Businesses are constantly seeking smarter ways to operate and make the lives of their customers easy. This hunt has given rise to Software as a Service, or SaaS, a great approach to transforming the software landscape. As companies across the globe embrace digital transformation, they’re finding that SaaS solutions offer a world of possibilities.
Also, in the actual sense, using SaaS applications are cost-effective and comparatively have higher returns on investment.
What is SaaS (Software as a Service)?
SaaS provides a complete software solution that you purchase on a pay-as-you-go basis from a cloud service provider. It allows users to connect to and use cloud-based apps over the Internet. You rent the use of an app for your organization, and your users connect to it over the Internet, usually with a web browser.
All of the underlying infrastructure, middleware, app software, and app data are located in the service provider’s data center. The service provider manages the hardware and software, and with the appropriate service agreement, will ensure the availability and the security of the app and your data as well. SaaS allows your organization to get quickly up and running with an app at minimal upfront cost.
Companies looking to update the software on their computers had to purchase compact discs before SaaS. The discs contained the updates and they then had to download them onto their systems. Updating software was a time-consuming endeavor for large organizations. With the advent of SaaS, users can now log in through the Internet or a web browser and connect to the service provider’s network to access the particular service.
Understanding Software as a Service (SaaS) – Cloud Computing
The rise of SaaS coincided with the rise of cloud-based computing. Simply put, cloud computing is the delivery of computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence—over the internet (“the cloud”) to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale.
Most cloud computing services fall into four broad categories: infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), serverless, and software as a service (SaaS), of which the three major are SaaS, PaaS and IaaS. These are sometimes called the cloud computing “stack” because they build on top of one another. Knowing what they are and how they’re different makes it easier to accomplish your business goals.
Difference between IaaS, PaaS and SaaS
“As a service” products fit into one of three main categories: IaaS, PaaS and SaaS.
SaaS uses the Internet to deliver subscription software services that are managed by third-party vendors. Well-known SaaS examples include Dropbox, Google Workspace, and Salesforce.
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) offers access to resources such as servers, storage, and memory. It allows organizations to purchase resources and rent IT infrastructure—servers and virtual machines (VMs), storage, networks, and operating systems—from a cloud provider on a pay-as-you-go basis. Some common IaaS examples include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Rackspace.
Platform as a service (PaaS) provides a software development platform over the web. It allows developers to concentrate on software creation without concerning themselves with storage and infrastructure
13 Popular SaaS Applications and their Uses
1. ProofHub
Proofhub keeps everyone on the same page, with clear tasks, deadlines and real-time chat. It also keeps project details centralized by creating reusable templates and tracking work progress. ProofHub has also leveled up its reporting quite a bit in that it can generate reports based on any custom fields enabled.
Features:
- Time tracking: This allows you to accurately track how much time each team member spends on their tasks, either manually or using timers. You can also add timesheets, set time estimates and create time reports.
- Assignees: You can assign tasks to a particular team member based on their skill level.
- Milestones: ProofHub allows you to monitor project progress as it moves through various stages of development.
- Files and docs: Users can upload relevant project documents on the platform and share them with other team members for easy collaboration. You get 15 GB of storage with the Essential plan and up to 100 GB with the Ultimate Control plan.
- Track version history: This feature allows you to track the progress of a project over time and check the changes made.
- Dependencies: This feature lets teammates see the tasks they are supposed to start first and which tasks are dependent on the completion of others.
2. Troop Messenger (Best team collaboration tool)
Troop Messenger includes several features that make team communication easier like Respond Later, Unread Messages, and ForkOut, which doesn’t let you miss any message and allows you to send one message to numerous teammates and groups at once.
It also works with policy to render capabilities to its users or clients that simplify rather than complicate their work. Troop Messenger’s Research & Development team conducts extensive research on the market and its trends, and as a result, with each random release, the tool is upgraded with some unique proactive features that not only meet today’s requirements but are also capable of meeting future market needs and dealing with any unprecedented situations, such as a pandemic.
