Tag: SaaS application

Why SaaS is The Best Option for Enterprise Businesses?

Posted on by Jay

In today’s evolving technological landscape, enterprise businesses are presented with an array of options to streamline their operations and drive growth. One solution that has gained remarkable traction in recent years is Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).

This innovative model has transformed the way organizations approach software deployment, offering a wide array of benefits that are particularly well-suited for enterprise-level operations.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the world of SaaS, explore its characteristics, advantages, and dispel common myths, ultimately highlighting why it’s the best option for modern enterprise businesses.

Understanding SaaS:

Understanding SaaS

(Image source: https://www.saasacademy.com/)

It is a cloud computing model in which software applications are hosted and provided to users over the internet on a subscription basis.

Unlike traditional software that needs to be installed and maintained on individual computers or servers, SaaS applications are centrally managed in the cloud, accessible from any device with an internet connection.

This convenience and flexibility have made it a game-changer for businesses of all sizes, but particularly for enterprises with complex needs.

Examples of Popular SaaS Application

Examples of Popular SaaS Application

(Image source: https://otakoyi.software/)

Customer Relationship Management (CRM):

  • Salesforce:
    A highly customizable CRM platform that helps businesses manage leads, contacts, opportunities, and customer interactions.
  • WakeUpSales:
    A user-friendly CRM system that offers contact management, email tracking, and sales automation features.

Project Management and Collaboration:

  • Orangescrum:
    A project management tool known for its visual task boards and team collaboration features, making it easy to track projects and tasks.
  • Monday.com:
    A work operating system that provides a centralized platform for planning, tracking, and managing work across teams.

Human Resources Management (HRM):

  • Workday:
    A cloud-based HRM system that covers HR, payroll, and talent management, designed to streamline workforce management.
  • BambooHR:
    An HR software that focuses on employee data management, onboarding, and performance tracking.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP):

  • Oracle NetSuite:
    A comprehensive cloud-based ERP solution that integrates financial management, CRM, and e-commerce functionalities.
  • SAP Business ByDesign:
    A scalable ERP system that covers various business processes like finance, supply chain, and project management.

Communication and Team Collaboration:

  • Microsoft Teams:
    A hub for teamwork in Microsoft 365, combining chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and app integration.
  • Slack: A messaging and collaboration platform that enhances communication and teamwork with channels, integrations, and file sharing.

Marketing Automation:

  • HubSpot Marketing Hub:
    An all-in-one marketing automation platform that includes tools for email marketing, social media, and analytics.
  • Marketo:
    A powerful marketing automation solution that focuses on lead generation, nurturing, and personalized campaigns.

Financial Management:

  • QuickBooks Online:
    A popular cloud-based accounting software that helps small businesses manage invoicing, expenses, and financial reports.
  • Xero:
    Another cloud-based accounting platform known for its ease of use and features like bank reconciliation and expense tracking.

E-commerce Platforms:

  • Shopify:
    A widely-used e-commerce platform that enables businesses to set up online stores, manage products, and process payments.
  • WooCommerce:
    A plugin for WordPress that turns a website into an e-commerce store, offering customization and integration options.

Customer Support and Helpdesk:

  • Zendesk:
    A customer service platform that provides ticketing, live chat, and self-service support solutions to enhance customer experience.
  • Freshdesk:
    A cloud-based helpdesk software that offers omnichannel support, ticket management, and automation features.

Document Collaboration and Storage:

  • Google Workspace (formerly G Suite):
    A suite of cloud-based productivity tools including Google Docs, Sheets, and Drive for collaboration and storage.
  • Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365):
    A collection of applications including Word, Excel, and OneDrive for document collaboration and storage.

Video Conferencing and Communication:

  • Zoom:
    A widely-used video conferencing platform that offers online meetings, webinars, and collaboration features.
  • Microsoft Teams:
    Apart from collaboration, it also serves as a platform for video conferencing, making it a versatile choice.

A Brief History of SaaS Applications

The concept dates back to the 1960s, but it gained significant momentum in the 1990s with the advent of the internet.

Salesforce’s launch in 1999 marked a pivotal moment, showcasing the viability of delivering software as a service.

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Since then, it has evolved to cover a wide range of applications and industries, disrupting traditional software deployment models.

What are the Characteristics and Benefits of SaaS Applications?


What are the Characteristics and Benefits of SaaS Applications(Image source: https://otakoyi.software/)

Scalability and Flexibility:

  • Easily Scales:
    Applications can scale up or down seamlessly, adapting to changing user demands or business growth without requiring significant infrastructure adjustments.
  • No Hardware Upgrades:
    Eliminates the need for costly hardware upgrades or expansions, as the cloud infrastructure handles the scaling process.
  • Rapid Deployment:
    New users or features can be added quickly, allowing businesses to respond to market opportunities or changes without delay.
  • Pay-as-You-Grow:
    You pay for what you use, making it ideal for startups or enterprises looking to control costs while maintaining the ability to expand operations.
  • Resource Efficiency:
    It avoids overprovisioning and underutilization of resources, optimizing cost-effectiveness.

Cost-Efficiency and Predictable Pricing:

  • Subscription Model:
    It operates on a subscription basis, replacing upfront licensing costs with regular, predictable payments.
  • Reduced Capital Expenses:
    No need for significant upfront investments in software licenses or hardware, freeing up capital for other business priorities.
  • Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO):
    Maintenance, updates, and support are often included in the subscription, reducing the total cost of owning and managing software.
  • Scalability Savings:
    As your business grows, you avoid the expense of purchasing and maintaining additional hardware and software licenses.
  • Budget Predictability:
    Fixed subscription fees allow for better budgeting and financial planning, minimizing financial surprises.

Accessibility and Collaboration:

  • Anytime, Anywhere Access:
    SaaS applications are accessible via the internet, enabling users to work from anywhere and on any device.
  • Remote and Hybrid Work:
    Supports the rise of remote work, allowing teams to collaborate effectively regardless of geographical locations.
  • Real-Time Collaboration:
    Multiple users can work simultaneously on shared documents, projects, or data, enhancing teamwork and productivity.
  • Reduced Communication Barriers:
    Instant messaging, file sharing, and collaborative features facilitate smooth communication and information exchange.
  • Global Workforce Enablement:
    It breaks down geographic barriers, allowing businesses to tap into talent from around the world.

