Model-as-a-Service (MaaS) is a cloud-based service that offers access to pre-trained machine learning models for various AI functions3. It enables developers to leverage these models without needing extensive infrastructure or expertise in model training, making AI more efficient, cost-effective, and scalable. MaaS is becoming increasingly popular, particularly in the field of generative AI.
In pre-millennial times, Microsoft Office was sold as a packaged product, often in a smart-looking box with a clear plastic outer shell. The package included disks containing the software and sometimes a manual for the user. This method of selling software made it easier for consumers to understand the product's function, scope, and price.
Productization signifies the transformation of goods or services into a standardized, marketable product with fixed scope and price4. This process makes it easier for consumers to understand the offering's function, price, and scope, while also allowing businesses to scale and grow more efficiently.