Introduction:
New to SaaS? Are you still unclear about it? If you’re exploring the concepts, meaning, benefits & commonly used applications, you are at the right place.
Going flashback we realized, we had given up on visiting neighborhood hardware stores to get the newest software CDs. SaaS has created history by being a complete game changer.
Over the past two decades, the Software-as-a-Service business model has flourished greatly. The fastest-growing sector of the global economy is technology. And SaaS is among the most dynamic and promising sectors in technology. Let’s dig deeper into it.
What does SaaS stand for?
SaaS stands for Software as a Service. It is a software delivery model in which a software application is hosted by a third-party provider and made accessible to customers over the internet. Customers can have access to the software through a web browser & they don’t need to install or maintain the software on their computers. It is a type of cloud computing that allows the subscriber pay-as-you-basis rather than purchasing & maintaining the premises software.
{For example: We get Netflix subscriptions and watch movies or series. The same applies for SaaS as well. Here software access is available to consumers online (in web browsers), typically in exchange for a monthly subscription charge.}
This technology enables you to get access to the software regardless of any device, anytime. You no longer need to engage an IT specialist to download the software onto multiple computers.
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History till today: SaaS
The concept of SaaS has its roots in the mainframe computer era 1960’s & 1970’s. It was founded by Salesforce.com in 1999, which is frequently regarded as the first real SaaS company to provide a web-based CRM system.
Earlier SaaS was primarily based on CRM and other business software. However, with time, internet reliability & speed improved. The range of software available as service expanded to include other types of softwares as productivity tools & accounting softwares.
In recent years, the SaaS sector has experienced remarkable growth and innovation, and more businesses are now providing SaaS products. The Global SAAS Market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 25.89% from 2017 to 2028, reaching a value of USD 720.44 billion (2022 – 2028). With the advent of the 5G network offering better connectivity, it will be all the more prevalent in the coming years.
Benefits of SaaS application
SaaS is an appealing alternative to traditional installation because it forgoes the complex procedures involved in building the server, application installation, and configuration. It is located on a remote cloud network that may be accessed via the web or an API. It is advantageous in a variety of ways, as follows:
- Cost-effectiveness
SaaS applications are affordable compared to other traditional software, as users have to pay only for what they have used, and don’t have to pay for extensive infrastructure. It makes it easy for businesses to avoid the high cost of licensing. - Scalability
SaaS systems are simple to scale and can easily accommodate the business’s constantly changing needs. You don’t have to purchase new updates like traditional models, instead, you can opt for new SaaS offerings. - Accessibility
SaaS applications offer excellent accessibility. With the right internet connectivity, SaaS applications may be accessible from anywhere in the world, regardless of where you are. Users can operate effectively from any location, whether they are remote employees or who work at multiple sites. - Automatic Updates
Regular software upgrades and maintenance are often handled by SaaS providers. Users of the applications need not be concerned about frequent upgrades to the programmes. SaaS providers ensure that the users get access to the most up-to-date version of the software. - Flexibility
SaaS programmes offer more flexibility than traditional software as they can be tailored to the unique demands of the organization. - Integration
The integration of SaaS applications with other software or hardware is easy. SaaS solutions dwell in the cloud environment having integration with other SaaS offerings. - Security
SaaS application providers have more resources to invest in security compared to businesses, this makes SaaS applications absolutely secure.
Most commonly used SaaS applications
There are many examples of SaaS applications across a wide range of industries. The below-mentioned list contains the most commonly used SaaS applications.
1. SalesForce
A SalesForce CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform for sales, marketing and customer service teams. It is a gigantic SaaS application that aims to boost the sales of organizations by managing all the leads & prospects in one place.
It is an esteemed SaaS application with enormous numbers of users & customer base. Their elite sales paradigms attract many small and medium-sized businesses.
2. Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 is a productivity & collaboration suite suitable for businesses & enterprises. It includes popular apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook.
It is also the top software offered in a range of subscription options, and is designed to meet the needs of diverse market groups.
