Is SaaS A Managed Service?

There are many options for SMBs to outsource their IT support needs to in the modern era. Without the overhead of maintenance and installation, an on-call staff, & software engineering, did manage IT services and SaaS allow you to handle detailed technological areas.

In addition, the expense of performing routine IT tasks and implementing specific apps is reduced by using these outsourced services. This article will compare and contrast managed IT assistance and software as a service, as well as discuss how each can benefit your company.

It wasn't too long ago that a company in need of software would simply place a phone call to the vendor, wait for a shipment of CDs and licence keys to arrive at its doorstep, install the software on its computers, and begin using it. But things have changed drastically because of the rise of cloud computing and the dynamic nature of modern business models. And let's be honest: it can be difficult to understand. This ambiguity is most glaring when attempting to distinguish between management services and SaaS. (SaaS).

Rapid advances in technology have reshaped the business and IT landscape in recent years. There is both positive and negative information for company owners who are not technically savvy and who are therefore finding it difficult to keep up with technological developments. Companies can avoid the hassle of figuring out which of two options to use by outsourcing. Managed services and the SaaS model are examples of this.

Companies of all sizes have been switching to these methods to avoid the high costs and administrative burdens of maintaining and updating their IT infrastructure and implementing pre-built software solutions. In terms of core components, these two companies outsource models couldn't be more dissimilar. This article will discuss the key distinctions between managed services and software as a service (SaaS), as well as offer advice on how to determine which business model is right for your company.

What Is Software-As-A-Service, And Why Does It Appeal To Businesses?

Simply put, if your company has ever subscribed to a cloud-based service, you've probably used software as a service (SaaS). Consider the ubiquitous Gmail. Technically speaking, Google's Gmail service qualifies as SaaS because it is cloud-based software that users may use from anywhere using an internet-connected device.

In a nutshell, software as a service describes any cloud-based solution that your business subscribes to and pays for. For example, Microsoft Office 365 is a SaaS because the company makes it available to businesses via the cloud & charges subscription fees according to the amount of users.

Top Reasons To Use A SaaS Model:

• Time to Implementation is Cut Down. Updating the software on an older PC might be a time-consuming process. Instead, with SaaS, users can get a service on the cloud right now, with little to no wait time.
• Save Money. The cost of implementing new software onto legacy systems is often overlooked by businesses. In contrast, cloud-based solutions don't have any of these fees, which means they're cheaper all around.
• Scalability. The cloud's scalability makes it ideal for businesses of all sizes. In the case of Office 365, for example, the price per user is significantly reduced when you purchase ten licences as opposed to one hundred.
• Very Simple To Employ. Most SaaS solutions are intuitive and easy to use, like a mobile app, which reduces the need for extensive training of workers. Intuitive and easy to understand, many services are.

SaaS Vs. Managed Services

In contrast, managed services are unique. SaaS gives businesses access to cloud-based software and all the advantages that comes with it, but managed services take this a step further. The majority of the time, they provide extra assistance by handling the necessary hardware and networking configurations.

A good example is security information and event management (SIEM) software. There is a possibility that a piece of SIEM software offered by its creator in the cloud is a SaaS. Unless an outside organisation takes over tasks like monitoring from internal IT personnel, we still can't call it a managed service. BitLyft's relationship with LogRhythm is an example of a completely security solution that includes not only SIEM software but additionally a specialised SOC staffed by highly-trained analysts to process security logs & events.

SaaS and managed services are opposite ends of the same spectrum, and customer relationship management technologies are a perfect illustration of this. SaaS customer relationship management is provided by companies like Salesforce. Salesforce provides cloud-based portals via which businesses can access their CRM resources, charging a charge based on the number active users (for instance, the number of customer reps at a real estate agency). It is only when customers outsource activities like talking with customers and analysing Crm to Salesforce that these services are considered managed services. SaaS is rapidly evolving into the a managed service that eliminates the need for human intervention.

