Software as a Service

Software as a service (SaaS) is a cloud computing service delivery model that provides software or application capabilities to the cloud service consumers without deploying platforms and infrastructures on the premises of the customers. And it is a software application accessible to the customer over the Internet via a browser or application programming interface (API). It resides at the top of the cloud environment and provides fully functional and operational software applications to the cloud service customers.

SaaS model moves the responsibilities of resource management to the cloud service provider (CSP) so that it will allow the customers to simply use the application to meet their needs. In this service delivery model, the customers do not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure and platform including networking, server and storage systems, operating systems (OS) or applications capabilities. The applications are accessible from different client devices through either a thin client interface such as a web browser or a program interface. Examples of SaaS include facebook, gmail, Dropbox, DocuSign, Microsoft office 365 etc.

Some benefits of Software as a service (SaaS) delivery model include:

• Access to application from anywhere and anytime
• Cost efficiency and effectiveness
• Licensing
• Standardization
• Scalability and integration
• Easy to use and management
• Accessibility to advanced applications
• Increased data security
• Operational management and analytics
• Flexibility
• High availability
• High compatibility
• Time management
• Backup and data recovery services
• Continuous updates and upgrades