The SaaS industry is growing tremendously, with an estimated market size of $152 billion in the United States alone. This technology enables businesses to execute their work effectively anywhere in the world, in the office or remotely. And it is a primary focus for IT professionals looking for methods to streamline and protect their companies.
If your company is in the Software-as-a-Service industry, you may be bombarded with questions from potential customers. These questions will range from technical Q&A to more information about your brand.
If you don’t provide FAQs for your audience, you’re failing both them and your brand. People seek quick, simple solutions.
That’s why in this article you’ll see some common questions about SaaS and their answers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Software as a Service (SaaS)
Highlighted below are some of the questions you might receive about SaaS in your business.
- What is Software as a Service?
SaaS is a software distribution mechanism that allows data to be accessible from any device with an internet connection. The databases, servers, and code that comprise an application are hosted and maintained by software providers under this web-based model.
Traditional on-premise software distribution differs from SaaS in two important ways:
- Since SaaS deployments do not involve extensive hardware, buyers can outsource the majority of the IT responsibilities normally required to debug and maintain the program in-house.
- SaaS systems are often paid through a subscription model, while on-premise software is normally purchased via a perpetual license, which must be paid upfront.
- How was the software created?
In a 1961 address to MIT students, John McCarthy, a famous computer scientist who got the Turing prize for his contributions to artificial intelligence (AI), stated, “computation may eventually be structured as a public utility.”
While the concept has been around for a while, the technology required to boost the SaaS industry only became common in the late 1990s. Companies like Salesforce started delivering standard enterprise solutions like customer relationship management (CRM) via a SaaS model.
SaaS was initially dismissed by the enterprise software industry. However, over the last decade, there has been fast growth and adoption of SaaS, with a new set of enterprises embracing software for the first time.
- What Makes SaaS Better Than Traditional Software?
For those who remember buying a CD-ROM and installing software on one machine after another, SaaS is a huge step ahead. However, its benefits extend beyond its ease of use. Here are the key benefits of using SaaS:
- Price: Since most SaaS products are priced with teams in mind, they are generally less expensive than purchasing individual licenses for each machine or user. While the cost of adding more users generally increases, these products usually include pricing benefits.
- Enhanced Security: Most major brands provide SaaS solutions that include SSL encryption and industry-standard security measures to protect your company’s data from unauthorized access. Although data breaches have occurred, these SaaS companies accept responsibility for upgrading and managing security measures. Most SMBs just do not have the time or resources to carry out this task on their own.
- Cloud Accessibility: The Cloud is one way in which SaaS improves efficiency. When your data is linked to your account rather than your device, it is easier to operate from multiple devices across various departments. This enables remote staff to use the same software systems and organizational tools as those working in your office.
- Regular Updates: To handle upgrades and security concerns, SaaS providers deploy automated updates. In addition, as part of the terms of service, you agree to upgrade as needed. It’s a win-win situation for businesses looking for cutting-edge technology that can withstand modern security threats while requiring no maintenance.
- How Can I Check Compatibility?
People want to know that your software solutions will work with the tools they already have. Some may be investing in a new tool and want to ensure that it is compatible with their existing SaaS solutions from you. In either case, take advantage of this chance to explain the process to others. Provide advice on what tools and platforms your SaaS company can use, as well as what people should do to ensure they’re using the right tools and applications.
- How Safe is SaaS Data in the Cloud?
Cloud data is only as secure as your business practices. While SaaS providers adhere to industry best practices, upgrade their security regularly, and conduct routine maintenance, they have no control over how you manage security on your end.
Even if you utilize the best SaaS products and services, your data could be stolen if you or your employees use shared logins, weak passwords, or neglect to use malware protection or antivirus on your computers.
- What is the Difference Between the Cloud and SaaS?
The cloud is a collection of servers, computers, and databases that are linked together in such a way that users can lease access to share their full resources. The computing power is scalable, allowing customers to dynamically increase or reduce the amount of computing power they lease.
The cloud can apply to anything that is hosted remotely and delivered over the internet. While all cloud programs are powered by underlying software, SaaS refers especially to business software applications distributed over the cloud.
- What Are the Limitations of SaaS?
The major downside of SaaS is that it is dependent on a reliable internet connection. While many people feel that on-premise systems are more reliable, no system is completely immune to interruption. On-premise software is vulnerable to hardware failures, electrical outages, and a variety of other risks. As a precaution, several SaaS vendors have created an “offline” feature that allows customers to continue working even if the internet goes down.
- Can I Customize SaaS Software?
Yes! Today’s web-based software is flexible enough to be customized not just for specific business purposes, but also for individual users. Buyers can change the look and feel of the application by customizing the user interface (UI), as well as changing specific areas, such as data fields, to change what data is displayed. Several business process functionalities can also be toggled on and off at will.
Conclusion
It would be surprising if you aren’t currently utilizing SaaS in some capacity. SaaS practices reflect how modern organizations operate. Expect this software model to roll out new features and functions as business needs change.
