The cloud has provided businesses with remarkable capabilities and opportunities, but we wanted to take a moment to focus on one in particular: software as a service, or SaaS. Let’s go over what SaaS is, exactly, and how it can assist you in your operations.
Understanding Software as a Service
For some context, consider a service that is more popular in the consumer space: Netflix.
Netflix’s streaming service is pretty analogous to the SaaS model in a business. Want to watch the 2011 film Drive, or binge-watch the AMC series Halt and Catch Fire? Just pull up Netflix: you can view these titles whenever you want, from multiple different devices.
This is so similar to how SaaS works for businesses, many of the benefits have been repeated by countless other apps and organizations.
How SaaS Offers Businesses an Advantage
Let’s take a moment and translate how the examples we just reviewed translate back into your business processes.
Accessibility
So, one of the biggest benefits to Netflix is the fact that you now have access to a huge repository of content, available at your fingertips from assorted different devices… as long as you have a connection to the Internet. This is exactly why so many businesses like using SaaS for their software needs: it gives them the confidence that their employees will have access to their tools (and thereby, be capable of being productive).
Speedy Deployment
Another reason that Netflix is so popular is its convenience. All a user really has to do is install it, sign in, and they’re off. SaaS platforms work in a similar way, as once everything is configured, you’re off! Often SaaS licenses even make it easy for a user to move between multiple devices without requiring additional licenses and costs.
Of course, SaaS offers businesses even more benefits than Netflix offers its customers, simply because a business has greater need of its software than it just being there at the right time. For instance:
Security
It’s no secret that all businesses are super concerned about their security nowadays, and a SaaS provider is no different. In fact, they need to be even more concerned, as they are also protecting other people’s data. As a result, they have some extra motivation to deploy some serious protection.
Scalability
There’s always the possibility that you will need to add or subtract employees at some point in time. SaaS makes it simpler to do, as scaling up or down only requires you to adjust your subscription.
Cost Benefits
In fairness, it isn’t always apparent how a SaaS solution offers you cost benefits over a solution that you just host yourself - in fact, on the surface, SaaS looks considerably more expensive. However, you need to consider the real costs associated with your software - like the costs of acquiring and maintaining the hardware and labor to facilitate it - and factor these in as well. Oftentimes, SaaS is the more budget-friendly approach.
Interested in learning more about SaaS solutions? Flexnet Networks LLC is the Texas & Florida expert in all things IT. Reach out to us to learn more about cloud-based software solutions by calling (432) 520-3539.
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