Automatic Updates and Maintenance:

  • Seamless Updates:
    Application service providers handle updates and maintenance, ensuring that your software is continuously updated with the latest features and security enhancements.
  • Reduced IT Burden:
    IT teams are relieved of routine maintenance tasks, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives and innovation.
  • Improved Security:
    Regular updates include security patches, reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing protection against cyber threats.
  • Minimized Downtime:
    Updates are often performed without disrupting users, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous operation.
  • Access to Innovation:
    Automatic updates provide access to new functionalities and capabilities without the need for manual installations.

Integration and Interoperability:

  • Built-in Integrations:
    Many applications offer Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and integrations with other popular software and services.
  • Unified Data Flow:
    Integrations facilitate data sharing and synchronization across different systems, reducing data silos and improving data accuracy.
  • Streamlined Workflows:
    Automated data transfer between applications reduces manual data entry and improves efficiency.
  • Enhanced Decision-Making:
    Unified data and insights from integrated systems enable better-informed decisions across departments.
  • Customized Ecosystem:
    Organizations can create tailored ecosystems by combining applications that suit their specific needs, ensuring a cohesive software environment.

What is the Difference Between SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) vs. On-Premise Applications

What is the Difference Between SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) vs. On-Premise Applications

(Image source: https://www.alibabacloud.com/knowledge/what-is-saas)

 

SaaS (Software-as-a-Service)

On-Premise Application

Definition

SaaS applications are cloud-based software solutions delivered over the internet on a subscription basis. Users access the software remotely through web browsers without needing to install or maintain it locally.

On-premise applications are traditional software solutions that are installed and run on local servers or computers within an organization’s physical infrastructure. These applications are managed, maintained, and updated by the organization’s IT department.

Deployment

Deployed on the provider’s servers and accessed remotely via the internet. No installation is required on users’ devices.

Installed and maintained on the organization’s own servers, requiring manual installations and updates on each user’s device.

Cost Structure

 Follows a subscription-based pricing model, with predictable recurring costs that cover software access, maintenance, updates, and support. Involves upfront costs for software licenses and hardware, with potential additional costs for ongoing maintenance, updates, and support.

Accessibility

Accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, fostering collaboration among distributed teams and enabling remote work.

Accessible only within the organization’s network, limiting remote access and collaboration.

Scalability

Scales easily to accommodate increased users, data, or transactions, with the provider managing the underlying infrastructure

Requires manual adjustments and potential hardware upgrades to scale, often leading to higher costs and longer implementation times.

Maintenance and Updates

Providers handle maintenance, updates, and security, ensuring that users always have access to the latest features and security patches.

Organizations are responsible for maintaining, updating, and patching the software, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Customization

Customization options can be limited, as the software is standardized to cater to a broader user base.

Offers greater customization possibilities, allowing organizations to tailor the software to their specific needs.

Data Security

Data security relies on the provider’s measures. Organizations must trust the provider’s security practices and compliance with data protection regulations.

Provides more control over data security, but requires organizations to implement and maintain their own security measures.

Integration

Offers built-in APIs and integrations with other software, facilitating seamless data flow across systems.

Integrations often require manual development and maintenance, potentially leading to longer integration times.
Vendor Control

Organizations rely on the SaaS provider for software management, updates, and security, which can lead to concerns about vendor dependency.

Organizations have full control over software management, updates, and security, but this also requires dedicated IT resources.

Debunking Common Software-As-A-Service Myths

  1. Myth: SaaS is Less Secure than On-Premise Software:

Reality: Security is a top priority for providers. Reputable providers invest heavily in advanced security measures, encryption, data backup, and compliance with industry standards. These platforms often offer robust security features that match or even surpass those of on-premise solutions.

  1. Myth: It Is Only for Small Businesses:

Reality: It is suitable for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises. In fact, many enterprises leverage software-as-a-service to streamline operations, reduce IT complexity, and stay agile in a rapidly changing business landscape.

  1. Myth: Software-As-A-Service Applications Lack Customization:

Reality: While these applications are standardized to cater to a broader user base, many providers offer customization options. Businesses can often configure settings, integrate with other tools, and adapt workflows to align the software with their specific needs.

  1. Myth: Applications Always Have Hidden Costs:

Reality: While subscriptions involve ongoing costs, they typically include maintenance, updates, and support. Compared to on-premise solutions, where hidden costs like hardware upgrades and maintenance can accumulate, It provides greater transparency and predictability in total costs.

  1. Myth: You Lose Control Over Your Data:

Reality: Software service providers prioritize data security and compliance. While data is stored off-site, reputable providers implement strict access controls, encryption, and adhere to data protection regulations. Businesses retain ownership of their data and can access, export, and delete it as needed.

What Future Holds For SaaS Application?

What Future Holds For SaaS Application

(Image source: https://financesonline.com/)

  • SaaS is a cloud-based application platform; according to statistics the global market for cloud related software services will surpass $520 Billion in 2023.
  • According to a recent study, nearly 1/3rd of the companies invested in cloud computing.
  • In the year 2022 the hybrid cloud market was $54.34 Billion which is expected to reach $ 201 Billion in 2032.
  • Nearly 90% of the active companies around the world have adopted cloud technology.
  • Amazon cloud service or AWS is the leading SaaS solution provider. It owns 32% of shares around the world.

Conclusion

Software-as-a-Service has revolutionized the way enterprises approach software adoption and usage.

Its accessibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency make it the best option for modern enterprise businesses.

By harnessing the power of SaaS, enterprises can drive innovation, enhance collaboration, and stay agile in an ever-changing business landscape.

FAQs

Q1 – Who Owns SaaS Product Data?

Answer – The ownership of data in a SaaS product typically rests with the customer or the organization that subscribes to the service. Software service providers act as custodians of the data and are responsible for its storage and security. It’s important to review the terms of service and data usage policies provided by the vendor to understand the specifics of data ownership and usage rights.

