Cloud strategy is one of the best driving forces of digital transformation. As a part of cloud strategy adoption, businesses are very keen on deploying SaaS model to alter the mode of delivering enterprise solutions faster and more effectively over cloud, even though some architectural challenges do exist for its adoption. In this process, let’s examine how AWS enable businesses to have fast, scalable and secured SaaS model adoption at lower cost.
What is SaaS?
According to Gartner, Software as a Service(SaaS) is defined as:
"Software that is owned, delivered and managed remotely by one or more providers. The provider delivers software based on one set of common code and data definitions that is consumed in a one-to-many model by all contracted customers at anytime, on a pay-for-use basis or as a subscription based on use metrics."
Example Scenario of SaaS: If you need an HR solution, a SaaS model makes it so you don't need to set up a server or complete setup. Instead, HR can go directly to a website and utilize the service in a cloud environment.
Why Businesses Switch to SaaS Model
- Easy integration
- Instantaneous results, rapid prototyping
- No need to invest in infrastructure and its maintenance costs
- Innovative and up-to-date technology
- User-friendly and secured services
- Availability of advanced features
- Best-in-class SLAs
- Only pay for what you use model
- Flexibility for users and businesses
- Lower costs in application development ecosystem
Concerns of Cloud-Based SaaS Model Adoption
Research conducted by Transparency Market Research reveals that by 2020 the global market of Software-as-a-Service is expected to reach $164.29 billion. Despite the huge demand for SaaS cloud services, businesses still have these doubts about adopting cloud SaaS:
Less Support to Multi-Cloud: As the enterprise applications require integration with existing cloud applications, designing integration standards can be challenging.
Limited Integration Support: Many organizations require deep integrations with on-premise apps, data, and services. The SaaS vendor may offer limited support in this regard, forcing organizations to invest internal resources in designing and managing integrations. The complexity of integrations can further limit how the SaaS app or other dependent services can be used.
Data Security and Compliance: Large volumes of data may have to be exchanged to the backend data centers of SaaS apps in order to perform the necessary software functionality. Transferring sensitive business information to public cloud-based SaaS service may compromise security and compliance, as well as incur significant cost in migrating large data workloads.
Limited Customization: Even though SaaS models offer ready-to-use solutions, customizing the solutions to suit business requirements is critical in most cases. But, businesses often think that SaaS models offer less customization options compared to on-premise models.
inconsistent Performance Delivery: As the third-party cloud service provider regulates and manages the SaaS service, client dependency on client service providers for security and performance maintenance exists. Because of this, some businesses are uncertain about issues like unexpected network downtime and service performance delivery. Also, considering the intensity of cyberattacks, businesses are still hesitant to adopt SaaS model despite having all the SLAs done.
How AWS Serves as a SaaS?
As a SaaS service provider, AWS facilitates its clients with complete solutions that is completely run and managed by AWS. Businesses don't have to worry about issues like how to maintain the service or essential infrastructure and instead focus on innovation and business logic. AWS offers networking services for the cloud through a virtual private cloud for networking and uses web APIs that offer on-premise connectivity. AWS Elasticsearch is used to handle load balancing during zero downtime or at the times of operational overheads.
Amazon EC2 provides easy-to-develop tools and applications to configure apps and provide a strong set of APIs to easily integrate with all AWS services. AWS Backup users will have centralized automated backup progression that ensures all changes are saved in a timely manner.
AWS as a SaaS model adopts multi-tenant strategy to ensure services are on a secured and secluded space for clients. The distinction to client applications and data are allotted at all layers of service delivery with services like Amazon CloudWatch, robust encryption to the data, and better authentication of user access through Identity and Access Management (IAM). With inbuilt applications like IDS and IPS, businesses can have robust security and will be well informed in case of any security breaches or intrusions. Through services like Amazon CloudWatch, businesses can complete application and infrastructure management in real time. Integrating with analytics solutions like Amazon Kinesis, allows users to get real-time analytics on the vast software service management data (logs, access logs, and so on).
If you'd like to learn more about AWS SaaS Services or any of the above Amazon tools, please reach our to our team of AWS experts.
