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On-demand software also is known as Software as a Service (SaaS). It is a software distribution model in which services are hosted by a cloud computing service provider. These services are available to end-users over the internet so, the end-users do not need to install any software on their devices to access these services easily. Applications provided by SaaS are listed below:
All applications provided by SaaD are not customizable such as Microsoft Office Suite But provide Application Programming Interface (API), which allows the developer to develop a customized application.
Some important characteristics of the Software as a Service (SaaS) service model are given below:
SaaS has proved to be beneficial in terms of efficiency, scalability, and performance. Some Advantages or benefits of SaaS cloud computing are listed below:
SaaS pricing on based a monthly fee or annual fee subscription, but it is allows organizations to access business functionality at a low cost, which is less than licensed applications. Unlike traditional software, which is sold as a licensed base with an up-front cost (and often optional), SaaS providers are generally pricing the applications using via subscription fee, most commonly a monthly or annual fee.
SaaS services are offered as a one-to-many model means a single instance of the application is shared by multiple users.
It is less hardware required for software hosted remotely, so organizations do not need to invest in additional hardware. Saas software as a service. it removes the need for installation, set-up, and daily maintenance for the organizations. The initial set-up cost for SaaS is typically less than we can enterprise software. SaaS vendors are pricing their applications based on some usage parameters, such as the number of users using the application.
All users will have a like version of the software and typically access it via the web browser. SaaS reduces IT support costs by outsourcing hardware and software maintenance.
SaaS services are easily accessed from any device such as desktops, laptops, tablets, phones, and then clients.
SaaS services are very easily connected with other software services via standard APIs.
SaaS services are accessed directly from the service provider and can use the internet connection easily so do not need to require any software and installation.
Some disadvantages or issues associated with SaaS are listed below:
Actually, cloud data is stored in the cloud, so security may be an issue for some users. However, cloud computing is not more secure than in-house deployment.
Since data and applications are stored in the cloud at a variable distance from the end-user, there is a possibility that there may be greater latency when interacting with the application compared to local deployment. Therefore, the SaaS model is not suitable for applications whose demand response time is in milliseconds.
Without an internet connection, most SaaS applications are not usable.
Switching SaaS vendors involves the difficult and slow task of transferring very large data files over the internet and then converting and importing them into another SaaS also.
Open SaaS applications are developed by using an open-source programming language. These applications can be run on any open-source operating system and database. Open SaaS application has several benefits over SaaS applications some benefits are listed below:
The following diagram shows the SaaS implementation based on SOA:
The below table shows some popular SaaS providers and services that are provided by them -
| Provider | Services |
|
Salseforce.com |
On-demand CRM solutions |
|
Microsoft Office 365 |
Online office suite |
|
Google Apps |
Gmail, Google Calendar, Docs, and sites |
|
NetSuite |
ERP, accounting, order management, CRM, Professionals Services Automation (PSA), and e-commerce applications. |
|
GoToMeeting |
Online meeting and video-conferencing software |
|
Constant Contact |
E-mail marketing, online surveys, and event marketing |
|
Oracle CRM |
CRM applications |
|
Workday, Inc |
Human capital management, payroll, and financial management. |