Software as a
Service, SaaS is short, a partial area of cloud computing. The SaaS model is
based on the principle that the software and IT infrastructure to be operated
by an external IT service provider and used by the customer as a service.
For
using only a PC with internet access and the Internet connection to the
external IT service provider is required. Access to the software is usually
implemented through a Web browser. For the use and operation of the service
pays lodge a use-dependent (usually per user per month) fee. Through the SaaS
model, the service users are spared the acquisition and operating costs
partially. The service provider takes over the complete IT administration and
other services such as maintenance and updates. For this purpose, the entire IT
infrastructure, including all administrative tasks is outsourced, and the
service users can concentrate on their core business.
It SaaS models
are given more and more importance. The market research firm Gartner predicted
for 2011 a turnover of 12.1 billion U.S. dollars. This represents an increase
of 20.7 percent over the previous year (2010: $ 10 billion). The North American
market here represents the largest urban demand (2011: $ 7.7 billion).
Comparison of
the traditional software license models with Software as a Service
The traditional
software licensing model
In the
traditional license model, the IT infrastructure, the development of solutions
and software together constitute a complex, expensive and risky investment, the
customer buys the software and thus has the license and the right to use the
software. The vendor provides the customer an installation package. To install
a complete IT infrastructure (hardware, operating system, database, etc.) is
required. After successful installation of the software is configured to meet
business requirements. With the completion of the software implementation the
company takes over the complete operation of the IT infrastructure and related
IT tasks.
The license
purchase is usually associated with a service contract, which in turn contains
incalculable costs. These include the installation of new releases and
correction of software defects.
Software as a
Service
The basic idea
of SaaS is very similar to an energy supply company. The customer obtains its
current demand on the power outlet. It manages the customer does not own
generators in the back yard, but the energy supplier is the work necessary to
produce electricity. The customer only uses the stream and a usage-based fee paid
for this.
Described the
basic idea can be equally applied to the SaaS model. The service provider
provides the business (eg an ERP system) or editorial software (such as a
content management system for technical documentation) prepared in a data
center, that operates and provides technical assistance. He takes all the
necessary components of a data center: networking, storage, databases,
application servers, Web servers, and disaster recovery and backup services. In
addition, other operational services, such as authentication, availability,
identity management, production control, patch management, activity monitoring,
software upgrades and adjustments are made. The service recipient does not
install their own software. For using only a PC with internet access and the
Internet connection to the service provider is required. Access to the software
is implemented using a web browser. For the use and operation of the service
recipient pays a usage fee.
In essence, the
models described above differ in the fact that the IT infrastructure and IT
tasks are no longer operated by the service recipient, but by the service
provider. The service is no longer a buyer pays the entire software license,
but a monthly, per-use fee. One goal of software as a service is that high
investment costs for the IT infrastructure (eg, hardware, memory, etc.) and IT
tasks (eg, software maintenance, updates, etc.) can be saved.
