Software as a Service | Advanced SaaS Tutorial – A Complete Guide

The last session was on Architecture of Cloud. Here, we will discuss What is SAAS (Software as a Software) with several other information like the advantages and disadvantages of SaaS. Along with this, we will learn SaaS Architecture and Application.

So, let’s start to learn Software as a Service Tutorial.

What is SaaS (Software as a Service)?

In software as a service, the cloud services are provided by the third party over the internet. There are three main categories of cloud computing and SaaS is one of the major categories among the three. The software in Software as a Service (SaaS) license on a subscription basis and centrally host.

It is one of the common delivery models for many business applications such as business applications, including office software, messaging software, payroll processing software, and many more.

Most of the leading organizations are using Software as a Service (SaaS). The applications of SaaS are also known as hosted software, on-demand software, and web-based software.

SaaS Applications

The vendors of Software as a Service are developing and managing their own applications.

The Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions today rely on the internet and they are in need of web browser to access it.

SaaS solution basically utilizes the architecture, in which the application serves multiple business and user and maintains the data accordingly.

Do you know What are the Applications of Cloud Computing? 

Benefits of Software as a Service

Follow are the advantages of SaaS, let’s discuss them one by one:

Benefits of Software as a Service

i. Scalable

The service of Software as a Service (SaaS) is very scalable and provides various features to the customers as per their demand.

ii. Flexible

SaaS eliminates the cost to purchase. The pay-as-you-go service helps to reduce the cost. This allows business to exercise better and more predictable budgeting. The customer can stop using the service and the cost will be limited.

iii. Up to Date

With new updates, the SaaS is gradually improving. This reduces the burden of the staff and provides a better service.

iv.  Ease of access

The SaaS applications can access with the help of the internet from anywhere. This makes it flexible for the customers and is easily available.

Also, see – What is Public Cloud? 

SaaS Architecture

The majority of the SaaS solutions depend on Multitenant Architecture. With multitenant a single configuration such as operating system, hardware, network use for all the customers. The application which provides over the internet and installs on various machines to serve the customers.

However, there are some SaaS solutions which do not use multitenancy but uses some other mechanism such as virtualization, which is an act of creating the virtual version of something rather than physical such as virtual hardware. This process eliminates the cost of physical components.

In Software as a Service, a single version of the application with a single configuration is used for all customers. The application is scalable and can install in multiple machines at a time. It is a traditional model and every version is based on a unique code. Multitenancy is a major aspect of SaaS.

However, some SaaS solutions do not use Multitenancy to make it more economical. In architecture, it can be also seen that the updates and patches are handled by the provider so the customer is free from it. There is no need to download updates or reinstall it although it is delivered over the internet.

6. Varieties of Software as a Service

i. Vertical SaaS

This is the software which manages the demand of a particular organization. This can be software for healthcare, agriculture, real estate, finance industries.

ii. Horizontal SaaS

This is the product which concentrates on the software such as marketing, tools, Human Resource, and many more.

Follow the link to know 7 Unique challenges of cloud computing 

Disadvantages of Software as a Service

There are several disadvantages of Software as a Service model such as-

Disadvantages of Software as a Service

i. Connectivity Demand

The SaaS is completely dependent on the internet and if your internet service fails, you’ll lose access to your software or data

ii. Performance

The speed of SaaS can vary on the premises of the customer, therefore its price keeping performance in mind your, software not host on a local machine.

iii. Management

The management on the premises of the customer can serve better as compared to the hosted management wherever management resides with a 3rd party. Usually, everybody should use the newest version of the software application and can’t defer upgrades or changes within the options.

iv. Security and Knowledge Considerations

The privacy of sensitive data and access management could be a major thought around cloud and hosted services.

v. Limited Vary of Applications

There are limited functions of the applications. For a cloud provider, it is difficult to provide every application. So they release features which lack some features. There are still several applications that do not provide a hosted platform.

The evaluation is done to make sure that the Software as a Service solution provides the features which are required to expand the business.

Conclusion

This service helps the customer by providing service over the internet. The customer can rent the application for the company and the user of the company can connect to it. All the data which provide and store in the database of the Cloud Provider.

There are several agreements which will ensure the security of the application and the data. Moreover, there is very little upfront cost so it saves the overall costs.

Hope you like our explanation. Still, have a doubt/query feel free to comment.