|
Software-As-A-Service FAQ
1. What is Software-As-A-Service?
2. Can you summarize
the advantages of the Software-As-A-Service approach?
3. How does
SAAS compare to other ways of delivering software solutions?
4.
Does "On-Demand" and "Application Service Provider" mean
the same thing as SAAS?
5.
What are some of the leading applications based on SAAS?
6.
What are the system
requirements for typical SAAS applications?
7. Can I see a demo of some
of these applications?
If you have any other questions, please
contact us.
1. What is Software-As-A-Service?
Software-As-A-Service (or
SAAS) refers to computer based applications and services that
are provided via remote delivery to end users rather than as a
packaged product to be purchased and installed by the end user.
With SAAS, you access your
software-based services or applications using a web browser.
You pay for these services on a monthly per-user and/or per-service
subscription basis. The cost of the hardware and infrastructure
that hosts the software, the right to use the software, and all
maintenance and support services are included in the monthly subscription
fee.
This class of solution may
also be referred to as "Software-As-Services" or SaS.
(Click
here to return to top of page.)
2. Can you summarize the advantages
of the Software-As-A-Service approach?
Yes. Software-As-A-Service
applications provide a number of significant advantages.
1. Anytime, anywhere access – Running the applications
only requires access to a web browser and support software like
the free version of Acrobat Reader. (We use Intacct for
our own firm accounting and particularly like the freedom to access
our data, approve expense reports, approve checks, and perform
other tasks from locations other than our offices.
2. Subscription based – You pay for the applications
on a monthly subscription basis. There are no upfront software
purchase fees.
3. Cost effective – The applications do not require
large systems expenditures for servers, server installation, or
other hardware and software. You do not have to have hire
an IT staff (or an IT Service Provider) to perform the many tasks
associated with large in-house systems. The SAAS application
provider takes care of all system upgrades, maintenance, backup,
storage, and security.
4. Easy to maintain – There are no additional maintenance
costs and no maintenance upgrades for you to install.
The software is automatically upgraded as needed with no effort
on your part.
5. Automatic, off-site backups - We all know we should
backup our critical data, but, too often, we do not do backups
on a regular basis. Most SAAS applications perform
a backup every day and store the backup data in the secure, remote
datacenter.
6. Customizable – The software is highly customizable
so that each user has access only to the components which they
need.
7. Sharable – Data can be shared with staff and other
business partners. However, you control who has access to
what data.
8. Secure – The applications are hosted off-site
in limited access facilities - in the case of Intacct, these are
the same facilities used by Fortune 500 companies for their critical
applications. As previously mentioned, frequent (daily)
back-ups of your data are automatically performed at the off-site
facility. Many SAAS application vendors use the same
mission-critical security and privacy protections as those employed
in online banking - a level of security generally far beyond what
most small to medium businesses can afford to implement on their
own.
9. Faster deployment – Since there is no server setup
and limited Internet access and desktop computer setup, an SAAS
application can be up and running quickly. After initial
sign-up, WJH will configure your system so it is compatible with
the way your business functions today. We will setup users and
permissions, upload legacy data, and train your staff. And, anytime
you have a question our staff, as well as the SAAS supplier customer
support team, is standing by to help.
10. Easier, more available training – Web-based training
sessions are available along with the ability to communicate with
a support person as needed.
11. Faster innovation – The products are updated
more quickly so you get the benefit of the latest innovations.
For example, a typical desktop computer application may have a
major release once a year (or less) with several "updates" between
major releases. Each release requires the user to acquire
and install new software. SAAS applications can have releases
on a much more frequent basis (weekly is not unusual). The
release are performed at off-hours and require no action on the
part of the user. Because the releases are more frequent,
they are much smaller. This means they are easier to test
and are less likely to have bugs that get through the testing
system.
For more information about the a premier Software-As-A-Service
application see the WJH-AO Intacct FAQ.
(Click
here to return to top of page.)
3. How does
SAAS compare to other ways of delivering
software solutions?