In addition to software, managed services may also assist organisations with their hardware. Imagine, for example, that a company hires another company to be in charge of ensuring the safety of its internal computer network. In addition to providing services like event reporting & threat detection, this third-party company may also help businesses with things like hardware upgrades and enhancements. A managed security service might suggest a corporation replace its outdated servers with cloud-based services. Since managed services cover a wider range of bases than SaaS, they can serve as a catalyst for an organisation's larger IT strategy shift.

The Difference Between Managed Services And SaaS

Businesses of all sizes can benefit from the expertise of a third-party vendor that specialises in managed IT services. When a company contracts with a managed service provider, it is that company's duty to keep the client's IT systems running smoothly. Regardless of the specifics, managed services in their various forms always involve the outsourcing of IT administration responsibilities typically held by the client.

Software as a service, along with service-based infrastructure and service as a platform, is a type of cloud computing. In the SaaS model, a third-party provider hosts, maintains, and upgrades customer-facing programmes that are made available via the Internet. Each business that has ever employed cloud-based software has used SaaS.

Businesses who have a firm commitment to staffing their IT infrastructure yet require outsourced applications to provide cutting edge services and advance to the next level may find the application as a service model to their liking. To sum up, firms with an established IT infrastructure will benefit the most from adopting SaaS. Managed IT service providers, on the other hand, work in tandem with their clients to supply them with both IT know-how and an existing IT backbone. Also, there are remote IT providers who take charge of and responsibility for all of their clients' IT operations, freeing up their clients to concentrate on more crucial business tasks.

The Cost Of Managed Services Vs. SaaS

The SaaS model is popular among businesses because it is more cost-effective than more conventional software deployment methods. It allows companies to easily scale up or down, incorporate cutting-edge technologies, and avoid costly procedures. But managed IT services come at a higher price. Managed services are expensive, but they provide significantly more complete operations and solutions than traditional techniques. Better software efficiency can be achieved with the help of managed service providers that can assist with integration, maintenance, and upgrades.

Managed IT services or software as a service can be purchased using a variety of pricing structures. Let's begin with the most common price structures for managed services in the corporate world. They include the following: Tiered pricing based on the number of users or the number of devices being monitored.

• In most cases, a per-user pricing plan will impose a set monthly fee on all of the customers that utilise the service. It is an easy-to-understand pricing structure that includes IT assistance for all user devices.
• Per-device pricing is another method for determining the cost of remote IT support. This results in a single, all-inclusive fee for all devices. With a simple per-device price structure, for instance, a monthly flat charge of $99 per network security system, $29 every network printer, $299 each server, & $69 per desktop may be assigned. Using this pricing scheme, it's easy to provide clients with a rough approximation of the whole price tag.
• Managed services can also be used on a "monitor only" pricing basis. Managed service providers' sole responsibility is to keep tabs on their clients' networks and notify them of any problems. Monitoring reveals issues, and customers are charged to fix them.
• Finally, a tiered pricing structure is among the most widely used pricing schemes. In this business strategy, IT services are sold as bundles. The cost to the company rises as more services are used. With this choice, you get the most adaptable pricing plan for IT services delivered remotely.

Flat rate, usage based, tiered, per user pricing models are some of the most common ones for the SaaS offering to companies.

• With SaaS, a flat rate is the simplest pricing plan. There is just one price, one product, and one set of features offered by SaaS companies. In many ways, this monthly fee structure is not dissimilar from the traditional software licencing model that existed before the advent of cloud computing.
• Pay as you go is another name for the usage-based pricing approach. How much users of software as a service (SaaS) pay is the subject of this pricing tier. If a company uses more of the item, the bill goes up, whereas if they use less, the bill goes down.
• The use of price tiers is another feasible strategy. This paves the way for flexible pricing models that include many bundle options.
• Finally, the most popular method of charging for SaaS is based on the number of users. The fact that it requires no explanation or complexity explains why it has gained such widespread acceptance. There is a set monthly fee for a single user, and the price increases exponentially as more people sign up.

