WTF is SaaS?
Buzzword WildernessSeason 1Episode 3May 28 2024BaaS and SaaS sound a lot alike, but in practice they're entirely different. In this episode, Matt breaks down the difference between these two similar terms and offers a high-level look at both.
Speaker 0: Hey there, and welcome back to another episode of Buzzword Wilderness. I'm Matt, navigating you through the forest that is Tech Terms. In this episode, we're breaking down 2 often confused terms in the Cloud world, which is BaaS and SaaS. This is not gonna be good for my list, but we're gonna try it anyways. So what is a BaaS?
A BaaS or Backend as a Service simplifies app and website development by managing a lot of the back end operations through cloud services. It allows developers to really concentrate and focus on the fun parts, which are the user facing parts, the UX of the UI of the website or app, the front end. Some of the services managed by BaaS providers include, like, databases, cloud storage, and server management. Some of the best functionality you'll find is is user authentication, data management, and push notifications, or or things like that. What is SaaS?
So SaaS is software as a service. It's essentially like renting out, software through the Internet. It's usually like a monthly fee for a SaaS tool or something along those lines. It's universally accessible from most any device, or it should be, with an Internet connection. Common use cases are email services, CRM systems, document creation tools, really any tool you find is probably a SaaS.
Major providers like Google Workspace, Sales Salesforce, Microsoft Office, those are comprehensive software solutions. There's a lot of smaller ones, though. BaaS versus SaaS. So why the distinction? While both SaaS and BaaS streamline cloud service processes, they cater to different needs.
So a BaaS is akin to delivering the ingredients and tools needed for developers to build applications. And a SaaS is a ready to consume software meal, handling all the back end, maintenance and updates. So if we're in this forest. Right? A BaaS is all of the tools and materials you need to build your own cabin, Whereas, SAS is one you find on Airbnb and you rent a fully equipped cabin.
Probably way more expensive in the long run, but it gives you everything you need much faster. So understanding BaaS and SaaS helps demystify class you know, how you're using software in your organization. This was a short but sweet episode. I look forward to seeing you again on the next episode. Appreciate your time.