What is SaaS?
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is a component of cloud computing. This technology enables users to benefit from IT resources and services via the Internet. This way, SaaS publishers can provide cloud-hosted software that is available on demand. The publisher is also responsible for maintaining the software, while the provider (e.g. OVHcloud) manages the infrastructure on which the solution is hosted.
SaaS definition: How does it work?
A Software-as-a-Service solution is directly hosted in the cloud — so the software provided to the user is not installed on their machine. It is hosted by a provider, on their physical servers. They manage the technical layers and host the data, for example. The software publisher manages the SaaS cloud software itself. SaaS solutions are available on demand, usually as a subscription — and they are adapted to all users and use types. They do not require any infrastructure management from the end-user. The user can access the application via the internet, regardless of their location or the device they are using. By opting for SaaS solutions, you get a wide range of business software to suit your professional needs.
What are the advantages of a SaaS solution?
These software solutions are dematerialised, so they can be accessed easily via an internet connection. As explained further up in the SaaS definition section, the software solution is not installed on the end-user’s physical machine. It is hosted on remote servers, and users simply log in to the solution via a dashboard or API. This offers many benefits for both end-users and organisations. Companies of all sizes can benefit from a secure information system. Using SaaS cloud solutions for their management software offers the guarantee that their data is stored in a sovereign cloud, on resilient environments.
SaaS solutions offer many advantages.
Reduced up-front costs.
Since the software is not installed on the user’s machine, they don’t need to purchase licences.
Predictable recurring costs per user.
With a monthly subscription system, you can plan the budget to allocate to each licence — and easily anticipate the costs associated with using it. Your billing is transparent, and your budget is controlled. You only pay for the licences you use.
Scalability
Depending on your needs, you can subscribe to new licences. Adjust the number of users, without worrying about the additional workload that will be applied to the infrastructure hosting your solution. The software and hardware layer are maintained by your solution’s publisher.
Accessibility and mobility.
Since SaaS solutions are hosted in the cloud, they are accessible everywhere, and from every device. Users only need an internet connection to access the software from their browser.
Flexibility and agility.
Choose the software and services you need. You can simply adjust your solution to fit your usage, as required.
Quick deployment
Choose the solution that best suits your needs, from a catalogue of SaaS solutions (e.g. OVHcloud Marketplace).
Easy maintenance.
The software publisher maintains the software, and the cloud provider maintains the infrastructure supporting it. This means your users have access to the latest features and updates, without any action required from you.
Data security
CIOs no longer need to worry about data security and storage, since this responsibility is managed by the cloud service provider. The SaaS software hosted on our cloud complies with the very strictest data protection requirements. OVHcloud hosting solutions guarantee the highest level of security, and hold a number of certifications and qualifications.
SaaS solutions — what are they used for?
There is a wide range of solutions on the market to meet the needs of individuals and businesses alike. With cloud-based SaaS services, everyone can find the right solution for their project — and they cover the needs of almost all business sectors.
Here is an overview of the types of SaaS solutions available for freelancers and SMEs:
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions. These offer many features for managing an organisation’s operations — inventory, production, accounting management, and more.
- Les CRM (Customer Relationship Management). CRM tools enable you to centralise customer and company data, and get the very most out of it.
- Collaborative and corporate communication solutions. This includes agenda-sharing, conference systems, contact and presence management, corporate messaging, and project management. With collaborative software, your employees can keep working closely with one another — even remotely.
OVHcloud has its own marketplace — find solutions from our partner sellers! You do not need to manage updates, management or improvements. With our partner sellers, we take care of it. By choosing a solution available on the OVHcloud Marketplace, you get transparent pricing and a secure environment for your data.
What are the differences between IaaS, PaaS and SaaS?
The three most common types of cloud computing services on the market are SaaS, PaaS and IaaS.
With SaaS, you can access software hosted in the cloud. It is accessible via dashboards, and available through an internet connection — so you do not have to install a licence on your computer. The cloud provider maintains the infrastructure. You pay for your licences by subscription, and manage them according to your needs.
PaaS, or Platform as-a-Service, is a solution or application available on demand. Designed by and for developers, these tools enable them to create their application layers. Since the platform is managed and maintained by the provider, developers can focus on their code and data.
