Microsoft's move to SaaS 'reflects web hosting advantages'

Software as a service (SaaS) is becoming an increasingly popular option for businesses, as shown by Microsoft's move to offer its CRM, Sharepoint and Office SaaS, a claim has suggested.

Writing for IT Web, managing director of business solutions firm Liquid Thought Roger Strain said SaaS offers automatic upgrades without extra inconvenience and cost, while hosted CRM software allows for the easier design and monitoring of email marketing campaigns.

Hosted services are also increasingly secure and can prove to be advantageous for companies which deal with sensitive customer information, he stated. It also removes the need for large capital investments in software and hardware licences.

Operations can also be scaled up or down in response to changing circumstances, resulting in lower risks for enterprises.

"This flexibility also offers very rapid speed to market: operations can be up and running in the time it takes to recruit and train employees, without waiting for complex infrastructure to be installed and configured," Mr Strain continued.

SaaS could also allow small and medium-sized companies to benefit from the functionality and reliable web hosting that larger firms previously solely enjoyed.

Written by Dipika Patel