Software as a service (SaaS) allows users to connect to and use cloud-based apps over the Internet. Common examples are email, calendaring and office tools (such as Microsoft Office 365). Show
SaaS provides a complete software solution which you purchase on a pay-as-you-go basis from a cloud service provider. You rent the use of an app for your organisation and your users connect to it over the Internet, usually with a web browser. All of the underlying infrastructure, middleware, app software and app data are located in the service provider’s data center. The service provider manages the hardware and software and with the appropriate service agreement, will ensure the availability and the security of the app and your data as well. SaaS allows your organisation to get quickly up and running with an app at minimal upfront cost.
Common SaaS scenariosIf you have used a web-based email service such as Outlook, Hotmail or Yahoo! Mail, then you have already used a form of SaaS. With these services, you log into your account over the Internet, often from a web browser. The email software is located on the service provider’s network and your messages are stored there as well. You can access your email and stored messages from a web browser on any computer or Internet-connected device. The previous examples are free services for personal use. For organisational use, you can rent productivity apps, such as email, collaboration and calendaring; and sophisticated business applications such as customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP) and document management. You pay for the use of these apps by subscription or according to the level of use. Advantages of SaaSGain access to sophisticated applications. To provide SaaS apps to users, you don’t need to purchase, install, update or maintain any hardware, middleware or software. SaaS makes even sophisticated enterprise applications, such as ERP and CRM, affordable for organisations that lack the resources to buy, deploy and manage the required infrastructure and software themselves. Pay only for what you use. You also save money because the SaaS service automatically scales up and down according to the level of usage. Use free client software. Users can run most SaaS apps directly from their web browser without needing to download and install any software, although some apps require plugins. This means that you don’t need to purchase and install special software for your users. Mobilise your workforce easily. SaaS makes it easy to “mobilise” your workforce because users can access SaaS apps and data from any Internet-connected computer or mobile device. You don’t need to worry about developing apps to run on different types of computers and devices because the service provider has already done so. In addition, you don’t need to bring special expertise onboard to manage the security issues inherent in mobile computing. A carefully chosen service provider will ensure the security of your data, regardless of the type of device consuming it. Access app data from anywhere. With data stored in the cloud, users can access their information from any Internet-connected computer or mobile device. And when app data is stored in the cloud, no data is lost if a user’s computer or device fails. Software as a Service, also known as SaaS or on-demand software, is a way of delivering software applications to the end-user over the internet. SaaS can provide great advantages for most businesses, primarily in costs and flexibility. However, the disadvantages of SaaS (such as lack of control) are considerable and should not be ignored. What is Software as a Service (SaaS)?SaaS is a software licensing and delivery model in which software is:
SaaS is an alternative to traditional on-premise software installations. It has become a common method of delivering many business applications, including:
SaaS advantagesSaaS offers many potential advantages over the traditional models of business software installation, including:
SaaS, and more widely cloud computing, can help you make the most of a limited IT budget while giving you access to the latest technology and professional support. However, you should consider some potential disadvantages before making a final decision. Disadvantages of SaaSSaaS model sometimes has certain shortcomings, including:
For more information, see Software as a Service. What are three examples of SaaS quizlet?Examples of SaaS include Salesforce.com, iCloud, and Office 365.
Which of the following is true of software as a service SaaS )?Which of the following is true of software as a service (SaaS)? refers to software that is free and where anyone to look at and potentially modify the code.
Why is change management a significant challenge for many organizations during enterprise system implementation quizlet?Why is change management a significant challenge for many organizations during enterprise system implementation? Companies often must radically change how they operate to conform to the enterprise work processes.
Why are advances in 5G technology expected to influence the IoT quizlet?Why are advances in 5G technology expected to influence the IoT? 5G enables many devices to transmit data quickly to the cloud.
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