Tedmac's Word for the Day: SaaS

SaaS or Software as a Service is basically a form of Cloud Computing. In this scenario, the software applications, which is mostly business applications, are being run over the internet (the cloud) using an ordinary internet browser.

In a usual setup, all of our software applications (for example word processors, spreadsheets) are first to be installed with in our computer (hard disk) before we can run it. In the setup of SaaS, there is no need for us to install the program in our hard disk, just go to the website of the application service provider (ASP), and from there, you run the application.

There are providers that are offering free SaaS but there are also pay-per-use basis, meaning, just like with your electricity, you pay for the what you have consumed. One noted advantage of SaaS is that there is no need for the end-user to buy the license of the software. Everything is the problem of the the application service provider.