Cloud computing has come a long way over the past few years. Today, we interact with cloud-based services without even knowing it. The cloud is revolutionising the software development and vendor industry as well as the way businesses acquire and use digital e-commerce products. SaaS (Software as a Service) is at the centre of this revolution. What is SaaS, and why are developers and businesses keen on making the switch from conventional on-premise software?
SaaS is basically a software application hosted on a cloud platform available to multiple users and only accessed via the internet. Users don’t own the application, but instead pay a subscription for periodic use, say monthly or yearly.
What makes SaaS so enticing to businesses?
The two main reasons why businesses today prefer SaaS to traditional software packages are convenience and cost. Business software doesn’t come cheap, especially bespoke products. A SaaS product can be tailored to suit any business so that the user only pays for the necessary functionalities at a fraction of the cost of developing or buying an equivalent application. Besides, you don’t have to pay an initial lump sum; instead, you pay small fees every year or every month.
SaaS conveniences come in many different forms. The user, for instance, does not need extra computing power, installation or IT support personals to run SaaS. The SaaS host provides additional services such as data security and encryption, software updates and maintenance, and unlimited online data storage. This considerably cuts the cost of running and maintaining the software and is a convenient way to access digital services on the go.
How does SaaS benefit developers?
It may seem as though SaaS applications only benefit the users, but the truth is, it’s a win-win situation for both the developer and the consumer. The developer can reach more users on a SaaS platform than on traditional off-the-shelf or custom applications. And since its only a single asset, it is easier to monitor, maintain and upgrade a SaaS application than an on-premise product. SaaS hosts are also in a prime position to upsell digital solutions related to enterprise needs such as additional cloud storage, VoIP and cybersecurity to their clientele.
Businesses and software developers are not the only winners when it comes to the adoption of SaaS applications. Cloud-based and emerging blockchain applications also mean easy and convenient access to high-end software services even on low-performance devices. As cloud computing continues to grow and gain acceptance across various industries, SaaS applications will continue to eliminate the need for client-owned and licenced software applications.
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