The
Software as a Service (SaaS) model continues to gain traction across all
corners of the business world, and for good reason. Also known as
on-demand software, hosted software or web-based software, SaaS eschews
traditional software installation, maintenance and management approaches
in favor of delivering cloud-based applications via the internet. With
SaaS, service provider partners shoulder the burdens of security,
availability and performance. Organizations of all shapes and sizes are embracing the SaaS
philosophy as an alternative to on-premises hardware and software
deployment. IT management metrics provider Computer Economics reports
that 60 percent of all companies now have integrated at least some SaaS solutions into their business, with 36 percent intending to increase their investment in the months ahead. But is SaaS a sound idea for your company? Here’s what you need to know.
The pros and cons of Software as a Service
SaaS is a natural fit for businesses intent on slashing IT
responsibilities and costs. On average, firms that transition to
Software as a Service subscriptions from capital-heavy, on-premise
infrastructure installation, maintenance and upgrades enjoy an IT spending reduction of more than 15 percent, according to data collected by Computer World.
SaaS is particularly well suited for small businesses. Instead of
investing in additional in-house server capacity and software licenses,
companies simply can adjust their Software as a Service subscription on a
monthly basis, scaling consumption requirements up and down based on
project demands and other variables. There’s also an increase in human
bandwidth: In-house IT staffers are liberated from the tasks associated
with on-premise hardware and software, allowing them to tackle projects
more vital to the company’s future growth. And because the IT
infrastructure resides in the service provider’s data center, your
organization can get back up and running immediately in the event of a
service outage or more dramatic disruption.
Nothing is perfect, of course, and SaaS is no exception. Companies
that adopt multiple Software as a Service applications or plan to
connect hosted software with existing on-premise apps may encounter
software integration headaches along the way. Security is another common
concern for businesses mulling SaaS options: Whenever sensitive company
data and business processes are entrusted to a third-party service
provider, issues such as identity and access management must be
addressed. Businesses must also take into account the government
compliance regulations inherent to storing customer data in a remote
data center.
Essential SaaS apps every company should know
Still on the fence about SaaS? Perhaps a deeper understanding of some of the most innovative and popular SaaS applications can help you make up your mind.
1. Salesforce.com
Arguably the quintessential Software as a Service application,
Salesforce remains at the vanguard of the cloud computing revolution it
helped create. The customer relations management solution enables
businesses to collect all information on customers, prospects and leads
within a single online platform, enabling authorized employees to access
critical data on any connected device at any time. Salesforce credits
its tools for boosting customer sales an average of 37 percent as well
as driving increased client loyalty and satisfaction.
2. Microsoft Office 365
Signature Microsoft productivity applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint are longtime staples of the workplace, but the cloud-based Microsoft Office 365
dramatically expands the Office suite’s parameters. Users now may
create, edit and share content from any PC, Mac, iOS, Android or Windows
device in real-time, connect with colleagues and customers across a
range of tools from email to video conferencing and leverage a range of
collaborative technologies supporting secure interactions both inside
and outside of the organization.
3. Box
This online workspace enables professionals to collaborate with
anyone, anywhere. Users can securely share large files via traditional
link or custom URL, safeguarding data and documents via permissions and
password protection. Box supports more than 120 file types,
and users may preview content prior to downloading. All content
sharing, editing, discussion and approval is confined to one centralized
file, and users receive real-time notifications when edits are made.
Box also automates tasks such as employee onboarding and contract
approvals, reducing repetition and abbreviating review cycles.
4. Google Apps
Google long ago expanded beyond its search and advertising roots to
offer businesses a comprehensive suite of productivity tools. Google Apps
includes custom professional email (complete with spam protection),
shared calendars and video meetings alongside Google Drive. A
cloud-based document storage solution, Google Drive enables staffers to
access files from any device and share them instantly with colleagues,
in the process eliminating email attachments as well as the hassles of
merging different versions.
5. Amazon Web Services
Amazon, too, has evolved beyond its core e-commerce platform to
support the on-demand delivery of cloud-based IT resources and
applications, bolstered by pay-as-you-go pricing options. Amazon Web Services
currently encompasses more than 70 services in all, including
computing, storage, networking, database, analytics, deployment,
management and tools for the Internet of Things.
6. Concur
Business travel can pose headaches for on-the-go employees and finance departments alike. Concur
streamlines the process by automating travel and expense management.
Its web-based and mobile solutions enable staffers to book travel plans
according to their own needs and preferences, while also making sure all
bookings fall within company spending limits. Concur additionally
reconciles expenses after travel is completed and delivers electronic
airline, hotel and auto rental receipts directly into digital expense
reports. This negates the need to collect, track and submit paper
receipts.
7. Zendesk
This cloud-based customer service and support ticketing platform
enables representatives to more efficiently tackle inbound client
requests across any communications channel — email, web, social media,
phone or chat. Features include Automatic Answers (a machine
learning-powered tool for interpreting and solving customer questions
and requests), Zopim (a real-time chat service) and Zendesk Voice (a
cloud-based, built-in phone support solution). According to Zendesk, its business users experience positive ratings for more than 86 percent of their customer interactions.
8. DocuSign
Electronic signature technology and transaction management services platform DocuSign
supports the exchange of digital contracts and other e-signed
documents. Users may access, sign and send business documents from their
office, their hotel room or anywhere else their job leads, guaranteeing
approvals and agreements are executed in a matter of minutes, not days.
DocuSign e-signatures are legally binding for most business and
personal transactions in virtually every nation across the globe. The
app supports more than 85 million users in 188
9. Dropbox
Keep your documents and files at your fingertips across all your devices using Dropbox.
Anything added to Dropbox storage automatically shows up across all
your desktop and mobile devices, enabling professionals to begin a
project on their work PC, make edits on their smartphone during the
evening commute home, and add the finishing touches from their home
tablet. Then users can invite teammates to access any Dropbox folder or
send them specific files and images accessible through
password-protected links; there’s even a remote wipe option in case of
emergency.
10. Slack
A real-time messaging, archiving and search solution, Slack
is redefining business communication. Users may organize team
conversations in open channels dedicated to specific topics or projects
or limit more sensitive interactions to private, invite-only
participants. Colleagues also may interact one-on-one using private,
secure direct messages. Slack also enables users to share files,
documents, spreadsheets and PDFs, complete with options for adding
comments and highlighting for future reference; moreover, all messages,
notifications and files are automatically indexed and archived.
Even if none of those Software as a Service solutions float your
boat, chances are there’s an app that can transform how your
organization does business. “When deployed correctly, SaaS promises
decreased infrastructure, speed of implementation and comparable
customer experience. It also can save on upfront costs,” said David
Wagner, Computer Economics’ vice president of research. “It is no
surprise that companies are making the switch.” You owe it to your
business to consider joining their ranks.
Source: Getnerdio