What is Software as a Service (SaaS)?

Software as a Service (SaaS) is defined as a software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a third-party provider and made available to customers over the internet. This model allows users to access software applications through a web browser, eliminating the need for installation or maintenance on local devices. SaaS offers several advantages, including ease of use, scalability, automatic updates, and lower upfront costs since users typically pay via subscription instead of purchasing a perpetual license.

This understanding highlights some key characteristics of SaaS, such as its reliance on cloud infrastructure to deliver software. Users can benefit from access to sophisticated applications without the complexity of managing underlying hardware or software environments. SaaS is commonly used for a variety of applications, including customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP), and content management systems, among others. This differentiates it clearly from methods used for managing infrastructure, types of virtualized computing resources, or traditional on-premises software installations.