An explanation of software as a service (SaaS)

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In this video, TechTarget editor Jennifer English talks about software as a service -- or SaaS -- and the advantages and disadvantages it poses to organizations.

SaaS is a part of almost everyone's daily life.

Software as a service, or SaaS, is one of the three main categories of cloud computing -- and the most common with consumer-level products -- alongside infrastructure as a service and platform as a service.

Simply put, the "as a service" translates to "over the internet." So, SaaS is a third-party application available over the internet, with no physical connection to any one device.

Your email client is likely SaaS. Google Docs and Microsoft Office 365 are SaaS, providing productivity apps over the internet.

For businesses, there's SaaS for sales management, customer relationship management, financial management, human resource management, billing, collaboration -- really anything. SaaS applications are used by a range of IT professionals and business users, as well as C-level executives. Leading SaaS providers include Salesforce, Oracle, SAP, Intuit and Microsoft.

Because SaaS eliminates the expense of hardware, maintenance, licensing and installation, it can be cost-effective. SaaS offerings generally operate on a pay-as-you-go model, offering businesses flexibility.

SaaS also offers high scalability for any range of projects and needs; automatic updates, which reduces the burden on IT; and accessibility and persistence, since users can access SaaS content from any internet-connected device and location.

But a notable disadvantage is the fact that organizations must rely on outside vendors for the software and have little control. For instance, providers might experience service disruptions, impose unwanted service changes or fall victim to a security breach.

What was the first SaaS your company embraced? Salesforce? Office 365? Let us know in the comments below and please hit that like button.

Sabrina Polin is a managing editor of video content for the Learning Content team. She plans and develops video content for TechTarget's editorial YouTube channel, Eye on Tech. Previously, Sabrina was a reporter for the Products Content team.