Main Features:
- HD Audio/ Video Calling in Groups and one-on-one
- Texting in Groups and one-on-one
- Simplified Groups Creation
- Admin privileges
- Remote Access & Screen Share
- Cattle Call (For video conference, webinars)
- Live Location Tracking
Pricing
Premium Plan starts at $2.5 per user per month, Enterprise Plan starts at $5 per user per month, and Superior Plan starts at $9 per user per month.
3. Salesforce
Salesforce was launched in 1999 and has made a mark with its innovative solutions for managing customer relationships and sales teams. It’s a valuable tool for businesses looking to improve their customer service, sales, and marketing efforts.
Salesforce is primarily known as a backend platform for managing customer data and automating business processes; it also provides a range of front-end tools for building custom user interfaces and applications.
Key Features:
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Salesforce helps businesses manage and nurture their customer relationships, storing important customer data and interactions in one place for easy access.
- Sales Automation: It streamlines sales processes by automating tasks like lead management, opportunity tracking, and email communication, making it easier for sales teams to close deals.
- Marketing Automation: Salesforce allows you to create and manage marketing campaigns, automate email marketing, and track customer engagement, helping businesses reach their target audience more effectively.
- Analytics and Reporting: With Salesforce, you can analyze data, generate reports, and gain insights into your business performance, helping you make data-driven decisions to improve operations.
- Customization and App Integration: Salesforce offers extensive customization options, enabling businesses to tailor the platform to their specific needs, and it integrates with numerous third-party apps for a seamless workflow.
4. Zoom
Zoom was launched in 2012 and has become a go-to choice for online communication. Its unique selling point (USP) includes offering free cloud video conferencing with HD video quality, mobility, and web meetings, all in one package. It’s a versatile SaaS application that meets the needs of various users and organizations.
Zoom is a widely used, cloud-based tool for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars. Freelancers, teams, and businesses of all sizes use Zoom for both personal and professional purposes.
Key Features:
- Chats and Meetings: You can have one-on-one or group chats and host virtual meetings effortlessly.
- Workspaces and Rooms: Create workspaces and rooms for focused collaboration.
- Systems for Phone Calls: Make phone calls through the platform.
- Webinars via Video: Host webinars with ease.
- The Marketplace: Explore and integrate various apps and add-ons from the Zoom Marketplace.
- Platform for Developers: Developers can build and customize solutions on the Zoom platform.
5. Google Applications (G Suite)
G Suite has been around since 2006, and its Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is the ability to collaborate in real-time on the same document with your team members.
When you think about Google Suite, you can’t help but think about some of its primary applications. Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Drive are household names. What’s remarkable is that it’s designed to work seamlessly on all your devices.
Key Features:
- Professional Email Addresses: With G Suite, every user gets a professional email address. This adds a level of credibility to your communication.
- Cloud Storage: G Suite stores everything in the cloud. No more worrying about running out of space on your local device.
- Google Apps: It provides you with high-quality Google apps like Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, and more. These apps are the backbone of many businesses and individuals.
- Powerful Cloud Search: The ability to search across all your apps using powerful cloud storage makes finding your important information a breeze.
- Flexible Account Management: G Suite offers flexible account management, making it easy to add or remove users as your team grows or changes.
- Data Management with Google Vault: Google Vault helps you manage your data effectively, ensuring it’s safe and accessible when you need it.
- Offline and Mobile-Responsive Apps: G Suite’s apps work offline, and they are mobile-responsive, adapting to the device you’re using. No ads to distract you either.
6. Slack
Slack was introduced in 2013, and it has continued to evolve and improve over the years.
Slack is a popular messaging app with a strong reputation for providing effective communication solutions. It is basically for everyone, regardless of your profession or business niche
Key Features:
- Privacy and Security: It offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring that your private messages and group discussions remain confidential and secure.
