This post by SwifDoo PDF offers you a clear explanation on SaaS, including what does SaaS mean, how it works, and some popular SaaS examples. Keep reading and learn more details.
What Is SaaS?
SaaS (full name: Software as a Service) is a computing service that gives users access to cloud-based applications over the internet, eliminating the trouble on downloading and installing desktop programs. Users can easily access SaaS-powered software through a web browser.
From the perspective of service type, SaaS has two main categories: general-purpose SaaS and industry vertical SaaS. The former refers to a wider range of services that do not differ in any way depending on the industry, i.e. they can be used by people from all walks of life. For instance, services like ERP, CRM, HRM, OA, etc. are the most representative ones.
On the other hand, the latter mode, industry vertical SaaS, is a specially developed service based on the business needs of a specific industry, and this model can be better adapted to different industry characteristics and development patterns.
Key Features of SaaS
SaaS becomes more and more popular in this digital world. But why? Is there any particular reason that makes it such a trend? In this section, we will explore the key features of SaaS, giving you a clear understanding to this service. Check the content below:
- Accessibility: SaaS-powered apps can be easily accessed from any device as long as there’s a stable internet connectivity.
- Cost-Effective: SaaS providers manage the infrastructure themselves. So, users don’t need to spend time or money on hardware or maintenance, which significantly reduce their costs.
- Scalability: SaaS products are easily scalable, allowing users to add or remove services as needed.
- Automatic Updates: SaaS-powered software will be updated automatically by the provider, ensuring users always have the latest features.
- Multi-Tenancy: Multiple customers share the same infrastructure and application, but the data is kept secure and separate.
Advantages of SaaS
Compared to traditional services, SaaS boasts many advantages. Here’s a detailed introduction:
- Lower cost: SaaS adopts a subscription mode, allowing users to pay based on the service usage or duration.
- Ease of deployment and maintenance: Traditional software has a variety of requirements, such as installation, deployment and operation and maintenance of personnel capacity, which costs much on personnel training; while SaaS running on the cloud, significantly reducing the investment in IT assets such as servers.
- Fast update and iteration: Traditional software iteration is slow to update, often in year. On the contrary, SaaS can update services in a short period of time and frequently push service updates according to market demand and user feedback.
- Highly scalable: The SaaS model enables on-demand access, flexible scaling, and pay-as-you-go billing based on user demand, allowing users to change service levels and functional modules in an agile and flexible manner.
Popular Examples of SaaS
Casual users also use SaaS products every day. Sounds unbelievable? Let’s learn the popular examples of SaaS in this market.
Google Workspace (formerly G Suite): Includes Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Drive.
Microsoft 365: Offers cloud-based versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft software.
Salesforce: A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform.
SaaS is a key component of cloud computing and is widely used by businesses of all sizes for various applications, from email and collaboration tools to CRM and ERP systems.