How to Better Embrace SaaS in Your IoT Architecture

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a cloud-based service that provides users with software applications that can be used on demand. The internet of things (IoT) and SaaS are not mutually exclusive, in fact, they are complementary. According to Gartner forecasts released in 2022, spending on public cloud services is expected to grow by 20.7% to a sum of $591.8 billion in 2023, up from $490.3 billion in 2022.

IoT has been around for quite some time now, but it's only recently that it's been able to leverage the power of software as a service. Utilizing SaaS within your organization's IoT infrastructure provides many benefits when done correctly. These advantages include:

• Scalability
• Reduced maintenance costs
• Security
• Flexibility and customization
• Data portability

Integrating software into your architecture can be a tricky maneuver, especially if your operations haven't been developed with IoT in mind from the get-go. It may take some adaption and possibly even a reworking of some of your processes. However, embracing SaaS will be extremely convenient for everyone in your organization once it's fully implemented. Here's how you can set up your software faster with fewer disruptions and less downtime along the way.

Setting up SaaS into your IoT architecture

Take the following factors into consideration when installing your IoT and SaaS applications:

Get your head into the cloud

Not all SaaS computing is set up in the cloud, but it should be. In comparison to on-premise software, the cloud provides secure access to all authorized users whether they work on-site or not. While you'll pay a monthly subscription price for some applications, they eliminate the need for heavy, space-consuming – and expensive – servers and hardware components to keep your devices running. You also don't need to have an extensive IT department to handle every facet of your infrastructure, because the specialized aspects are managed by the software developers themselves.

Don't forget about the DaaS

As hybrid work environments became commonplace after the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, desktop as a service (DaaS) usage grew. DaaS end-user spending increased by 26.6% between 2021 and 2022, according to Gartner. So, it shouldn't be left out when developing your organization's software-based infrastructure. DaaS has become popular because it offers the benefits of both on-premise desktop provisioning and cloud computing – while allowing users to work from anywhere without having to carry around their own devices or worry about compatibility issues.

Implementing software to manage IoT devices can help organizations reduce costs, increase productivity and improve security by centralizing data storage.

Perle is proud to partner with IoT device manufacturers by offering serial to ethernet solutions. To learn more about how Perle provides efficient, reliable connectivity via industrial switches and terminal servers, visit our Case Studies by Industry page.