With IaaS, or Infrastructure as-a-Service, you can delegate the management of your infastructure’s hardware, resources, network and even storage to a cloud provider. OVHcloud offers three types of infrastructure as-a-service: Public Cloud, Hosted Private Cloud and a hybrid cloud solution.
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Limited ‘Public Cloud Free Trial’ special offer applicable to all first-time setup and use of a Public Cloud project. Both new and existing customers can request to use this special offer, provided that they have not already created a Public Cloud project in the past, whether it is still active or not. Special offer available from 30 June 2022, 23:00 BST. The voucher must be activated when the holder creates their first Public Cloud project. The voucher is only valid for the purchase of Public Cloud services provided by OVHcloud, purchased directly from OVHcloud via the website, in all available Public Cloud regions, excluding free offers and free beta testing services. This voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other current special offers applicable to the services concerned, including the ‘Public Cloud Free Trial’ special offer. The voucher applies to standard, non-discounted public rates (as published on the OVHcloud website). The voucher’s value is listed in the publicly displayed currency for the market/country to which the Public Cloud account with the voucher is attached, excluding taxes, and can only be used to order services in the same currency. The voucher is valid for the purchase of services usually available in the market to which the NIC handle used is linked. The voucher is assigned to a specific natural or legal person who already has an OVHcloud client account, and is linked to their OVHcloud NIC handle (unique ID). If the natural or legal person has several NICs, the voucher shall be attached to a single NIC. The voucher cannot then be linked to a different NIC handle, and only one voucher may be used. A single natural or legal person can only use one voucher, even if that person has several different NIC handles. In the event that the voucher is used by a NIC handle other than the NIC handle to which the voucher is attached, OVHcloud reserves the right to automatically cancel or terminate the services obtained as a result, without reissuing the voucher and without legal formality or compensation. The use of the voucher is subject to the full acceptance of these conditions, as well as the General and Special Terms and Conditions applicable to the services obtained. These terms and conditions can be viewed at: https://www.ovhcloud.com/en-gb/terms-and-conditions/contracts/. By way of exception, the amounts issued from this voucher do not form part of the base monthly fee for services used in terms of service levels (SLAs) and associated extra charges — i.e. if the voucher holder uses an amount less than or equal to the voucher for a given month, no penalty will be paid for a breach of an SLA in the course of the service, while if the voucher holder uses a higher amount, only the amounts paid above the voucher value will be taken into account in calculating extra charges. The voucher is non-exchangeable, non-refundable, and non-redeemable, even partially. It may not be given away, sold or transferred in any capacity whatsoever to a third party, either free of charge or for a fee (it may not be transferred between separate legal entities of the same group of companies). The voucher can only be used for one Public Cloud project, but can be used in one or more instalments on the project, and can be combined with another payment method if required, until the balance is used up or the voucher’s validity period ends. To use this voucher, the holder must have a valid payment method saved in their OVHcloud customer account. Once the voucher has been activated in the holder’s customer account, it is valid for a period of one (1) month, and is automatically deducted from the bills linked to the Public Cloud project for which the voucher has been activated. The voucher is not replaceable in the event of loss, theft, destruction, end of validity or fraudulent use. Furthermore, in the event of non-compliance with these conditions or of fraudulent use (including one person using multiple vouchers), OVHcloud reserves the right to terminate the subscribed services using the vouchers, and/or cancel the vouchers, and the holder will in all cases be liable to pay the full amounts to OVHcloud for the services used, including the voucher amount, without prejudice to any compensation that OVHcloud may claim. Within the limits of what is authorised by the laws in force, OVHcloud’s responsibility for this special offer is limited to the voucher amount. The vouchers will be created and delivered by the OVH Groupe SA Affiliate companies (537 407 926 RCS Lille Métropole, 2 rue Kellermann, 59100 Roubaix, France), depending on which OVHcloud Groupe company the holder orders the Public Cloud service from using the voucher (this entity is named here as “OVHcloud”). For the purposes of these conditions, “Affiliates” are any company controlled by OVH Groupe SA, that controls OVH Groupe SA, or with which OVH Groupe SA is jointly controlled by a third party. The concept of control is understood in Article L233-3 of the French Commercial Code, control may be direct or indirect. Furthermore, the “OVHcloud Groupe” is defined as OVH Groupe SA and all its Affiliates. French law applies to these conditions, and any dispute that is not resolved through an amicable solution will be subject to the jurisdiction of the French courts.