SaaS Development

The personal computer and the Internet have been the two driving forces in today’s businesses. The personal computer has made a lot of tasks easier and has streamlined a lot of operations within an organization while the Internet totally changed the business model of a lot of companies, because it was able to reach an audience far from what traditional media could ever hope for.

Now, the Internet and personal computers are changing the landscape again by changing how software is deployed to businesses and users.

The current trend is slowly moving toward Software as a Service or SaaS. Many companies are warming up to the idea of getting the same level of results but with lesser costs.

Software Delivery in the Past
Home users and businesses have similarities when they need a particular application.

Individuals would order the software online and have it shipped right at their door. They also have the option of buying the software at a retail store. The product came in a box complete with the installer and perhaps a manual.

Installation would take less than an hour as the computer met the minimum requirements. Licensing rules mean they can only install it on a single machine at a time. Businesses follow the same route except that they are only handed a couple of discs to install the program into their PCs.

Volume licensing agreements meant they can install the software on a given number of machines; if they have to install on more PCs, they would have pay additional licensing fees.

Better bandwidth made it easier for software to be delivered online than on retail discs. After payment of necessary fees, businesses and home users alike will simply wait for the installer to finish downloading, and installation will follow immediately. Updates and patches are applied online as well, but the software still needs a space on your hard drive. However, further developments meant it is now possible to run entire applications online, giving birth to SaaS.

Advantages to Business
The maturity of several web platforms such as PHP, Java, and Ajax made it easier for software developers to deploy software in a new way: through the web browser. Users will simply have to be connected to the Internet and point their browsers to specific URL in order to run their needed applications. The actual program is kept on a central location, which means it shall be easier for developers to manage the software.

No Installation
For businesses, it meant that there is no need to install software anymore. All they need is a computer with a working operating system and a web browser that is either built-in or is downloadable for free.

No More Patches
This was a common headache for users as they struggle to keep application up to date and secure by means of regular patches. This time around, the upgrades and patches are applied the next time they use the application.

Fewer IT Staff
As a direct consequence to centralized access, businesses do not need to have a dedicated team of IT personnel since deployment and maintenance of the software is done online. This is one way that businesses can keep the costs down.

Remote Access
It is now possible to use the same applications while on the road as long as they have a working Internet connection. It does not matter if you are using a different computer as long as you are a registered user of the program.

Flexible Fees
Most SaaS implementations used the subscription model, which is more cost effective than purchasing software licenses for a certain number of PCs. Support services are also covered in the subscription fees. Furthermore, if the application or the developer does not meet your needs anymore, you can stop the service and find another company.

Fast Deployment
The reason why you can easily switch to another service is the fact that no installation is needed. Minor changes can be made to the application to adapt to the requirements of your businesses, but its migration to a different application becomes easier.

The popularity of Software as a Service is becoming stronger every day that even software giants are testing out the model to regular individuals. It will not be a surprise if in the next few years you will be writing documents or handling spreadsheets online rather than opening a program from your computer.

Have you ever used Google’s set of online applications? Unknowingly, you have using their version of Software as a Service or SaaS.

Google Docs allows you to prepare documents, spreadsheets, and even presentations in programs that work inside your web browser. This means all you need is a computer and an active internet connection and you can start working already.

Even before Google, there are already several software developers that use SaaS as a way to deliver applications to their clients. Other software giants have also announced web versions of their popular apps soon.

Why Is SaaS possible?
The maturity of the Internet has been one of the driving forces of SaaS. Current bandwidth means it is possible to run more complicated applications online without affecting its quality. It has also allowed people from different locations to collaborate in a much easier way. Then you have web platforms that enabled the development of programs that can run over browsers. Such platforms like Java and Ajax help gave birth to websites that provide a variety of tools for their users.

What Makes SaaS Work?

No installation
A major reason is that there is no need for installation. Just launch your web browser, point to a specific site and you will be able to run the programs. Gone are the days of having to purchase retail boxes of software or waiting for a download to finish. You will also save hard drive space since the application will reside on a central location. This means more room for the actual documents that you are working on.

Businesses also like the idea of zero installation because it will reduce their need for a massive IT department. At the very least only a small plug-in will be required for most online programs to run on a browser. Even if a new browser is needed, it will have zero costs at all.

No Need for Patches
Businesses often do not like the idea that the software they purchased has a major bug causing it to be vulnerable or even crash on certain machines. Before, the only way to fix this was to download a patch from the developer’s website. Here since the application is accessed on one location, problems can easily be identified and can even be rectified on the fly. Else, the fixes can be applied the next time users would access the program.

Remote Access

This is another benefit of applications stored in a central location. You can basically work on a file anywhere you are as long as the computer is connected to the Internet. This is also beneficial for businesses with several outfits across the country.

More Manageable Fees
For now individuals are enjoying the use of most online applications for free, and some companies have vowed to stay that way. Others are planning to use the subscription model so that you only pay for the times that you would need the product. There is no need to be tied with licensing that prevents you from using a program on a different computer as well.

This will also sound good for businesses since volume licensing has been the only way for them to use a program on multiple computers. Subscription fees are often cheaper than having to purchase software licenses directly. Besides, there is still a possibility that they will end up upgrading their software after a few years which would also entail costs. The SaaS model ensures that individuals and business have access to the latest versions of applications and the necessary support that they need.

Challenges for SaaS
For now it is also the limitations of the Internet and the web platforms that will determine the major impact of SaaS. Current abilities of programs are very limited and bandwidth issues mean that it cannot work on larger files. Software developers may also have to spend for the maintenance of their servers that host these programs.

Then you also have the issue of security. Since you are working online, how safe are the documents you are working on? There are even applications that let you store files online, and it very essential that only the specified users can have access to certain data. IT personnel must also find a way to prevent unauthorized users from using the applications.