Q2 – What If My Software-As-a-Service Provider Goes Out Of Business?

Answer – If your software service provider goes out of business, it can create challenges for your organization. It’s crucial to have a contingency plan in place. Ideally, before subscribing to their service, ensure that the contract includes provisions for data retrieval and transition in case the vendor becomes non-operational. Backup your data regularly and maintain awareness of the financial stability and reputation of the software-as-a-service developers.

Q3 – Can Applications be Customized to Fit Enterprise-Specific Needs?

Answer – Yes, many software service applications offer customization options. While these solutions are standardized to cater to a broad audience, they often provide configuration settings, integration capabilities, and extensions that allow businesses to adapt the software to their specific needs. However, the extent of customization may vary depending on the provider and the nature of the application.

Q4 – Is It Secure For Enterprise-Level Data?

Answer – Reputable software service providers prioritize data security and invest in robust measures to protect enterprise-level data. These measures can include encryption, access controls, regular security audits, compliance with industry regulations, and data backup strategies. While security concerns are valid, many applications provide a high level of security that can often match or surpass on-premise solutions, provided you choose a reliable and trusted vendor.

How To Build A Successful Software Development Business

Posted on by Jay

In this age of computers and smartphones, we’ve started to rely a lot upon the software programs that give them life. Since computers started becoming prominent, there has been a boom in the software development business.

The software has made life easier for everyone, from education, entertainment, business, or the day-to-day issues, the software has brought the solutions of almost all of them at the fingertips.

The convenience that the software programs have brought to the lives of the people has increased their demands. An increase in demands naturally leads to an increase in production and the same happened with the software market.

Software businesses are growing and new startups are emerging, seeing these businesses grow, everyone at least once wishes to start a software startup. The catch is to do the right things to make it a successful one.

Here are some suggestions that could help you make your software startup a success-:

1. Be Customer-Centric

A business thrives by the efforts they put to satisfy their clients/customers. Making money might be the dream that brings people to start a business but an important key to success is to satisfy the customer.

A customer-centric business thrives over the motivation of solving the problems incurred by the customers rather than just focusing on converting them and making them pay.

Make sure the customer service is responsive, efficient, and welcoming, and you’ll retain the customers and bring in new ones.

2. Minimum Viable Product

For any business, especially for a startup, the efficient use of capital is always an issue. Businesses face risks during several stages of production and distribution, and a faulty decision can deplete a lot of money.

Minimizing risk makes business much more smooth. For a software-based company, this can be done by introducing an MVP (Minimum Viable Product).

An MVP is the most basic version of the product with only the essential features of the product. After introducing the MVP, enhancements and upgrades can be done as per the feedback of the user-base.

This way, businesses avoid scenarios where they incur losses because certain features or the software is badly received by the public.

3. Collaborative Marketing

Marketing is an important part of business development and the interesting thing is that the field of marketing is open to lots of creative ideas, innovation, and experimentation.

Out of all the methods that software businesses use to market their product, an interesting way is to collaborate with other businesses where there is no conflict of interest.

The Co-Marketing model which is used by companies to promote each other’s products helps the participating companies access the other company’s user base and thereby grow their audience.

Because of the growth in the user base at a comparatively lower expense, it is a win-win situation for all.

4. Incentivize the Employees

Efficient employees contribute substantially to a business, however, it is not easy to make them work efficiently.

Even though the employees vow to work diligently in an interview, and a lot of them keep up with their words, often an employee lacks the motivation to give it their best.

The best way to motivate an employee is to give them an incentive and appreciation for their accomplishments.

5. Solve Problems

There are a lot of startups that tend to imitate successful products and fail because people aren’t finding the product helpful. Whatever the issue is, if the product isn’t helpful to the clients, if it isn’t solving their problems, it will fail.

Before developing a software program, always do in-depth research about the demands, the issues that the people are facing, how important will your program be for them- are there any other simpler means to solve the issue, does the issue really bother them, and so on.

6. Measure, Analyze, and Improve

To improve something, you need to know its present condition, and how the outcomes are affected by changing its aspects. The same goes for businesses, you need to be aware of certain indicators that reflect how the business is performing.

saas business applicationsImage Source: Statistica

These indicators are called KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). It is necessary to monitor these indicators along with other indicators and after analyzing the situation, make proper decisions that will improve the situation.

7. Offer Packages

The main source of revenue for a software-based business is subscriptions. While it is essential to offer some free tools for a user to hang on to the software, it is important to provide some exclusive plans that offer more sets of tools.

Such extensive tools are generally used by regular subscribers and businesses who are quite reliant on these exclusive tools and readily pay for them if the standards meet their expectations.

8. Client Retention

As we discussed in the last point that subscriptions are the major sources of revenue for a software company, now if the churn rate for the software is high, the business will lose money in the form of marketing campaigns to maintain the number of subscribers.

Retaining the subscribers is the key to success for a software business especially those with a SaaS product. Proper customer support, attractive offers, and quality products are the things that can make a customer remain subscribed.

9. Third-Party Integration

People extensively use computers and smartphones these days, most of the time, they need different software programs to accomplish a particular task.

Integrating the software with third-party software programs with which it is generally used, will help the users a great deal.

Making a flexible API that can be easily integrated with different platforms and worked upon by developers will help grow the popularity of the product and increase its value.

10. Make it Simple and Intuitive

For a software program to be convenient for public use, it needs to be simple. People don’t want to go through the hassle of learning how to make use of the program to accomplish tasks.

Popular software programs have a simple interface through which people can find their way easily and find the necessary tools and paths intuitively. Make it interactive, simple, and intuitive then see its shining.

Conclusion

Software products are growing rapidly with new ideas, innovative designs, and solutions to day-to-day problems.

While the opportunity is golden and resources are abundant, the journey to success is long and a tough one. The tips that we discussed above will make sure you get across some of the hurdles with ease.

