How does completing business tasks with a click of a button sound? For many small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with smaller teams, tasks may pile on and become overwhelming. But fret not, as, in this article, we explore Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), which allows the automation of repetitive tasks, reducing the burden of workload.
Information Technology has come a long way over the last century, inducing many questions regarding this new technology. It might be hard to understand what SaaS products are or how they function, but here’s everything you need to know about SaaS, including some lesser-known features that can help your business grow and thrive.
SaaS is a type of cloud computing that delivers software over the internet as a service. It functions as a software distribution model in which third-party providers host applications, making them available to customers over the internet. Sometimes referred to as "on-demand software" or "web-based software,” SaaS is typically accessed by users through a web browser – eliminating the upkeep of complex software and hardware management.
SaaS is a cost-effective way for businesses to obtain software since a smaller investment is needed. SaaS is often a good option for SMEs that do not have the resources to develop and maintain their technical stack. Additionally, SaaS applications update automatically, helping SMEs keep up with the latest features.
Now, it's almost impossible to picture a productive workflow without SaaS services, as they automate your workflows from start to finish, from email handling to project management, social media to CRM.
There are several benefits of using SaaS solutions;
SaaS solutions are typically priced on a subscription basis, which can be a more cost-effective option than buying software licenses. Businesses do not need to invest in the infrastructure necessary to run the software. Furthermore, SaaS services are often priced on a subscription basis, catering to businesses of all sizes.
SaaS applications are updated automatically – thanks to their online nature, eliminating the daunting task of constantly updating programme hardware, allowing SMEs to function efficiently knowing the SaaS application is kept up to date on the backend.
SaaS applications can be accessed from any location with an internet connection, so whether your team is remote or hybrid, everyone can gain access and make changes accordingly. The best SaaS platforms are designed to be flexible, so you can access all the features without being limited by your choice of software.
Businesses can scale their use of SaaS solutions up or down as needed – which is especially crucial for SMEs. When your business grows or enters new markets in different countries, SaaS services allow for enhanced customisation so that you can modify your business functions accordingly.
Downsides To Consider:
Despite the many advantages SaaS services bring, businesses should also carefully consider the security implications that may arise with storing data in the cloud. SaaS providers may have access to customer data, and data stored in the cloud is susceptible to hacking. To counter this, businesses should ensure that all data is encrypted and that there is a recovery plan in case of a data breach.
Getting started with a SaaS service is easy.
Simply decide on a SaaS product you believe best suits your business, sign up for a free trial and start using it. Many SaaS companies provide a 30-day trial period, allowing you to test before you commit. Don’t be afraid to experiment to determine a) if this SaaS software is the right fit for your business and b) how you would like your SaaS to be set up to best suit your business needs.
There are a few things to remember when looking for the right SaaS software.
The rise in popularity of SaaS platforms makes it easier to find readily available information on SaaS services and how they work. There are plenty of articles (including this blog post), YouTube Tutorials, webinars or even conferences that discuss and showcase how SaaS platforms work in depth.
For some of the best SaaS platforms, check out this article. Expanding from here, you may explore similar inventions to SaaS platforms, including IaaS, CaaS, PaaS, FaaS, and many more.
These advancements make a manual workflow almost unfathomable, fostering a growing demand for greater workflow automation like SaaS services. INTERLUNAR features a hybrid workforce – remote team interactions with the occasional face-to-face meets. Our team emphasises how this has worked miracles for us – as it allows for flexibility and greater personal responsibility – and credits a large portion of our momentum to SaaS platforms. Contact INTERLUNAR for guidance or to discover how to incorporate a more hybrid approach to your workforce.
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