Business Dictionary
SaaS
Definition
Software as a Service; a software licensing and delivery model in which software is licensed on a subscription basis and is centrally hosted.
Deep Dive
Software as a Service (SaaS) is a software licensing and delivery model in which software is centrally hosted by a third-party provider and made available to customers over the internet on a subscription basis. Instead of purchasing and installing software on individual computers or servers, users access the application via a web browser, essentially "renting" the software as a service. This model has revolutionized how businesses and individuals consume technology.
Examples & Use Cases
- 1Salesforce, providing cloud-based CRM solutions to businesses globally.
- 2Microsoft 365, offering a suite of productivity applications like Word, Excel, and Outlook via subscription.
- 3Zoom, a video conferencing service used for meetings and webinars, accessible through a browser or app.
Related Terms
Cloud ComputingPaaS (Platform as a Service)IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)