How to create a SaaS application for existing software in asp.net c# mvc

Question

I'm looking to offer a software product using the SaaS model. This of course will require that I build a web site where customers can sign up, log in, manage their membership and billing options.

Now suppose i have a software like calculator (just an example) which is basically an asp.net WPF application. Now i want to offer this software (application) as a service for my customers.

So now upto this point i have :

• A website having above mentioned functionality (developed in Asp.Net MVC-5).
• A software which i want to offer as an SaaS (develop in asp.net WPF, desktop application)

Now i want to know how i will integrate these two things to create a good multi-tenant SaaS service? How to publish this? Which platform should i use to publish this Window Azure, Amazon etc.?

Or

What i am thinking is not possible, i have to develop a software (which i want to offer as SaaS) by using web technologies ? Is this the case?

I am learning multi-tenancy, so please let me know if i am totally on a wrong path and guide me on correct path. Thanks!

Answer 1

WPF is a desktop client application technology. It is not intended to be distributed as a service. You will have to rewrite your application so that it is a web application (ASP.NET or some other platform if you don't want to use .NET).

Then you will have to make it multi-tenant so that each client can run it in isolation without interfering with other clients data and you are into the SaaS business. If your application depends on a database, you will have to decide how to make this isolation: whether you will make it at a database level or at the DB schema.

Obviously you will need to choose a hosting for your service. Windows Azure, Amazon, Rackspace, ... are popular choices just to name a few. Depending on your specific needs you might pick one or another.

Answer 2

You can not offer WPF application as SaaS unless you offer it in a custom virtual machine which will be "really" expensive solution. Since it is a WPF application your classes will be easy to convert MVC5 solution.

I strongly suggest you to go on Windows Azure since you are a .NET developer and they are offering really great products that you will need on the road.

• MVC with EF
• Windows Azure
• Paypal || Recurly (for CC payment acceptance)
• Twilio (if you need to send SMS to your customer)

Answer 3

I agree with darin-dimitrov and cilerler on there above WPF (Non Web application) application cannot be directly converted as SAAS application.

SAAS it needs to be ONLINE with no compromising 99.99% availability,with more quick response in Notifying the BILL , ENROLLMENT i.e. Subscription , PLAN change , Notify on selecting a payement GAteway Agents and also about choosing of Communication Channels to Tenant and Users under tenants too.

if at all you wan to make a software which should be capable of Converting an Onpremise applcation to SAAS it should adher above features.

And when it is the case of choosing a platform to run your SAAS business your application should be quite flexible to SIT on any platform wheater its Windows AZURE , AMAZON or RackSpace. Atleast to avoid disaster which happened in history back.

your application should be simple , stable , flexible to resist weekely updates or versions