Software as a Service (SaaS) Explained in 5 mins
Summary
TLDRThis script introduces Software as a Service (SaaS), the most popular cloud computing model, which allows users to access applications over the internet through a subscription. It contrasts SaaS with traditional software, highlighting benefits like cost efficiency, scalability, accessibility, and automatic updates without the need for IT expertise. Examples include GMail, Microsoft Office 365, and music streaming services, emphasizing SaaS's role in various business operations and its multi-tenant architecture for secure, shared resource usage.
Takeaways
- š¼ SaaS stands for Software as a Service and is a popular method of delivering software applications over the internet via a subscription model.
- š SaaS is one of the three main categories of cloud computing, alongside Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS).
- š SaaS eliminates the need for users to be developers or IT experts, as it provides software applications that are ready to use with minimal setup.
- š Traditional software models required users to manage, install, and upgrade software on local servers or computers, whereas SaaS simplifies this process.
- š With SaaS, users can quickly provision a server in the cloud and have their software ready for use within hours.
- š§ Key examples of SaaS include email clients like GMail, productivity tools like Microsoft Office 365, and creative suites like Adobe Creative Cloud.
- š SaaS is widely used in various business operations such as communication, customer relationship management, billing, sales, human resources, and financial management.
- š¢ SaaS operates on a multi-tenant architecture, where multiple users access the same pool of resources in a shared hosted environment.
- š° SaaS is cost-efficient as it reduces IT overhead costs and is typically consumed on a subscription basis, including support.
- š Scalability is a significant benefit of SaaS, allowing users to scale resources horizontally or vertically on demand.
- š SaaS applications can be accessed from anywhere with a web browser and internet connectivity, facilitating a mobile workforce.
- š While SaaS is generally secure, there are regulatory considerations like GDPR in Europe that may require data to be stored locally.
- š Users of SaaS always have access to the latest version of the software, as updates and patches are automatically managed by the service provider.
Q & A
What are the three main categories of cloud computing?
-The three main categories of cloud computing are Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS).
Why is SaaS considered the most popular and commonly used cloud computing model?
-SaaS is the most popular because it allows users to access software and applications over the internet via a subscription model without needing to manage, install, or upgrade software on local servers or computers.
How does the traditional software model differ from the SaaS model?
-In the traditional software model, users manage, install, and upgrade software themselves on local servers or computers, whereas with SaaS, these tasks are handled by the cloud service provider, and users access the software through the internet.
What are some examples of SaaS applications mentioned in the script?
-Examples of SaaS applications include email clients like GMail, productivity tools such as Microsoft Office 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, and music streaming services.
How does SaaS facilitate business operations?
-SaaS is used in various business operations such as communication and collaboration, customer relationship management, billing, sales management, human resources management, financial management, and enterprise resource planning.
What is the advantage of SaaS in terms of IT overhead costs?
-SaaS is more cost-efficient because the cloud service provider maintains and manages the application, eliminating IT overhead costs for the user. It is typically consumed on a subscription-based model, which often includes support.
What does the term 'multi-tenant architecture' refer to in the context of SaaS?
-In a multi-tenant architecture, multiple users access the same pool of resources within the stack, sharing the same hosted environment and servers, but with their own dedicated space for securely storing data.
How does SaaS support scalability for businesses?
-SaaS supports scalability by allowing businesses to horizontally or vertically scale on demand, as the cloud service provider manages the infrastructure and resources needed.
What are the benefits of accessing SaaS applications from anywhere?
-The benefit of accessing SaaS applications from anywhere is that users only need a web browser and internet connectivity to use the application, eliminating the need for installation or plugins, and allowing for mobility of the workforce.
How does SaaS handle data location requirements like GDPR in Europe?
-For instances where data must reside in the same location as the user, such as with GDPR in Europe, SaaS providers offer solutions to ensure compliance with such regulations while maintaining data security.
What is the benefit of automatic software updates in SaaS?
