SAAS

 

Software-as-a-Service

Software as a Service (SaaS) is defined as software that is deployed over the internet where a provider licenses an application to customers either as a service on demand, through a subscription, or in a “pay-as-you-go” model. SaaS is a rapidly growing market as indicated in recent reports that predict ongoing double digit growth. This rapid growth indicates that SaaS will soon become commonplace within every organization and hence it is important that users of this technology understand what SaaS is and where it is suitable. Adaptix is here to help.

Characteristics of SaaS from Adaptix

Some defining characteristics of SaaS include:

  • Web access to commercial software
  • Software is managed from a central location
  • Software delivered in a “one to many” model
  • Users not required to handle software upgrades and patches
  • Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) allow for integration between different pieces of software
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Where SaaS Makes Sense

Cloud Computing generally, and SaaS in particular, is a rapidly growing method of delivering technology. That said, organizations considering a move to the cloud will want to consider which applications they move to SaaS. As such there are particular solutions Adaptix considers prime candidates for an initial move to SaaS:

  • “Vanilla” offerings where the solution is largely undifferentiated. A good example of a vanilla offering would include email where many times competitors use the same software precisely because this fundamental technology is a requirement for doing business, but does not itself confer a competitive advantage.
  • Applications where there is significant interplay between the organization and the outside world. For example, email newsletter campaign software.
  • Applications that have a significant need for web or mobile access. An example would be mobile sales management software.
  • Software that is only to be used for a short term need. An example would be collaboration software for a specific project.
  • Software where demand spikes significantly, for example tax or billing software used once a month.

SaaS may be the best known aspect of Cloud Computing, but other terms representing monitoring (MaaS), security (SecaaS), and desktops (DaaS) are available under this umbrella.

DaaS has a multi-tenancy architecture and the service is purchased on a subscription basis. In the DaaS delivery model, the service provider manages the back-end responsibilities of data storage, backup, security and upgrades. Typically, the customer’s personal data is copied to and from the virtual desktop during logon/logoff and access to the desktop is device, location and network independent. Adaptix can offer flexible solutions where either the provider handles all the back-end infrastructure costs and maintenance allowing customers to manage their own desktop images, applications and security, or we can provide those desktop management services are part of the subscription.

DaaS enables the bring your own device (BYOD) initiative and is a good alternative for a small or mid-size businesses (SMBs) that want to provide their end users with the advantages a virtual desktop infrastructure offers, but find that deploying a VDI in-house to be cost-prohibitive in terms of budget and staffing.

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