SaaS in the cloud! What’s the drill?

We all know that SaaS is an alternative to the conventional on premise software installation in the business environment. I came across recently a Gartner report that states the following: The SaaS market will reach $37.7 billion in 2016. Moreover, another study made by IDC forecasts that it will surpass $112.8 billion by 2019.  So, it’s crystal clear that more and more businesses are choosing SaaS, and that’s not surprising at all. There are several reasons behind this movement, and here are some of them:

• Lower costs of entry  – With SaaS you only pay for the software license, not for the hardware
• Reduce time to benefit – The software application is already installed and configured, allowing quick demonstrations and onboarding.
• Anticipated costs – SaaS offers predictable costs in terms of subscription and administration, allowing you to make more accurate budgets
• Remote access – As the software is hosted in the cloud, you can access it anytime and from anywhere you want

I know there are more advantages that worth to be mentioned when speaking about SaaS, but I would like to go through the issues that come along with it, as well.

• Working offline is not an option

With SaaS, you need a permanent internet connection. This shouldn’t be a problem if you’re working from your office. However, there are more and more people working from home, or who are constantly on the move. No internet connection means no access to SaaS, and no access to SaaS means missed deadlines. Luckily, there is a solution! Well, it’s more a compromise, and that’s Software plus Service, which is a mix between a complete SaaS solution and a traditional on-premises software or client solution.

• Full control and security over your data? Think again!

When using SaaS, your data is stored in the cloud, and that means that you no longer have 100% control over them. The only one that can ensure your data’s safety is your SaaS service provider. Look over your SaaS agreements closely with your provider. Make sure you’re choosing a reputable SaaS provider and also that the Service Level Agreement contract contains all the level of service and security measures align with your business needs.

• Watch out for hidden costs!

What’s great about SaaS solutions is that the upfront costs are very low. However, when signing a deal, make sure that you carefully read the small print as well. Configuration and setup are just some of the costs that the SaaS provider might provide, without explaining the details in advance. In some cases it is like paying for a laptop and then finding out you need to pay extra for the hard drive and processor that should be included.

Despite the above-mentioned issues, SaaS solutions offers you much more advantages than disadvantages, and that’s why more often than not, it is the right decision for your business. As you already know, my recommendation is to move your infrastructure to the cloud and reap the benefits. While taking this journey, keep your feet on the ground and your eyes wide open!

Looking forward to sharing your thoughts!

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