A Deep Dive into Software as a Service (SaaS)

Platform Strategies

1. What Is Software as a Service? (SaaS)

Cloud computing changed how users procure and interact with software. Today enterprises use SaaS platforms for most of their operational needs: CRMs such as SalesForce, Productivity platforms such as Monday.com, CMS for managing content and much more.

Software as a Service, commonly known as SaaS, is a business model in which these providers give many users shared access to their software through an online platform, in exchange for a recurring fee.

Think of it like a streaming service for movies or music — rather than buying or downloading individual titles, you pay a subscription fee for instant and ongoing access to whatever you want.

Like streaming entertainment, SaaS has gained increasing popularity in recent years due to ease of access, breadth of options, and the reduced need for extra software or hardware.

A Quick Look at Cloud Computing Models

With the advent of cloud computing comes multiple levels of shared resources and, in turn, service models. While SaaS provides a wholesome solution for companies looking to offload the bulk of their software solutions on the backend and front end, other models offer users more leeway in building custom or on-premises solutions.

We can compare these models with the process of building a house, as each option offers a different degree of work for the buyer:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is like buying the land and building materials, so you have complete control over the infrastructure
Platform as a Service (PaaS) provides the foundation and framing, while you focus on building the rest of the house itself .
SaaS is the fully furnished, move-in-ready home; you don’t need to worry about any construction — or, in this case, future maintenance
SaaS effectively offers everything a company’s IT department needs to run its software, with no tinkering needed beyond whatever customization is offered on the user interface (UI) itself.

This means any behind-the-scenes heavy lifting, like managing servers, storage, and networking, is handled entirely by the SaaS provider.

Your software is readily accessible and automatically updated for whenever you need it, freeing up you (and your IT department) to focus on your business.

2. Defining Features of SaaS

Cloud-provided software offers a range of benefits when contrasted with traditional software solutions:

Cloud-Managed Applications

SaaS are by design cloud-based platforms. This means that they are hosted and managed by the provider. If a business decides to stop using a SaaS platform and all they do is end the contract. No need for infrastructure change.

Subscription-based software

Most SaaS business models are subscription models, yearly or monthly. Users pay a recurring fee, usually monthly or annually, to access the software and its associated services.

Third-Party Software Management

The software is managed centrally by the provider, lifting a significant burden from your company’s IT department.

The SaaS provider takes care of all backend tasks, including maintenance, updates (both routine and emergency), and—best of all—the building of the software itself.

All this work on the provider’s end trickles down to users, as everyone can experience a fully finished and regularly updated software package.

Multi-Tenant Architecture: Sharing Resources, Not Your Data

Traditional software solutions, also referred to as on-premise, rely on single-tenant architecture. This means the business is responsible for the design, structure, and security of the system.

This model offers more flexibility in creating and deploying software, but it relies heavily on engineers and developers. On the contrary, SaaS platforms employ multi-tenant architecture, which allows many users to share the same centralized resources.

Multi-tenant architecture is efficient and cost-effective, and enables updates at scale. The only real consideration for users, therefore, is whether their data is secure in a multi-tenant environment. If you rely on a trusted provider with a proven history of security best practices, the answer YES.

Accessibility: Your Software, Anywhere, Anytime

Because SaaS applications exist in the cloud, users aren’t tethered to a specific device or location. SaaS applications can be accessed from anywhere and any device - all you need is an internet connection.

3. How SaaS Works: A Backend Look

The SaaS Provider as Host

SaaS providers truly shoulder the responsibility of hosting the software and applications you use, including all backend infrastructure and maintenance. The provider takes care of all servers, storage, networking, and security behind running any given program — users need only access those programs from the front end.

User Access and Authentication: Your Gateway to the Cloud

Because applications are hosted in the cloud, users can gain immediate access by logging in with their credentials.

Depending on the SaaS provider and a user’s preferences, this may be a simple username and password or an alternative authentication option such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), or a single-use “magic link”.

Many providers also offer role-based access controls that allow you to further specify different levels of access within your organisation, safeguarding your data and ensuring that only authorised personnel can access specific features and information.

Storing and Securing Data in the Cloud

Just as the provider manages the underlying architecture of its applications, it also takes care of user data storage. All data generated, stored, and retrieved for use lives on the provider's secure servers.

You should expect SaaS providers to also leverage best security practices like data encryption, access controls, and compliance with regulatory and industry standards, so you know your data is safe.

Maintenance and Patches

SaaS providers are responsible for maintaining their own servers, which undergo regular updates and patches.

Because so many users rely on their servers, providers need to ensure smooth and reliable performance on their applications, and they work quickly to resolve an issue in the rare event of a service interruption or needed patch.

4. The Benefits of SaaS: Why Businesses are Migrating to the Cloud

Cost Effectiveness: Maximising Your IT Budget

Lower upfront costs: Because SaaS owns and provides the software on your behalf, you don’t have to invest in software licenses or IT infrastructure . The only upfront costs are those associated with migrating your data to the cloud and signing up with the SaaS provider.
Predictable expenses: Subscription-based pricing models provide budget predictability and transparency, making it easier to manage your IT expenditures on a monthly or yearly basis.

Scalability and Flexibility for Your Business Needs

On-Demand Scaling: SaaS allows businesses to scale their usage up or down dynamically. This means your business is always ready for any high traffic surge — without major IT overhauls.
Flexible functionality: Use only what you need from an application, or increase its functionality as your business demands.