- Efficient Communication: It is a perfect medium for team communication and collaboration when email feels too formal and messaging apps are too casual.
- Integration: Slack connects seamlessly with over 2,200 other services, including Google Drive and Office 365. This integration allows you to access and share files, documents, and information effortlessly.
- Versatile Communication: You can communicate in various ways on Slack, whether it’s through text chat, audio and video clips, or live huddle discussions.
- Productivity Boost: By reducing the need to switch between different tabs or applications, it streamlines your workflow. Additionally, Slack allows you to automate routine tasks, freeing up your time for more important work.
- Data Control: With Slack, you have complete control and visibility over your data. You can manage your encryption keys, ensuring that your sensitive information remains in your hands.
- User-Friendly Interface: Slack’s simple interface makes it easy for teams to adopt and use effectively. Many companies have made it their virtual headquarters due to its user-friendliness and seamless integration with various apps.
7. Netflix
Netflix has been around since 1997, and what sets it apart is the exclusive content it offers.
Netflix, an American streaming service. At first, Netflix started by renting out DVDs through the mail, but in 2007, they introduced streaming media and videos in response to customer demand. It also offers on-demand streaming without annoying ads, giving you uninterrupted viewing pleasure.
Key Features:
- Vast Content Library: Netflix offers a vast library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content, providing a wide range of entertainment options for subscribers.
- Personalized Recommendations: The platform uses algorithms to analyze your viewing history and preferences, offering personalized recommendations to help you discover new content you might enjoy.
- Offline Viewing: Netflix allows users to download select movies and TV episodes for offline viewing, making it convenient for on-the-go entertainment without an internet connection.
- Multiple User Profiles: You can create multiple user profiles within a single Netflix account, ensuring a personalized experience for each family member or user, with their watch history and recommendations.
- Ad-Free Streaming: Unlike traditional TV, Netflix is ad-free, allowing uninterrupted viewing of your favorite shows and movies without commercial interruptions.
8. HubSpot
HubSpot is the best example of a SaaS solution that has evolved from a simple CRM (Customer Relationship Management) into a multifaceted tool for businesses. HubSpot was founded in June 2006 by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah.
Key Features:
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM): HubSpot offers a robust CRM that allows you to manage and track interactions with leads and customers.
- Inbound Marketing Tools: It provides tools for content creation, email marketing, social media marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO) to attract and engage potential customers.
- Content Management: You can create and manage your website and blog content within HubSpot. It simplifies content creation, publishing, and optimization for better search engine visibility.
- Email Marketing: HubSpot’s email marketing tools enable you to create, send, and track email campaigns.
- Social Media Management: HubSpot allows you to manage your social media accounts, schedule posts, and monitor social interactions, all from a single platform.
- Marketing Automation: You can automate various marketing tasks and workflows, such as lead nurturing and email sequences, to save time and increase efficiency.
- Sales Tools: HubSpot offers a range of sales tools to manage leads, track deals, and automate your sales processes.
- Analytics and Reporting: HubSpot provides detailed analytics and reporting capabilities, allowing you to track the performance of your marketing and sales efforts, and make data-driven decisions.
9. Shopify
It is an all-in-one eCommerce solution, and it’s super easy to use. You don’t need to be a coding wizard to set up your online store. Plus, it’s loaded with features that help your store shine. It has built-in SEO features to help your store get noticed. Shopify made its debut in 2006 and has been on a rocket ride ever since.
Key Features:
- User-Friendly Interface: Shopify offers a user-friendly dashboard that makes it easy for users with little to no technical experience to create and manage their online stores.
- Customizable Themes: Shopify provides a variety of professionally designed themes that can be easily customized to match your brand’s unique style and requirements.
- App Store: Features like email marketing, SEO tools, inventory management, and more to enhance your eCommerce site.
