Nowadays, companies from various industries rely on SaaS for their daily operations. From accounting to logistics and telecom expense management software, you can manage and monitor various business activities with these tools.
Although SaaS is very useful and can drastically increase your efficiency, you need to find the right product that will fit your company. In theory, you can purchase a subscription for several great SaaS, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you will get the optimal results.
What is SaaS?
SaaS stands for Software as a Service. With SaaS, you can manage various operations such as accounting, team management, data storage, interpersonal communication, etc.
Once you subscribe to a SaaS (monthly or annual subscriptions), you gain full access to its features for an allocated time period.
SaaS is delivered as an online platform that is regularly updated and improved. What’s even better, these enhancements are done in real-time, and users don’t have to wait for a download to complete. Instead, everything is done seamlessly, without interrupting your daily operations.
These programs are used online. So, you need an internet connection and a web browser. This is great for international teams because all team members gain access to all the features regardless of their geo-location.
What differentiates SaaS from similar services?
One of the main reasons why the SaaS concept became popular is because of how we do business today. Most companies outsource their labor abroad, which means they have to manage large international teams with members from different countries.
With SaaS, all these individuals can access the same data without the company having to spend resources on storage.
They are pretty easy to use, and you don’t have to perform any downloads (in most cases). As mentioned, you just need a reliable connection and a web browser. Furthermore, this makes them ideal for phones, where using traditional software would be tricky.
Here are some of the main reasons why you should give SaaS a chance:
1. Time saver
Simply put, these tools will save your company an enormous amount of time. All the updates are done in real-time, and the service is continuously available.
For instance, if you work at a dealership, you can easily be overwhelmed by how much time is needed to complete tasks such as inventory management, payroll and more.
It can get even worse if your work involves daily maintenance and repairs. Most of the shop owners are looking for reliable auto shop software which will streamline their business process and make it more efficient.
This is especially important for some functions, such as accounting, where a dedicated team of professionals has to use the program on a daily basis.
2. Cheap in the short run
Developing your own software and systems can be really troublesome, especially if you’re a young company struggling with resources.
By simply getting one of these tools, you can get full functionality with minimal initial expenses. However, it is worth noting that the cost of SaaS can ramp up over time.
3. Free trials
Unlike many other types of software, most SaaS companies give users an opportunity to try their wares. This makes it easier to make a decision.
Free trials are very important if you consider the enormous competition within the SaaS field, as well as the fact that subscription plans tend to be pricey.
4. Ability to scale
Lastly, we need to mention scalability. These tools can be used by small companies of 5 to 10 people and large corporations that number thousands.
So, as your company grows, you can adjust the plan and that allows you to use the same process without losing a step.
5 Most common types of SaaS
Nowadays, you have SaaS for just about anything. However, I will focus on 5 most usual categories:
1. Communication SaaS
Although most platforms nowadays allow some communication (whether through text, audio, or visual), companies commonly use programs such as Skype and Zoom due to their dominant features and performance.
2. Project management tools
Project management tools are great for large teams that handle numerous tasks and files. With these platforms, you can assign people different duties and track their progress. They are great for transferring files, creating schedules, and executing various business strategies.
3. Ecommerce platforms
No matter what kind of a online shop you have, you need an eCommerce to build it on. Shopify is one of the most popular solutions that allows you to showcase inventory and sell it while having complete transaction protection.
4. Marketing and sales SaaS
When it comes to marketing and sales, the two best options are Hubspot and Salesforce. Whichever you choose between these two, you won’t regret it.
They can exponentially increase your efficiency, making sales and marketing a breeze. Furthermore, you can integrate it with other tools for additional functionality.
5. Social media platforms
With the rise of influencer culture and social media, SaaS has become more valuable. For example companies and individuals rely on apps such as Hootsuite for their daily activities.
