Software as a Service (SaaS)

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a development of the application service provider (ASP) model and enables cloud computing to offer flexible and professional delivery of software to customers. SaaS is the main model of cloud computing from storage to security to backup. Today almost all businesses can use a variety of applications delivered using the Software as a Service model.

SaaS applications provide best practices and more useful features as compared to other equivalent software developed in-house. SaaS is different because it involves offering access to software that has specifically been designed to run in the cloud for multi-tenancy. Many customers can use a single instance of the application at the same time, even their configurations and data are kept separate.

A standard web browser offer access to SaaS applications so there is no need to install or update any software locally. SaaS applications are usually charged on monthly basis which enable companies to pay only according to their required usage. Some Software as a Service companies offer free access to their application for a limited feature set or for a limited number of customers.