What is Software as a Service (SaaS)?

Software as a Service is more than simply software delivered over the internet by an ASP - Application Service Provider. And is certainly different from the traditional client/server model where access is gained by a program on your PC (the client) and the shared data is stored on your organisations network server (the server).

SaaS providers such as NGA.NET and Salesforce.com deliver business solutions via the internet using a shared infrastructure on-demand model that by design and architecture reduces upfront costs and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) as well as delivering increased business performance.

It enables business to minimize infrastructure and maintenance costs while accessing the latest technology and business solutions with more frequent upgrades. It is also one of the fastest growing IT sectors globally. (Microsoft has reemphasised its US$6 billion commitment to delivering software as a service (SaaS)…(excerpt from Znet.com.au "Microsoft outlines SaaS plans" By Will Sturgeon, Silicon.com 22 February 2007)

In a recent study by Salesforce.com it was revealed that 44% of organsiations using a SaaS application have seen an increase in the overall performance of their business associated with moving away from on-premise applications to SaaS applications. (Salesforce.com White Paper - Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) in Australia: Is it the Next Big Thing? February 2007).

The following key advantages of SaaS were also validated in this study and included;

Lower up-front costs
Lower total cost of ownership
No need for additional infrastructure
Greater level of support
No/Low maintenance requirement
Access to latest technology
More frequent application upgrades
Free up internal resources

Interestingly enough in the same study the single biggest perceived barriers for organizations using SaaS applications was Security (27%). NGA.NET's approach to this has been to achieve one of the highest levels of security accreditation available for an e-recruitment application - I-Rap Security Accreditation (administered by the Defence Signals Directorate). Hence, NGA.NET provides one of the most trusted e-recruitment solutions available with over 30 Commonwealth Government Departments and agencies using the software.

"I believe, over time, more and more software will be delivered as a service. I totally believe that…We have to be good at this, or we have a problem." Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle Corporation. Source: Infoworld, Sept 2005