Traditionally if you wanted to install certain software on your work computers, you would first purchase either a CD or online code after which you would go through the process of installing it on your device. You’d have to double-check OS compatibility and make sure you had enough space. Today, however, your IT services team can simply purchase an online subscription to a piece of commercial software (SaaS) and avoid all of the above-mentioned steps entirely.

What is SaaS?

Software as a service (SaaS) Nashville is an online delivery method for commercial software which involves consumers purchasing and accessing their software through their web browser using the power of cloud computing Brentwood TN. When you receive software via SaaS you don’t have to download anything, nor run compatibility checks with your OS. At most, you may need to update your browser.

SaaS is a relatively new development, although cloud computing more generally is not, so it is natural that a lot of people have questions about the basics of SaaS, and how it works.

How does SaaS actually Work?

As with cloud computing in general. In a SaaS system, a software vendor is responsible for the acquisition and maintenance of the software code, databases and servers that are required for the functioning of the application.

When you purchase access to a SaaS application usually through your Managed IT services Nashville, unlike in-house software, you do not typically own the application but instead, simply pay for the opportunity to use it. You also do not need any specific hardware to use it nor do you require any extensive IT resources.  This allows SaaS to be very cost-effective and the nature of its infrastructure allows for most IT responsibilities to be shifted upon the software vendor rather than the consumer.

Who owns the Data? 

Given that I’ve just said that as a consumer you do not get to “own” the SaaS application that you have acquired, you may be wondering if the software vendor also gets to own your data from the use of that application.

Thankfully, they do not normally have any ownership of user-generated data and cannot leak confidential information.  Since your software vendor is responsible for the safety and security of your data instead of your own IT department or IT Support Brentwood, that increases the overall safety of your data since they will have far greater resources invested in security.

Why opt for SaaS over Traditional Software? 

SaaS has many great advantages over traditional software including both cost and accessibility. SaaS also offers the aforementioned benefit of greater security through a professional software vendor.

The real factor you should be looking at when you’re deciding whether or not to choose SaaS over in-house software is the complexity of your needs, the degree to which you want customizability in your applications, the availability of IT support Brentwood and whether software ownership is a major concern for you.

 So really, whether or not you should consider adopting SaaS is completely and entirely dependent on your needs. It has its advantages but may not be practical in every situation.