- Secure Payment Options: Shopify offers a secure and seamless payment gateway, allowing you to accept various payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, and many others.
10. Adobe Creative Cloud
A top-notch application for graphic design, web design, photo & video editing. It was launched in 2011 and has since become a go-to platform for creative professionals and amateurs alike. In 2021, Adobe Creative Cloud raked in a staggering $4.11 billion in revenue, a testament to its immense popularity.
Key Features:
- Diverse Creative Suite: Adobe Creative Cloud provides access to a plethora of creative applications, including heavyweights like Photoshop, Acrobat DC, Premiere Pro, and Illustrator.
- Extensive Font Library: With Adobe Creative Cloud, you can explore and use thousands of fonts to make your projects stand out. It’s a font paradise for typographic enthusiasts.
- Engaging Community: Adobe Creative Cloud fosters a thriving community where you can connect with other creatives, share your work, and get inspired.
11. Box
The Box is an exceptional SaaS solution that’s shaping the future of software. Box was launched in 2005, and its unique selling point (USP) is its ability to enable secure collaboration with anyone, anywhere, and on any device.
Box is a cloud computing software that allows teams to collaborate securely with anyone, anywhere, on any device. Users can share large files via a traditional link or custom URL and safeguard crucial data and documents with the necessary permissions and password protection.
Key features:
- Secure File Collaboration: Box provides a secure platform for teams to collaborate on files from anywhere, at any time, and on any device.
- File Sharing and Permissions: Box offers robust file-sharing options, including the ability to share files using traditional links or custom URLs.
- File Preview and Compatibility: Box supports over 120 file types, allowing users to preview content before downloading. This feature is valuable for quickly assessing documents and multimedia files without the need for specialized software.
- Notification and Version Control: Box keeps users informed about changes made to shared files. Notifications are sent when edits or updates occur, ensuring that all collaborators are aware of modifications.
- Advanced Security and Information Governance: Box offers advanced security features, intelligent threat detection, and comprehensive information governance tools. It ensures that sensitive files are protected in the cloud and complies with various data security regulations.
12. Dropbox
Dropbox is another great choice for cloud-based storage SaaS. You can store, organize and share your files safely and securely wherever you are—in the office, at home, or even on the go. It also offers great smart search suggestions that make finding files and folders quick. Dropbox, co-founded by Drew Houston and Arash Ferdowsi in 2007, now has more than 700 million registered customers across 180 countries.
It also has its own dedicated storage infrastructure. This means that even if the company’s main storage is unavailable, Dropbox can continue to function reliably and effectively.
You also have integration options available with other productivity tools such as Slack, Zoom, Microsoft, and more.
It comes with a free Basic Plan that offers 2GB of storage that is accessible to up to 3 devices. If you need more space beyond what the Basic Plan offers, then you have the option of availing of the Plus ($12/month) or Family ($20/month) Plans for your personal file sharing needs. These plans offer up to 2 TB of storage for up to 6 users. There are also 3 paid plans available for businesses that require a reliable cloud-based storage solution.
What are the Key Benefits of SaaS Applications?
1. Accessibility and Collaboration
SaaS applications enable real-time collaboration among teams, even if they are spread across different locations. Multiple users can work on the same document or project simultaneously, boosting productivity and teamwork.
2. Scalability and flexibility
SaaS is ideal for businesses because of its ability to scale and grow as the business grows. Also, with SaaS applications, you only pay for features you want to use. You can easily choose a SaaS plan that fits your budget and operational requirements.
3. Access to enterprise software
Access to enterprise software is probably the biggest advantage of SaaS applications. By eliminating the need to install and operate the software on computers, SaaS applications enable businesses to subscribe to enterprise-level software, like marketing platforms and sales CRMs.
4. Market reach
SaaS providers can offer this product to the majority of the market rather than limiting themselves to a specific market segment. This also means that the SaaS tool can be affordable and accessible to businesses of all sizes. Users can access services that are otherwise not easily available, thus improving general opportunities, productivity, and business services.
