Software as a Service (SaaS) is a model of software distribution in which a third-party provider hosts content and makes it available for users over the internet. A good example would be Microsoft Office 365, which is a SaaS that provides SharePoint Online, Exchange Online, Lync Online, and Office Professional Plus as its services.
If SaaS is a method of software delivery, which allows this service to be accessed via any device that has an internet and an internet where software vendors host and maintain their services then these services can be anything from Amazon, Netflix, Youtube, Spotify to online casinos. Although the latter falls more into Business-to-Consumer SaaS (B2C SaaS), they still usually utilize Google Web services or Amazon Web services to operate.
For companies operating in broadcast, SaaS is the most compelling option. This way a company is able to enable users to access their content using only the internet without installing any specific software on their computers.
Some of the best examples of SaaS are BigCommerce, Google Apps, Salesforce, Dropbox, MailChimp, Slack, etc.
The Origin of SaaS
The idea of centralizing the hosting of business applications has been around since the 1960s, however, only in the 1990s was it able to truly evolve due to Application Service Providers (ASPs). ASP is a term used to describe a business model, where a third party company hosts an application for a first party. The application itself is not linked to the software provider, which means that it is a good solution for small to medium-sized businesses as they can acquire required software, technical support, and security via outsourcing this task to a third party company. However, the issue was that there was still a requirement to install some kind of software on the user’s computers.
SaaS is a descendant of the ASP model. With the major difference being that there is no need to install any software anymore as everything is handled via a browser over the internet (cloud services). Cloud computing allows businesses to utilize computing resources much like any other communal. You pay for the ability to process the information on a cloud-based service instead of installing and running it on your computer.
SaaS was popularized by Salesforce where customers have the ability to access provided software via Salesforce’s cloud services. A business perspective is that the customer pays a low amount of money as a subscription, however, this person or a company stays a customer for a much longer time, therefore generating much more revenue in a longer period of time.
SaaS vs ASP
The main difference between ASP and SaaS is the architecture. ASP model provides a separate installation for every user, while with SaaS the customer buys specific business functions like access to movies, music, and/or video games streaming platforms.
SaaS in the Online Casino Industry
SaaS is very often used by online casinos. This is due to the ability to utilize it to create a reliable slot variety, live dealer interactions, payment methods, and to optimize the efficiency of jackpot slot machines on different devices from personal computers to laptops, tablets, and smartphones as they may be buggy to run. It’s worth noting that some of these games can be demanding on the server-side.
Aside from the graphics, animations, transitions, and optimization of the software, the SaaS is also used for payment processing, withdrawals, customer service, and etc.
SaaS in the Entertainment Industry
What is the first thing that comes to mind when we mention the entertainment industry? Online streaming platforms. What is the newest fruit on the tree of entertainment? Cloud gaming.
Nvidia
Nvidia first announced its cloud gaming service in 2015. Even though this made headlines the company is not new to providing SaaS services with the GRID virtual platform ecosystem being the predecessor of the cloud gaming platform. Nvidia is also holding its spot as a data center for machine learning, HPC, and now cloud gaming.
In terms of gaming, there are two important factors – low latency and high FPS in which the company has no competitors.
DIscord
Gaming is always followed by VoIP software, like Discord, which at heart is a gaming solution. This is why, even though the same product, Slack and Discord are not in direct competition between each other. Slack is more of an enterprise solution rather than the gaming one.
Spotify
Spotify is also a very good example of SaaS. The company provides both a web-browser version and an application for PCs, smartphones, and tablets to give an ability to listen to any music from anywhere.
Conclusion
It is obvious that the entertainment industry has latched onto SaaS services and found a very good position where we are provided with a very good and comfortable service to use for a cheaper price over a longer period of time. The best case for the SaaS model for the entertainment industry is that if customers become dissatisfied with the current provider, they can just stop paying for it and move on to a different platform that offers better services. Due to the fact that the payment process is on-going the company feels obliged to constantly update and upgrade its services, therefore, providing the best value for the money.
