What is SaaS?
SaaS, short for "Software as a Service", is a type of cloud computing service that makes various application software accessible over the internet. Other major cloud service models include IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) and PaaS (Platform as a Service).
Key differences between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS can be summarized as follows:
IaaS:
Provides virtualized servers, storage, firewalls, and network infrastructure (usually VLANs) in the cloud. Customers are responsible for installing the operating systems required to run applications. Examples include Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2).
PaaS:
Offers a platform for application development and operation, incorporating an operating system, development frameworks, database servers, and web servers. Customers can delegate infrastructure management and configuration to the service provider. Microsoft Azure is a prominent example.
SaaS:
Delivers specific applications via the cloud. A notable example is Google Apps provided by Google.
SaaS eliminates the need for users to build and manage their own systems. As long as they have internet access, users can work both inside and outside the office without restriction. With the increasing demand for remote access to business applications as part of broader work style transformations, SaaS adoption has rapidly gained momentum in recent years by meeting these evolving needs.