What is SAAS



SAAS

SAAS refers to the new and modern ways of accessing software as opposed to the traditional model. In the earlier days software was literally purchased and installed into the computer. However, with the evolution of SAAS software can be purchased in a subscription-based model where the software is hosted in the cloud and it is accessed via the internet.

SAAS is often referred to as software on demand and utilizing is akin to renting the software instead of purchasing it. Usually, Software as a Service is done on a monthly basis. The customers who subscribe to the application or service have to pay a certain amount every month to avail the service.

What are the main advantages of SAAS?

The main advantages of SAAS are as follows

1. Zero Hardware Cost

The processing power to use the software is provided by the cloud provider. The cloud provider has the essential hardware to process the software remotely. Therefore, there is no absolutely any need for sophisticated hardware on the user side. In most cases, the software’s are located in big servers. Some of the most popular services like Office 365, Amazon Cloud, Salesforce are SAAS services.

2. Zero Setup Cost

The applications are ready to use when the user subscribes. The user do not have to set up the application because the application will run in the cloud.

3. Only Pay For The Amount Of Time Used

One of the advantages of the SAAS service is that the applications can be halted at any time. If the user feels the need to subscribe again he/she is free to do so at an additional charge. In most cases I prefer subscription model that charges monthly. However, there are many SAAS services that charge on a yearly subscription model.

4. Scalability

Another important feature of SAAS is scalability. If the user decides he or she needs more storage or more space SAAS allows for scalability. This feature allows for smooth scalability as an when the need arises.

5. Updates Are Automated

Whenever there is an update the user will be notified online and the user can easily update the software. Often updates are free of charge.

6. Cross-Device Accessibility

As the software runs in the cloud there is cross-device compatibility. The software can be accessed easily from any device like a computer, laptop, tablet, or a mobile phone. Thus the user need not worry about accessing the software from any device.

7. Location Independent

SAAS allows for location independent access of the software. The SAAS provider may be a different country and the user may be located in another country.

8. Requires Only Internet Connection

If the user has an internet connection the user should be able to access SAAS. Speedy internet connections are often preferred for SAAS as the cloud service provider may be located in an entirely different geographic location.

Some examples where SAAS  is used.

  1. Accounting

  2. Tracking Sales

  3. Planning

  4. Performance Monitoring

  5. Communications

  6. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

  7. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

The evolution of SAAS has changed the entire landscape of the software industry. It has open doors for small business to access large software’s which were not possible earlier. The future of SAAS seems promising.


What is the Google Chrome OS

Google Chrome OS

Google’s Netbook OS is called Chrome OS. In 2009, Google announced the Chrome OS in which both data and applications will reside on the cloud. The OS is based on the Linux Kernel and uses Chrome Browser as it’s principal user interface. Devices using Chrome OS are called Chromebooks which was initially released in 2011.

Chrome OS is mainly targeted towards netbooks. However, Google does not use Chrome OS in tablets. In fact it uses Android OS for both tablets and mobile phones.

Chrome OS is available for developers but people will need to have Linux OS installed in their computers.

The OS is basically designed for computers whose main purpose is to connect to the internet.  That means Chrome OS can only be used for web browsing, online video watching or document editing.

This differs greatly from the traditional OS like Windows or Mac. An user cannot install MS Office or other software into the Chrome OS. Rather than downloading on the computer an user can store it in the internet as Chrome Extensions.

The Chrome OS supports Chrome Apps. In the recent times Chrome OS started supporting Android Apps.

5 Reasons Why Backing Up Your Files Offsite is Extremely Important



5 Reasons Why Backing Up Your Files Offsite

It is imperative that you have a backup plan for everything in life because you would not know when you would need to call upon it, to get you out of a predicament.

Life is uncertain and that is an understatement, as we know by experience how many times things have turned sour, sometimes at very inopportune moments.

The unexpected happens unexpectedly and that is a general fact of life which most of us would have at the back of our minds when we set out on our daily chores.

It is the same case with our computers where we could be storing information which is very important to us and if we do not have a backup plan to ensure they are safe we could be vulnerable to lose them.

The issues that such an unfortunate incident to occur could be many reasons and it would generally come out of the blues and you would know what hit you till you lost all.

Even in the case of important hardcopy documents, it would be prudent to keep a copy or two of each of them.

If the unfortunate happens you would have a copy at least to initiate a search at the relevant authorities and get yourself a certified copy.

Such is the importance of having backups for all your important documents whether they are in the hardcopy of in your computer, which could be transferred into a softcopy.

The few instances that your computer could play truant and make you lose all that data or other important materials could be because of any one of the following.

  • A crashed computer – This could happen at any time and that too without any prior warning, and when t does happen you could lose every bit of information stored in your computer.

