The most popular online document sharing services, for example, are almost entirely focused on two aspects. First, you don’t need to install anything on your device to use them, and second, you only pay on a per-usage basis every time you use it. SaaS has inaugurated something new in the world of computing: pay-per-use without having the material possession of the service. It’s a business model that turns out to be functional and comfortable for all the actors in the game (despite some old-fashioned computer scientists’ opinions).
SaaS: Advantages and Possibilities
So, what are the main advantages of using SaaS?
First of all, we have the Pay-Per-Use model. It means that you pay exclusively for what you use—if you don’t want to rely on free solutions, which are often limited in use. Alternatively, you can opt for package solutions, paid monthly, which usually come with relatively accessible and scalable prices.
The second advantage consists of not having to update software, as you used to do with traditional software solutions. It’s a plus mostly for users who don’t have the time to keep up with everything, or maybe don’t even have an internal IT department to handle these challenges.
Furthermore, software solutions based on this distribution paradigm are generally compatible with any device–smartphone, tablet, and computer– and require only an internet connection to function.
The future: “Everything as a Service” (XaaS)
The solutions based on Software as a Service imply the idea that users can get access to data from the outside, through an app or browser. They only need a smartphone or a computer with an updated operating system to use the software.
