Software as a Service

What is SaaS

Software as a Service is a model of software deployment where: Software is provided 'as a service' to users across the Internet on a Pay Per Use or On Demand basis.

This means that:

  • There's no hardware or software to buy, install or maintain, even as you grow, so you save money.
  • You don't have the burden of software maintenance and ongoing management.
  • You can access your systems & data from anywhere, at any time, from any computer or mobile device.

SaaS: Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) Video Conferencing Office productivity Human Resources Payroll & Accounting IT Service Management IT Security Web Analytics Document Management Web Content Management Collaboration e-mail

This model of deployment is especially suited to customers that have little interest or capability in software, but do have substantial computing requirements.

 

The figure above shows the types of software available 'as a service'.

 

By removing the up-front expense of purchasing software, SaaS provides a low-cost way for businesses to obtain the same benefits as those available through commercially licensed, internally operated software, but without the associated complexity and high initial costs.

See how Software as a Service varies from "traditional IT"

Benefits

  • More cost effective - You pay only for what you use, as you use it, with no up-front expenses or commitments.
  • Faster deployment - Faster initial deployment, development and release of new software functionality/upgrades.
  • Greater availability - Many vendors guarantee, by way of SLAs, 99.9% availability of their applications.
  • More scaleable - The service provider is responsible for ensuring bandwidth for anticipated levels of usage.
  • Security & compliancy – Security features are built in e.g. virus protection, data archiving and encryption.
  • Better use of resources – IT skills are outsourced to the service provider's own experts, meaning your in-house resources are free to concentrate on more business critical matters.

What You Can Do

SaaS is not a fad - Beware of ruling it out before making an assessment as to how it could benefit your business, but also remember that to succeed, you must also focus on your business processes, governance and people.

Next Steps

Today

  • Begin to catalogue what SaaS services are available and consider what their use will mean to your and your customers’ interests.

Near Future

  • Begin an evaluation of your existing software and assess how modernisation using SaaS will benefit you.
  • Evaluate the vendor e.g. security and architecture — not all are equally adept at protecting your interests.
  • Experiment with these services and establish how they could be applied in your business.
  • Implement suitable adoption policies and build governance models around them.

SaaS and Open Source

SaaS does not compete with Open Source Software. In fact, a large number of the vendors are using Open Source technical infrastructure (such as application servers, databases and operating systems) to reduce software acquisition expenses. A number of Open Source Software vendors are also adopting the 'as a service' approach to provide their software to customers.

Software as a Service Support and SaaS Consulting

We offer a range of services to help you with SaaS including:


More Information - Quote for SaaS Services

If you are looking for SaaS Services in Birmingham or the West Midlands area then please fill in our online Quote Request form, or feel free to contact us on the details below.

TEL: 0845 017 7661

Email Opace Technology Solutions OR, Email Us - info@opace.co.uk

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