SaaS is a cloud-based service that lets you access business software through an Internet browser without downloading plugins or running a business network. The role of this program can be anything, be it an office application or other business application. So there are a lot of advantages and some disadvantages, but it’s a fact that this deployment method is one of the most popular today. In this article, we will take a closer look at what SaaS is and its advantages and disadvantages.
What is Software as a Service?
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is a method of deploying software applications whereby a vendor can host an application on a cloud server and make it available for use on the Internet. Within this space, the software provider can make a deal with a cloud service provider so that the application can function on the network.
Benefits of SaaS
Below we will highlight the main benefits that SaaS provides by its existence:
- Accessibility – Since SaaS is web-based, it does not matter what operating system or device you are using. All information can be accessed anytime and anywhere as long as you have a stable Internet connection there. Thus, SaaS gives you flexibility and versatility, the system does not limit you in the choice of tools to use the application, so you can access your application and its data even when you are on the road
- Updates and patches – because of its cloud-based nature, the vendor can update its system centrally, without the customers being affected by this update process in any way. Here we can see a huge difference compared to on-premises programs for which compatibility and endpoint security testing are important. SaaS avoids potential testing errors, which only slow down the process of user access to new features. SaaS also applies security updates
- Hardware -This advantage means there is no investment to start using the program. So even small businesses and companies with limited budgets can afford to use SaaS, although initially, only large enterprises could afford it. In addition, SaaS is very flexible in its pricing plans, and you can adjust your fees according to your needs
- Storage and retention – with SaaS all data is stored in the cloud, you can’t lose it by switching between devices, as you will use a single login system
Disadvantages of SaaS
Every system has disadvantages, and the main risks users might face while using SaaS are:
- Customer-independent issues – Customers can sometimes have trouble using the program seamlessly because the providers themselves experience outages or face security threats, for example
- Customers lose control over version control – If your vendor decides to apply an upgrade, it will be applied to all servers whether you want it or not. This may require customers to take the time to learn the new updates
- It’s difficult to change vendor – The main difficulty in changing your SaaS vendor is that you will need to move huge amounts of data from one space to another. And if your supplier also uses proprietary data types, it makes it even more difficult, because then all the data about your customers, i.e. about you, will be even more difficult to transfer to another supplier, because you have made a binding to the supplier