3. Zoom
Zoom is the most commonly used SaaS application. It is a platform for collaboration that enables users to set up online webinars, screen sharing, recording, and video/audio conferencing.
This SaaS platform was introduced during the pandemic and is now a part of our routine lives. This video communication company provides video conferencing using cloud-based computing.
4. Slack
Slack replaced conventional ways of communication like email. It effectively supports team collaboration by enabling real-time messaging, file sharing, and interaction with other apps and services.
Slack offers impeccable features that make communication faster, searchable and topics. It is engaging work-based communication popular amongst professional companies, teams & communities.
5. Dropbox
Users can store and share files and folders with others using Dropbox’s cloud storage & file sharing service. Dropbox enables users to create a free account, but to access more services and storage space, they must pay.
This SaaS application offers its users lower cost, scalability & integration, easy upgrades, and less time consumption so that businesses can focus on other core business functions.
6. Hubspot
Hubspot is a platform that aids businesses in managing a variety of operations, like inbound marketing and sales. It has tools for analytics, CRM, and marketing automation.
Moreover, itI offers specialized features like SugarCRM, salesforce.com, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite, CRM, and others. Apart from that it also has ias top-notch digital marketing resources.
7. Zendesk
Zendesk offers tools to create a customer service & support system that allows businesses to manage customer inquiries, create knowledge bases, and task performance.
It offers SaaS products related to customer management. It aids companies in providing quicker and better customer service.
8. Trello
Trello is the ultimate application that offers project management and task organization tools that allow users to create boards and cards to organize tasks & collaborate with team members.
It empowers your team to manage any type of project, workflow or task tracking. It is helpful for both small and large businesses.
9. Canva
This SaaS application has a huge number of users across the world. It is a graphic design platform and users of the tool can generate as well as edit visual content, including flyers, brochures, social media postings, and more.
Apart from that, canva is free for users. It also has paid subscriptions such as Canva Pro and Canva for businesses.
10. MailChimp
The leading SaaS application is MailChimp. It is an automation and email marketing solution that enables companies to manage contacts, track performance, create and send email campaigns.
This all-inclusive marketing platform aids in the management of firm marketing needs.
11) Shopify
The most popular eCommerce platform is Shopify. It offers eCommerce solutions that are simple to set up, including marketing, analytics, and connectivity with several different platforms and tools.
Shopify is a SaaS-based system; users don’t have to worry about internal architecture, server management, or infrastructure. The subscription plans depend on the size & market segments of the business.
12) Google Workspace
Google Workspace is a productivity & collaborative suite that includes tools like Gmail, google drive, docs & calendars. It makes it possible for all team members to communicate, create, work together, and improve productivity.
It is the most used SaaS application that simplifies & saves time for people and enterprises. It also offers the best features that make organizational work much easier.
13) QuickBooks
QuickBooks is the best cloud accounting tool for managing payroll, creating invoices, and tracking income and expenses. It is a well-liked SaaS option for small businesses because of its mobile capability and simplicity of integration.
As the company’s evolving needs grow, the software’s several support tiers can adapt to its changing needs.
14) Adobe
Millions of people use Abode worldwide. An all-in-one SaaS application where you can find creative, marketing, and document management space.
Adobe’s “Creative Cloud” is a suite of Saas (Software As A Service) packages that also allows for some cloud space storage. It provides tools for many different types of creative work, including graphic design, web design, audio editing, video editing, visual effects, and eLearning.
15) Netflix
Netflix is a SaaS company that sells software to watch licensed videos on demand. It is a subscription-based streaming support provider that offers online streaming of a library of movies, series & many more.
This SaaS business model has seen tremendous success in the past few years building over 182 million paid subscribers worldwide.
Final Thought
After listing all of these often-used SaaS applications, we conclude that SaaS is essential for scaling your business and other services due to its quick deployment, user-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, ready use, and decreased infrastructure costs. All these SaaS applications set an example & inspire you to process or develop your own SaaS applications. So, if you have got a project or are looking for a group of professionals who can make it possible, our team of SaaS development professionals will help you build cutting-edge SaaS apps to boost your business multifold.
