What is SaaS?

Software as a service (SaaS) or “software as a service” is a solution that allows users to connect to and use cloud applications via the Internet. SaaS offers a complete software solution for which the company pays according to its use. All of the underlying structure, middleware, and software are located in the vendor's data center. The latter manages all the “physical” infrastructure and also ensures the availability and security of the data and the chosen application.

Finally, the SaaS solution brings together:

hosted applications

Development tools, database management and marketing analysis

The operating systems

storage servers

The safety (network firewall)

physical infrastructure (the physical data center building or facility).

What are the benefits of SaaS solutions?

Software as a service (SaaS) has many features and benefits. SaaS offers increased efficiency, savings, remote access to services, significant scalability, and enhanced security.

Implemented easily and more quickly than an internal IT system, SaaS allows businesses that do not have the necessary resources to access sophisticated applications such as an ERP or CRM without even buying or installing them.

SaaS solutions are also easy for users to access and available from any platform and devices connected to the Internet. Data is securely stored in the cloud and can be accessed by users anytime and anywhere. So there is no risk of data loss in the event of a problem or the PC being stolen.

From an economic point of view, SaaS represents a real bargain since the company only pays for the resources it uses and can at any time change its offer and expand its needs. In addition, there is no need to buy other specific software because SaaS applications, available from a web browser, can be used simultaneously by several users on various devices.

Best practices for switching to SaaS.

Let's take the concrete example of a company that hosts its email internally and wants to switch to a SaaS solution. To facilitate this choice, it is necessary to ask yourself key questions about the activity and economic resources of your company.

PROFESSION: Does my business require hosting my own email?

AVAILABILITY: Am I in a position to guarantee availability greater than 99.9% to my employees?

SAFETY: Does my business have the means to secure its email service sufficiently?

FINANCIAL RESOURCES: Does it have enough budget to invest in its own hardware and software? Investment that will have to be renewed when these have become obsolete.

Take Google Workspace as an example:

It's an integrated workspace that's easy to use. It makes it easier to work by reducing management times. All the tools (including messaging) needed to be productive are combined in a single SaaS solution. In addition, Google Workspace guarantees 99.97% availability to its users.

To ensure Workspace is secure, Google employs a full-time team of over 600 security and privacy professionals, including some of the world's top experts in information, application, and network security.

Here, there is no need to invest in hardware and software. The solution is available as a subscription and allows you to work from anywhere and on any device, even offline, with tools that meet the unique needs of your team.