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Software as a service (SaaS) or cloud computing is a way of delivering applications
over the Internet, as a service. Instead of installing and maintaining software,
you simply access it via the Internet, freeing yourself from complex software and
hardware management. SaaS applications are sometimes called Web-based software,
on-demand software, hosted software or software in the cloud. Whatever the name,
SaaS applications run on a SaaS provider’s servers. The provider manages access
to the application, including security, availability, and performance.
An excellent example of software that utilises the SaaS model is internet banking
offered by banks. Internet banking protects the privacy of each customer while providing
an online service that is reliable and secure, on a massive scale. Customers are
able to add beneficiaries, draw statements and pay accounts using the same financial
systems and technology without worrying about anyone accessing their personal information
without authorisation.
As a SaaS provider, PaySpace owns and maintains all of our own hardware and software
which means PaySpace costs less, because you don’t need to pay for all the people,
products, and facilities to run our software. PaySpace is more scalable, more secure,
and more reliable than most on-premise applications. Plus, upgrades are taken care
of for you, so you get security and performance enhancements and new features -
automatically and free of charge.
PaySpace is powered by a multi-tenant architecture, in which all users and applications
share a single, common infrastructure and code base but is logically unique for
each customer.
The advantage of using a multi-tenant architecture translates to significant benefits
for our customers, including:
- Scalability - A multi-tenant infrastructure makes it easy to increase
computing capacity when more horsepower is required. When adding new hardware to
the platform, the total capacity of the entire environment increases, becoming more
scalable for not just a single customer, but for our entire client base. Scaling
a well-architectured multi-tenant SaaS platform is, in many cases, a matter of simply
plugging more hardware into the different elements contained within the technology
stack and this cost is shared among thousands of customers.
- Performance - The nature of a multi-tenant architecture makes
it easier (as compared to a single tenant environment) to maximize the performance
of the different elements in the technology stack, so optimum speed and reliability
can be ensured at all times. For example, with multi-tenant architecture the provider
can more precisely assess such factors as utilization, speed, and response times
across the platform, and more efficiently fine tune our technology stack whenever
needed.
- Service - Having to monitor and administer just one platform (instead
of managing different sets of technology stacks for each client), a multi-tenant
SaaS provider can deliver more efficient and effective service and support, including
troubleshooting and problem resolution.
- Upgrades - Upgrading the software version or elements in the technology
stack (such as databases, servers, and the operating system) is easier since there
is a single, centralized place to go to make adjustments, install patches, etc.
- Accountability - SaaS service provider's have a more vested interest
in making sure everything runs smoothly and it helps the service provider apply
lessons learned into the operating procedures and improve the service quality. Think
about it this way, in a single-tenant environment, if a server goes down, only one
client is impacted. But, in a multi-tenant architecture, each and every customer
will be affected by even the slightest technology glitch. Therefore, providers must
take extra measures to ensure uptime, continuity, and performance and constantly
deliver improvement opportunities to their business.
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