Software As A Service

What is Software As A Service? How is it any different to a bespoke product?

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a software delivery model in which software applications are hosted by a third-party service provider and made available to customers over the internet. Rather than installing and maintaining software on their own computers or servers, users can access the software and its features through a web browser.

In this model, customers typically pay a subscription fee for access to the software, which is hosted and maintained by the service provider. The provider is responsible for updates, security, and maintenance, and users are usually able to customize the software to meet their specific needs. Examples of popular SaaS applications include Salesforce, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office 365.

The main difference between SaaS and a bespoke software product is that SaaS is a pre-built software solution that is designed to meet the needs of a particular market or industry, while a bespoke software product is custom-built to meet the specific needs of an individual business or organization.

SaaS products are typically designed to be easily scalable and customizable, with a focus on providing a wide range of features and functionality that can be easily configured to meet the needs of different users. They are often subscription-based, with users paying a recurring fee to access the software and its features.

In contrast, bespoke software products are designed from the ground up to meet the specific needs of a single business or organization. They are typically built by a team of developers who work closely with the client to identify their requirements and design a solution that is tailored to their specific needs. Bespoke software is often more expensive and time-consuming to develop, but can provide a highly customized solution that is perfectly suited to the needs of the business.