E-Commerce Platform

Open SourceOR S.A.A.S
Confused?? Get into this
“Do the Best you Can , no matter whatthe outcome will be..”
While the summers are in , most of the shop owners or proprietors or merchants are already switching their assiduousness to the next forthcoming year to introduce maximum possible advancements into their businesses.

In majority of the cases , this moving or switching of their focus can be claimed as lugging to a brand new e-commerce platform for their expansion of business or businesses.

“Life is really simple , we kept on making it complex”
When thinking about such decision , one of the nexus and doubtful view arises in the minds of business owners or the users that they may either go for an Open Source or Software As A Service(SAAS).

This article will surely help in satisfying the maximum possible queries relating to theses two fully different aspects.

In the first instance, we shall have to know about these two varied concepts of e-com platforms and therefore being brief and coming directly to the genuine and rational meaning of these two self dependent concepts.

Now, the question arises – ‘ What is SAAS? – Saas stands for Software as a Service , which means it takes care all the technicalities or technical handlings by the hosting party on which the business has been launched for the purpose of expansion.

For example, Your Shop or Store is hosted on another company’s server and ‘they’ manage all the technical effortsin keeping your store running up and they keep on promoting the store virtually. Some current examples of SAAS are – Zoho , Fresh Desk and charge Bee,etc.

In simple terms , SAAS is the network or boundary or a periphery within which a software is developed and the shop owners can perform variety of activities to save the time and efforts directly.

However , it is to be noted that the store owner has to pay for the software building and the easy maintenance of such platforms. Though the ownership remains with the hosting party.

The second question comes up in the mind that – ‘What is an Open Source platform?’- As its name suggests , open source e-com platform is a platform which can be downloaded through a software or can be operated freely and easily.

It is to be noted that the user of such platforms has to pay for the custom designs , layouts , procedures, extension premium and plugins thereafter.

Examples of Open Source e-commerce platforms are Open cart, Woo commerce ,etc.
Now , after understanding the whole two concepts , let us get into the their Pros and Cons respectively-

Pros Of Software At A Service-
Less Technical work- This is one of the major benefit or a point of centre of working with SAAS platforms, all the details technical in nature are managed or operated for the user without letting him know. The user need not to handle the issues like hosting , maintaining security or installing complex software updates.

Patently set up – As we already know the concept , there is nothing to install or download , the user just has to create his account and the store will be ready for usethrough a web interface. In maximum cases , the user can operate his store segment in just few weeks.

Security Factor – The Data Security in SAAS is comparatively high and there is a full security provided to the user for their data to be stored securely.

Upgraded Features – The user of SAAS platform is provided with newly updated features to operate his store at any point of time.

Cons OF SAAS –
Lesser Control – Working with SAAS Platform , the user has not full access to all the segments i.e. the user do not have a blank canvas to create anything he wants to. The user need to work within the confined tools that the platform gives to him.

Unexposed costs – It is really very obvious that most of the times such platforms will appear inexpensive or economical but in reality such platforms offers only the basic functionality. To get the required features , the user in order to run his business some applications that comes with nominal but monthly fee , this is claimed as unexposed or hidden costs.

Pros Of Open Source Platforms –
Full access – The major reason to use open source platform is due to create a custom shopping experience. Since, the user has full access to the platform , the user can access every possible aspect as given.

Saves hidden Costs – unlike the SAAS, Open Source platform saves hidden costs as it gives the user a demanded integration means free from installing the applications unnecessary ones which ultimately saves hidden costs.

Cons Of Open Source Platform-
Mannual Work – Open Source platform faces a drawback of substantial increase in manual work as the user himself has to manage the hosting , installing and security issues.

Complexity in setting up – In such platforms , there is always a drawback of setting up such easily as it is handled by the user wholly.

Security Issue – If the user faces any security issue or thereat due to any reason like obsolete features or any other threats , he himself has to go and face this posed threat.

Now, all the Pros and Cons , meaning and concept of Open Source and Software as a Service e-commerce platforms has been covered fluently, therefore the user must not have any query regarding – ‘For Which Source The User Shall go For????’

It is very clear now that Open Source platform serves to be the better source because when the user switches to such e-commerce Platform, he can access the same fully without hindering his desire and can modify the designs , layouts and the presentation features accordingly as per his needs and wants.

“Expand Yourself extend Yourself to effectively purpose”
Open Source Platform enjoys several benefits to expand business operations or to carry out the business activities smoothly and effectively, therefore in most of the cases , it is advisable to go with open source platforms.

Thank You For Reading ;
You are such a good bibliomaniac..!
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