Software, you need it, you buy it, you update it. That’s how you access the applications you need, that’s the only way. Or is it? Times have changed and NOW there is a much easier, more economical, and relatively stress-free way of accessing software (and hardware) without the burgeoning costs. Let us introduce you to the possibility of SaaS.
Software as a Service or SAAS offers applications through the internet as a service and is tailored to any sized business. It enables you to access the latest hardware as well as software without needing to purchase new licences and avoid the complexity (and cost) of installing and maintaining complex software and hardware at your premises.
What Are the Basics of SaaS?
When you sign a contract for SAAS you are purchasing:
- The right to access software – the provider is responsible for updates and replacement, and everything required to keep the software accessible and running.
- A hosting service.
- An infrastructure service – the software runs on the providers infrastructure offsite; they cover the costs of maintaining and upgrading the hardware, including the availability of security options.
SaaS is bought as a subscription with a recurring fee that grants you the right to use the software for your business.
You can tailor your plan to fit your business model and pay for the services you need, with the option to expand as your business does or to fit busy trading periods. And you stop paying the fee once you choose to terminate the service – contracts may vary so check the terms before you sign.
The 4 Main Benefits SaaS Provide to Your Business
The benefits of SaaS can be broken up into four main areas:
Extensive savings free up money for other budget items
- Removes the upfront costs of both installation and purchase of software.
- The cost of upgrades and ongoing maintenance are shouldered by the provider.
- Gives SMBs, in particular, access to software they could otherwise not afford.
- Less financial risk investing in expensive software.
- When hosted offsite, the provider supplies the infrastructure and upgrades as required.
Time saved can be spent focusing on your business
- Simply installed via existing internet access.
- Upgrades are remote and completed by the provider saving downtime and internal wages.
- Maintenance is the vendor’s responsibility, freeing your IT team (if you have one) to undertake more pressing tasks.
- Quicker adoption by your employees.
SaaS offers scalability and greater accessibility
- Pay-as-you-go allows you to easily change your usage plan to fit your circumstances. Scale up or down to suit your circumstances.
- As a web-based service, SaaS enables users access wherever they have an internet connection.
Software is always upgraded to the latest version
- Security is optimal when software is always up to date.
- No more compatibility issues with version discrepancies.
A Few Last Words
If you are currently purchasing your own software, you not only pay for it and licencing to suit the number of users, but you are also responsible for all of the costs to support that network. These will include power and cooling for the server, applying updates, and ensuring you have the best security solution installed.
On top of that, you assume all risk, labour costs, and a myriad of other costs that are ongoing including hardware updates and maintenance. SaaS enables you to stop focusing on your IT and instead leave it in the hands of experts.
