One of those phrases that has become a pillar in the online
world is SaaS, or software-as-a-service. When you use programs to complete
tasks on the computer, these programs are considered software. Businesses now
rely on different software for many internal and external processes, from
marketing to supply chain management to accounting and everything in
between.
If you are a relatively new business owner, or your company
has not reached a scale where you need to take advantage of these resources,
then you may only have a baseline understanding of SaaS. Let’s take a deeper
dive into what these products are and how they can help your business
succeed.
Definition
First, let’s get into the basic definition of
software-as-a-service. While the term itself may be self-explanatory, it is
important to understand what that truly means. SaaS is just one component of
cloud computing. It is a method of delivering applications via the Internet.
Instead of having to download an application onto a specific computer, all you
need is an internet connection and either a web browser or mobile app to access
the features of the service.
It can also be referred to as software on-demand or web-hosted software. The primary model of delivery for SaaS is with a subscription license. The customer pays a regular fee, either monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, to obtain the license that allows them to use the service. The service is usually hosted on a centralized network of servers by the business that offers the software.
Advantages of SaaS
Many businesses rely on numerous applications to complete
various tasks. Using a SaaS as opposed to downloadable tools has several
advantages.
First, you do not have to worry about hardware limitations.
Other applications that must be downloaded onto a device can only be accessed
from that device. Meanwhile, any device with an Internet connection can access
the SaaS. Often, SaaS products are available to use either through a web
browser or a mobile application. That means your employees can still do their
work as long as they have access to a device.
Another advantage is creating less work for yourself. When
you need software that can manage the tasks of your organization, you could
either purchase programs to download onto your computers, subscribe to a SaaS,
or create the software in-house. Though there are benefits to custom offshore software development, you won’t
have to do as much work or spend as much time if you just invest in a product
that already exists. Plus, the lead-in time will be shorter since there are no
hardware considerations to worry about, and your team can instantly start using
the Internet-based application.
Types of SaaS You Can Implement
The market for SaaS is huge right now. There are thousands,
if not millions, of web-hosted applications that can make running your business
easier. Here are just a few of them.
1. ERP
system: Enterprise resource planning allows for cloud-based integration of many
applications. Netsuite is one of the most popular systems in the market,
and getgsi.com solutions can help you implement this
comprehensive ERP.
2. Communication
platforms: Keeping your teams on the same page is crucial for effective
operations, and communication tools can streamline collaboration among various
departments.
3. Customer
relationship management: A CRM is designed to assist businesses as they track
customer info, share that data throughout the company, and maintain
relationships with clients.
4. Project
management: Every business owner understands the importance of staying on track
with projects. Some SaaS products make assigning tasks and tracking progress
easy for managers.
5. Marketing content creation: Advertising your products and services to customers is crucial if you want to maintain revenue streams. Many software programs online can help with content creation, from visual images to video editing to copywriting.
How Can You Implement SaaS to Promote Growth?
No matter what industry your business is in, you almost
certainly use some applications to help make tasks easier. With SaaS products,
you can lower costs by avoiding hardware concerns and only paying for the
subscription level that you need. SaaS also makes scalability simpler, since
you can generally level up your capacity by paying for a better subscription.
Whether you need a tool for accounting, communication, supply chain tracking,
project management, or marketing organization, the right SaaS is somewhere out
there.
