Apply SaaS Business Solutions: You’ve bought in to the concept of Software as a Service (SaaS).
And now it’s time to make the move.
Don’t overcomplicate the transition!
Here are a few things to consider when choosing and implement SaaS solutions for your business.
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Apply SaaS Business Solutions
1. Get the overview
More and more small businesses are turning to the SaaS (Software as a Service) concept for their companies’ software needs.
The move to SaaS makes sense because in a lot of ways, it’s a custom-made solution for small businesses.
Instead of purchasing expensive software that is installed on their server or desktops.
Small companies pay a monthly fee for hosted software that is maintained by the provider.
But while a lower upfront investment and minimal in-house maintenance requirements are helpful.
Small businesses are often intimidated by the idea of transitioning from a desktop to an SaaS environment.
Service interruptions, lost data and training concerns plague small business owners.
And can inhibit them from making a move.
Even when they know SaaS will ultimately save their company time and money.
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2. Get the business background
Software as a service (SaaS) is a hot topic in the world of small business.
Eager to trim their expenses and secure reliable software applications.
Small business owners are increasingly turning to hosted software solutions.
To access the benefits of lower upfront investment and outsourced system maintenance.
3. Talk about product features.
When you enter the marketplace for SaaS products.
Prepare to be inundated with talk about product features.
Every vendor you meet will trip over themselves trying to highlight their product’s bells and whistles.
And to be fair, the features that are available in today’s ASP solutions are nothing short of impressive.
But features aren’t the only things you should be concerned about.
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4. Conduct a careful evaluation of product features
Evaluating an SaaS solution also requires attention to a handful of big picture issues.
That can have a dramatic impact on the success or failure of your application.
By all means, conduct a careful evaluation of product features.
But don’t forget to also evaluate these critical factors.
Moving from the desktop to SaaS doesn’t have to be a painful experience.
Sure, it requires planning and preparation.
But with a little bit of initiative, you can select the right SaaS application.
And create a seamless transition process.
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5. Know the Product roadmap.
SaaS providers are quick to talk about the product they offer today.
But as a small business owner, you are also concerned about the product they will offer tomorrow.
Most SaaS solutions are automatically upgraded by the provider at no extra charge.
Ask your vendor to give you a product roadmap.
So you can see where the solution is headed in the months and years ahead.
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6. Start Training.
SaaS solutions are known for reducing implementation time requirements.
Part of the implementation process involves training your staff.
Unless you plan to tackle this critical task yourself (and you shouldn’t be).
You’ll want to make sure your provider offers adequate training for your employees.
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7. Remember Backup & recovery.
It’s important to remember that when you use an SaaS application you are entrusting.
Both your software and company data to a third party provider.
You wouldn’t dream of jeopardizing your data.
By neglecting to back it up with redundant systems.
Don’t settle for anything less in your ASP provider.
Ask vendors for backup schedules and average recovery times in the event of a disaster.
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8. Get Data security.
In addition to backups, your provider should employ state-of-the-art data security technology.
A single security breach can have a catastrophic effect on your company.
Even if it was your provider’s fault.
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9. Support & maintenance.
One of the benefits of SaaS is that the provider handles system maintenance requirements.
Even so, you’ll want to evaluate each application.
According to the average downtime the provider needs to maintain their product.
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10. Shop the marketplace.
The transition process actually begins by shopping the marketplace and evaluating potential SaaS applications.
Although you’ll probably find that a small handful of SaaS providers dominate the market.
Expand your search to include lesser known applications as well.
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11. Take advantage of free trials.
After you’ve narrowed your search down to a few contenders.
Take advantage of the free trials that are common to most SaaS solutions.
Free trials let you put the software through its paces.
And can highlight any trouble spots that could arise.
When you ultimately transition to the new application.
12. Settle on a provider.
At some point, you’ll need to settle on a provider and sign a service agreement.
Service agreements shouldn’t be taken lightly.
They describe your commitment to the SaaS provider and the services you will receive.
It’s not unusual for SaaS providers to offer services that facilitate the transition process.
But if the service agreement doesn’t describe any transition services.
You’ll need to iron out an arrangement with the provider before you sign on the dotted line.
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13. Work with the provider to migrate data.
One of the transition services providers frequently offer is data migration.
If you are transitioning from a desktop version to an SaaS version of the same solution.
Migration should be a no-brainer.
If it’s a different solution, data migration is still possible – it might just be a little trickier.
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14. Implement & train.
Last (but definitely not least), you will need to implement your SaaS solution and train your staff on its use.
Again, providers often facilitate training.
But only to the degree that it is described in the service agreement.
Although the contents of SLAs can vary, there are some standard issues that should always be addressed.
In fact, SaaS experts suggest that SLA’s address at least five different service areas.
15. System availability.
As an SaaS client, you will rely on system uptime for access to your business applications and data.
An SaaS solution that is constantly being updated or experiences frequent downtimes is simply not acceptable.
Your SLA should address monthly availability averages.
And articulate penalties that are incurred if the provider fails to hit availability targets.
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16. Response time.
In some instances, you may have access to the system.
Even though system performance is severely limited.
Unresponsive hosted applications can bog down your workplace.
So it’s important to make sure your SLA specifies average monthly response times.
And the consequences for poor system performance.
17. Problem resolution.
A good SaaS provider understands that system malfunctions and errors need to be resolved quickly.
But unfortunately, you can’t count on their word that they will be responsive to issues.
That’s something that will need to be addressed in an SLA with specific details.
About how common problems will be handled.
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18. Disaster recovery.
It’s possible that your provider’s technology infrastructure could suffer a catastrophic event.
If that happens, you need to know how long it will be before service is restored.
Data recovery SLAs are critical for providing assurances that the system will be up.
And running again as quickly as possible.
19. Database transition.
Sooner or later, your business will transition to a different business application.
Your SLAs should address the provider’s responsibility.
For migrating your data back to you when you transition to another solution.
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20. Get the Latest Features
A SaaS business solution enables you to receive updates.
Software upgrades, and new functionalities as soon as they are released.
This will enhance the efficiency and will give you latest business insights.
SaaS solutions automatically updated to make your data more secure and useable.
It automatically fixes all the bugs and makes the system seamless.
You can also start using the new features immediately.
SaaS solutions will allow you to have a vertical and horizontal look at your entire business processes.
Which help to find right solutions to business problems.
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Conclusion
SaaS really makes sense for business managers.
Who are looking for latest capabilities with lower cost.
And without the worry of future business needs.
There are many ways SaaS solutions can help your business.