In the 21st-century, businesses of all sizes are looking for solutions to improve their operations’ efficiency and cost-effectiveness. In an ever more digitized world, more and more industries are turning to new software to meet these demands, and in this context, SAAS systems are becoming ever more popular. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of freelancers and SMEs adopting SAAS software to understand how it can help you grow your business and save you money.
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What is SAAS?
In days gone by, businesses kept their software solutions on their premises, either on a centralized server or on a desktop. In recent years organizations have increasingly moved to Software as a Service (SAAS) solutions that allow them to keep their systems and software on cloud-based apps hosted by a service provider and accessible via the internet. Furthermore, many companies prefer to rely on the services provided by managed IT as those reduce the costs of the in-house IT departments. Managed IT providers like a co-managed IT support are there to ensure 24/7/365 security and help companies to have access to the new technologies. Compared to in-house IT departments, cloud-based providers offer a professional approach and solutions and help companies to concentrate their effort on the main goal of the company. Businesses commonly use the software to hold business apps and office software for messaging, handling CRM, sales and assorted data systems, payroll, and HR. Employees can access the system from anywhere with an internet connection. You are very likely already using SAAS applications without knowing it – services such as Office 365 are SAAS apps, as are social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter. Here are four ways SAAS systems can benefit your business.
Cost Savings
All SAAS solutions are cloud-based, so costs for hardware installation are eliminated, and as services are usually subscription-based, you don’t need to pay out for traditional licensing fees. As you don’t need hardware anymore, not only will that save you money upfront, but it will continue to net you savings as you don’t need to pay for continuous hardware maintenance or upgrades. You also don’t need to pay for in-house IT expertise. SAAS providers also offer very flexible packages, so you can pick strictly what your operation needs instead of installing hardware that might come with elements you don’t need and probably will never use. The subscription model also means if you need a specific piece of kit such as the best website builder software for a limited amount of time, then you can add that in then remove it when you no longer need it. It is also a very competitive market, so you will have many options to look at to fit your business’s needs and the budget you have to work with.
Easy Implementation and Scalability
All you need for SAAS to work is a reliable and stable internet connection and a web browser. Hardware management or handling complex software is at an end. Implementing SAAS is usually merely a matter of registering with a provider, buying the package you need, and then either downloading a web browser extension or the application to your computer. You can then use everything you need immediately by going online. You don’t need to worry about updating software either, as whenever an update is available, you can use them straight away (often free of charge to existing subscribers), and the cloud service provider will deploy the changes. The built-in flexibility of SAAS also means usage is completely scalable in line with your needs as they evolve. If you need to up your number of users, get more data storage or require new modules, even temporarily handle a one-off project, that’s no problem. Should you go through leaner times, you can also lessen what you have to match your requirements.
Improved Speed and Better Access to Data
SAAS systems make business far more streamlined – you can centralize all files and data in one place. Workflows improve vastly as employees all get their information from a single location, making data far easier to manage and monitor. Most SAAS providers offer smart data reporting and business insight tools as part of your subscription, so you can quickly create financial, sales, marketing, and other reports as needed. You can also generate reports with graphs, charts, and other metrics, invaluable for sharing key data with colleagues and stakeholders and creating presentations. As the systems are cloud-based, data can be accessed by any authorized users on any networked device so long as they have a good internet connection, so they don’t need to be in the office to work. This makes your business very flexible and mobile, and with remote working becoming the norm during the COVID-19 crisis, SAAS tech has become more invaluable than ever.
Better Data Security
Nowadays, data security is one of the major concerns of operations of all types and sizes in our digitized world. Hackers are everywhere. Data can easily be lost or corrupted using in-house hardware systems, which are often linked together with ad-hoc processes as businesses evolve, and often have a nasty habit of crashing when you need them most. SAAS providers constantly update the software to eliminate bugs. They are also far better placed to look after your data, especially when you migrate SharePoint 2010 to SharePoint Online or Tenant to Tenant Migration. They are experts in building and implementing excellent security systems that are always more reliable than in-house systems. Using a SAAS provider means you can rest assured that your data is safe.
Featured Image by Werner Moser from Pixabay