Services Provided By Managed Services Vs. SaaS

Remote management and oversight of servers, PCs, and mobile devices are the most popular types of remote IT services. For starters, managed service companies typically offer remote monitoring and management. On the other hand, a variety of additional options are available. As organisations require IT security protection from their distant service providers, managed security services are a common choice. As a result, the service industry has been establishing new procedures to ensure the safety of customer data. In addition, they have formed alliances with outside companies that focus on providing cybersecurity solutions.

With the development of cloud computing, remote IT solutions have also advanced to include cloud service delivery. That is to say, it has the potential to provide the cloud computing service known as software as a service.

SaaS, on the other hand, provides two distinct service models: hosted application administration and software on-demand. A provider in a hosted application support model stores and distributes the customer's software over the Internet to authorised users. Software as a service (SaaS) is a business model in which a software developer licences one copy of their product to multiple users over the Internet. All users are working off of the same copy of the software's source code. New features and capabilities are made available to all users in a rollout.

Sales management, managing client relationships, email, personal finance, billing, and collaboration are just some of the fundamental business operations and processes that have dedicated SaaS apps.

Security Of Managed Services Vs. SaaS

Investments of any kind in a business always come with some degree of danger. The confidence that comes from knowing your business is secure online is invaluable.

When it comes to protecting sensitive company data, remote IT services have a number of advantages. Constant monitoring equipment and also the generation of informative data about the system's status are two examples of these advantages. Having a constant view of the network's operations is possible thanks to the provision of compliance help, risk assessment, and correlation analysis.

Customers using SaaS, on the opposite hand, have less say over their data because it is stored remotely. Despite the convenience of being able to utilise SaaS applications from any Internet-connected device, customers should carefully examine the application's security measures before subscribing, especially if the software is hosted in the public cloud.

Stability And Predictability Of Managed Services Vs. SaaS

Managed IT services' reliability is one of their most attractive features. In contrast to the traditional "break/fix" model, where an IT specialist is only available for the duration of the issue, managed IT providers are available around the clock to avoid any problems in the first place.

Yet, data portability may be an issue with the SaaS model. The situation has the potential to become chaotic and unexpected. If the SaaS companies fail, what will happen to the data that businesses have saved in the cloud? One of the unfortunate realities of choosing a SaaS solution is that your company may be exposed to this kind of vulnerability.

Scalability Of Managed Services Vs. SaaS

As they develop, businesses' requirements inevitably evolve. Business solutions often require updates or replacements after they've been implemented. Adaptability and scalability are critical qualities for any firm utilising several IT technologies.

With remote IT services from a managed service provider, a growing business does not need to worry about adjusting its strategy as it expands. They can aid with routine IT problems, network and system monitoring, and strategic planning for the company's technological future.

The cloud infrastructures that host SaaS products are typically extensible, allowing them to work in tandem with other SaaS solutions. SaaS eliminates the need for consumers to invest in additional servers or software compared to more conventional setups. SaaS applications are flexible since the delivery methodology can be selected by the user and modified as the business's needs evolve. Turning on new features, integrating with other systems, and signing up new customers for an app are all simplified using SaaS.

Updates And Upgrades In Managed Services Vs. SaaS

Upgrades to the system's core components are among the most fundamental managed IT services provided. This include doing maintenance and upgrades on server and desktop applications. Updates for all contracted computers are performed automatically at predetermined intervals. The length of time required to verify updates and install fixes is not a concern for the businesses who use these services. Whenever you use managed IT services, updates and upgrades are applied mechanically.

In the SaaS model, the service provider is also responsible for performing any necessary upgrades. The SaaS vendor guarantees that its business partners are using the most recent release of the programme. This is achieved without requiring any further customisation or re-implementation of the existing functionalities. A subscription to a SaaS service often involves regular, automated upgrades is part of the service level agreement between the supplier and the company using the service.

Availability And Accessibility Of Managed Services Vs. SaaS

Whenever, day or night, assistance may be obtained with the correct managed IT service company. Weekends, holidays, and the middle of the night are included in this. When a company has access to this kind of IT help, they can count on having the same high level of productivity that they always have, no matter what time of day it is.