  • A virus attack – This also happens regularly and if you are not protected with a reputed virus guard you could lose even very valuable information never to be retrieved again.

  • Failed hard drives – This could also happen without any warning, it is this that could put you back in square number one again.

Imagine that you are just days away from an important assignment or even an examination, and if this happens, you are done for.

Damage the computer physically – You could drop the computer and crash it but the worst would be if drops in water never to be found or is caught in a fire.

Robbed- This would be the worst scenario because with modern thieves getting your computer back would only be a dream. They would cannibalize your computer before you could even walk up to the law enforcement authorities.

The above could be just a few of the instances that you would lose whatever is stored in your computer with recovery impossible.

When the files you have stored are important then you would rue the fact that you did not have a backup.

Then it would be too late as you would not be able to do anything about it and it would be similar to that proverbial saying “locking the stable doors after the horses have bolted”.

This should not happen to anyone hence it is imperative that we think prudently and ensure that we have backups of every single file in our possession.

What would be important and what is not would be your personal decision but it does not cost a fortune to save all.

Especially if you would not realize someday in the future that even the unimportant could be important someday hence we list some things you could do about them.

#1. An easy process to recover

We need to have an easy process to recover because we could be careless sometimes by opening emails and other sites which could be potential dangers which we may not know.

You could initiate snapshots of everything that you would be doing on your computer and f the unfortunate happens you could always retrieve them from the time you were attacked.

This would give you that slight edge which you would be looking at to get back into business without losing files as well as your will to move forward.

#2. Recouping fast

Even if you are hit by a catastrophe it is important that you recover fast or you could lose all your customers if you are in business to your competition.

Getting back on your feet and getting your horses together is important and that could be done and achieved only if you have the adequate backup plan in place.

The idea is to have and build the confidence in your backup plan with the notion that even if the sky falls on your head you would come back fighting.

#3. Grave mistakes

This is what happens to those who would have had a downturn with a problem in their backup systems or the absence of it.

It has been researched that about 43% of companies that have gone through such a predicament would either recover very slowly at snail’s pace or folded up end their business.

The situation could be that bad if you are not ready for any eventuality which most businesses take for granted and then rue their mistakes.

#4. Records of all payments

This is one of the most important factors that need to be seriously considered because this is about money that you would have to dole out if you do not have the proper records.

Bill payments, tax returns, employee benefits and a host of other information are important and needs to be stored safely elsewhere.

#5. Ensure the job is well done

Ensuring that you have the perfect backup is important as there would not be a second chance and what actions you take would be very important because if not you could suffer.

The losses could be immense hence ensuring that you have the most foolproof system is very important as you would not have the opportunity to do it again.


How to Remove Powered By WordPress Footer Links

Do you want to remove the Powered By WordPress Footer Links ? After setting up your site the most common thing you may want to do is to remove the default links and replace it with your own site Links.

Removing WordPress Powered by Links

Footer.php Method  ( Learn Coding Online )

Remove Powered By Links

This is one of the best methods to remove the WordPress footer code from your website.

Go to Appearance >Editor you will see Theme Files in the right-hand side of the WordPress  site panel. After that go to Footer.php. Search for the words “Proudly Powered By WordPress” or “Powered By WordPress”. After locating the code you can proceed with deleting the code.

CSS Method

If you have less coding knowledge or if you find it difficult to locate the appropriate files go to Appearance> Customize> Additional CSS

After that click on Additional CSS. Once you click on Additional CSS the following screen appears. Now place the code

.site-info { display: none; } as shown in the screen. The Footer Link will disappear immediately.

Another method is to Go to Appearence -> customize-> Theme Settings-> Footer

Remove the code from the footer.

It is always recommended to use the footer.php method to remove the Powered By Links. However, you can use the Additional CSS method if the previous method becomes difficult to implement.

How To Edit Image Title, Alt Text., Caption, Description In WordPress

A huge chunk of the web content consists of images. However, not many of us optimize the images to fit to our needs.

At first upload an image file in WordPress. The image meta deta can be seen on the right hand side. 

Image Meta Deta
Image Meta Deta

Image Title

This is another attribute added to the image tag in HTML. This tag appears in the image container and is used to provide title for the image.  The title is displayed once you hover the mouse over the image.

Alt Text

Alt. Text is an attribute added to the image tag in HTML. This tag appears in the image container when the image cannot be displayed. It helps search engine know what the image is about.  The alt. text is useful if the image cannot be found.

Caption

This is the text you want to display with your image. Depending on you theme it will be displayed inside image border or outside the image.

Description

This is the description you store in the description field of your image. Like you want to give some long meaning to the image you can use the description.

You can now edit the image meta deta.