What is software as a service (SaaS)?

Software as a service (SaaS) is the cloud computing model that makes it efficient for companies to deliver software and easy for consumers to use software. Today's leading SaaS solutions often leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to provide intelligent features, automation, and personalized user experiences.

From a network that spans the globe to innovative solutions that transform organizations, Google Cloud has SaaS built into its DNA. 

Google Cloud enables you to build better, smarter SaaS products, scale efficiently, and ultimately grow your business. Learn more about Google Cloud's AI capabilities to build innovative SaaS solutions.

SaaS defined

SaaS stands for software as a service. It is a model in which the software is centrally hosted and accessed by the user via a web browser using the internet.

In a SaaS business model, the software provider owns and maintains the software. The customer does not need to install any software on their own computer. Needless to mention, the SaaS business model is quite different from a managed service model. For a recurring fee or subscription, the end user does not need to worry about the provisioning, management, and maintenance of the infrastructure, platform, and application. This is usually done through a central cloud-based system.

Building upon the foundation of traditional SaaS, AI-powered SaaS represents the next evolution. It seamlessly integrates artificial intelligence into cloud-based applications, unlocking new levels of intelligence, automation, and personalized experiences for users, all while retaining the core benefits of the SaaS model. AI is rapidly becoming a defining characteristic of leading SaaS solutions.

AI SaaS with Google Cloud—smart, simple, secure, scalable.

Innovate with agentic AI: Reimagine your SaaS offerings by embedding intelligent automation and proactive capabilities directly into your applications. 

  • Smart: Deliver truly intelligent SaaS experiences. Leverage Google Cloud's advanced AI to build applications that learn, predict, and personalize interactions, offering unprecedented value to your users.
  • Simple: Accelerate your build and streamline management. Google Cloud simplifies the complexities of SaaS development and deployment with intuitive tools and a robust platform, allowing you to focus on innovation.
  • Secure: Build trust with a secure foundation. Protect your SaaS application and your customers' sensitive data with Google Cloud's comprehensive and industry-leading security infrastructure.
  • Scalable: Grow your business without limits. Effortlessly scale your AI-powered SaaS globally on Google Cloud's reliable and high-performance infrastructure, reaching new markets and accommodating rapid growth.

Why should you care about SaaS and AI SaaS?

The software landscape has fundamentally shifted towards Software as a Service (SaaS), which is now the largest segment in cloud software. Leading this evolution is the increasing power and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and particularly agentic AI. Your business needs to embrace AI SaaS now to capitalize on these crucial trends and gain a significant competitive edge.

Rapidly evolving customer needs: Customers are increasingly expecting intelligent features, automation, and personalized experiences within their software solutions. AI SaaS directly addresses these evolving demands.

Enhance efficiency and productivity: AI in SaaS enables enhanced productivity by reducing manual effort and accelerating innovation. Features like intelligent automation of workflows and AI-assisted software development can significantly streamline your operations and free up resources for strategic initiatives.

Differentiated value and personalized offerings: AI allows for the creation of dynamic and adaptive solutions that deliver superior experiences. With AI SaaS, you can offer personalized solutions and content that cater to unique customer demands and preferences, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty

Avoid falling behind: The rapid adoption of AI in SaaS signifies a fundamental shift in the industry. Businesses that fail to embrace AI now risk being outpaced by competitors who are already leveraging its power to deliver more intelligent, efficient, and valuable solutions.

SaaS journey with Google Cloud

Google Cloud empowers your AI SaaS journey, no matter your starting point:

  • SaaS startups: Build smart, differentiated products from day one with our cutting-edge AI and simple development tools, scaling securely as you grow
  • Established SaaS companies: Easily enhance your existing platform with smart AI features, leveraging our flexible integration and scalable infrastructure to unlock new value
  • Traditional on-prem ISVs: Modernize and expand your reach by transitioning to the cloud and building smart AI SaaS solutions on Google Cloud's secure and scalable platform

Discover how we're simplifying and accelerating every stage of your SaaS journey. From streamlined development tools to seamless deployment and intelligent management, we provide the platform you need to build, scale, and operate your SaaS solutions with confidence.

SaaS Accelerator: The SaaS Accelerator program offers a structured approach to help ISVs through their SaaS journey on Google Cloud, targeting SaaS startups, existing ISVs seeking multicloud or SaaS migration, and those optimizing existing SaaS solutions

The program is designed to support a range of ISVs at different stages of their SaaS evolution 

  1. Building new SaaS applications: This includes SaaS startups and ISVs looking to build new, AI-focused, innovative, and scalable SaaS applications on Google Cloud.
  2. Existing ISVs building SaaS: ISVs with existing on-premises software or cloud-based solutions looking to migrate to SaaS, adopt a multicloud strategy, or modernize their applications on Google Cloud.
  3. Optimizing existing SaaS on Google Cloud: This includes ISVs already running SaaS solutions on Google Cloud who are seeking to optimize their SaaS for revenue growth, architecture, operations, security, and go-to-market (GTM) strategies, aiming for enterprise-ready and differentiated growth with cloud cost savings.

Please contact your sales team to have your organization nominated for a SaaS evaluation.

Transform your applications into intelligent, multi-tenant AI SaaS

Feeling inspired to create the next wave of innovative solutions? Let's collaborate to address your challenges and discover how leveraging Google Cloud's robust platform can turn your applications into AI-powered, multi-tenant SaaS offerings, unlocking unprecedented levels of efficiency, scalability, and customer value.

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See how you can transform your applications into SaaS.
Learn how to architect your applications for multi-tenancy and seamlessly integrate Google Cloud's leading AI and machine learning services.

In this webinar, you will learn how to create a reusable customizable framework with the building blocks.

Our expert partner ecosystem for your AI SaaS

We have partnered with a best-of-breed network of Global System Integrator (GSI) and Regional System Integrator (RSI) Partners with dedicated SaaS Practices. These expert partners specialize in designing, building, and launching successful SaaS solutions on Google Cloud, paving the way for a smooth transition to the Google Cloud Marketplace, while benefiting from a partner program that’s with you from idea to market.

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