Deploying a large-scale software solution for a business used to be a huge internal undertaking. It had the potential to soak up a countless amount of manpower, money, and other resources. Now, thanks to the power of third-party SaaS (software as a service) solutions, businesses of all shapes and sizes have been able to access the software they need at a fraction of the cost.
Everything from application and execution to updates and troubleshooting is handled by another entity specifically dedicated to the issue. This frees companies up to tap into the power of software solutions without the headache that it used to come with.
With so many SaaS solutions out there, the question that remains is which ones companies should utilize. Here are a handful of the best types of SaaS that you can use to save your business both money and time.
1. Identity Verification SaaS Solutions
There are many practical applications for SaaS. However, with so many software solutions out there at this point, one of the first things that you should consider is how to keep everything safe.
That’s why finding a SaaS identity provider (also known as an IdP) is a good first step.
A quality IdP helps store and manage digital identities in relation to your various software services. It keeps the digital aspects of your business safe and secure. It also streamlines the process of logging in and can even keep track of who has privileges to access the various areas of your SaaS platforms.
Identity provider Okta explains the three-step process of an IdP workflow as the following:
- a request for credentials;
- verification of what the user can access; and
- unlocking the resource in question.
If you’re going to embrace SaaS solutions throughout your operation, it’s important to start with an IdP to oversee the process.
2. Remote Work SaaS Solutions
Arguably the most practical SaaS solutions in the current day and age revolve around remote work.
The current climate has shifted virtual offices from a luxury to a need. In response, SaaS providers have stepped in to fill the growing software requirements of a digital work world.
There are many, many remote work SaaS solutions. Communication options such as Slack and Zoom provide digital workspaces where teams can interact with one another. Workflow platforms like Trello and Asana improve collaboration. There are countless scheduling apps that can help orchestrate virtual meetings, as well.
If a company is working remotely, leaders should be quick to embrace the various SaaS options available. This can increase productivity and cut down on wasted time as you manage your team in a virtual setting.
3. Customer Service
Customer service is another area where software can make a difference. In this case, it can revolutionize the customer experience while also saving time and money.
One of the best comprehensive SaaS solutions for customer service is a CCaaS or contact center as a service. Cloud contact center software Five 9 defines a CCaaS as a customizable cloud-based platform that helps contact centers transform into reliable and secure online locations for customer engagement.
In essence, this shifts the traditionally in-person activity of running a call center into a virtual alternative that doesn’t require a physical presence.
The goal of this online tool is two-fold. First, it reduces the hefty cost of maintaining a call center facility. Second, it utilizes things like AI and automation to improve customer-facing transactions. The results of both of these activities are the ability to save time and money.
4. eCommerce
Finally, every company should be utilizing the enormous power of e-commerce SaaS solutions.
Along with the shift to remote work, the changing business landscape has made an online storefront essential for most businesses to survive.
In the past, this required significant resources to hire both website developers to create a site and IT staff to maintain it. Now, eCommerce platforms such as Shopify and Big Commerce have streamlined the entire process. They provide templates and website builders that can enable anyone to build a basic, well-functioning website.
They also make it easy to process payments and even conduct customer service activities right on their sites.
With eCommerce continuing to grow, any company that wants to thrive in the future needs to be online. Fortunately, eCommerce SaaS options are helping them do so with minimal time and cost invested.
Businesses of all sizes can benefit from SaaS.
Software as a service has taken the complex task of digitizing a business and outsourced it to affordable third-party options. This has enabled companies to keep up with the rapid-fire rate of technological change, all without the need to break the bank or spend too much time addressing software-related concerns.
The question that each company faces is no longer if they can access the power of business software. Instead, they need to choose which SaaS solutions are best for their particular enterprise.
If you’re still unsure about where you should be investing your SaaS budget, the above recommendations are a great place to start.
