Glossary
Software as a Service (SaaS)
What is SaaS?
SaaS stands for Software as a service. It is a software distribution model where a cloud provider hosts the application and makes it available to customers over the internet.
What are the key characteristics of SaaS?
- The software application is hosted on the cloud provider’s servers, rather than being installed on the customer’s own servers or devices.
- Customers subscribe to the SaaS application and pay a recurring fee, usually monthly or annually, to access and use the software. There is no upfront cost for purchasing the software.
- Customers access the SaaS application through a web browser or a dedicated mobile app, rather than installing software locally.
Why is SaaS important in pharma?
SaaS (Software as a Service) is important in the pharmaceutical industry for several key reasons:
- Pharmaceutical companies can access enterprise-level software applications by paying a recurring subscription fee, which can lead to significant cost savings compared to on-premises software deployments.
- SaaS applications can easily scale up or down based on the changing needs of pharmaceutical companies, without requiring additional hardware or software installations. This allows organizations to quickly adapt to fluctuations in business demands.
- SaaS applications are web-based and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. This enables pharmaceutical employees to access critical software and data from anywhere, improving productivity and collaboration.
- Pharmaceutical companies always have access to the latest version of the software without the need for manual updates, ensuring they benefit from the latest features and security patches.
