--- title: "Cloud Computing Concepts: SaaS" description: "Software as a Service (SaaS) includes all the cloud services where the consumer is able to access software application over the internet. The applicat" author: "Anonymous User" published: 2015-02-27 updated: 2018-02-22 canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/blog/800/cloud-computing-concepts-saas category: "cloud computing" tags: ["cloud computing"] reading_time: 4 minutes --- # Cloud Computing Concepts: SaaS - [Software as a Service](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/30805/what-is-software-as-a-service) (SaaS) includes all the cloud services where the consumer is able to access [software application](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/113754/how-do-different-programming-languages-affect-the-performance-of-a-software-application) over the internet. The applications are hosted on the cloud and can be used for a wide range of tasks for both individuals and organizations. - This model enables to provide software application as a service to the end users. It refers to a software that is deployed on a hosted service and is accessible via the Internet. - Google, Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr are all examples of SaaS, with users able to access the services via any internet enabled device. - Enterprise users are able to use applications for a range of needs, including accounting and invoicing, tracking sales, planning, performance monitoring and communications (including webmail and [instant messaging](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/167313/importance-of-instant-messaging-for-business-collaboration)). - SaaS is often [referred to as](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/39930/at-the-turn-of-the-century-widespread-panic-occurred-that-at-midnight-all-computers-would-reset-to-zero-and-life-as-we-knew-it-would-cease-to-exist-what-was-this-doomsday-theory-commonly-referred-to-as) software-on-demand and utilizing it is akin to renting software rather than buying it - With traditional [software applications](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/114575/what-role-does-artificial-intelligence-play-in-modern-software-applications), you would purchase the software upfront as a package and then install it onto your computer. The software’s license may also limit the number of users and/or devices where the software can be deployed. - Software as a Service user, however, subscribe to the software rather than purchase it, usually on a monthly basis. Applications are purchased and used online with files saved in the cloud rather than on individual computers. ##### \ ##### Features and benefits of SaaS \ **Pay for what you use:** if a piece of software is only needed for a limited period then it is only paid for over that period and subscriptions can usually be halted at any time. Updates are automated: whenever there is an update it is available online to existing customers, often [free of charge](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/38240/according-to-recent-rbi-directives-to-banks-how-many-pieces-of-soiled-currency-notes-with-a-maximum-value-of-rs-5-000-can-be-exchanged-at-banks-free-of-charge). No new software will be required as it often is with other types of applications and the updates will usually be deployed automatically by the cloud provider. **No additional hardware costs:** the [processing power](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/33366/what-best-practices-you-follow-to-ensure-that-your-application-work-on-multiple-android-devices-of-different-screen-size-processing-power-and-features) required to run the applications is supplied by the cloud provider. No initial setup costs: applications are ready to use once the user subscribes. **Usage is scalable:** if a user decides they need more storage or additional services, for example, then they can access these on demand without needing to install new [software or hardware](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/94574/how-can-you-tell-if-you-have-a-software-or-hardware-problem-with-my-iphone). Accessible from any location: rather than being restricted to installations on individual computers, an application can be accessed from anywhere with an internet enabled device. Applications can be customized and white labeled: with some software, customization is available meaning it can be altered to suit the needs and branding of a particular customer. **Cross-device compatibility:** SaaS applications can be accessed via any internet enabled device, which makes it ideal for those who use a number of different devices, such as internet enabled phones and tablets, and those who don’t always use the same computer. ##### Characteristics **Drawbacks** ## Here are the characteristics of SaaS service model: - SaaS makes the software available over the Internet. - The Software is maintained by the vendor rather than where they are running. - The license to the software may be subscription based or usage based. And it is billed on a recurring basis. - SaaS applications are cost effective since they do not require any maintenance at the end user side. - They are available on demand. - They can be scaled up or down on demand. - They are automatically upgraded and updated. - SaaS offers shared data model. Therefore, multiple users can share a single instance of infrastructure. It is not required to hardcode the functionality for [individual users](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/112856/which-methods-effectively-tailor-vr-workouts-to-individual-users). - All users are running the same version of the software. - Browser-based risks. - Network dependence - Lack of portability between SaaS clouds --- Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/blog/800/cloud-computing-concepts-saas Copyright © MindStick Software Pvt. Ltd. This Markdown version is provided for developers, AI systems, and offline reading.