5. Data and analytics
SaaS applications make it possible to capture data and use it for analytics. Businesses using SaaS software usually have access to visualization, intelligence tools, and reporting that can provide useful insights into business processes and workflows.
Fundamental Questions to Ask when Choosing a SaaS Application
- Is it reliable?
- Is it scalable?
- Does the tool suit your current and future user environments?
- What are examples of different pricing and business models for SaaS software?
- What is the service level agreement (SLA) offered by the SaaS provider?
1. Is it Reliable?
When choosing a SaaS application, you cannot afford to underestimate the importance of two main aspects: security and uptime. Even though SaaS CMSs are designed for scalability and reliability, not all SaaS CMS vendors can meet the hype created by themselves.
When checking out a provider’s availability figures, you should ask how they are measured and take into account all aspects of downtime that could impact your business. A SaaS tool should easily handle a sharp increase in web traffic and multi-site traffic without having to downgrade user experiences.
2. Is it Scalable?
You would not want your business growth to be limited by technical needs. A traditional or on-premise CMS requires you to draft in additional bandwidth or invest in bigger servers to expand the size of your online project. It can get tricky to build a new site and manage multiple sites at once.
SaaS CMS vendors usually boast about their product’s scalability. However, you should ask for examples and demonstrations. Also, check if the platform can handle multi-site management from the same dashboard.
3. Does the Tool Suit your Current and Future User Environments?
Even though a SaaS product is designed to run in a web browser, there are incompatibilities with older browsers, especially Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. Keep in mind that there can be subtle differences in functionality and visuals from browser to browser.
Additionally, consider mobility. Make your SaaS provider offer iOS and Android apps so you and your employees can access the tool while on the move. Check the functionality of such apps thoroughly, as the interface could be different than that of the web version. The SaaS tool should have a responsive design.
4. What are Examples of Different Pricing and Business Models for SaaS Software?
We all know the pay-as-you-go and usage-based pricing models of SaaS companies, such as some of the software we use regularly including Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon Prime. Ensure to check the pricing module applicable to your software.
5. What is the Service Level Agreement (SLA) Offered by the SaaS Provider?
The Service Level Agreement (SLA) states what services the client will receive. It lays down the computable aspects of the promised service in terms of things like quality and availability. The Service Level Agreement determines the consequences of failing to deliver on the promised standards.
You should remember that even small outage times can lead to severe consequences for a business. Make sure you have covered every possible misunderstanding in the SLA.
Disadvantages of SaaS Applications
Loss of Control: The vendor manages everything, making you dependent upon the vendor’s capabilities. Typically, everyone has to use the latest version of the software application and cannot defer upgrades or changes in the features.
- Limited Customization: Most SaaS applications offer little in the way of customization from the vendor.
- Connectivity: Since the SaaS model is based on web delivery, if your internet service fails, you will lose access to your software or data.
- Performance: SaaS applications/solutions may run at a slower speed than client/server apps.
- Security Risks: While the SaaS provider secures the application itself, strict measures should be taken with sensitive data. According to a Pulse survey, 58% of the world’s technology leaders say many SaaS vendors do not meet all their security requirements.
Wrapping it up!
You might like to know how SaaS applications differ from traditional software. Unlike traditional software installed on individual devices or servers, SaaS operates in the cloud, allowing users to access it through the internet without local installation. It typically offers subscription-based pricing, automatic updates, and scalability, while traditional software often requires upfront licensing fees and manual updates.
Software as a Service (SaaS) applications have profoundly affected company processes because of their accessibility and low cost. A wide variety of SaaS programs are out now, covering anything from project management and accounting to CRM and e-commerce.
Businesses are strongly encouraged to explore and embrace SaaS solutions, as they offer numerous benefits. SaaS applications streamline operations, automate processes, and promote collaboration, ultimately driving efficiency and productivity.