Cloud Computing Software as a Service

Cloud Computing Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS is also regarded as "On-Demand software". It is a information delivery model in which applications are managed by a cloud service provider. These services are accessible to end-users over the internet so, the end-users do not need to install any applications on their computers to access such services.

Model Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) allows end-users to provide software application as a service. It applies to a device installed on a network infrastructure and available via the Internet. Several SaaS applications appear below:

• Billing and invoicing system
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) applications
• Support desk applications
• Human Resource (HR) approaches

Some of the SaaS applications like the Microsoft Office Suite are not customizable. However, SaaS provides us with the Application Programming Interface (API), which allows the developer to develop a custom application.

Characteristics

Here are SaaS Service Model features:

• SaaS provides the software over the Internet.
• The developer is keeping the tech applications.
• The Program license could be dependent on subscription or use. And it is billed repeatedly.
• SaaS implementations are cost-effective, as they do not require any end-user support.
• They are accessible on demand.
• They can be scaled up or down on demand.
• They upgrade and update automatically.
• SaaS offers a standard for mutual data. But multiple users may share a single infrastructure case. The functionality for individual users is not required to hard-code.
• Both users use the same App version.

Benefits

Using SaaS has proved advantageous in terms of scalability, consistency and productivity. Here are some of the benefits listed:

• Tools of moderate software
• Effective application of Software Licenses
• Centralised data and management
• Service-managed Network responsibilities
• Multi-service applications

Modest software tools

The deployment of the SaaS application involves a little to no installation of client side software which results in the following advantages:

• No client-side complicated software packages needed
• Configuration risk is minimal to no on the client side
• Cost of distribution low

Efficient use of software licenses

The user can needs a single license to use several computers at different locations, minimizing the licensing fees. There is also no authorization server provision, because the software runs in the hardware of the supplier.

Centralized management and data

Data is securely stored by the cloud provider. However, for consistency and reliability the cloud providers can store data in a decentralized manner.

Platform responsibilities managed by providers

The cloud provider carries out all server responsibilities such as backups, system maintainance, stability, hardware refresh, power management, etc. No need to bother the customer about them.

Multitenant solutions

Multitenant solutions enable multiple users to share virtual isolation with single instance with different resources. Customers can configure their application without the key features being compromised.

Issues

There are many aservice-related problems, several of which appear below:

• Risks Depending on the browser
• Dependence on the Network
• Lack of portability between SaaS clouds

Browser based risks

If the customer visits malicious website and the browser becomes corrupted, the resulting access to the SaaS application may endanger the data of the client.

The customer should use different browsers to prevent certain risks and devote a particular browser to view SaaS applications or use virtual desktop when accessing SaaS applications.

Network dependence

The SaaS application may only be delivered while there is continuous network access. Network can also be secure but neither the cloud service nor the customer will guarantee network stability.

Lack of portability between SaaS clouds

It's not that easy to transfer workloads from one SaaS cloud to another since work flow, business logics, user interfaces, service scripts may be unique to the provider.

Open SaaS and SOA

Open SaaS uses some SaaS apps built using the language of open source programming. Ses SaaS apps can operate on any database and open source operating system. Open SaaS has many advantages pointed out below:

• No License Required
• Low Deployment Cost
• Less Vendor Lock-in
• More portable applications
• More Robust Solution