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7 Powerful SaaS Marketing Strategy: A Step By Step Guide

Posted on by Jay

In the era of digitalization, the world of business has seen a drastic change. The internet has made it possible for businesses to expand their reach and target a worldwide market. However, this comes with its fair share of challenges. With the abundance of merchandise available, it’s difficult to stand out and make an impact. A marketing strategy is the key to success in the digital world. For a SaaS company, it’s important to have a solid marketing strategy. This will not only help you gain traction, but also drive your sales and monetize your business efficiently.

With the global SaaS revenue hitting $105 billion this year and then expected to cross $141 billion by 2022, it’s tempting to join the bandwagon and develop your own SaaS business.

However, the SaaS business model is quite complex and that’s why your execution needs to be on point from the very beginning.

The pandemic has hugely impacted our lives, with several business sectors barely surviving to stay afloat.

The rate of cloud adoption globally, has grown significantly this year, as many companies that were not in the cloud already, were compelled to migrate to it by enforced remote work.

In fact, the new world order has seen Software as a Service (SaaS) gaining prominence like never before.

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With limited budgets and accelerated digital growth, SaaS has become the ultimate choice for enterprise IT investments – whether big or small.

So, what makes a strong SaaS business? Here are 7 powerful SaaS marketing strategy: a step by step guide that will help you start off on the right foot from the new year.

Offer A Solution For A Problem

The first thing you need to do is ensure that you are addressing a certain problem and you are offering an effective solution for that problem.

Start by identifying a problem you’ve struggled with and think about how you can solve it in the best possible way.

Another option is to think about how you can solve a certain problem better, cheaper, or faster than your competition.

Having industry experience can also be very helpful as you will be able to identify a void that you can fill.

The bottom line is, if you don’t solve a problem, you don’t have a business.

Write A Plan

Writing a plan is the best way to put your idea onto paper.

This doesn’t mean you have to write 100 pages; you can start with a single page pitch that roughly covers the following:

Strategy section which will contain a short description of your SaaS business and your UVP, the problem you are solving, as well as your solution to that problem (i.e. your product).

This section should also identify your target audience and your competitors and say what makes you different from them.

Your tactics, i.e. the channels you will be using to sell your product, as well as the marketing strategies that you will be employing in order to attract customers.

Include a list of your core team members, as well as the resources you’re going to need.

A SaaS business model. This section will state how your SaaS business will make money. At this stage, include only your key expenses and primary revenue sources.

Once you’ve validated your idea, you’ll be able to revisit your business model and create a detailed cash flow forecast, sales forecast, and expense budget.

Make Some Market Research

Now you have your plan but at this point, it’s just a list of assumptions. In order to determine whether your assumptions are right, you need to validate your idea.

In other words, you need to find out whether your idea can be turned into a viable business that actually makes money.

The best way to do this is by talking to your prospective customers. You can get the necessary feedback by running search ads, launching a coming soon site, or launching a Kickstarter.

You can even go door to door or talk to people face-to-face to find out if they would like a product like yours.

Based on the feedback you collect, you’ll be able to revisit your idea and adjust or refine it.

Or, you might determine that there is no market for your idea and come up with an entirely different one.

Another way to validate your idea is by researching your competitors to see what solutions they’re offering for the same problem.

Is there anything that customers want but don’t get at the moment? What could you do differently and/or better than your competitors?

Get The Pricing Models Right

When it comes to your pricing models, you need to test and be ready to make changes in order for your pricing to fit what your customers are prepared to pay.

And having in mind that the competition in the industry is fierce, this might mean offering your product for less than you believe it’s worth, at least at the beginning.

Performing a thorough check on your competitors is a good place to start.

Determining their average, lowest, and highest prices will help you determine how much you should charge for your software.

Brand To Set Yourself Apart

As we mentioned earlier, the competition in the SaaS industry is fierce, so you need to figure out how to brand and set yourself apart from the others.

This means developing your own tone of voice and investing in design. You can leverage tools like Canva to workshop brand colors, logos, and designs even if you have no design knowledge.

You should also ensure that your messaging is consistent and that your partners, vendors, and clients understand who you are, what your vision is, and how you serve.

Finally, don’t forget to pay attention to your domain.

No matter how insignificant it might seem, choosing a good domain is a key part of your branding strategy, as it will give you credibility and an advantage over the competitors.

If possible, stick with a .com domain name that is short, memorable, and easy to spell.

Prepare A Solid Marketing Strategy:

Content marketing is especially important for SaaS businesses. Getting started with content marketing isn’t hard; all you need is a company blog where you will create content that will help your prospects solve their problems and share your expertise on certain topics to establish yourself as an authority.

Participate In Online Communities

Another way to establish yourself as an expert is to participate in relevant online discussions and comment on other people’s blog posts.

I’ve worked with the team at Andolasoft on multiple websites. They are professional, responsive, & easy to work with. I’ve had great experiences & would recommend their services to anyone.

Ruthie Miller, Sr. Mktg. Specialist

Salesforce, Houston, Texas

LEARN MORE

Figure out where your potential customers like hanging out online and try to get coverage in those locations. It can also be useful to get listed on all the big SaaS directories in order to get initial feedback about your product.

Final Thoughts

The most important thing you should do as a SaaS business is to get your product out there. As long as you have a working plan and a willingness to make changes, your business will stand a chance against the competitors.

What Is The Saas Life Cycle-Application And Development

Posted on by Jay

A SaaS Project Management & Team Communication tool, the enterprises that purchase the services of SaaS providers will always come out on top with efficient operations and organized teams – said by Basecamp.

The Saas Life Cycle is a term used in the software industry to describe the process of creating a new software product. It’s a generic way of understanding the different phases that a software project goes through from the moment you start developing a new application to the moment you release it for users.

If you’re new to the Saas Life Cycle, you might be wondering what exactly it means. Or you might be wondering how you can take your new project through this process to make it more successful. Either way, you’ll learn more about the Saas Life Cycle and how it can help your new software project succeed with this article.

SaaS Development

From the view of experts, SaaS development is unique. It requires a specific skill-set and an open-minded approach.

