Information technology has been an integral part of the success of any business. The first major contributor was the birth of the personal computer. With it, companies all over the world were able to automate many tasks that would have taken days and huge personnel to accomplish. The things the first computer were able to do were simple, yet it was such an advanced step from journals, ledgers, and typewriters that it ensured its place in the office.
The abilities of the PC grew as it became more mature, and new software companies were able to cater to specific needs of certain businesses. Then the Internet blew into everybody’s consciousness, and with it, businesses scrambled out for ways to exploit its uses. The maturity of the Internet in these past years has also caused an evolution as to how businesses get specifics programs for their own productivity. This growing trend is called software as a service or simply SAAS. This development is becoming more significant that software giants are taking notice.
In the past, regular folks would purchase the software that they needed from computer shops or through the mail. The applications came in boxes with an installation disc and some instructional materials. The program must be installed in the PC before it can be used and can only be used on that PC only.
Small businesses would take the same route while large companies would only need a few installers to load software in multiple systems. This was through volume licensing since a single license will accommodate more than one computer. This system is still enjoying attention today, but a lot of companies needed more flexibility in the programs that they were getting.
This allowed software houses to create custom-made programs depending on the requirements of their clients or companies. Companies would still enter into volume licensing depending on how many terminals the custom application will be used.
The Role of Internet in the Development of SAAS
The Internet greatly influenced the events that would lead to the creation of SAAS. First, the Internet was used to allow certain applications to update themselves. There was an attempt to try a similar form of SAAS in the late nineties, but it did not take off due the need for faster networks that were not available that time.
When the bandwidth started to become large enough, the Internet was then used for delivery of the applications. Software developers usually achieve this by downloading a tool that would facilitate the installation of the program. Even popular software was also available for download. At the same time, the popularity of web platforms such as Java, Ajax, and PHP allowed software companies to offer small programs that can be run over the Internet through the web browser.
Why Its Fan Base Is Growing
Today software as a service is gaining acceptance because it allows users and companies to get the benefits of a full-blown application and the necessary support but without the large initial investment or the need for dedicated IT personnel. This is because most SAAS applications are operated from a central location and delivered through the Internet. There is no need for the program to be installed in each PC since it can run through the normal browsers. Even if there is a need to install something in the PC, the space needed would be miniscule compared to what traditional software would usually take up.
The flexibility of web platforms also makes it customizable for the needs of a specific company. The need for patches can also be done away with because changes can be made on the fly and applied the next time the program is used.
Another reason why SAAS is becoming more and more popular is because of its alternative pricing structure. Applications deployed through SAAS are often priced for every user but are generally lower than the usual licensing fee. At the same time, the user can move from work computer to his home PC and still use the same program at no added cost.
This platform is not just gaining ground in large companies because there are already implementations that a normal user can have access to. Google has been developing applications that can be operated through the Internet such as Google Docs and Calendar. Both programs only need a browser and an Internet connection to run. Files are stored in a central server and be even shared, enabling collaboration.
Even Microsoft has released an online version of its popular Office applications. This further solidifies the role SAAS will play in the future of business and computing.
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