SaaS, in recent years, has emerged as a booming trend in the technological sector and has gained much popularity among both client and vendor sectors.
If you are looking for the perfect guide to get you acquainted with SaaS, look no further! We have listed down some of the most important details surrounding SaaS, listed below.
- What is SaaS and how does it impact my business?
Software-As-A-Service, most commonly known as SaaS, refers to a specific methodology for delivering software services. In SaaS’s web driven model, data can be accessible from any device without the need of a web browser or, in some cases, even an Internet connection. To make this possible, servers and databases are maintained and hosted by software vendors.
This makes SaaS a significantly more viable option than the traditional premise software delivery prototype. SaaS eliminates the need for organizations to invest in wide-ranging hardware details for hosting the software. All the hosting, maintenance and troubleshooting responsibilities are taken care of by the SaaS vendor. SaaS chargers a monthly or annual subscription fee from its buyers that includes software support, software license and other sort of fees.
- SaaS or On-Premise Model – Which to Choose?
The number-one question that runs into a business-owner’s mind is whether SaaS is the best available model for them or if On-Premise delivery model will do just fine with their business. The answer to that is pretty simple: SaaS is recommended for small and medium-scale businesses that tend to limit their upfront expenses to the least.
Employing SaaS solutions for your business can prove to be a cost-effective deal. such as Contract Lifecycle Management However, when it comes to delivering robust functionalities at their best, on-premise systems take the charge, and this is one area that SaaS is still focusing upon to improvise in.
The difference can be elaborated by an example: If your business deals with highly-engineered aerospace parts, for instance, an on-premise system will be the best option for you to go with since they provide more durable and robust functionalities where requirements are detailed. Whereas, in case of a manufacturer dealing with nuts and bolts is bound to go for SaaS solutions such as Plex Systems or NetSuite since these solutions will perfectly meet the business’ requirements
- 3. SaaS and Cloud Computing – What’s the difference?
A cloud, in computing terms, refers to a collection of servers, computers and databases interlinked with each other in such a manner that allows users to share their combined power. In common words, cloud services refer to everything that is delivered via Internet and hosted remotely.
SaaS refers to the specialized domain of business software applications delivered via cloud. The use of cloud technology makes it less expensive and faster for SaaS developers, in general, to provide applications in comparison with the traditional on-premise software development model. SaaS offers a wide variety of core-business functions including ERPs to human resources.
- What’s a Private Cloud?
A private cloud is somewhat similar to the concept of a public cloud except for the fact that it allows all the computing power to be shared among individuals at an organization, instead of the general public. Moreover, users can access their data via a web browser. A responsible IT department takes care of the maintenance and other support stuff in a private cloud model.
It goes without saying that a private cloud is only appropriate for mega-scale enterprises that are capable enough to invest in the complex infrastructure that is required to maintain and develop a cloud environment.
- Is SaaS an emerging technology?
In the early 2000s, SaaS wasn’t considered to be a serious deal for enterprise software industries. However, that’s taken a major twist since the last five years. SaaS Development have been able to excel in the market and upsurge their revenue as well as customer reach using this model. Moreover, it’s affordability and uncomplicated User Interface (UI) has gained SaaS solutions much popularity among buyers.
- Can we customize SaaS Software?
In the initial phases, SaaS applications didn’t have the ability to be customized to a great extent. However, SaaS systems are now easily customized according to the business process and there is a whole community of consultants that can guide you in modifying SaaS applications according to your requirements.
From the UI to the look and feel and to specific areas, buyers can customize each and every feature of the SaaS applications. Various business features can be turned on and off as well. The SaaS market is still under further development with regards to the customization and flexibility that it tends to provide to its users.
- What Are the Internet / Operating System Constraints?
When talking about one-premise software, that scheme is clearly vulnerable to hardware failures, electrical outages and a variety of other limitations. When it comes to SaaS, a good Internet connection is all you need. However, offline functionality has also been developed by SaaS vendors to allow users to keep working in case of an internet breakdown. The data is synced together when the connection becomes available in such cases.
A major portion of SaaS enterprise systems are compatible with Windows and Linux. Adaptability with Mac OS is beginning to grow as well, which is clearly a good sign for vendors supporting MacOS.
- What Happens When My Vendor Goes Out of Business?
This is a primary concern as vendors are expected to come and leave at any time depending upon business success/failure and industry consolidations. SaaS however allows its vendors to pay an advancement fees to its data center hosting company in order to “keep things going”. This ensures that data is still accessible regardless of the vendor’s decision to opt out of the business.
- What About the Data Ownership?
As far as this question is concerned, service level agreement (SLA) is of core importance while negotiating with the SaaS vendor. Buyers should be making sure that a clause in SLA states their ownership of the data. Most SaaS vendors allow you to back up your data or to export it at any given time you want. You should only be signing the SLA agreement when an ownership clause is clearly visible.
- Is My Data Actually Secure?
Data security and privacy is perhaps the biggest concern for buyers dealing with SaaS Development Services. Quite honestly speaking, it’s a pretty valid concern as well since you are allowing someone to preserve your business-related critical data.
SaaS allows its vendors to invest a lot in security, maintenance and backup details as compared to any other small and medium-scale enterprise. In terms of security, SaaS systems are definitely much more reliable than on-premise systems. SaaS vendors are also subjected to undergo strict security audits that consistently check the level of security.
Origami Studios – An industry specialist in delivering SaaS services:
Origami Studios specializes in providing top-class SaaS services and applications to its clients. Data security and optimized functionalities are the core values that we strive to deliver in our SaaS applications. If you want to employ the services of our dedicated team, feel free to leave a quote or contact us!