What is SaaS?

SaaS stands for software as a service: software you use over the internet and pay for by subscription, instead of buying and installing it. Gmail, Xero, Canva and most CRMs are SaaS. The provider runs the servers, updates and backups, and you log in from any device.

SaaS in plain English

With traditional software you bought a licence, installed it on a computer and were responsible for updating it. With SaaS you open a website or an app, log in and use it. The software runs on the provider’s servers, your data is stored there, and you pay a monthly or yearly fee for as long as you use it.

How it differs from installed software

Why small businesses use it

• Low start-up cost: no servers and no large licence fee.
• Always up to date, with security fixes applied for you.
• Works from the office, home or a phone on site.
• Easy to add or remove users as the team changes.

What to check before you sign up

1. 1The real costPrice per user, what each tier includes, and what happens to the price after any introductory offer.
2. 2Your dataWhere it is stored, who can access it, and whether you can export everything if you leave.
3. 3SecurityTwo-factor authentication, admin controls and how the provider handles incidents.
4. 4ConnectionsWhether it works with the tools you already use, such as email, accounting and your website.

Where Kahu fitsKahu AssistKahu Assist is an AI agent that runs your website, marketing, bookings and follow-ups from one chat, and asks before anything goes live. You keep the yes; it does the typing.Connects to your site, WhatsApp, calendar and emailAsks before anything goes liveSet up from one 15-minute chatSee Kahu Assist →Fill Thursday’s empty slots and let the cafe know the new brunch hours.Kahu · 3 actions readyTwo Thursday gaps at 11:00 and 14:30. Drafted messages to 6 waitlisted customers.Updated the hours on your site and Google profile to Sat–Sun 8–2.One post about the new hours, using your Sunday counter photo.ChangeApprove all

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