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SaaS application development services and cloud services are two of the most popular modern-day technologies. Often used for one another, both terms are different but have many things in common. This blog post will help you understand the relationship between SaaS applications and Cloud services.
Cloud services and SaaS app development are two terms that confuse many people. Some think they’re the same and use them interchangeably, while others think they’re different but don’t know why. The confusion grows even more when you see terms like cloud-based application development, Saas, IaaS, PaaS, etc.
If you’re someone perplexed by this lack of clarity, then let us spoil the beans for you. Cloud computing and SaaS development process are not the same things. However, they have many similarities, and their line is blurred. This blog post will help you get a clear view of this line by understanding both concepts and their customer relationship management.
Let’s get started!
Cloud services is exactly what it sounds like. It is the availability of computer resources on demand, such as storage, databases and analytics. Before cloud computing, users had to install system resources locally before cloud services was available. Moreover, users were responsible for maintaining the environment and installing the system.
On the other hand, Cloud computing allows users to access all these services through the provision of data centers over the Internet to them. Cloud computing does not require local installation. Instead, the cloud service provider performs the management of the servers. This approach to computing greatly improves the efficiency and ease of software applications, data storage and other system resources.
Cloud-based software allows you to access it anywhere and anytime via the Internet. All you need is an internet connection and log into the system using a web browser. You can use a phone, a computer or a desktop computer.
The demand for cloud computing is rising worldwide as the global cloud computing market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.3% over the next five years. It is expected to reach the market size of USD 947.3 trillion by 2026.
Not all cloud computing is the same. Cloud services can be deployed in three ways: public, private, or hybrid. Let’s see each one in a bit more detail.
Public Cloud: Owned and managed by third-party cloud providers, these providers deliver computing resources over the Internet, such as storage and servers, to their customers. A prime example of a publicly available cloud is Microsoft Azure. A public cloud means that all hardware, software, and supporting infrastructure is owned and managed entirely by the cloud provider. Users can access and manage these services via a web browser.
Private Cloud: These are cloud computing resources only used by one business or organization. Private clouds can be located at the company’s data center. Many companies even pay third-party service providers to host the private cloud. In simple words, private clouds are those in which services and infrastructure are hosted on a private network.
Hybrid Cloud: This type of cloud combines private and public clouds, allowing data and applications to be moved between public and private clouds. They are linked by technology that facilitates data to be shared and applications to be exchanged between them. Hybrid clouds pave the way for more flexibility and deployment options for your saas business model.
IaaS (infrastructure as a service) |
PaaS (platform as a service) |
SaaS (software as a service) |
It is a cloud service in which a vendor gives users access to computing resources like storage, networking, servers, and other computing resources. |
PaaS allows users to develop, manage and deliver their applications in a cloud environment. |
Software as a Service is a way to deliver software applications via the Internet on-demand and often on a subscription basis. |
Instead of buying hardware upfront, users can pay for IaaS as they need it. The processing and storage requirements of the infrastructure can be adapted to make it scalable. |
Users can use prebuilt tools to create, customize, test, and store their applications. This allows organizations to concentrate on their development and not worry about the infrastructure. |
SaaS vendors offer software and apps to users using a subscription-based model. SaaS providers take care of the software installation and maintenance for users. |
They’re primarily used by and intended for network architects. The infrastructure allows cloud based application development. |
If you’re a developer or a SaaS application development company, you can use PaaS applications to build software and applications on the cloud. |
A typical SaaS application is developed by a SaaS software development company and used by end-users through the cloud. |
Popular examples of IaaS are DigitalOcean, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco Metapod, Microsoft Azure, Google Compute Engine (GCE), etc. |
AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Heroku, Force.com, Google App Engine, Apache Stratos, OpenShift, etc., are the most widely used PaaS platforms. |
Some of the most popular SaaS applications are Google Workspace, Netflix, Spotify, Dropbox, Quickbooks, Salesforce, Zoom, etc. |
So, are cloud computing and SaaS the same? As we can understand from the above discussion, the answer to this question is a ‘No.’ SaaS is a subset or sub-service of cloud computing as cloud based application development makes it possible to run many SaaS applications.
Thus, not all cloud applications can be considered in SaaS market, but a vast majority of SaaS apps can be termed as ‘cloud applications.’ Cloud computing provides the necessary computing power and infrastructure to run SaaS applications.
SaaS in cloud computing works on the principle of subscription as users need to subscribe to SaaS software available on the cloud. This eliminates the need to buy and install the application on their computer or device. They can access the SaaS apps via the Internet using their login credentials. restricts access to those who have purchased a valid subscription.
Many people use cloud computing and SaaS interchangeably, but there’s no reason to do so. Cloud computing is an umbrella term that encompasses IaaS, PaaS and SaaS. When you’re using a SaaS application, you’re essentially using it because the power of cloud computing backs it.
To understand the relationship between both in a simple way, we can use an analogy in which cloud computing represents electricity that powers the SaaS industry.
CitrusBug is a leading SaaS development company backed by years of experience and expertise. We pride ourselves on our capabilities to develop customized SaaS applications that help you overcome your business challenges. We’d suggest you start with a 15-day Risk-Free Trial to experience what our world-class SaaS developers can do.