The terms SaaS (Software as a Service) and Cloud Computing are often used interchangeably. Both refer to the idea of applications running on Internet-based servers.
The “Cloud” is really just another way of saying “The Internet”. This abstraction is rather all-encompassing… it refers to a vast collection of computers interconnected in ways that allow for resources to be shared on a world-wide scale.
“Software as a Service” is just another way of saying “the program I’m using isn’t installed on my computer”. Or at least, not completely installed. A connection to the “Cloud” is necessary for it to function.
Traditional desktop-based software programs such as those found within MS Office are installed on your computer and need only the operating system (such as Windows) and hardware to run. SaaS offerings are programs installed and running on remote servers that send and receive instructions from your computer through the Internet.
There are many advantages and disadvantages to both models. In essence, the advantages of desktop-based computing are that you are not dependent on an active Internet connection to get your work done. You also have the ability to more thoroughly control/protect your applications and the data generated by them.
The disadvantages are that each computer (read as “each employee”) will need a separate instance of, and license for, the software. This also means that those applications will need to be updated, patched and replaced on a continual basis.
The advantages and disadvantages of the “Cloud-based” approach are essentially the inverse of those for the desktop. The core software is usually licensed on a subscription basis and updates are somebody else’s responsibility. That probably sounds pretty good, but the downside is that you’ll have to trust them to protect your data and, in some instances, with the minute-to-minute operations of your business. If your Internet connection goes down, your whole operation may be down as well.
The industry as a whole is really into this whole “Cloud” thing right now. It has tremendous potential and it’s fascinating to contemplate from a technical perspective, so it’s easy to understand why. In some cases, using SaaS instead of desktop applications is a great choice. For many, however, the risks don’t justify the rewards.
In future blog posts, I will discuss some real-world scenarios for which one approach or the other makes sense. I’ll also get into some of the specific tools (such as MS Azure) that can be used to deliver SaaS.
Author: Tim O’Connell
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