Software as a service (SaaS) delivers applications to users over the internet instead of requiring each user to install and maintain the software locally. A browser-based application can serve businesses or consumers; the practical distinction matters less here than the shared delivery model. section 13.3
A SaaS product usually combines:
- A cloud backend using web servers, database servers, and other specialized servers. section 13.6
- A browser-based frontend built with web technologies. section 13.6
- Infrastructure capable of scaling when the product reaches millions of users. section 13.6
- A delivery process that lets the provider fix issues and release updates without customer action. section 13.6
GeoTrust and early SaaS
GeoTrust sold SSL security technology to companies acquiring website domains. The technology enabled the browser lock symbol and supported secure online transactions. Its earlier integrations also show the fragility of screen scraping: changes to a target webpage could break the application. section 13.3.1
SaaS changes hiring as well as delivery. Backend engineers need server and scalability expertise, while frontend engineers focus on browser interfaces and web technologies. Because customers do not install each release, the vendor retains responsibility for operating and improving the system. section 13.6
