SaaS or Software-as-a-Service is a term that IT personnel and people working in enterprises will recognise. This type of software runs on a server and remotely delivers the interface to users so there is no need to install the software on the computer. This pretty much matches the definition of a web application because all web applications are considered SaaS. One perfect example of a SaaS is the search engines that you have been using since the early days of consumer Internet. Nowadays, SaaS is getting more of the spotlight because the technology is finally mature enough for talented developers to quickly make online web applications.

If you are wondering what exactly a Software-as-a-Service is used for, take a look at Google's Chrome OS. While Chrome OS hasn't really gotten anywhere near to widespread adoption. Google has managed to demonstrate SaaS at its finest and explain how SaaS is related to cloud computing which also happens to be gaining attention lately.

Unlike other operating systems, Google Chrome OS relies purely on web applications. This means that the system running Chrome OS does not need to have a very large hard disk. Only the framework of the operating system consumes space. All of the applications are run on Google's servers. Thanks to their Google Accounts system, people can use these applications once they are connected to the Internet. Any files that are made using these applications are saved on their accounts as well.

This highlights the main use of SaaS, which is to allow easy access to applications regardless of device. Since files are saved on the cloud, other devices that have Internet connections like smartphones and tablets can access the data. All you need is a web browser to run these applications so you do not have to worry about compatibility or installation issues.

On the business side of things, SaaS eliminates the need to deploy an application to all of the computers in the corporate network. All that is required is a powerful server that is able to serve multiple applications across a large network. The specs of the machines no longer matter because the SaaS fully relies on the server's resources and the speed of the Internet connection. SaaS becomes even more useful when it is necessary to push software updates to a large number of computers. This process is actually not even necessary since a single update to the server's software means that all computers have access to the latest version.

The only catch is that the computer must remain connected to the server. If that server shuts down, the computers that depend on the SaaS won't be able to carry out the tasks. This isn't a problem for big businesses because they are properly equipped with good IT infrastructure that should keep computers connected to the server at all times.

On the consumer end, an Internet connection is required for the SaaS to perform the tasks. This makes Google Chrome OS useless without an Internet connection since there are no applications installed on the computer itself.

Once Internet access is more affordable and faster, SaaS may very well be the future of applications in general.