What is SaaS?
SaaS is currently all the rage. The term is a buzz word across the web, and many companies are hopping on board the SaaS train. What exactly is it? SaaS is an acronym for "Software As A Service." Okay, so there's the dictionary answer, but isn't all software a service? The difference is that with SaaS, the service is on demand. SaaS is built on the idea that companies rent Web-based software that is hosted at the provider's site, operating in the cloud, rather than having an in-house system.
What are the benefits of SaaS?
Cost efficiency is one of the key benefits of SaaS. With standalone software, companies usually have to buy licenses in bulk. The company is then left with excess licenses that they don't need. With SaaS, if a company grows or expands, the number of licenses for the program can be adjusted accordingly, as the software is being rented from a third party. [1]
Also, due to the fact that the software is rented on a month-to-month basis, the investment risk is drastically reduced. Instead of paying a large sum upfront for a system, customers pay for the services every month.
Another benefit is that the vendor manages the software. Instead of having the IT staff install and deploy the system, the vendor takes care of this for the company. Because the software is being hosted at the vendor's location, they are in charge of monitoring the program and keeping the cloud well maintained.[2]
Most importantly, everything is backed up with the vendor, so the company doesn't have to worry about employing another system to keep back-ups on file.
CRM and SaaS
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) applications hold the largest market share of the SaaS market. CRM applications are better able to be streamlined across a company when deployed as a SaaS. Instead of having individual programs in each department, all employees need is an active internet connection. This way the company stays better connected, and workflow is made more efficient.
EquityTouchTM is a leader in Private Equity/Venture Capital CRM. Created by Touch Ahead Software, EquityTouch is one of the fastest CRM's available, as it runs on a web portal. John Binda, Sales Director for EquityTouch, states one major benefit of the SaaS model is that "EquityTouch allows you to access information anywhere so that you aren't tied down to your personal computer." EquityTouch is accessible from any internet connection, even via web enabled cell phones, as the program is in the cloud.
Another benefit of EquityTouch is that subscribers don't have to worry about installing product updates as the program isn't hosted at the customer's office. This eliminates the need to maintain and support a long term system, as the provider is in charge of maintaining the system. Because EquityTouch is deployed on a per-user basis, licenses can be easily transferred from one employee to another, keeping costs at a minimum.
Touch Ahead Software focuses on bringing the benefits of advanced technology to the CRM community. These benefits include drastically reduced overall cost of ownership and time for implementation as well as dramatically higher user satisfaction and organization profitability. Touch Ahead is constantly pushing boundaries and redefining the CRM SaaS model.
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[1] King, Julia. "Beyond CRM: SaaS slips into the mainstream."
Computerworld Management 22 Feb. 2010: Web. 22 Feb 2010.
[2] Finch, Curt. "The Benefits of the Software -as-a-Service Model." Computerworld Management 2 Jan. 2006: Web. 24 Feb 2010.
75 Kneeland St., 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02111
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Cathie Briggette
Marketing Director
(866-960-9301) x207
cmb@touchahead.com
Touch Ahead Software, LLC hires new employee
BOSTON - Touch Ahead Software LLC announced today that John Binda has joined the company as Director of Sales. He will lead the effort to increase overall revenue growth for the company. John Binda's first day at Touch Ahead Software was December 1, 2009.
John is joining Touch Ahead Software, from Neocase Software, where he was the Regional Director and responsible for national product sales. "There are tremendous opportunities ahead for Touch Ahead Software, and the EquityTouch product. Touch Ahead Software has created a world-class CRM solution for VC and Private Equity organizations" Binda said. "I am excited about helping customers manage all of their communications with team members, intermediaries, and potential deal companies"
John will report to Touch Ahead Software CEO, Nancy Keddy. "I am delighted to welcome John to Touch Ahead Software"," Keddy said. "This is an exciting time with our latest release of EquityTouch, a relationship management, and collaboration solution for venture capital and private equity firms. John's unique and diverse background, coupled with his deep software sales experience and understanding of the CRM industry, will be an invaluable asset in our plans to grow the business.
Before joining Neocase Software in 2008, Binda spent 15 years working for various CRM vendors and resellers. His role has been to increase revenues, and improve customer satisfaction.
