SaaS (Software as a service): what it means and what it consists of

SaaS (Software as a service): what it means and what it consists of

Until a few years ago, in order to use new software, it was necessary to find the CD-ROM and proceed to the regular installation on the machines. Today, fortunately, there are many new solutions offered by Cloud Computing services, one of which is SaaS (Software As a Service): let's find out more!

What does SaaS mean?

The concept of Software as a Service was first used in 2000 in an essay by Tim O'Reilly. Today, this technology forms the basis of most of the software used by companies, professionals, but also by users who perhaps want to watch a film in streaming. All this is possible thanks to a software architecture defined as 'multi-tenant', i.e. a single application that is offered to several users while keeping data and operating environments separate from each other.
SaaS is in fact a way of using software that is offered to users by a third-party provider. The software is then hosted on the provider's servers, and the end user can access it at any time remotely, through the cloud, without having to 'physically' install it on their own computer.

How does SaaS work?

SaaS provides users with a service to use software through an internet connection and the cloud. Users who purchase or subscribe to the software have access to the application through a dedicated account. Software programmes and functionalities are not physically installed on end-users' computers, but are executed and used directly online. It is therefore the provider's responsibility to keep them up to date. All you need is a good Internet connection and your access data.

SaaS platforms

Due to their ease of use and high operating efficiency, SaaS platforms are now widely used in various business and industrial contexts. The most popular SaaS platforms are those that include applications for project management, CRM (Customer Relational Management), archive management, human resources management, e-commerce etc.
Thanks to these Cloud Computing solutions, companies and professionals no longer have to physically install the programmes on each individual machine, or entirely implement a hardware and software platform to save data and install the programmes themselves. Through SaaS platforms, for a monthly or annual fee, it is possible to use all the necessary services, which can then be adapted over time to the business needs of the company itself.

I servizi SaaS o PaaS che EDALAB configura : AWS e Azure

Le piattaforme SaaS, proprio per la semplicità di utilizzo e l’elevata efficienza di funzionamento, sono oggi ampiamente impiegate in diversi contesti aziendali e industriali. Tra le più popolari piattaforme SaaS sono quelle che includono applicazioni di project management, CRM (Customer Relatioship Management), gestione di archivi, gestione risorse umane, e-commerce ecc.
Grazie a queste soluzioni di Cloud Computing le aziende e i professionisti non sono più costrette a dover installare fisicamente i programmi su ogni singola macchina, oppure implementare interamente una piattaforma hardware e software per il salvataggio dei dati e l’installazione dei programmi stessi. Attraverso le piattaforme SaaS, dietro pagamento di un canone mensile o annuale, è possibile fruire di tutti i servizi necessari, servizi che possono poi essere adeguati nel tempo alle esigenze di lavoro dell’azienda stessa.

EDALAB, nell’implementazione di servizi CLOUD utili a connettere oggetti, si affida principalmente ai servizi messi a disposizione da Microsoft Azure e da Amazon AWS. Non abbiamo particolari preferenze, sono due servizi con standard qualitativi pressochè simili e la scelta tra i 2 essenzialmente avviene per motivi di costi o per preferenze del Cliente (magari da sistemi già in uso presso una delle due piattaforme). In questo contesto EDALAB si preoccupa di progettare l’architettura Cloud e di selezionare i servizi che rispondano ai requisiti del progetto. Successivamente ci occupiamo di configurare tali servizi su specifica del Cliente.

Tabella riassuntiva di alcuni servizi Cloud principali