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Here are some benefits of using a SaaS:

  • Lower costs. Since SaaS is a “cloud” solution the prices customers are required to pay are much lower than on-premise solutions.
  • Scalability. SaaS is an already developed solution, customers do not need to do much planning, as SaaS are highly scalable.
  • Upgrades. SaaS provides all the upgrades themselves, which is highly convenient for the users.
  • Integration. SaaS are perfect platforms for integration with other services
  • User Experience. SaaS solutions always try to make their UX enjoyable. Which lets their customers spend less time learning how to use the software.

The SaaS Development Life Cycle Must Begin With A Vision

You need to conduct a lot of research if you are willing to develop a great tool. Beginning with, identifying the needs of an organization is a crucial part to fulfill.

Gathering the ideas and evaluating the market will give you an idea of a product that is going to be useful and successful.

The Planning Stage

You can’t develop a SaaS Application much without having a great plan. You and your developing authority must understand how are you going to develop your SaaS, how much it will cost, when will you be able to launch it, and how is the marketing strategy going to look.

Software Development Strategies for your SaaS solution may help with answering those questions.

The Subscription Stage

After all decisions regarding cost and architecture have been finalized comes the time to choose your cloud provider. While there are many decisions to be made regarding a SaaS platform, the cloud provider selection is, probably, the most important one.

Subscription

The Development Stage

The Development stage is a complex stage. There are many decisions to make regarding the project’s architecture.

Actually, there is no point in developing a SaaS application unless it is suitable for all targeted users and has the potential to scale.

Below I have listed some of the essential requirements for a SaaS development to meet to be considered valuable for users and profitable for developers as well:

  • User Experience. The software must be easy to use and user-friendly.
  • Security. SaaS must to provide a high level of security, and its customers must believe in the exceptional security of their data.
  • Customer Support. The Built-in support processes, 24-hour access, and frequent, non-disruptive updates must all take place in a SaaS Application.

By keeping these basic practices in mind, the SaaS development process will mean the following:

Selection Af A Development Methodology

There is a large amount of methodologies available and that are known as the “Software Development Lifecycle”. Let’s break down some of the most common ones below:

  • Rapid – quickly to put together and speed-up the development, and then tested.
  • Spiral – here development divided into cycles, each of which is evaluated to then later influence the next cycle and better the methodology.
  • Agile – development methodology where each iteration gets evaluated after it ends, so that positive change and adaptation of plans can take place before the next iteration begins.

Agile Methodology

SaaS Will Mean HTML5

New products mean using the HTML5 technology. It is one of the most suitable for today’s environment. This technology provides rich Internet applications so, do not need the legacy plugins.

“When back in 2014 Microsoft announced that they will be discontinuing the support of Windows XP, Microsoft platforms that could not support HTML5 slowly began to die off.”

But there still may be some glitch issues with the use of HTML5 on mobile devices, but there are less and less of those each day. If there are any issues, then a native mobile app may be the best course of action.

SaaS Requires Published API’s

SaaS products must have API’s that provide for the development of external widgets and extensions by value-added resellers and other third-party developers.

APIs have to be consistent and should be maintained after publishing. Developers should ensure that APIs must be extended, which requires a very accurate architecture.

SaaS And Stateless Architecture

Stateless architecture is preferred because it provides smooth performance, elasticity, scalability, and fault tolerance. If applications are stateless, there is no need to allocate storage of previous requests, making the cost lower.

These applications can also scale easily, making it perfect for dealing with spikes in usage. Stateful architecture, on the other hand, requires more management and takes up more infrastructure resources.

Stateless architecture is not a requirement for SaaS, though it just may provide the best performance.

SaaS Upgrades

Upgrades must be built into the architecture in a way that will not disrupt user experience.

SaaS companies do not put out different version there – usually there are only two. If a new version is developed, it can be done on a separate server without any migrated clients to minimize disruptions.

Operations – Requirements For Development

New tenant on-boarding and billing services must be built into the SaaS architecture. IaaS and PaaS providers (if they are used), and third-party tools may help with managing that, though their integration must be in the software product itself. There isn’t a defined model for all of this, which means that the developers will have to get creative.

SaaS Implementation Methodology And Deployment

Once the software is deployed, frequent updates and security patches should take place to keep the support requests to a minimum while continually improving the UX.

Helpdesk calls and/or support tickets all result in increased operational costs, so the goal is to automate those tasks as much as possible and. Remember – constant monitoring and patches/updates will keep your customers happy.

SaaS Development, Operations, And Management Are Unique

Everyone must consider SaaS development, invest heavily in the talent of the people developing it.

This is the most expensive part of the endeavor – the requirement for a very specific skill set.

And, if you intend to have a top-rated piece of software – robust, expansion-ready, innovative, with well-received UI and UX, secure, and reliable in its implementation – then you must be prepared for the high costs involved.

Saas Development Tools

SaaS projects are usually complex and oftentimes unique. It means there is no defined stack of tools mandatory for SaaS development. You can build your SaaS development stack off of your project requirements, your architecture and your marketing strategy.

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Salesforce, Houston, Texas

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Nevertheless, some of the more popular tools for SaaS development are listed below:

Server-side development:

Conclusion

SaaS solutions have become the best options for many businesses these days. Their availability, scalability, and pricing policies all provide their users with an abundance of benefits.

Whether you are looking to adopt a SaaS in your business, or you are planning to develop a SaaS of your own, the concept is as innovative as it gets and it is worth all the attention it has recently been getting.

How To Put Together A High-Performing SaaS Marketing Strategy

Posted on by Jay

As per Cisco’s Global Cloud Index, SaaS marketing will deliver 75 % of cloud workflows.​ Isn’t it amazing?

The above data depicts the growing pace of the SaaS business model and the competition created by it in the industry. SaaS companies are finding it very difficult to stand out in the industry by providing products and services distinct from their competitors.

Well, for this reason, we have come up with dependable SaaS marketing strategies to help companies lead the competition.

It is more complicated than product marketing since you don’t have a tangible product to offer.

Yes, it is more difficult to tell someone that your software can help them in their daily process than selling a pair of shoes.

First, What Is SaaS Marketing?

We can say, It refers to the strategies implemented to promote software-as-a-service companies.

