Software as a Service literally translates to “software as a service”. The customer purchases software from a cloud provider and pays a certain price for use. The pricing policy depends on the time of operation, the amount of service provided and/or the number of users.
Advantages
The positive aspects of SaaS over the classic software usage model:
- The software is focused on remote work, there is no binding to the client’s hardware.
- The cost of the service, as a rule, is a subscription fee, not a one-time payment.
- Updates and technical support of the program are included in the SaaS price.
- The speed of integration into the client’s current infrastructure is an order of magnitude higher.
- Only licensed software is used on the provider’s side.
- The requirements of cloud software for the characteristics of hardware on the client side are an order of magnitude lower compared to the classic model.
- SaaS is a cross—platform service, that is, it does not depend on the software and hardware of the consumer.
- The rental price is a regular payment with a fixed amount.
After signing the contract, users are provided with access to SaaS through a web interface or a special application on mobile devices.
Most large companies prefer to use the SaaS model not only because of the economic benefits, but also for the convenience of integration in other branches. SLA guarantees technical support by the provider and a specified level of availability.
Disadvantages
The software upgrade for the client’s tasks is also carried out by the provider, but, as a rule, for a fee. This approach is not always economically beneficial. In most cases, customers prefer to purchase a cloud model for standard applications, and in case of modernization, they buy the classic version and refine it on their own.
Another important point is the security of information. The provider gets full access to the client’s infrastructure, which theoretically can lead to the leakage of confidential information.
Considering the above, most customers prefer to work according to the following scheme: classic applications that are not part of the client’s critical infrastructure work through the SaaS model, and software that processes confidential information is delivered according to the classic scheme.