What is Software as a Service (SaaS)?

SaaS is a method of software delivery. The advantage behind this method of delivery is that data can be accessed with an internet connection, web browser in any device at any location. In this type of model, vendors host and maintain servers and databases. The main difference between SaaS Delivery and On-premise model is that SaaS deployments won’t require extensive hardware and the payment type is through a subscription model, no need to pay the entire cost upfront.

Aspirants would find this topic very helpful in the IAS Exam.

History of Software as a Service.

A central mode of hosting business applications dates back to the 1960s when IBM and others offered utility computing. Such services included offering computing power and database storage to banks and other large organizations from their worldwide data centres.

The expansion of the Internet during the 1990s brought about a new class of centralized computing, called application service providers (ASP). These providers gave businesses the options of hosting and managing specialised applications that would reduce costs through a centralised administration system. Also, the solution providers specialisation in specified business applications would be an additional benefit.

Software As A Service: UPSC Notes:- Download PDF Here

 Examples of SaaS

Some of the most famous examples of SaaS are

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS) – It is a subsidiary of Amazon. It provides around 150 services and has more than a million subscribers. AWS is even used by streaming companies like Netflix, defence organizations like the US Navy, and the world’s most famous space organisation NASA.
2. Dropbox – Files stored in Dropbox can be accessed from any device, from any location at any time.
3. Google Apps – Google drive enables employees to access files from any location from any device.
4. Salesforce – It is a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool, enabling employees of organizations to access the required information from any device at any location.
5. SAP Cloud Platform – Launched by SAP in 2012
6. Microsoft Azure – Launched by Microsoft in 2010.

Relevant Questions related to SAAS

Is Netflix a SaaS?

Netflix can be considered as SaaS, it follows the Business to Consumer Model. It can be accessed from anywhere in the world using any device at any point in time. The objective is to provide recreation rather than solving any business problems. Netflix uses Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Is Gmail a SaaS?

Gmail is a SaaS Cloud computing service. Google cloud platform is used to host Gmail. Google is hosting the service when a person or organisation uses Gmail. 

The above details would help candidates prepare for UPSC 2021.

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