This marketing is exclusively unusual from promoting physical products since it has a varied customer base, distinct pricing strategies, complexity in their offerings, etc.

Since SaaS development is distinctive, marketers should use distinct strategies for promotion.

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Conclusion

These worthwhile SaaS marketing strategies, if leveraged, will enhance customer acquisition and lead generation for SaaS businesses.

Diverse offers avenues that marketers can explore to serve as beneficial SaaS strategies, and there are endless possible combinations that work for numerous businesses.

All you have to do is to try different approaches, and with the help of consumer metrics, figure out what works. SaaS marketing is a paradise for marketers.

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The SaaS Trends You Should Watch Out For In 2021

Posted on by Jay

“Software as a service” (SaaS) is becoming an increasingly viable choice for organizations looking for the accessibility and versatility of software solutions and online data analysis tools without the need to rely on installing and running applications on their own computer systems and data centers.

Gartner predicts that the service-based cloud application industry will be worth $143.7 billion by 2022, which is a level of growth that will shape SaaS trends in 2021.

SaaS is a software distribution model that offers a lot of agility and cost-effectiveness for companies, which is why it’s such a reliable option for numerous business models and industries.

It’s also popular amongst businesses for its simplicity and user accessibility, security, and the widespread connectivity that serves to streamline business models, resulting in maximum efficiency across the board. Today, most companies are in the process of implementing various business intelligence strategies, turning to SaaS BI tools to assist them in their efforts.

2019 was a breakthrough year for the SaaS world in many ways. With a new year on the horizon, in this article, we’ll explore 10 essential SaaS trends that will stand out in 2021. But, before we do that, we will discuss the general characteristics revolving around the industry that will help put additional light on the SaaS industry trends for 2021.

Before we dig any deeper into our top ten SaaS industry trends for 2021, let’s dispel some common myths surrounding the industry.

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The Key Characteristics

Before we explore our essential software as a service trends for 2021, it’s important to consider what defines SaaS as not only a technological development, but as a working business model.

Flexible payment options: Businesses don’t have to go through the expense of purchasing software and hardware. Instead, they have the option of utilizing various pricing structures. Flexibility in payment models, where they only pay for the resource usage they need, for instance, is attractive for many organizations in today’s competitive world.

Scalability: Cloud-based SaaS enables businesses to expand with ease due to its inherent scalability. Companies can be selective about the types of features and options they want.

Updates: SaaS providers handle the necessary software updates and develop new features over time, so businesses don’t have to invest ample amounts of time in this particular area of operation.

Accessibility: With SaaS, businesses have the mobility of accessing applications from any digital device and location, making it especially convenient for mobile platforms. Additionally, it boasts ease-of-use and is user-friendly.

Increased collaboration: SaaS developments enhance a business’s ability to promote collaboration across teams and departments due to the facilitation of file sharing, in addition to a distinct ease of reading and understanding across systems.

Security: Most SaaS models are known for their enterprise-level security, which is a more holistic approach to security than many centralized, on-premise solutions. In Cloud SaaS, per-existing disaster recovery protocols are in place to manage potential system failures. This means that your business’s data is available and secure regardless of a data breach or system failure.

As businesses continue to rely on innovative data discovery tools and technologies to increase both their productivity and their efficiency, and as new software as a service trends continue to emerge, this young, groundbreaking industry can only go from strength to strength.

Even if figures diverge somewhat, the many forecasts conducted on SaaS industry trends 2021 demonstrate an obvious reality: the SaaS market is going to get bigger and bigger.

Indeed, according to Bloomberg, public cloud platforms, business services, and applications (SaaS) will all grow at a 9% CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) between 2019 and 2023, and worth $60.36 billion. A Betterbuys report reveals that the specific expenditure in the U.S. SaaS Industry is forecasted to reach $55 billion by 2026.

And according to Gartner, the global public cloud service market is projected to grow significantly in 2021 and beyond.

“Customers won’t care about any particular technology unless it solves a particular problem in a superior way.” – Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, one of the planet’s biggest SaaS providers

All signs indicate that this coming year is going to be an interesting, trendsetting year for the trends in SaaS industry. Of all the developments currently in the pipeline, these 10 SaaS industry trends, in particular, are showing signs of standing out as the most significant in 2021:

1. Artificial Intelligence

The first of our most impactful trends in SaaS is of the autonomous, self-learning variety.

Today, Artificial Intelligence is all over the place – it made the top 3 of our list of our business intelligence trends for 2021 – and next year, it’s expected to make some serious waves. Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies are becoming more widespread; it’s becoming a game-changer worth $15.7 trillion.

AI optimizes business processes, increasing productivity and efficiency while automating repetitive tasks and supporting human capabilities.

Within business scenarios, artificial intelligence (as well as machine learning, in many cases) provides an advanced degree of responsiveness and interaction between businesses, customers, and technology, driving AI-based SaaS trends 2021 onto a new level. There are numerous features developed by modern software providers based on artificial intelligence such as data alerts.

With an AI algorithm using the most advanced neural network for anomaly detection, and a machine-learning algorithm for pattern recognition, these data alerts learn from trends and patterns and let you know as soon as something important happens.

That way, when a pre-set goal is met, or when something unexpected happens, you will be notified, enabling you to keep continuous control over your business.

Since it is often easy to lose track of what really matters when so many KPIs have to be monitored, an online reporting tool will safely keep an eye on your data and anticipate any fluctuation and change – and alert you when it veers off course.

Artificial intelligence is positioned to disrupt the SaaS landscape in a variety of ways, improving the key characteristics of the SaaS model across the board. When SaaS is combined with AI capabilities, it enables businesses to obtain better value from their data, automate and personalize services, improve security, and supplement human capacity.

How will AI improve SaaS in 2021?

