Software as a Service (SaaS) Explained

Software as a Service or SaaS in short, is a subset of cloud computing. SaaS is based on the principle that the external infrastructure is used by the customer. We have published around 200 informative articles on Cloud Computing (that is the highest number of informative article published by any single website in the World) and obviously the word Software as a Service has came many a times and we have published articles specially on Software as a Service as well. Good examples can be SaaS, PaaS, IaaS : what are these terms, which is very useful to basic users, the article Cloud Computing PaaS and SaaS was with a bit more detailed, targeted for the users who need the information on Software as a Service for their new job.

However, the goal of this article on Software as a Service is more than the previous articles – this article  on Software as a Service is for who wants to dig more.

Introduction to Software as a Service (SaaS)

There is no web software that can not run on a normal server, like a server running Apache HTTP Server Software but can exclusively run on Cloud (or rather as a Software as a Service). Yes, most of the softwares used for Software as a Service purpose is optimized for Cloud and Load Balancer configuration.

That means, Software as a Service is a model where access to the software is via a Web browser. For the use and operation of the service the user pays a usage-dependent or plan dependent fee.

The Idea and Model of Software as a Service

Software as a Service is very vague term due to the reason of technical background and for the fact – when access to PHPMyAdmin is given as a paid service, it is labeled as Database as a Service, not as Software as a Service. But quite obviously, PHPMyAdmin is also a software. Rub out this confusion, if you still have – that, Software as a Service is a special type of technology (this is a wrong idea).

What is the Point of using Software as a Service then ?

Low investment, Transparent IT costs makes Software as a Service popular. As it is the end user who will use the Software as a Service, a developer will always try to run a premium Software as a Service on PaaS – that will return some money.

In other words, typical model of till the year 2000 was – a developer will a slave of a multinational company, that is getting changed with the idea of Software as a Service. The developer now can run a good software, that is can run a paid Software as a Service on Cloud without owning any infrastructure.

Also, this good competition with a particular niche of Software as a Service, will give the users the best offers at least cost.