Benefits of SaaS | Gen-Tech | Forums

Software as a service (SaaS) is an on-demand solution that provides

businesses an affordable way to use a software application without

having to purchase it.  This is done by leasing the program from a

provider and either accessing it through the internet or accessing it

after you’ve installed it locally.  As an IT business solution, SaaS has

become an increasingly popular choice since companies only rent the

software, rather than committing to the purchase price of the

application and user licensing.

Many popular applications are available as SaaS.  Several well-known

and free SaaS solutions are Hotmail, Google Docs and Yahoo Instant

Messenger.  Business-centric, on-demand solutions that include services

such as payroll applications, CRM solutions, business-class email,

online storage and more are also becoming increasingly popular.

Latest and greatest

Microsoft has recently entered the SaaS arena with

their Windows Azure Platform.  Currently offering a limited suite of

SaaS solutions, Microsoft will eventually offer all of their

applications as SaaS, while still offering all applications as local

solutions.

Google has also joined the SaaS movement and is

offering Google Apps Premier Edition.  Unlike previous Google

applications that were free and intended for individual consumers, the

Premier Edition has business solutions that will offer a complete suite

of business applications.

Key benefits

Regardless of what type of business you own, you will realize several

benefits if you choose a SaaS solution.  Benefits include the

following:

• Affordable- With SaaS, you won’t have a large

  up-front capital expense as you would if you chose to purchase the
   

  software.  A reasonable monthly fee is all you will pay to have the

  latest version of your favorite software. You won’t need to spend money

  purchasing and installing software.  You won’t have to worry about the

  cost of upgrading it, either.  Your SaaS provider will take care of it

  so you don’t have to.

• Flexible- Because SaaS is offered as an on-demand service, you can adjust your contract to fit your staffing needs.
• Stable- The SaaS applications are installed on more

  powerful, secure, and redundant hardware infrastructure than you could
   

  afford to own.

• Quick deployment- Because most SaaS solutions are

  web-based, deployment is instantaneous, giving you immediate access to
   

  the business solutions you need. 

• Accessible- Regardless of where you do business,

  you will always have access to your SaaS applications as long as you
   

  have access to the internet.

• Compatible- Most SaaS applications are compatible with most systems and smart phones.