-Automatic updates in SaaS ensure that all users are on the same version of the software, eliminating the need for manual updates and reducing issues related to version incompatibility and patching.
Outlines
š» Understanding SaaS: The Cloud Computing Phenomenon
This paragraph introduces Software as a Service (SaaS) as a prevalent method of accessing software applications over the internet through a subscription model. It contrasts SaaS with traditional software models, emphasizing the ease of use for non-developers and IT experts. The paragraph outlines the benefits of SaaS, such as cost efficiency, scalability, accessibility, and automatic updates. It also briefly touches on the multi-tenant architecture of SaaS, where multiple users share resources within the same hosted environment, and highlights the importance of data location compliance with regulations like GDPR.
š Engaging with the SaaS Community and Resources
The second paragraph serves as a call to action for viewers to engage with the content by asking questions and seeking further information. It encourages viewers to like and subscribe for more videos on the topic, promoting continued learning and exploration of SaaS. Additionally, it mentions IBM CloudLabs as a resource for skill development and earning badges through free, browser-based Kubernetes labs, indicating a pathway for practical application and enhancement of SaaS-related skills.
Mindmap
Keywords
š”Software as a Service (SaaS)
š”Cloud Computing
š”Subscription Model
š”Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
š”Platform as a Service (PaaS)
š”Multi-tenant Architecture
š”Cost Efficiency
š”Scalability
š”Access Anywhere
š”Data Localization
š”Automatic Updates
Highlights
SaaS is a widely used cloud computing model alongside IaaS and PaaS.
SaaS is the most popular cloud computing model due to its user-friendliness.
SaaS delivers software applications over the internet via a subscription model.
Traditional software models require local management, unlike SaaS.
SaaS allows for quick provisioning of software in the cloud.
Examples of SaaS include popular email clients, productivity tools, and music streaming services.
SaaS is utilized in various business operations including CRM, billing, sales, HR, and financial management.
SaaS sits at the top of the IT stack with the highest level of abstraction.
Cloud service providers maintain all layers of the stack in SaaS.
Users access SaaS applications through a multi-tenant architecture.
SaaS offers cost efficiency with no IT overhead and subscription-based access.
SaaS provides scalability with the ability to scale resources on demand.
SaaS applications are accessible anywhere with an internet connection.
Data location requirements may vary based on regulations like GDPR.
SaaS ensures high security and automatic updates, eliminating version control issues.
SaaS eliminates the need for manual updates and patching.
IBM CloudLabs offers free Kubernetes labs to grow skills and earn badges.
Transcripts
Unless youāve been living under the rock the pastĀ few years it is very likely you use Software as aĀ Ā
Service, or SaaS, on a daily basis for businessĀ and as a consumer. SaaS is one of the three mainĀ Ā
categories of cloud computing, Infrastructure asĀ a Service, or IaaS, and Platform as a Service,Ā Ā
or PaaS. Out of the big 3 cloud computing models,Ā SaaS is the most popular and commonly used one,Ā Ā
AND the great thing about it is you donāt haveĀ to be a developer or an IT expert to use it!Ā Ā
So, SaaS in a nutshell is a method of deliveringĀ software and applications over the internet via aĀ Ā
subscription model. This a game changer comparedĀ to our traditional software model used prior toĀ Ā
the emergence of cloud computing, where usersĀ would have to manage, install, and upgradeĀ Ā
software themselves on local servers or computers.Ā With SaaS you can simply provision a server forĀ Ā
an instance in cloud, and in a couple of hours,Ā youāll have your software or application ready forĀ Ā
use. Some key examples would be the email clientĀ you use such as GMail, the applications and toolsĀ Ā
you have on your computer, such as MicrosoftĀ Office 365 or Adobe Creative Cloud, or evenĀ Ā
