We bet you know and use SaaS applications on your daily work. Whether it is Dropbox, MailChimp, Invision or other services. So let’s have a look what makes SaaS products greate, and why you should consider to use them for your daily processes.
Also known as web-based, hosted, or on-demand systems, Software as a Service (SaaS) continues to gain traction across the world of business, eschewing traditional software management, maintenance/installation methods in favor of apps stored in the cloud. It offers high performance, availability, and security. That is why many companies embrace the Software as a Service concept as an alternative approach to software/hardware deployment, integrating at least some SaaS solutions into their business. Are you still on the fence about Software as a Service? If so, in this article we will explain what is SaaS to help you determine whether it is the right choice for your company.
What is SaaS?
SaaS is known as hosted software. It is a model of software distribution in where third-party vendors host apps and make them available over the Web. This removes the need for businesses to install/run apps on their own hardware, eliminating the expense of its maintenance, provisioning, and acquisition as well as software support, installation, and licensing. The app’s source code is always the same for all users. The data may be cloud-based, local-based, or both. SaaS apps are used for fundamental business operations, such as billing, HR management, financial management, CRM, sales management, email, etc. In addition, companies can integrate SaaS with any other software using APIs.
Is SaaS Safe?
While no app is bulletproof, the security of SaaS is not an issue today. Its vendors have made it just as reliable and secure (if not more secure) as any internal system. But for your confidence, you can always evaluate the security measures of your vendor such as intrusion-detection systems, socket security features, encryption techniques, firewalls, etc. When it comes to selecting a vendor, consider the basics like the price, security, reliability, scalability, company’s market position, reputation, and financial stability. However since security became one of the most important marketing advantages, each vendor invests heavily in security of their own SaaS solutions.
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Benefits of Using SaaS
- Persistence and accessibility. People can access SaaS from any Web-enabled location and device
- Automatic updates. SaaS providers perform patch management and updates automatically, which means you won’t have to
- High scalability. People are able to access features they need on-demand
- Flexibility. A business can subscribe to SaaS rather than purchasing additional hardware and installing software. Usually, the cost can be modulated depending on the number of users or type of service. This allows companies to perform more predictable and better budgeting
- Savings in capacity. It is not necessary to install the software on your PC
- Proper functioning. Usually, SaaS includes customer service that provide eventual improvements and support
At the same time, SaaS is not perfect. Let us take a closer look at some of the potential issues.
Disadvantages of Using SaaS
- The efficiency of service depends largely on the speed of the Internet connection
- It is impossible for the users to make changes to SaaS as they do not have direct access to it
- User data is stored in a remote data center. So the security of the service is always of great importance
- Sometimes it might be risky to rely on outside vendors. It is important to consider proper access management
- Software integration headaches. Yep, that’s why we do not recommend you to adopt multiple Software as a Service apps
How Do I Decide Whether I Need SaaS?
Software as a Service is a great fit for companies intent on minimizing their costs/responsibilities. In particular, SaaS is well suited for small companies, allowing them to save on investment in software and in-house server, liberate their in-office IT staff, and scale consumption based on demands of the project. The most important thing is that SaaS solutions are cheaper than on-premise installations. Before making a decision whether your business needs them, consider the following criteria:
- The reliability/maturity of SaaS
- The extent to which SaaS needs to be integrated with other systems or customized
- The function/process for which you are considering it
To sum up, there are numerous benefits to going the SaaS route as opposed to traditional way of installing software on your PC. Undoubtedly, the pros of using Software as a Service overweight its cons. Furthermore, SaaS solutions allow you to save your business money as they are cheaper than traditional systems. At Loonar Studios, we can create SaaS of any complexity, so you won’t have to buy any additional hardware, and software to make it work. If your business need to adopt processes for particular functions like sales management, design collaboration, HR management, CRM, or many more, we are ready to help you!