The cloud is a hot topic for small businesses all the
way to global enterprises, but remains a broad concept that covers a lot of
online territory. There are usually three models of cloud service to compare:
Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure
as a Service (IaaS). Each of these has its own benefits, as well as variances, and
it is necessary to understand the differences among SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS to
know how to best choose one for your organization.
- SaaS:
Software as a Service
Software as a Service, also known as
cloud application services, represents the most commonly utilized option for
businesses in the cloud market. SaaS utilizes the internet to deliver
applications, which are managed by a third-party vendor, to its users. A
majority of SaaS applications run directly through your web browser, which
means they do not require any downloads or installations on the client side.
SaaS Characteristics :
There are a few ways to help you determine when SaaS is being utilized:
·
Managed from a
central location
·
Hosted on a
remote server
·
Accessible over
the internet
·
Users not
responsible for hardware or software updates