Software as a Service (SaaS) is a method for delivering software applications over the Internet, on demand and typically on a subscription basis. With SaaS, Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) host and manage the application software and underlying infrastructure, and handle any maintenance, like software upgrades and security patching. Users connect to the application over the Internet, usually by a web browser on their phone, tablet, or PC.
Saas Model
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Software as a service (SaaS) allows users to connect to and use cloud-based applications over the Internet. Common examples are email, calendaring, and office tools.
SaaS provides a complete software solution that you purchase on a pay-as-you-go basis from a Cloud Service Provider (CSP). You rent the use of an application for your organization, and your users connect to it over the Internet, usually with a web browser. All of the underlying infrastructure, middleware, application software, and application data are located in the CSP’s data center. The service provider manages the hardware and software, and with the appropriate Service Level Agreement (SLAs), will ensure the availability and the security of the application and your data as well. SaaS allows your organization to get quickly up and running with an applications at minimal upfront cost.
If you’ve used a web-based email services such as Gmail, Hotmail, or Yahoo! Mail, then you’ve already used a form of SaaS. With these commercial 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 using any computer or Internet-connected device.
The previous examples are free commercial services for personal use. For organizational use, you can rent productivity applications, 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 applications by subscription or according to the level of use.
