SaaS stands for software as a service. It allows businesses to access its features by connecting through internet. There are many third party SaaS providers available today with variety of service features and abilities. When software is required, the company has to purchase, setup and configure the system for proper working. On top of it, maintenance and upgrades are required to keep the system updated with latest changes. But with SaaS model, there is no need to bother about complex software and hardware installations, maintenance and upgrades. It just requires signing up with third party provider for a specific software requirement to enable the service. On the demand of the user the software is being provided in cloud to manage business work process. SaaS requires internet connection to work with the software.
Examples of SaaS products : Google Apps, Sales Force, Marketo, Workday, Citrix GoToMeeting.
Applications of Saas
In day to day life, we are using Saas in many areas.
Business Process Management
Saas is playing crucial role in business process management. It is providing different software and applications. SaaS applications can be used for internal security, messaging, firewalls, accounts, billing, sales and marketing, human resource management (HRM), content management (CM), talent acquisition, service desk management etc.
Website Services
SaaS services allow business to compete at global level where customer satisfaction is of high importance. For instance, there are many SaaS services available for websites on monthly subscription basis where the users have to pay based on the usage. Sometimes when the website application is hosted on cloud, the provider may also offer additional software for site functionality. In other cases, there are distinct providers with specific service offerings.
For Data Storage
Large number of information can be stored, accessed and updated in a less time through saas software like Google Drive, One Drive, etc. The record can be accessed over the web through network connection. For example: Google Drive and G-mail are the product of google Apps which is trending and widely used by its users. These are used to store the data online instead of storing in a hard disk of a computer. The data is easily accessible by the user via web and it can also be shared with others through internet.