The future of software reference: leasing, rent (SaaS)...

♪ The future of software reference: leasing, rent (SaaS) and the cloud

**The way companies use software has changed dramatically in recent years. The rigid purchase of licenses installed on local servers increasingly softens more flexible, usage-based models. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) from the cloud has become standard. But what role does classic software leasing play in this new world? A look into the future of IT procurement. **

The unstoppable trend: Everything becomes a service

The most fundamental change is the transition from products to services. Companies no longer want to have a software license primarily, but to use a function or solve a problem. This "As-a-Service" sink is the core of the cloud revolution.

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is the dominant model here. Instead of buying and installing software, companies subscribe to a service that is centrally hosted, maintained and developed by the provider. The advantages are obvious: low initial costs, high scalability, no concerns about maintenance and updates.

The Convergence of Leasing and SaaS

At first glance, Leasing and SaaS seem to compete. But when looking more closely, the boundaries blur, and the models begin to converge. Modern software leasing today is far more than just a rate payment for a license. It becomes a comprehensive financing solution for entire IT projects.

The future lies in hybrid models. For example, a company could:

• Financing a highly specialized core application (e.g. an industry software) via Leasing to distribute the costs for individual adaptation and implementation.

• At the same time, you can subscribe to standard applications such as Office 365 or a CRM system as a flexible SaaS service from the cloud.

The new role of software leasing

Software Leasing repositions in this new IT world. It is no longer just the alternative to buying, but becomes a strategic financing partner for all IT investments that cannot be covered by a simple SaaS subscription. The strengths of leasing play here fully:

• Financing complexity: Leasing is perfect for transferring the cost of complex projects – including development, implementation and consulting – to planable rates.

• Bridge to the cloud: Leasing can provide financing for the migration of existing systems into the cloud or for the development of hybrid cloud infrastructures.

• Flexibility for on-premise solutions: Not every software can or should enter the public cloud. For on-premise solutions that need to be operated locally for security or performance reasons, Leasing remains the first choice for financing.

Outlook: Pay-per-use and usage-based models

The next logical step in evolution is d