SaaS and Cloud: Are they 2 sides of the same coin?

It is reasonable that only some people are familiar with terminologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), augmented reality (AR), cloud computing, or software as a service, given the speed at which technology is developing (SaaS). Some of this results from overly enthusiastic marketers who spend more time telling you how something would alter the world than they define what they are talking about.

(SaaS)Software as a Service and cloud computing are often used interchangeably. The majority of people think they are related, and they are not the same thing. SaaS is a software delivery model, while cloud computing is a delivery model for computing services. This blog will explore the meanings of SaaS and cloud, their fundamental differences, and whether they are two sides of the same coin.

SaaS—Easy Access to data

Although centralized hosting dates back to 1960, significant advancements in the 1990s gave rise to a new category of centralized computing known as an application service provider (ASP). SaaS extends ASP. SaaS is a software delivery-based model hosted by a third party and made available to customers over the internet. Instead of downloading and installing software on their computers, users access it via a web browser. Examples of SaaS applications include Google Docs, Dropbox, and Salesforce.

SaaS providers take care of the software’s maintenance, updates, and security, so users do not have to worry about those aspects. Customers typically pay for SaaS applications on a subscription basis, often monthly or yearly.

Cloud is the Computer

Early in 1996, the term “cloud computing” appeared first; it was referred to in a Compaq internal document. In 2006, Amazon became widely known for its EC2 (elastic computing cloud) service. Cloud computing is a delivery-based model for computing services such as storage, processing power, and networking. Instead of owning and maintaining their hardware and infrastructure, companies can rent computing resources from a cloud provider. Cloud providers own and manage the hardware, while customers access the help they need over the internet.

There are three major types of cloud computing:

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS),
• Platform as a Service (PaaS)
• Software as a Service (SaaS).

Fundamental differences between SaaS and cloud

SaaS and cloud computing are related but distinct concepts. Here are some of the significant differences between SaaS and cloud computing:

• Delivery model: SaaS is a software delivery model, while cloud computing is a delivery model for computing services.
• Ownership: In SaaS, the software is owned and managed by a third-party provider, while in cloud computing, the infrastructure is owned and operated by a third-party provider.
• Maintenance: SaaS providers take care of software maintenance, while customers are responsible for maintaining their applications in cloud computing.
• Pricing model: SaaS applications are typically priced on a subscription basis, while cloud computing resources are typically priced based on usage.
• Customizability: SaaS applications are designed to be used out-of-the-box with limited customizability, while cloud computing provides more flexibility to customize applications and infrastructure to meet specific business needs.
• Security: SaaS providers are responsible for securing their software applications and protecting customer data, while in cloud computing, customers are responsible for ensuring their applications and data.
• Scalability: SaaS applications are typically designed to be scalable and accommodate many users, but cloud computing provides even more scalability for computing services and infrastructure.
• Application development: SaaS applications are typically designed for end-users, while cloud computing provides platforms and tools for developers to build and deploy their applications.

Businesses must understand these differences and choose the correct delivery model for their needs.

Are SaaS and Cloud two sides of the same coin?

While SaaS is a subset of cloud computing, they are not two sides of the same coin. SaaS is a specific delivery model for software applications, while cloud computing is a delivery model for computing services. While SaaS applications are typically delivered via the cloud, not all Cloud services are SaaS applications.

In addition, other cloud services are not SaaS applications, such as IaaS and PaaS. IaaS delivers virtualized computing resources like servers and storage, while PaaS provides a platform for building and deploying applications.

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