Software as a Service, also known as SaaS, has been making it easy for businesses to obtain top-notch IT management at a fraction of what it would have cost only a few years ago. SaaS enables scale and allows companies to compete at the top of their industries, facilitating their digital transformation while helping them take advantage of the latest advances in IT technology, omnichannel solutions, and cybersecurity – all without draining precious resources.
SaaS explained
Software as a Service is exactly what it sounds like: a software hosting and distribution model that eliminates the need to purchase hardware or software directly, offering a per-user fee-based license system. It gives companies access to the latest solutions while freeing up company resources that would normally be allocated to hardware and software procurement and the IT salaries that would be necessary to properly manage all of it.
Here are the top ten reasons you should consider SaaS:
1. Save money
When you move to the SaaS model, you will no longer need to purchase expensive software, hardware, and the licenses that accompany them. Plus, your SaaS monthly payment comes with perpetual upgrades, so there’s no need to repurchase.
2. Get to market faster
With the speed at which business moves today, if you hesitate, you risk being left eating dust as the competition moves in for the kill. SaaS allows you to act on real-time analytics, adjust, and scale as needed, making it even easier for you to outperform in your industry.
3. Compete with the big boys
Gone are the days when small businesses had to settle for the technology solutions they could afford. SaaS puts the power of global enterprise within reach, meaning you can offer your customers and vendors an experience worthy of your biggest competitors.
4. Make customers happier
Today’s consumers expect a certain level of service. Omnichannel solutions are the hallmark of the world’s most successful companies, and SaaS delivers on all fronts: from customer service to purchasing, shipping, and logistics – and, in many cases, you can have all of this without hiring one extra person to manage it all.
5. Improve service delivery
With SaaS, you can enhance and improve your services with solutions that resonate most with your customers. This includes security features that are in demand by today’s consumers.
6. Reduce/eliminate IT security concerns
Cybersecurity is one of the hottest topics in IT today. To stay on top of current threats and ensure that your data — as well as your customer’s data — is secure and compliant, you would need a full-time IT security team dedicated to protecting your concerns. SaaS allows you to take control of your cybersecurity environment, delivering next-generation solutions that you can be confident are always up-to-date.
7. Streamline business processes
Whether you are in the highly regulated realm of the legal profession, in healthcare, or in retail or e-commerce, SaaS delivers solutions that make all of your business processes run more smoothly. From CRMs and productivity suites to reporting systems and ERPs, secure client portals, single-sign-on services, web applications, business intelligence (BI),and more, your software can do all the heavy lifting, letting you remain focused on business growth.
8. Stay current with technology trends
When your technology is working, it’s great. But once it ceases to bring value, you are faced with researching, procuring, and implementing the new solution. An SaaS solution, on the other hand, delivers value from end-to-end, giving you access to updates as they happen — so you’re always on-trend with the latest and greatest. Your teams will be able to stay current and continue using the tech they love without missing a beat.
9. Flexibility and agility
The ability to flow with changes is part and parcel of today’s business expectations. Scale falls into the same category: if you don’t have the ability to scale when needed, it will impact your ability to deliver services efficiently. SaaS offers the ability to remain agile as changes happen in the cloud, out of sight and out of mind. You don’t have to waste a moment thinking about upgrades or access. You can take advantage of technology trends as they happen, eliminating the anxiety of staying current with customer and vendor expectations.
10. Predictable IT spending
One of the main concerns of today’s business is to remain viable. In the past, IT departments took the lion’s share of the payroll budget. The IT team encompassed everything from compliance, security, user management, technology provisioning and de-provisioning, inventory, software deployment, upgrades…and the list goes on.
The trouble with this model is that you would need an entire team of people working around the clock to manage all of these functions, and you would still be lacking in expertise because that’s how quickly the tech landscape changes. There aren’t too many companies who can afford to keep their IT in-house anymore, and even the ones that can opt to outsource their most specialized tasks (such as cybersecurity). The pay-as-you-go structure of SaaS is a cost-efficient option for businesses concerned with viability.
Why not consider SaaS?
In closing, SaaS could be an essential tool in your company’s arsenal, enabling your ability to grow, scale, and advance alongside the biggest players in your industry. It is an affordable way to manifest change, and if you have not yet initiated your digital transformation, SaaS should make the process easier to swallow.
If your company is located in Arkansas and if you are interested in exploring your SaaS options, call to set up a consultation with Business World today. We are in the business of moving technology forward, helping you make sense of your options and supporting your continued growth.
