Last updated: July 16, 2022
Businesses are growing and so are the IT solutions offered to them. the SaaS mode, Software as a Service, is one of these new trends that are emerging and satisfying more and more companies.
This mode simply allows you to access software remotely, hosted across the cloud. The software is therefore not installed directly on the employee's computer but on a remote server to which the employee has access via the Internet.
But how is this possible? How does this system work? And above all, what are the advantages and disadvantages of SaaS ?
How SaaS works
Le SaaS relies on the cloud, a set of systems of online storage. Rather than having the software installed “locally” on the employee's computer, the software is remotely, online.
Hosting and execution are therefore done on remote and external servers, those of the supplier. Access is relatively easy since it is done simply through the Internet.
The installation is not your problem either, just like the updates and the various maintenance operations which pollute the software installed locally.
You can subscribe to it as a service, like any professional subscription. The company can free itself from the purchase of sometimes expensive licenses to use a “right of use”. A flat-rate subscription for the month or the year.
4 good reasons to use SaaS software?
The advantages of SaaS are numerous. Among them:
- Le SaaS mode obviously allows the company not to install one or more software. To do without the acquisition of this software presents a significant financial advantage. The subscription is much more profitable since it is proportional to the resources used and functionalities required. Add to that the various maintenance or update costs that are included in the subscriptions and it's definitely a good deal on the business wallet.
- Your IT tools are also provided since they don't have to run several greedy software at the same time, they run on the server remotely.
- A simple Internet connection associated with a computer allows you to use the desired application. An advantage which remains however a disadvantage if the work area is not properly covered.
- Finally, the last advantage and not the least that goes hand in hand with the use of the cloud is the level of security. Thanks to the cloud, it is generally much higher than that which can be set up within a company.
The disadvantages of using a SaaS service
On the other hand, the company is at the mercy of the service provider. If it experiences a failure or problems on its side, it could impact your business.
If a dispute arises and the service provider is unscrupulous, it can potentially cause you problems in the recovery and transfer of your data.
In short, the economic advantage is associated with an increase in flexibility, while maintaining an optimal level of security. Something to satisfy both large and small companies.
Be careful not to confuse SaaS et cloud computing. The latter allows a company to build a complete infrastructure remotely. The employees sort of log into a remote computer where all the necessary applications are already installed and ready to use. the SaaS only allows access to certain applications through the Internet..