Virtual + Web = Cloud (Software)

I can design a website that can integrate the visualization with web.

I am confused with software to be added from different OS.

Create an E-Commerce SaaS as a service using Ulteo and create your model of E-Commerce.(CO3)

Help other student with some innovative discussion/suggestions.(2 marks)

Suggestions for Faculty(1 mark)

Benefits of the SaaS model include:

• easier administration
• automatic updates and patch management
• compatibility: All users will have the same version of software.
• easier collaboration, for the same reason
• global accessibility.

Some of the advantages of SaaS can be:

High Adoption
SaaS applications are available from any computer or any device—any time, anywhere. 

Painless Upgrades 
Because the SaaS provider manages all updates and upgrades, there are no patches for customers to download or install.

Seamless Integration
SaaS vendors with true multitenant architectures can scale indefinitely to meet customer demand.

Discussion:

I can create different user groups and assign different software privelages to users.

Suggestion:

little confusion is there about how different permissions as well as privelages can be given to users and groups. And also how we can include more software to be distributed among users.

SaaS, or Software as a Service, describes any cloud service where consumers are able to access software applications over the internet. The applications are hosted on cloud and can be used for a wide range of tasks for both individuals and organisations In this web-based model, software vendors host and maintain the servers, databases and code that constitute an application. 

SaaS is also knows as software on demand, and is similar to renting software, instead of buying it.

Advantages of SaaS:

1. No additional hardware costs, as processing power to run applications will be supplied by cloud.
2. No initial setup cost, as applications will be ready to use as soon as the user subscribes.
3. Usage is scalable, depending on storage requirements of the user.
4. Automated updates for the software.
5. Cross device compatibility, i.e. for users using different devices like internet enabled tablets or computers.
6. Applications are accessible from any location, instead of being installed in a single device.
7. Applications can be customized with respect to organisations' requirements. They can be altered to suit the needs of a particular consumer brand.
8. No need to maintain software on the device.

Several Merits of SaaS are:

• Single sign-on:

  Remember just one user name and password to access all authorized SaaS applications.

• Comprehensive audit logs:

  Audit logging is critical for customers and is by many regulatory bodies. Most SaaS applications do not provide any audit logs of user activity. 

• Zero-day start/stop:

  One of the biggest concerns about using applications in the cloud is ensuring that accounts are de-provisioned in a timely manner when an employee leaves the organization.

Discussion:

SaaS applications are sometimes called Web-based software, on-demand software, or hosted software. Whatever the name, SaaS applications run on a SaaS provider’s servers. The provider manages access to the application, including security, availability, and performance.

SAAS: THE PAYOFF

SaaS customers have no hardware or software to buy, install, maintain, or update. Access to applications is easy: You just need an Internet connection.

SaaS Characteristics

A good way to understand the SaaS model is by thinking of a bank, which protects the privacy of each customer while providing service that is reliable and secure—on a massive scale. A bank’s customers all use the same financial systems and technology without worrying about anyone accessing their personal information without authorization.

A “bank” meets the key characteristics of the SaaS model:

MULTITENANT ARCHITECTURE

A multitenant architecture, in which all users and applications share a single, common infrastructure and code base that is centrally maintained. Because SaaS vendor clients are all on the same infrastructure and code base, vendors can innovate more quickly and save the valuable development time previously spent on maintaining numerous versions of outdated code.

EASY CUSTOMIZATION

The ability for each user to easily customize applications to fit their business processes without affecting the common infrastructure. Because of the way SaaS is architected, these customizations are unique to each company or user and are always preserved through upgrades. That means SaaS providers can make upgrades more often, with less customer risk and much lower adoption cost.

BETTER ACCESS

Improved access to data from any networked device while making it easier to manage privileges, monitor data use, and ensure everyone sees the same information at the same time.

SAAS HARNESSES THE CONSUMER WEB

Anyone familiar with Amazon.com or My Yahoo! will be familiar with the Web interface of typical SaaS applications. With the SaaS model, you can customize with point-and-click ease, making the weeks or months it takes to update traditional business software seem hopelessly old fashioned.

SAAS TRENDS

Organizations are now developing SaaS integration platforms (or SIPs) for building additional SaaS applications. The consulting firm Saugatuck Technology calls this the “third wave” in software adoption: when SaaS moves beyond standalone software functionality to become a platform for mission-critical applications.

Discussion:

I can create different user groups and assign different software privelages to users.

Suggestion:

Confusion about how different permissions as well as priveleges can be given to users and groups. And also how we can include more software to be distributed among users.

SaaS or Software as a Service, describes any cloud service where consumers are able to access software applications over the internet. 

The applications are hosted on cloud and can be used for a wide range of tasks for both individuals and organisations In this web-based model, software vendors host and maintain the servers, databases and code that constitute an application. 

SaaS is also knows as software on demand, and is similar to renting software, instead of buying it.

Advantages of SaaS:

• There are no setup costs with SaaS, as there often are with other applications
• SaaS is scalable with upgrades available on demand
• Access to Software as a Service is compatible across all internet enabled devices
• As long as there is an internet connection, applications are accessible from any location