Yet, the SaaS approach is accessible from anywhere so long as there is an Internet connection. As opposed to licenced software, which may only be used on a restricted amount of gadgets and cannot be accessed from outside the country, this is accessible from any computer, regardless of where it is physically located. The convenience of SaaS is not limited to its portability because of its location. The flexibility and freedom that come from the SaaS model's compatibility with a wide range of devices cannot be overstated.

SaaS applications are typically more affordable than managed service applications, but consumers are willing to pay more for the individualised care, technical support, hassle-free upgrades, and adaptability that MSPs provide.

Think about how important the software is to your business before deciding between models.

Moreover, he says, a SaaS is suitable for use in cases when an application is crucial to the firm but does not require significant differentiation from apps used by competitors. CRM software like Salesforce is such example.

Bois recommends using an MSP for hands-on support in the company's departments that require bespoke software or software which is tightly connected with other areas.

He explains that there is a spectrum of options to consider while making such choices. "Do we want to own every bit of software?" should be a question that is asked across the board in any firm.

SaaS can be a fantastic remedy, but it just addresses software issues, and it might not even help if you need extensive adjustments. Instead of simply handling the logistics of your software, a managed hosting plan does so much more. In addition, managed services can handle all of your networking and hardware requirements (including liaising with various vendors on your behalf). Yet, they may also incorporate not only backups, but also troubleshooting and repairs. Get in touch with us for further information on this premium service.

Conclusion

This article compares and contrasts managed IT assistance and software as a service (SaaS). It is important to understand the key distinctions between managed services and SaaS, as well as offer advice on how to determine which business model is right for your company. SaaS is cloud-based software that users may use from anywhere using an internet-connected device. Companies of all sizes have been switching to these methods to avoid the high costs and administrative burdens of maintaining and updating their IT infrastructure and implementing pre-built software solutions. Software as a service (SaaS) is a cloud-based solution that provides businesses with access to cloud-based software and all the advantages that come with it.

It is popular due to its time to implementation, cost savings, scalability, and simplicity. SaaS solutions are intuitive and easy to use, making them ideal for businesses of all sizes. Managed services are unique, providing extra assistance by handling hardware and networking configurations. SaaS and managed services are opposite ends of the same spectrum, with SaaS providing customer relationship management services and managed services providing hardware upgrades and enhancements. Managed services cover a wider range of bases than SaaS, and can serve as a catalyst for an organisation's larger IT strategy shift.

SaaS is a type of cloud computing, where a third-party provider hosts, maintains, and upgrades customer-facing programmes that are made available via the Internet. Businesses with an established IT infrastructure may benefit the most from adopting SaaS. Managed IT service providers work in tandem with their clients to supply them with both IT know-how and an existing IT backbone, and remote IT providers take charge of and responsibility for all of their clients' IT operations. Managed services are expensive, but provide significantly more complete operations and solutions than traditional techniques. Pricing structures include tiered pricing based on the number of users or the number of devices being monitored.

Per-user pricing is an easy-to-understand pricing structure that includes IT assistance for all user devices, while per-device pricing is another method for determining the cost of remote IT support. Flexible pricing models include flat rate, usage based, tiered, per user pricing, and pay as you go. The most popular method of charging for SaaS is based on the number of users, which requires no explanation or complexity. Remote management and oversight of servers, PCs, and mobile devices are the most popular types of remote IT services. Managed service companies typically offer remote monitoring and management, while SaaS provides two distinct service models: hosted application administration and software on-demand.

Remote IT services have a number of advantages, such as constant monitoring equipment and the generation of informative data about the system's status. Customers using SaaS have less say over their data because it is stored remotely, and customers should carefully examine the application's security measures before subscribing. Managed IT services' reliability is one of their most attractive features, as they are available around the clock to avoid any problems. However, data portability may be an issue with the SaaS model, as businesses may be exposed to this kind of vulnerability. Adaptability and scalability are critical qualities for any firm utilising several IT technologies, and remote IT services from a managed service provider can aid with routine IT problems, network and system monitoring, and strategic planning for the company's technological future.

