SaaS 101: Demystifying Saas and Its Myriad Benefits for Your Organization

Those in the know are probably aware that SaaS(Software as a Service), frequently referred to as on-demand software, is a cloud-based delivery model that’s become ‘all-the-rage’. What exactly is SaaS? SaaS is a software delivery method that provides access to software and its data or functions remotely as a web-based service. SaaS allows organizations to access business functionality at a cost less than paying for licensed applications because SaaS revenue is based on a monthly fee. And since it is hosted remotely, the users are spared the expense of additional hardware and infrastructure. 

The SaaS methodology is considered to be part of the nomenclature of cloud computing, along with infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS). And cloud computing – to demystify the most repeated buzzword is the delivery of computing and storage capacity as a service to a heterogeneous community of end-recipients. The name comes from the use of a cloud-shaped symbol as an abstraction for the complex infrastructure it contains in system diagrams. Cloud computing entrusts services with a user's data, software and computation over a network.(Source: Wikipedia).

Cloud computing and more importantly SaaS are proof of the paradigm shift in the way we build and use software. Some common examples of SaaS that are well-known and all-pervasive include:

• Gmail
• Salesforce.com
• Google Docs
• SurveyMonkey

So what are some of the glowing benefits of SaaS that has resulted in the phenomenon to spread worldwide?

• Reduce your IT budget:

For there is no software or hardware to purchase, install or maintain. You save on a lot of expense that can be channeled on your core competencies. This reduces the company’s IT budget considerably. What’s more SaaS relieves a great deal of IT headache incurred by software consumers in the traditional client/server model. This allows IT personnel to focus on improving the day-to-day technical operations of your company instead of being on call to troubleshoot third party software.

• Shorter deployment period:

It has immediate deployment doing away with the need for onsite installation. Deployment times are reduced from several months to a few hours with instant access. Users get faster access to the software improving their experience and speeds up the ROI.

• Piloting new software:

SaaS is ideally suited to organisations interested in piloting new software, particularly if the software is seen as somewhat niche.

• Up-to-date – but upgrade-free – software:

With a SaaS application, the provider is keen to keep the business and they can do so by constantly improving the application experience. Generally in the form of consistent miniscule changes that add up over time instead of monster patch and upgrades that cost you time and money to implement. SaaS vendors seamlessly upgrade their software, customer organisations always have access to the most up-to-date version of the software – without painful upgrade cycles. 

• Lower, subscription-based pricing:

Paying a low monthly price per user lowers costs drastically.

• Global availability:

This is functionality that is available from anywhere on the internet natively.

The benefits are especially high for small and medium sized organizations - web based applications delivered via SaaS can provide a great cost effective alternative to conventional IT practice. 

Find out how BeachCherry Software can help you overcome your IT restraints and problems by delivering a SaaS application effectively. Call us: +1 (202) 436-9487 or email us @ info@beachcherrysoftware.com