The following table compares
conventional software applications that are purchased and installed
on your desktop or your local server with Software-As-Services
applications.
|
Traditional Approach
|
Software-As-A-Service Approach
|
|
You pay for the complete software package.
|
You pay only for the capabilities you use.
|
|
You pay the entire costs upfront when you acquire the application.
|
You pay the monthly subscription price.
|
|
You are responsible for installing and setting up the application.
|
The application is installed for you at the remote hosting
site. Setup is performed by the vendor or local support
team (like WJH).
|
|
You are responsible for backing up your data and the application
and for making sure that a copy of the backup is in a safe
offsite location.
|
The data and the application are automatically backed up
on a regular (at least daily) basis at the secure hosting
site.
|
|
Technical support is generally available only for an additional
payment to the vendor
|
Technical support is included in the subscription price.
|
|
You have to purchase and install any upgrades to insure
that the application is applicable to your current needs.
|
Upgrades are included in the subscription price and are
installed by the provider.
|
|
As your business grows you have to purchase and install
additional servers to support the growth.
|
Growth is handled automatically by the provider. You
only provide your additional staff and their browser based
desktop system.
|
(Click
here to return to top of page.)
4. Does "On Demand" and "Application
Service Provider" mean the same thing as SAAS?
SAAS
can be thought of as an improved version of the older Application
Service Provider (ASP) technology. One of the key improvements
is that newer infrastructure tools enable SAAS solutions to be
more closely tuned to the characteristics of Internet-based computing.
The result is better performance and service.
On Demand
is a phrase used by many companies (like IBM) to describe a set
of products and services. SAAS is a key tool in achieving
On Demand capabilities.
Potential
users of SAAS (or ASP or On Demand) need to realize that not all
of the services offered are created equally. As SAAS has
gained in popularity, a number of vendors have refurbished existing
desktop applications so that they can be delivered over the web.
While these vendors sometimes refer to the refurbished products
as SAAS, there is a significant difference between true SAAS products
that were designed as SAAS from the beginning and the refurbished
products. These differences particularly show up in areas
such as performance, security, and ease of updates.
(Click
here to return to top of page.)
5. What are some of the leading
applications based on SAAS?
At
WJH we believe the following applications are leading SAAS style
applications.
For accounting - Intacct
For Electronic Medical Records - Bizmatics
For system backups - iBackup
For easy to use financial reports - ProfitCents
For Customer Relationship Management - Salesforce.com and
SugarCRM
For tracking bugs and Cases - bug-track
(Click
here to return to top of page.)
6. What are the system requirements
for typical SAAS applications?
System
requirements vary somewhat, but the following table summarizes
typical requirements.
|
Disk Space
|
Minimum
of 15 megabytes for temporary storage for reports and other
functions (Large companies with larger accounting
files may require larger temporary space.)
|
|
Monitor Settings
|
Best
results are with the resolution set to at least 1024 x 768.
|
|
Internet Browser
|
Microsoft
Internet Explorer Version 5.0 or higher. Some SAAS
applications also support other browsers.
|
|
|
Many
of the applications use Adobe Acrobat Reader to display
reports. Generally, version 4.0 or higher works.
Click on the icon below to download the free Adobe Acrobat
Reader.
|
|
|
Most
applications recommend a minimum of DSL or cable modem access
for normal use of the application. Dial-up access
can often be used, but is not the best choice for heavy
use or large companies.
|
|
Optional Applications
|
Many
SAAS applications have the ability to export files and reports
into Microsoft Excel, Word, or Access formats. This
allows you to analyze the data, create custom reports, and
move the data to other applications. If you need these
capabilities, you will also need a to have the appropriate
Microsoft Office (or compatible) applications installed.
|
(Click
here to return to top of page.)
7. Can I see a demo of some of
these applications?
Yes.
For additional information about or to see a demonstration of
some the SAAS applications we use contact
us.
See
the WJH-AO Intacct FAQ for
information about a Test Drive of the Intacct application.
(Click here to return to top of page.)
|
