Software as a service (SaaS) is a software distribution model in which a third-party provider hosts applications and makes them available to their customers over the Internet. SaaS is one of three main categories of cloud computing, alongside infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS).
In the SaaS model, the software vendor is responsible for hosting, maintaining, and upgrading the software, as well as managing the underlying infrastructure and security. Users, on the other hand, pay a recurring fee to access and use the software, typically on a pay-as-you-go or subscription basis.
SaaS offers several advantages, including scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. Users can easily scale up or down their usage based on their needs, and they can access the software from any device with an internet connection. Additionally, SaaS eliminates the need for upfront software purchase and reduces the burden of software maintenance and updates, as these tasks are handled by the service provider.
Common examples of SaaS applications include customer relationship management (CRM) systems, project management tools, collaboration software, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions.