when you are jamming out to your favorite musicĀ streaming service, these are all SaaS, providingĀ Ā
productivity apps over the internet. SaaS is alsoĀ used in a wide variety of business operationsĀ Ā
today, such as communication and collaboration,Ā customer relationship management, billing, salesĀ Ā
management, human resources management, financialĀ management, enterprise resourcing planning,Ā Ā
you get the gist, the list goes on and on. So,Ā unlike our other cloud computing service models,Ā Ā
SaaS is the very top of the IT stack and has theĀ highest level of abstraction. So, this means theĀ Ā
cloud service provider will be providing andĀ maintaining all these layers for you in thisĀ Ā
stack. So, let's take a look what that might lookĀ like and see how a user would typically consume aĀ Ā
SaaS application. So I'm just going to go aheadĀ and just shift these other stacks over here andĀ Ā
let's slide the SaaS deck right here. Okay. So,Ā our users would access a SaaS application withinĀ Ā
what we call a multi-tenant architecture, and byĀ tenant I mean user. So, you'd have multiple usersĀ Ā
all accessing the same pool of resources withinĀ the stack. So it'd be the same hosted environment,Ā Ā
same hosted servers where multiple users wouldĀ have their own dedicated space to securely storeĀ Ā
their data. There's a lot of benefits with this inĀ a SaaS application. So let's take a look at a few.Ā Ā
So one you know right off the bat is it's muchĀ more cost efficient compared to our other modelsĀ Ā
because again, which is the overall theme of thisĀ whole video, is cloud service providers would beĀ Ā
maintaining and managing the applicationĀ for you. So, there's no IT overhead costĀ Ā
and a SaaS application is typically consumed onĀ a subscription-based model which is either onĀ Ā
an annual basis or a monthly basis. AndĀ that includes support typically whereasĀ Ā
with our older traditional models, on-prem, youĀ would have a perpetual license where you'd haveĀ Ā
a pretty large up front cost and then you'dĀ have to pay for support on going separately.Ā Ā
Two, scalability, right. So, you can horizontallyĀ or vertically scale on demand because again thatĀ Ā
cloud service provider is going to be maintainingĀ everything for you. So if you need to add moreĀ Ā
databases, or you need more compute power they'llĀ take care of that for you on a has needed basis.Ā Ā
Another benefit is you can access yourĀ SaaS application anywhere which is aĀ Ā
huge benefit right now especially if youĀ want to mobilize your workforce, right. SoĀ Ā
all you need is a web browser and internetĀ connectivity to be up and running with yourĀ Ā
SaaS application. There's no installation,Ā there's typically no plugins involvedĀ Ā
and you can no matter where you resideĀ geographically, you can always be up and running.Ā Ā
Now I should say if you are looking for a SaaSĀ solution there are some instances where you doĀ Ā
need to keep your data in the same location whereĀ you reside. For instance, with Europe we have GDPRĀ Ā
and by law you have to maintain your dataĀ where you reside. So, there are going to beĀ Ā
some instances like that, but for the mostĀ part SaaS is a highly secure solution. AndĀ Ā
then last but not least, you always have a newĀ version, right. So, once again there's no need toĀ Ā
update your licensing or update manually the newĀ version of your software because that's all takenĀ Ā
care for you and it's automatically upgraded.Ā And this helps with a lot of wide range ofĀ Ā
issues typically if there's version control,Ā right. In the past you'd download softwareĀ Ā
and then you might be operating with somethingĀ that's not compatible with a different versionĀ Ā
of that software. So, everyone's on the sameĀ version of that software and you don't have toĀ Ā
manually update and worry about patching and allĀ that junk, everything's taken care of for you. So,Ā Ā
this is just a very quick overview ofĀ Software as a Service. Thank you for joining.Ā Ā
If you have questions, please drop us a lineĀ below. If you want to see more videos like thisĀ Ā
in the future, please like and subscribe.Ā And don't forget you can grow your skillsĀ Ā
and earn a badge with IBM CloudLabs, whichĀ are free, browser-based Kubernetes labs.
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