Updates and upgrades to the system's core components are among the most fundamental managed IT services provided, and are performed automatically at predetermined intervals. The length of time required to verify updates and install fixes is not a concern for businesses who use these services. The SaaS model of providing managed IT services is more convenient and accessible than managed services, as it requires no customisation or re-implementation of existing functionalities. It is also accessible from anywhere so long as there is an Internet connection, unlike licenced software which may only be used on a restricted amount of gadgets and cannot be accessed from outside the country. SaaS applications are typically more affordable than managed service applications, but consumers are willing to pay more for the individualised care, technical support, hassle-free upgrades, and adaptability that MSPs provide.

Bois recommends using an MSP for hands-on support in departments that require bespoke software or software which is tightly connected with other areas. SaaS can be a fantastic remedy, but it just addresses software issues, and a managed hosting plan does so much more.

Content Summary

• There are many options for SMBs to outsource their IT support needs to in the modern era.
• This article will compare and contrast managed IT assistance and software as a service, as well as discuss how each can benefit your company.
• But things have changed drastically because of the rise of cloud computing and the dynamic nature of modern business models.
• This article will discuss the key distinctions between managed services and software as a service (SaaS), as well as offer advice on how to determine which business model is right for your company.
• In a nutshell, software as a service describes any cloud-based solution that your business subscribes to and pays for.
• Intuitive and easy to understand, many services are.
• Managed ServicesIn contrast, managed services are unique.
• SaaS gives businesses access to cloud-based software and all the advantages that comes with it, but managed services take this a step further.
• SaaS and managed services are opposite ends of the same spectrum, and customer relationship management technologies are a perfect illustration of this.
• SaaS customer relationship management is provided by companies like Salesforce.
• In addition to software, managed services may also assist organisations with their hardware.
• Businesses of all sizes can benefit from the expertise of a third-party vendor that specialises in managed IT services.
• When a company contracts with a managed service provider, it is that company's duty to keep the client's IT systems running smoothly.
• To sum up, firms with an established IT infrastructure will benefit the most from adopting SaaS. Managed IT service providers, on the other hand, work in tandem with their clients to supply them with both IT know-how and an existing IT backbone.
• The SaaS model is popular among businesses because it is more cost-effective than more conventional software deployment methods.
• But managed IT services come at a higher price.
• Managed IT services or software as a service can be purchased using a variety of pricing structures.
• Let's begin with the most common price structures for managed services in the corporate world.
• In most cases, a per-user pricing plan will impose a set monthly fee on all of the customers that utilise the service.
• Per-device pricing is another method for determining the cost of remote IT support.
• Flat rate, usage based, tiered, per user pricing models are some of the most common ones for the SaaS offering to companies.
• With SaaS, a flat rate is the simplest pricing plan.
• Remote management and oversight of servers, PCs, and mobile devices are the most popular types of remote IT services.
• For starters, managed service companies typically offer remote monitoring and management.
• When it comes to protecting sensitive company data, remote IT services have a number of advantages.
• Managed IT services' reliability is one of their most attractive features.
• Yet, data portability may be an issue with the SaaS model.
• With remote IT services from a managed service provider, a growing business does not need to worry about adjusting its strategy as it expands.
• Whenever you use managed IT services, updates and upgrades are applied mechanically.
• In the SaaS model, the service provider is also responsible for performing any necessary upgrades.
• A subscription to a SaaS service often involves regular, automated upgrades is part of the service level agreement between the supplier and the company using the service.
• Whenever, day or night, assistance may be obtained with the correct managed IT service company.
• Yet, the SaaS approach is accessible from anywhere so long as there is an Internet connection.
• The convenience of SaaS is not limited to its portability because of its location.
• Think about how important the software is to your business before deciding between models.
• Bois recommends using an MSP for hands-on support in the company's departments that require bespoke software or software which is tightly connected with other areas.
• Instead of simply handling the logistics of your software, a managed hosting plan does so much more.