Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is a rapidly expanding software industry of cloud-based solutions that makes buying and managing software incredibly simple, accessible, and affordable. With the increasing demand for digital solutions, it’s no wonder more individuals and businesses are turning to SaaS for their software needs.
However, navigating the world of SaaS can be daunting and confusing. In this post, we aim to decode the mystery of SaaS and make choosing the right SaaS solution for you much easier. We’ll cover the basics of SaaS, explain how it works, and provide tips on how to select the best SaaS solution for your specific needs.
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At its core, SaaS is a cloud computing model that delivers software applications over the internet on a subscription basis. This way, you don’t need to install or download traditional software or applications on your personal computer or device, as all operations are managed online by service providers.
This is a cloud-based version of the Microsoft Office Suite with features, such as email, file storage, video conferencing, and more. Building on systems that already work, Microsoft provides businesses with an easier way to manage their day-to-day operations.
This is a customer relationship management system that helps organizations manage sales tasks and customer interactions. Any kind of sales-driven business must find a way to organize the moving pieces, making this seem like an attractive option.
This is a file storage and synchronization service that allows users to store documents online and share them with others easily via email. This is a great way to keep files from taking up large amounts of storage on computers, bogging them down unnecessarily.
When selecting a SaaS platform, there are several considerations to take into account.
What purpose will the platform serve? What type of business processes do you need to support? How much data do you need to store? Are there specific features you’re looking for? As we saw in the three Saas businesses highlighted above, each one serves a different purpose in a different context.
Are there different plans available? Do you pay for a subscription or on a usage basis? Will you need additional services such as customization or training? Are there any hidden costs associated with the service?
Is your data being stored securely in the cloud? Who is responsible for providing technical support if something goes wrong? How quickly can they respond to inquiries?
Once you’ve chosen a suitable SaaS platform for your needs, you must be able to fully utilize the features and capabilities it offers. Here are some tips on how you can maximize its potential.
Ensure that everyone using this software in your company understands how to use the platform correctly by providing training sessions. This will help ensure everyone is taking full advantage of its features and getting you the most bang for your buck.
Look into ways of integrating your existing software with your chosen SaaS platform so that information can be seamlessly shared between systems for maximum efficiency. This may require custom coding depending on which products you’re working with but hopefully, you can find some options that are already prebuilt and ready to use immediately and without negotiations.
Check in on how your organization is using the platform by sending out surveys to employees or holding a meeting now and again where people can share how they use the software. This allows you to identify areas where usage could be improved upon or optimized where necessary.
Understanding what Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is and being familiar with popular examples can make choosing a platform much easier when considering cloud computing options for your business needs. Once you’ve weighed up all your options and have selected one based on purpose/needs, pricing model, and security/support, make sure to maximize its capabilities across your organization. Happy Saas hunting!