What is SaaS?

There’s a confusing array of acronyms that are thrown around to describe cloud computing. Everything from SaaS (Software as a Service) to PaaS (Platform as a Service).

Do you know what each of these mean? Is running a version of MAS90 on a remote hosted Citrix box true Saas? Does it even matter?

The real benefit of SaaS computing may not be obvious to all companies. Initially the most obvious adopters have been organizations who also have many non-local users that are connecting to a central CRM (customer relationship management) database.

Here SaaS makes sense because it eliminates:

• Synchronization problems – all data is stored in one central server so there’s never an issues of replicating out to laptops.
• Upgrades – since the program is run via the Internet – those working from home never have to come into the office for IT to update their laptop to the latest version.
• Potential elimination of higher end hardware – because all that an end user needs to access their information is a common web browser – there’s no need to provide specially equipped laptops or hardware. This greatly reduces the cost of implementing these SaaS solutions because virtually any Internet computer is capable of running the application.

Here’s a great list of definitions that explain in a nutshell what Cloud Computing is all about – including the meaning of SaaS, Iaas, PaaS.

Schulz Consulting – What is Cloud Computing, SaaS, IaaS, PaaS?

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