  • Automation: Machine Learning, a subset of AI, is utilized in SaaS to automate responsiveness in customer service reports and applications, such as AI-powered chat operations with live chatbots.It will also automate the onboarding process of SaaS.
  • Personalization: Software is easier to use with technologies such as natural language processing (NLP), which automatically processes human speech patterns, and voice control. This can be deployed across customer service functionality to improve customization and better address client needs.
  • Speed: Artificial intelligence-enabled SaaS speeds up internal processes and operations, allowing businesses to obtain fast answers to questions, make quick forecasts, and speed up their overall level of responsiveness.
  • Security: Due to artificial intelligence-enabled automation, and the ability of machine learning to recognize patterns, SaaS security is enhanced by the quick identification and remedy of potential threats with built-in self-recovery.

Artificial intelligence-optimized SaaS solutions provide businesses with the ability to augment their internal processes with fast automation, more efficiently address customer service operations, and improve the level of personalization and responsiveness throughout their processes, which will remain one of the trends in SaaS to keep an eye for in 2021.

2. Vertical SaaS

Our second forecast for SaaS trends in 2021 is Vertical SaaS. Whereas Horizontal SaaS focuses on clients across any sector and industry, Vertical SaaS is completely customizable, targeting clients within specific industries and supply chains.

Some examples are healthcare analytics software, retail analytics, or modern logistics analytics. Companies who are looking to benefit from specialization are finding Vertical SaaS to be a cost-effective, industry-specific option that allows them to refine the customization of certain features.

Why the Vertical SaaS trends are going to have such an impact in 2021?

Vertical SaaS providers also have the ability to adapt features according to client demand and industry, and effectively address customer needs within their niche. This results in more flexibility and upselling opportunities, and lower customer acquisition costs.

Vertical SaaS also provides the following benefits:

  • Customer intelligence: Enables businesses to obtain industry-specific customer data and intelligence, which plays a critical role in gaining customer-focused insights.
  • Pre-defined metrics and KPIs: Vertical SaaS is already integrated with pre-defined metrics, KPIs, and analytics that businesses can utilize to assess and address daily and long-term processes and performance.
  • Business value: Software is designed to meet industry requirements; therefore, it provides a higher degree of business value for company operations and performance.
  • Improved data governance: Vertical SaaS is positioned to address data governance procedures via the inclusion of industry-specific compliance capabilities, which has the additional benefit of providing increased transparency.
  • A higher standard: In 2021, higher quality service from industry-specific vertical SaaS providers will emerge, as each developer aims to distinguish itself from the ever-increasing crowd.

3. The Growing Need For API Connections

The API (Application Programming Interface) has been a fundamental part of software development for years, and this is precisely what our third SaaS trend focuses on. With the explosion of SaaS solutions and adoption by the market, the need to integrate them into an existing business system appeared.

Some companies may want to migrate all their data to a cloud platform, but many actually would rather harmonize it with their already existing infrastructure in order to improve it – and this is where the problem lies.

At first, SaaS providers didn’t come with a complete integration solution. That failure served to complicate the work and caused them to disappoint their customers as a result

They would then redirect their clients to a third party to supply the specific APIs enabling the customer to integrate the cloud solution into their existing system.

It was indeed better for the SaaS developers not to reinvent the wheel, and to win some precious time and resources relying on third-party APIs. Their go-to-market time frame was shorter, and they could focus on their core capabilities to develop differentiated functionality.

However, more and more SaaS vendors tend to provide greater integration capabilities instead of redirecting their customers to third parties.

As Benoit Lheureux, vice president of research firm Gartner Inc., says to Tech Target: “redirecting your customers to a third-party for integration solutions when integration is a requirement in every IT project of substance is falling short of meeting your customer requirements.”

If you are looking to invest in a cloud vendor’s services, you should ask the following questions beforehand to ensure a seamless integration:

  • What capabilities is the provider offering me to integrate the SaaS within my existing business system?
  • Can this provider also integrate the legacy systems I use?
  • Is my data protected while the integration process is worked through?

4. Increased Thought Leadership

One of the most effective ways to serve the needs of your target audience is through equal measures of inspiration and education – and as more SaaS providers tap into this mentality, we expect thought leadership will become a prominent software as a service trend in 2021.

At present, only 24% of SaaS businesses publish content to educate or enlighten. Others are solely company-focused, and 11% of the primary players don’t even operate a blog, according to Callbox. Astonishingly low figures by all accounts.

But, as the landscape becomes competitive with more SaaS startups competing for the attention of savvy businesses like yours, there will be far more SaaS resources available in the form of videos, interactive apps, blog content, eBooks, and digestible whitepapers.

In turn, this will make software as a service even more widely accessible while offering businesses a wealth of new information about the industry, making it all the more transparent as a result.

While you’re waiting for this SaaS trend to blossom, here are two industry thought leaders you should follow:

  • Mamoon Hamid: A well-respected industry expert and board director on 16 SaaS operations, including Wave HQ and CloudOn.
  • Noah Kagan: A celebrated tech player and one of the web’s leading SaaS experts.

5) Migration To PaaS

As the software as a service industry evolves and innovation increases, many developers or providers will focus on customer retention on top of customer acquisition.

That said, in 2021, we expect to see SaaS migrating towards the realms of PaaS (platform as a service) – developments that empower businesses to build custom apps as add-ons to their original services. The likes of Salesforce and Box have recently launched PaaS-centric services in a bid to hold a strong market share in their niche, and we expect to see this SaaS trend become all the more prevalent this coming year.

To put the relevance of this trend into perspective, here are 3 key advantages of using a PaaS development:

  • The enhanced features, functionality, and ability to customize will enhance your overall business agility, giving you more time and creative space to innovate and focus on your core commercial initiatives.
  • PaaS offerings are, by their very nature, robust, flexible, and accessible which means you will be able to scale your business more easily by using a platform as a service.
  • Security is a distinct advantage of the PaaS model as the vast majority of such developments perform a host of automatic updates on a regular basis.

6. Micro-SaaS

The sixth of our software as a service trends comes in the form of a little something called micro-SaaS.

Like any innovative and invaluable industry on the rise, large numbers of players begin to enter the arena, saturating the market and intensifying the competition – which means in 2021, and beyond, SaaS companies will have to find new ways to innovate, offer value, and connect with new prospects.

In response to a new, more cutthroat climate, we expect to see more micro-SaaS innovations emerge from the woodwork this coming year.

