Choosing the Right SaaS for Your Business

In recent years, SaaS has become a popular delivery model for a wide range of business applications. Also known as on-demand software, because of the anytime, anywhere nature of Software as a Service, it’s easy to see why it has become so popular.

Once you’ve decided you want to take the Software as a Service approach, you need to decide which SaaS solution you’re going to choose. Read on as we discuss the questions you should be asking your Software as a Service provider before signing up with them.

How much does SaaS cost?

Cost is likely to be your first question when considering Software as a Service, as you need to ensure that it fits within your budget. Software as a Service business intelligence costs less than traditional software packages, as there are limited or no upfront investments or overpriced license fees. Pricing for Software as a Service is typically based on measure of usage or by subscription. When choosing your SaaS provider, we suggest you look for any hidden usage charges to confirm that the costs of their service are transparent.

Does a SaaS solution fit with your requirements?

The platform you choose for your Software as a Service should solve your problems and help you to achieve your business objectives without disrupting the internal processes. The user interfaces of your SaaS software should be suitable for your team to utilize effectively.

Does the provider’s software solve your key problems?

Before purchasing your SaaS application, the provider should offer you an in-depth demo of the software to ensure that you can fully utilize it. Use this demo as an opportunity to discuss your problems with the demonstrator and make sure that they show you exactly how the software can help. If it can’t, it isn’t right for you.

Does the provider offer training?

One of the main problems with software purchased on a one-off basis is that you can be left with very limited support and training as to how to use the software. As a SaaS provider has a vested interest in you continually using the product, they should offer comprehensive support and training, including tutorials of how the software works so you and your team can feel confident using it. Make sure to ask about the training schemes and support available when signing up though, it will be an important part of your whole team adopting the system.

Does the provider offer account management and system support?

When implementing a SaaS application, the provider should give you best practice examples to follow to ensure your software operates efficiently. It’s also important that you know your provider will be on hand to ensure that you get the maximum value from the platform once it’s been implemented. This is also critical for resolving any conflicts or problems with Software as a Service. You should always check that your provider covers your hours of business so they are on hand to offer system support at all times, should you ever need it.

How does SaaS compare to other providers?

How does the service your Software as a Service provider offers meet peaks in demand for the service? Does the platform perform consistently when there are multiple users accessing it? Ask each provider about their page load times and response times, as this will allow you to collect and compare the performance of different SaaS providers. Ask about the security measures of the platform and how often the software is tested to check for vulnerabilities.

Ultimately, SaaS solutions should put you in a better position to analyze your business intelligence and make better informed business decisions. The platform you choose should be the best fit for your own business model taking into account business goals, budget and usability.

Learn more about finding the ideal SaaS solution for you at sales-i.