Easy Access for Continued Productivity

Universal accessibility: Accessible from anywhere and at any time. This is the appeal of SaaS platforms. Business can be flexible and mobile allowing their employees to work from anywhere.
No installation headaches: SaaS requires no local software installation or configuration, meaning you can immediately pick up where you left off across multiple devices and operating systems.

Automatic Updates and Maintenance

Always up-to-date: SaaS providers ensure you always have the latest version of an application. These updates, often rolled out automatically, include bug fixes, security patches, and new features. You can also schedule updates to avoid interruption of critical work hours.
Enhanced security: Providers not only update the software itself, but they also keep you apprised of compliance or certificate issues, helping you ensure your applications follow best security practices – on their own or in tandem with third-party applications and extensions.

Reduced Infrastructure Burden, Empowering Your IT Team

Free up valuable resources: Offload infrastructure management, maintenance, and updates to the SaaS provider, allowing your IT team to focus on more strategic and proactive tasks.
Empower your team: Use your IT resources more intentionally and toward more dedicated tasks. Finally allow your IT team to innovate.

5. SaaS platforms are not all just sunshine and rainbows

Dependence on the Cloud: The Achilles' Heel of SaaS

Users can only access SaaS applications via the internet, which means that any outage will affect an enterprise's operations. Every year brings its fair share of outages but at least it doesn't affect just one business.

Finding the Right Fit

Business develop Saas Applications to appeal to the majority. While some offer a level of customization, most are designed to be used out of the box.

When considering a SaaS provider, it’s important to look for one that can tailor its services to your business needs.

Data Security and Privacy: Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset

When you use a SaaS platform, you entrust your data to a third-party. Making sure the security measures put in place by your provider are up to you standard is essential to keep you business safe.

To mitigate risks, select a reputable SaaS provider with stringent security measures.

Performance Issues: Factors Beyond Your Control

The performance of your SaaS application depends on to the provider’s architecture. If servers are experiencing issues, it will directly impact users.

Choosing a a provider with a history of reliable servers and consistent maintenance will ensure a reliable platform.

Long term Platform

Switching SaaS providers will cost you money and time, two vaulable thing when doing business. Doing thorough due diligence and having clear requirements and project goals will help you choose the right platform for long term.

Don't focus on your current need only but project the future and where you want the business to be. This will help you choose a platform that can scale with you.

6. SaaS in Action: Popular Use Cases

Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Salesforce, Hubspot and Zoho are all popular CRM systems. They give businesses the tools to manage customer interactions, sales pipelines, and marketing campaigns.
Productivity and Collaboration Suites: Google Workspace apps, Monday.com, are all SaaS platform that have increased our productivity and help up manage our day to day tasks. The success of these platforms is undeniable as they have transformed the way we do business today.
Project Management Tools: Trello and Asana are popular project management SaaS platforms. They allow teams from any department to collectively organize and track their progress across tasks or projects.
Chat and Video Conferencing Platforms: Well Zoom and Slack are an extension of ourselves now. They are indispensable for modern business communications and life ( let's remember COVID). These apps have allowed us to erase physical boarders and brought business interaction to a new world.

7. Core dna: A Comprehensive eCommerce and CMS SaaS Platform

Core dna is a complete eCommerce and CMS SaaS platform. Core dna offers businesses a suite of tools to effectively manage their eCommerce operations and content management at scale.

The platform offers a wide range of features, including:

eCommerce Platform: Launch your online store with the best features. The API-first approach integrates your business tech stack to streamline inventory, orders, marketing and tracking. Core dna scales with your business with features like multiple site management and multi-brands integrations, all from one login.
Content Management System (CMS): Create, manage and share content across multiple channels. Core dna content management platform is designed for collaboration and ease of use, giving marketers the control over their online presence.
Marketing Automation: With Core dna's webhooks and APIs, create automated processes and tasks. Reduce the time your team spends managing your website and eCommerce shop.

8. SaaS FAQs

Is SaaS just for big companies?

There are as many SaaS platforms as there are businesses. In fact, small and medium businesses have even more to gain from low upfront costs, scalability, and accessibility. SaaS platform provide a lower barrier to entry for high-quality computing software and capabilities.

What happens to my data if I decide to switch SaaS providers?

Data migration is a key consideration for SaaS providers. Whatever the SaaS platform, you need to create a deployment plan to outline all the details. The customer support team should be your trusted ally to ensure the project is successful.

How secure is my data in the cloud?

Cloud storage, like on-premises storage, relies upon the security measures in place.

Most reputable SaaS providers take security practices very seriously. Platforms put in place things like data encryption, a hierarchy of access controls, regular security audits, and compliance certifications like ISO 27001 and SOC 2.

In your SaaS selection process, ask about a provider’s data backup and disaster recovery procedure. These should be as accessible and hassle-free for users as reasonably possible.

Can I integrate SaaS applications with my existing business systems?

This depends on the provider, user, and system in question. APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are usually offered by most SaaS platforms to connect systems.

Ask this question to each provider with the list of existing systems you would like to connect.

With the AI SaaS that are popping up every day ... at least it feels like that. Businesses can now integrate AI to almost every aspect of their operations. SaaS does offer a blend of flexibility, affordability, and scalability. Just make sure that you evaluate the most impactful SaaS platforms before committing as replatforming is often a hassle.