Since the introduction of Salesforce.com in the 1990s, SaaS tools have been revolutionizing businesses. As per a recent report by Gartner, in 2017, public cloud services will grow by 18% to reach up to $246.8 billion. SaaS is the second largest segment of the global cloud services market and is expected to reach $46.3 billion, up 20.1 percent.
Over the years, SaaS offerings such as human capital management, Field service management software and customer relationship management (CRM) software have matured considerably. Initially, the use of SaaS tools was limited to large corporations only.
However, now small businesses have also started adopting them due to a number of advantages that they offer. In fact, 64 percent of small businesses are already using SaaS and 78 percent are expected to completely shift to the cloud by 2020. The average number of apps used is three which mostly deal with email, accepting payments and developing websites.
Small businesses generally deploy SaaS tools in areas such as marketing, IT support, team collaboration and managing customers. In the marketing domain, businesses are mostly using software to develop websites. However, managing PR and email campaigns via them are also becoming increasingly popular. As far as IT support is concerned, cloud adoption typically includes data backup and security.
The main purpose of adopting SaaS tools is to increase productivity. Here are some ways SaaS does that effectively:
1. Accomplish more in less time with SaaS tools
The right SaaS tools can help save a lot of time as they allow businesses to automate most processes. It provides small businesses the opportunity to focus on more important things such as business development, rather than being involved in trivial tasks. For example, by using Saas, a company can deploy PeopleSoft Enterprises Services Automation suite that takes care of multiple functions such as project selection, planning, and staffing. It basically looks after the entire project’s lifecycle.
Moreover, software such as BambooHR can make lives easier for HR managers of small businesses. It’s an easy-to-use software that replaces employee data in manual spreadsheets. The software can also integrate with other services such as payroll. What’s more, it also gives employees the chance to apply for vacations and update their personal information regularly. Managers can also easily get access to customizable reports.
Additionally, SaaS tools can prove to be quite useful for sales teams as well. It allows people associated with the sales department to spend less time on paperwork and more on generating revenue – one of the most important factors for a company’s success. Once you have selected an appropriate tool and carried out automation testing, you can let the software take care of your daily tasks.
2. SaaS is a cost-effective alternative
SaaS tools are ideal for small businesses since they help cut costs. According to a research conducted by Computer World, companies that shift to SaaS solutions can reduce their IT spending by more than 15 percent. The cloud allows companies to use software apps and outsource the entire infrastructure to a third party that can handle it in a cost-effective way.
Unlike traditional software, with SaaS, a company doesn’t need to buy a lifetime license either. It only needs to pay as per usage. The fee is mostly monthly or annual and covers all expenses of storage, database, and administration costs.
For example, you can now host your website on shared servers such as GoDaddy or HostGator and pay as per use. Also, you can easily scale it up. Amazon Web Services is also an ideal, one-stop solution that takes care of all your data needs.
If you do a bit of research, you can find free alternatives to most software too. For example, you don’t need to pay for Kissmetrics, when you can use Google Analytics for free. Also, it is always better to sign up for a free trial before investing in a software. If you are opting for CRM, you can always request a free pipeline template first.
3. SaaS requires low maintenance
Saas tools also come in extremely handy when you want to rid yourself of the hassle of maintaining your company’s IT infrastructure. In contrast, with an on-premise system, the IT department of your company would be required to spend a lot of time and money to ensure that the system is up and running and that there are no downtimes. Plus, there will also be a cost of backups, ventilation for hardware and repairs to take care of, or you can find an application support engineer for solving these problems.
With SaaS, your data will back up automatically on regular intervals. Also, downtimes are minimal since third-party vendors have a larger team, more dedicated and highly professional team to ensure that their systems are online at all times. The best thing is that you don’t have to worry about security either; because it is also taken care of by the SaaS vendor.
4. SaaS allows increased collaboration
For any organization, teamwork and collaboration are essential as they allow better execution, fast communication and increased productivity. According to Forbes, 73% of businesses are planning to improve their collaboration, considering it imperative for success. As a matter of fact, in this time, collaboration is more important than ever since most companies have teams that work remotely.
The right collaboration platforms such as Futuramo can improve your business process considerably. Futuramo, for example, lets your team manage projects and tasks, share visual feedback, report bugs, exchange ideas and track time. With these features, teams can communicate in real-time and in a hassle-free manner.
5. It is easy-to-use
The best part about SaaS solutions is perhaps that they are easy to use and don’t require intricate training sessions. Installation and setup are as easy as setting up a social media account.
Moreover, the interface is not too complex either and can be easily learned which means it’ll be easier and much faster for your staff to adopt it. In contrast, traditional software needs regular training sessions.
In this era, SaaS is no more a buzzword; it has become a necessity. The right SaaS tools can make life easier by taking care of several important but repetitive tasks that are otherwise time-consuming, but essential to running a company. Small businesses usually have smaller budgets that don’t allow them to afford complex IT infrastructure. Hence, SaaS tools are perfect for them as they can access some of the best software at minimal costs.
About the author:
Erica Silva is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences and express herself through her blogs. Currently, she is associated with Airg Team for development work. Check out her firm’s performance reviews.
Find her on Twitter:@ericadsilva1
