Over the past few years, many companies, Unilog included have made sure that the software they offer is available in the SaaS (Software as a Service) model. Both our products – CIMM2 and XRF2 are available on the cloud via the SaaS model.
SaaS, in simple terms, is when the customer pays the service provider(s), i.e. the software vendor(s), to use the software over the internet. SaaS deals with many issues the software vendors face in delivering their service, not to mention it removes enormous burdens off the customers.
What’s in it for the customer?
As someone who is approaching a software vendor, for something like eCommerce software that powers your online store, or an office suite that is used by your staff, you are bound to wonder what advantages this method has for you. As a customer you have the following to look forward to:
- No assembly required – When you go in for software that requires installation, you know there can be two major hassles – lowered productivity during the period of organization-wide installation, and slower systems/servers after installation. These issues are tackled in one simple move, there’s no on-premise installation involved.With SaaS, the software is already installed on the vendors’ servers and that is all is required. Productivity in the organization is unaffected, because to access the software you simply have to go to a website and log in. Your systems are free to run as they like without the pesky weight of the installation slowing them down.
- OpEx it – One of the major capital expenditures (CapEx) for organizations is the acquisition of licensed software and the associated hardware from the vendors. This can show up as a major expenditure in the organization’s books.By using the subscription model offered by SaaS however, organizations don’t need to maintain these separate records because the small and recurring expense can now be recorded as an operating expenditure (OpEx). This frees up the organization to utilize its budgets for other strategically important areas.
- Grows with you – Another great benefit for the customer – it provides them with flexibility and scalability that is hard to receive from system installed software. With the traditional model, an organization that opens a new office, factory or plant, would need to purchase a whole new set of licenses for the software needed to operate. It would then have to go through the hassle of having them installed on its systems and having its internal technical support teams trained to handle issues. With SaaS, all the organization has to do is start paying an additional monthly fee for the new users. It saves both the vendor and the customer enormous resources and time.
- Jigsaw modules – With the traditional model having add-ons, new modules or updates for the software installed was a pain, but with SaaS, the vendors handle this at their end. The customer can simply request the required module to be added to their package and the vendor will assure addition and integration.
SaaS has greatly improved the way the software industry works. It has provided businesses, both big and small with a method to save costs and ease interactions. With SaaS, organizations have been able to simplify and enhance administration, collaboration and global co-ordination.