Typically, micro-SaaS businesses are run by a small team, sometimes even by one or two people. Micro-SaaS products are usually complementary add-ons to existing platforms or developments, created with the aim of improving a missing feature or enhancing an existing SaaS product.

These more niche, more “miniature” SaaS offerings could prove increasingly valuable to businesses across industries in 2021, which means we can all expect a host of fresh micro-SaaS innovations over the next 12 or so months.

To clarify the meaning of micro-SaaS in a nutshell, here is a definition of the concept explained by Storemapper’s Tyler Tringas:

“A SaaS business targeting a niche market, run by one person or a very small team, with small costs, a narrow focus, a small but dedicated user base and no outside funding. Hence, micro-SaaS.”

7) SaaS Pricing Policy Change

The seventh in our definitive rundown of SaaS trends comes in the form of policy. Studies show that 98% of SaaS businesses earned positive results from making core changes to their pricing policy.

By reviewing every aspect of platform pricing, a host of companies across niches have grown their audience, connecting with a broader demographic of consumers. And this growing SaaS trend is set to evolve in 2021.

Traditionally, software as a service companies have built their business models based on flexible pricing structures. By offering flexible price points, it has been easy for vendors to drive revenue. But in a seismic industry shift, software-centric businesses have been forced to remold their pricing policies.

Stiffer competition, industry saturation, and the rapid development of SaaS platforms (improved features and functionality) mean that software as service players of all shapes and sizes are starting to reinvent their pricing models according to the needs of their clients or customers.

By leveraging business intelligence and analytics to drive their pricing structures, droves of service-based software businesses are developing more tailored pricing solutions, enjoying increased success as a result—a SaaS trend that is sure to shape the landscape in 2021 and beyond.

When looking for a potential SaaS service, value for money is best represented in a service that will meet your needs on a sustainable basis. Make sure you keep this in mind in 2021.

8. Platform Unbundling

One of the most disruptive SaaS trends in recent times, platform unbundling is set to dominate the landscape as we move into 2021.

Most traditional software as a service platforms are considered horizontal, offering every single feature or function imaginable in one single tool. But, as user needs become more complex, and the industry continues to evolve, platform unbundling is likely to become all the more prevalent.

Every business—depending on its size, sector, and culture—has a specific set of needs, which means that today’s vendors are beginning to realize that not all of the functionality on their platforms suits every prospective client or customer. That’s where unbundling comes in.

Unbundling is a term used in reference to the growing list of startups that provide software-based solutions packaged in the form of an API (application programming interface) rather than a typical ‘full-featured’ platform. Such businesses are on the rise and are expected to make their mark in 2021.

While this is indeed food for thought, it’s important to remember that not every solution will suit an API-based unbundling business model. For instance, when it comes to data analytics, ambitious companies across industries will look to a centralized solution that offers all of the insights, features, and functionality required for online BI in one place.

While it’s important to remain abreast of this most vital of SaaS industry trends, before looking at unbounded services or offerings, you must consider whether doing so will work for your enterprise and its ongoing commercial goals. If you’re looking to improve your data analytics processes, in particular, unbundling is unlikely to be the answer.

9. A Mobile-First Mindset

Number nine on our essential list of SaaS industry trends is centered around the topic of mobile. By the year 2022, experts project that around 72.6% of the world’s population will browse the internet using their mobile devices.

In our mobile-driven age, we’re free from the shackles of time or geographical location, meaning that people can connect with their peers and remain productive 24/7, 365 days of the year. We are in the midst of a portable age, and as more innovative software developers wise up, the mobile-first mindset will serve to shape the future of SaaS.

Increasingly, companies across sectors operate critical parts of the businesses from their tablets or smartphones. Moreover, more employees than ever feel empowered to perform their jobs better by being able to work with dynamic mobile dashboards and various tools.

More software providers will adopt a mobile-first mentality, optimizing their offerings to suit a host of mobile devices. This means we’re likely to see an even more impressive array of mobile features in 2021. Also, as we move towards a new year, increasing numbers of software as a service vendors will develop new solutions to meet this growing demand.

To cut through the noise and push yourself to the front of the pack, offering robust and reliable BI tools that work across desktop and a range of mobile devices is essential.

Mobile devices and screens require a unique set of features and functionality, and by placing their focus on mobile-first design & development, SaaS vendors are likely to enjoy a healthy return on investment (ROI) next year and long into the future.

Mobile-first is, without a doubt, one of the most integral SaaS industry trends for 2021. There will be more portable platforms available to your company’s disposal than ever before — don’t miss out.

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Salesforce, Houston, Texas

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Enhanced SaaS Solutions For 2021

SaaS industry trends aren’t showing any signs of slowing down, and innovative SaaS solutions will only continue to grow in the coming years. Artificial Intelligence-empowered SaaS, Vertical SaaS, the growing need for and development of API connections, increased thought leadership, a migration to PaaS, a plethora of micro-SaaS offerings, mobile-first innovations are here—and these software as a service trends are shaping the future of SaaS.

“Dreamers are mocked as impractical. The truth is they are the most practical, as their innovations lead to progress and a better way of life for all of us.” – Robin S. Sharma, author & tech advocate

Above all else, these inspiring trends in SaaS are a testament to the enduring future of the industry and our increasing societal demand for robust software-centric solutions across the board. The revolution is here, and it’s digital.

We are in the age of digital transformation. As more companies migrate towards a cloud-based, data-driven existence, the scope for offering practical software innovations will continue to rise, and rise, and rise.

As data continues to be the driving force behind smart business strategies in a digitally dependent world, SaaS options are going to be an increasingly convenient and affordable option across industries, both now and in the coming years.

By taking stock of these essential SaaS industry trends for 2021, you will win tomorrow’s digital battlefield, pushing yourself ahead of the competition.

With these 10 trends in SaaS positioned to further enhance cloud-based solutions on the cusp of 2021, organizations, like yours, will have the technological capabilities to drive their business objectives towards successful outcomes.

For more digitally-driven insights, explore our guide to getting started with big data analytics and business intelligence for small business— or talk to our SaaS expert.