Software as a Service (SaaS)

Companies around the world are trying to do more while spending less. When faced with this challenge, organizations have turned to technology to help bridge that gap.

Most organizations try to automate and streamline existing processes through the use of business applications. In the past, this involved purchasing a computer system, implementing software, rolling out changes, and having to maintain the system for years to come.

However, with the technology advances of the Internet, these business solutions can be delivered through the Web from on-demand software providers that offer software as a service. On-demand software providers maintain the software, systems, apply upgrades, and provide support to the organizations that use their services.

With business and technology moving at break-neck speed, choosing a software application that accommodates both the business and technical needs of an organization is clearly tough. On-demand solutions are particularly well suited to meet this challenge. Here is why...

• No capital expense - Across the globe, organizations are shifting away from heavy, up-front investments to lower, monthly operational expenditures. With on-demand systems, no computer infrastructure has to be purchased or maintained. Plus, anyone with Internet access can access on-demand systems whether they are in your facility, using a home office, on-site with a client, or abroad.
• Reduced IT costs - The cost of running an on-premise solution is extensive. Along with captial expenses for hardware, it must also purchase software, apply upgrades, and maintain the system. Expensive IT staffing is needed to perform these tasks. The combination of these items quickly pushes the cost of on-premise solutions well above that for on-demand solutions.
• Per user pricing - On-demand solutions typically charge for their services on a per user basis. Hence, organizations only pay for those employees that actually use the products, providing the greatest level of flexibility without any upfront commitments.
• Quick deployment - Instead of spending weeks trying to install and configure complex hardware and software in your organization, on-demand systems are immediately ready for training and use by business users.
• No upgrades or patches - Because on-demand systems are managed by their providers, your organization never has to be concerned about maintaining or applying upgrades, patches, or other features to your systems.
• Faster time to value - Since on-demand systems do not require deployment of hardware for their use, on-demand solutions generally realize a faster return on investment.
• Minimized risk - On-demand solutions have a much lower risk associated with them because they are pay as you go solutions. If the business climate changes drastically, organizations can choose to drop the solution, change to a new provider that meets their new needs, or head in entirely different direction without any significant financial implications.