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as a Service (SaaS), one of the three primary foundations
of cloud computing along with Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS), is essentially
a browser-based offsite application. SaaS is revolutionizing
the way IT departments manage their acquisition, licensing
and management of applications.
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Traditionally,
Enterprise Resource Planning, Customer Relationship Management and other
similar proprietary or tailor-made large-scale applications consumes a
huge part of an IT department’s resources. Features research, consultant
selection/management, product development, product deployment, user training
and application maintenance can cripple an organization’s IT department
and transform them into a one-trick pony.
In addition, new feature requirements, application flaws and real time user
level issues will continually confine the IT department into a reactive fire
fighting mode, stifling innovation and preventing an out of the box overview
of the firm’s computing vision, requirements and shortcomings. The
funding for this also precludes smaller firms from participating in a similar
exercise, thus denying them the opportunity to participate in a continuous
cycle of operational enhancements, which will consequently prevent their
clientele from reaping the benefits of their increased efficiency.
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SaaS enables organizations
and firms, irrespective of their size and industry, to participate
on an equal footing in parallel endeavors.
The on-demand, pay-as-you-go utility model eliminates the massive
funding barriers requirements at a single stroke. SaaS providers
design generic applications with highly configurable properties,
allowing instant deployment of the products. Infrastructural, intellectual,
support services and grunt work are all provided for offsite, enabling
firms to maximize their potential without the cost normally associated
with it. This will also redefine the future role of IT departments
in organizations, shifting from operational to resource management,
facilitating a leaner and more responsive unit. •
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