What is SaaS?

July 21, 2025
A purple gear with a white circle in the middle.
A purple gear with a white circle in the middle.
A purple gear with a white circle in the middle.

If you’ve ever used software in a web browser — like Google Docs, Xero, or even Netflix — you’ve already used SaaS.


But what exactly is it?


SaaS, in Plain English

SaaS stands for Software as a Service. It’s a way of delivering software over the internet, rather than installing it on your computer or server.


Instead of buying a program once and running it locally (like the old-school days of CD-ROMs and one-off licences), SaaS lets you access software on demand — usually through a monthly or annual subscription. It’s hosted in the cloud, and all you need to use it is a device and an internet connection.


Think of it like streaming movies instead of buying DVDs. The experience is smoother, updates happen in the background, and you can access your content from anywhere.


Why SaaS is a Big Deal

SaaS isn’t just convenient — it’s a complete shift in how businesses think about software.


Here’s why it matters:

  • Always up to date: No more manual installs or patching bugs yourself. Updates happen automatically, often without you even noticing.

  • Use anywhere: Whether you’re in the office, on site, or working remotely, your tools are available — just log in.

  • Scales easily: Adding users or functionality is simple. Perfect for growing teams or changing needs.

  • Lower upfront cost: Instead of a large upfront investment, you pay as you go. That makes budgeting easier and software more accessible.

Custom vs Off-the-Shelf

Plenty of SaaS products come “off the shelf” — ready-made tools built to suit the most common use cases. These can be great if your needs are simple and you’re happy to adapt to how the software works.


But sometimes, your processes don’t fit the mould. That’s where custom software comes in.


At HutSix, we build custom platforms tailored to your workflows — not the other way around. You get only the features you need, designed to suit the way your team actually works. And we don’t start from scratch every time. If you’re already using systems like Xero, SharePoint, ERPs, or CRM platforms, we can link them in and make everything talk to each other.


Because good software should fit in, not take over.


What It Means for Our Clients

Whether it’s a tool for tracking night patrols, managing council services, or streamlining internal workflows, we design SaaS platforms that are:

  • Secure
  • User-friendly
  • Cloud-hosted
  • Built for real-world environments (including offline if needed)
  • Connected to the systems you already use

We also handle the infrastructure and maintenance behind the scenes, so our clients can just log in and get on with their work — no IT headaches required.


TL;DR

SaaS = software that lives in the cloud, works anywhere, and updates automatically.

We build custom versions that fit your processes — and we’ll make sure it talks to the tools you’re already using.

Three purple circles are sitting next to each other on a white background.