web browser. SaaS bypasses all the trouble of installing servers and infrastructure. The installation and maintenance cost is reduced tremendously. For these reasons, many business applications today have adopted this method of software delivery.  SaaS pricing is based on monthly or yearly fee where the company pays the service providers.

SaaS Architecture:

SaaS uses multitenant architecture in which all the users use the common infrastructure and code which is centrally maintained. Vendors save valuable time by maintaining just one version of the code which can be modified quickly. Moreover, each user can easily customize the application to suit his/her needs without having to modify the common infrastructure.

Advantages of SaaS Model

1. The administration is easier as all the application components are centrally located and only the provider has access to it.
2. The updates can be efficiently managed as the changes have to be made only on the centrally located application.
3. All the users will have the same version of the application avoiding any discrepancy.
4. The overhead of installing, maintaining and deployment of software at client’s end is removed completely.

Disadvantages of SaaS Model:

1. One of the main disadvantages of using a SaaS is that company data is stored on a central location and hence data security is at risk.
2. Switching SaaS vendors poses many challenges as huge amount of data needs to be transferred via the internet.
3. The use of SaaS applications is dependent on the internet speed.
4. The adoption of newer version of the application cannot be controlled by the client. The newer version must be adopted by the client.

SaaS is being adopted by an increasing number of companies from various industries for the convenient features it offers. It is predicted that the adoption and production of SaaS applications will continue to increase. 

About Author:

Kintu Racca is a consultant in Systems Plus Pvt. Ltd. Within Systems Plus, she actively contributes to the areas of Technology and Information Security. She can be contacted at kintu.r@spluspl.com