What is SaaS? Introducing the merits and demerits of SaaS and representative services
SaaS is an abbreviation for “Software as a Service” and refers to a form of providing software as a service via the Internet. Conventional software was purchased as a package and used by installing it on one’s own computer, but with SaaS, the software runs on the cloud provider’s server and users can use only its functions via the Internet.
Representative services
- Groupware
- Business software
- Business chat
Groupware
- Microsoft365
- Google Workspace
Business software
- applippli Cloud
- freee
- Money forward cloud
Business chat
- Slack
- Chatwork
As you can see, many familiar things are SaaS products, and we use SaaS systems a lot in our daily lives. Utilizing these SaaS systems will enrich your work and personal life.
Merits of SaaS
The benefits of SaaS are as follows:
- Low initial cost
- Always have the latest features
- Scalability
Low initial cost
Since you have to purchase the software and manage and operate the server in-house, it requires huge costs and manpower. However, with SaaS, there is no need to purchase the software or prepare the server, and most services can be used immediately after subscribing.
Always have the latest features
The cloud provider manages and updates the software, so users can always use the latest version.
Scalability
The number of users and capacity can be easily changed.
Demerits of SaaS
We have introduced some of the major merits of SaaS, but there are also demerits. The demerits are as follows:
- You cannot use the service unless you have an internet connection
- A monthly fee is charged
You cannot use the service unless you have an internet connection
SaaS is a cloud service, so basically, you cannot operate it without an internet connection. Therefore, even if you have an internet connection, it may not work properly in places where it is not stable. Before introducing SaaS, we recommend that you check the communication environment of the place where you will be using the SaaS.
Running costs will be incurred
SaaS is basically a system in which you pay a monthly fee to the cloud vendor, so you have to pay a fee every month. If you use a server and software instead of SaaS, you purchase each in a one-time payment, resulting in there are no monthly payments. If there are running costs, it can be a bit of a hassle, as prices can change depending on the world situation and you may miss a payment.
Lastly
SaaS refers to all cloud services used by users, and is used by many users. Users are not only corporations but also many individuals, and there are now so many users that not a day goes by without using it. The background to this includes the development of the Internet environment and the pursuit of convenience, but the biggest influence is probably the emergence of smartphones. As smartphones are used all over the world, many people understand the convenience of SaaS and it is being used in a variety of ways.
The service we provide is also SaaS, and is a service that migrates packaged software to the cloud. It is a recommended service for those who use packaged software for work, so if you are interested, please check the details on our website.