SaaS changes the way companies access applications
What is SaaS? Software as a service allows users to deploy hosted software direct to a web browser. SaaS is a software delivery method that provides access to software and its functions remotely as a web-based service.
According to ComputerWeekly.com the range of applications and services available over public and private networks has mushroomed as networks have grown more robust and reliable. Some of the biggest growth areas of SaaS include e-mail, web mail and web conferencing. Applications such as Google Apps have demonstrated that highly interactive applications such as wordprocessors and spreadsheets can be delivered through SaaS.
Craig Roth, vice-president and service director at Burton Group states "Web conferencing is the most common SaaS in enterprise use, which is not surprising since it was historically rooted in a SaaS model and involves less information security risk and integration." One area where SaaS has taken a lead is web conferencing services such as iLinc MeetingLinc (part of Qualcomm), Web Ex MeetMeNow (part of Cisco), Microsoft Live Meeting and Citrix Online GoToMeeting.
iLinc has demonstrated customer success with more than 750,000 active host accounts worldwide and growing. Millions and millions of hours of online web conferencing have been delivered. Loyal customers come from a variety of industries including health and insurance; government; financial; education and technology. iLinc is well positioned as a leading hosted web conferencing provider in an expanding market.
The simple reason that software-as-a-service tops industry trends is customer value. SaaS offers significant customer benefits including lower costs aligned with usage, minimal upfront expense, rapid implementation and reduced risk. Predictions are that 2008 will be the year of SaaS. Cisco and Google along with industry market makers IBM and Microsoft will move major parts of their offerings online as SaaS.
Author:
Sharon Stewart , freelance writer and telecommunications analyst. http://onlinemeetingcomparison.com