Touch Ahead Software develops cutting edge SaaS solutions. Touch Ahead has developed EquityTouchTM, a remarkable CRM solution enabling organizations to intelligently manage new business opportunities. EquityTouchTM prides itself on being the fastest web application, while delivering the most vital features of CRM and a completely customizable interface.
Touch Ahead Software is a Boston based software development firm that provides web-based relationship management and collaboration solutions. For more information please contact Cathie Briggette at (866) 960-9301 x706 . Or visit http://www.touchahead.com/
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If you worry about
employees’ reluctance to learn how to use the new CRM software your organization
has just invested in, this post may help ease your mind.
Since investing in CRM
software requires a substantial amount of thought and careful consideration,
you have the right to want everyone in your organization to use the software to
its full potential. You may worry that some people will be reluctant to use it,
or that they won’t want to put effort into learning how to use it. Although not
every CRM system is difficult to use, some people find it hard to
leave their comfort zone and become familiar with a new way of doing things - even if the new way will benefit them.
The following suggestions
may help ensure that employees are willing to adopt the new software:
Lead by Example
If you want employees to be
as excited about the new software as you are and to see the value it has in helping with everyday tasks, it helps to be an avid user yourself.
If employees know that you
don’t actively use the software, they probably won’t think it is worth it to
use it themselves. After all, why would an employee use software that a leading
figure in the company won’t even use? Take the time to explore your new
application and you will see how greatly it benefits you. You will then naturally
want to share your enthusiasm with others in the organization. Also, there is
likely going to be someone who stands out in your organization as a quick adopter.
Encourage this person to help and motivate others.
Train
Once the CRM software is
implemented, it can’t be expected that employees will automatically know what
to do with it and which buttons perform what function. Therefore, it is
necessary that there are learning resources available to employees.
Training sessions help employees
learn the purpose of certain functions within the software, as well as how to
enter data correctly. They help everyone to be on the same page and learn how
to use the software strategically. It helps to think of examples that are
applicable to your organization's processes to use during training. If you find
a certain tutorial video interesting, share it with those you think could
really benefit from it. Remember to take advantage of the learning resources the CRM vendor has available!
Written by Melissa Cocks
Touch Ahead Software LLC
CRM and CEM
You may have seen the acronyms CRM and CEM floating around the web, and you may be unsure about what they stand for, as well as the difference between the two. Although CRM and CEM may seem like they are the same thing, they are actually two different concepts.
CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management
and
CEM stands for Customer Experience Management
When you think of CRM, imagine a business managing all of its customer contacts. Imagine keeping track of information such as phone numbers, addresses, and statistics on customers, as well as when you last talked to someone, where you met, the location, through what medium of communication, etc. The data is typically more statistical. Think of it as a more quantitative focus.
With CEM, think of customer service. Experience is the key term here, because it involves customers' feelings and thoughts on a company, as well as their interactions with a company. Information you may find in a CEM system includes customers' attitudes toward a certain product, problems they have had in the past, their hobbies, etc. All of this information is used to create the best experience possible for the customer and to make it personalized as possible. Customer perspective is essential to CEM.
The reason many people get CRM and CEM confused is because there is often a fine line between the two. Many CRM software systems contain features that are representative of something you may find in CEM software, and vice versa. For example, you may find that in some CRM software there is a place for users to make notes on customer likes and dislikes, or there may even be survey tools built in.
When it comes to choosing a system that best suits your company, you need to think about what your goals are. You may find that you would benefit from having one system that encompasses functions of both CRM and CEM.
Written by Melissa Cocks
Touch Ahead Software LLC
What is it about SaaS?
Chances are you have heard about the hype of SaaS in the media, especially how more and more businesses are adopting SaaS for their CRM models. You may feel unsure about adopting SaaS, or overwhelmed about why SaaS is getting so much attention. Here are the key reasons why SaaS is receiving so much praise in regard to CRM:
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is lower than on-premise CRM
- In-house IT is no longer relied upon or called into action to fix your CRM - can allocate your IT team’s efforts elsewhere
- Easy maintenance - The service is hosted offsite and all maintenance for application and server are handled by the vendor
- Faster and easier implementation of the CRM - no longer going from computer to computer for installation because it’s all done offsite in the cloud
- A team of experts specific to your software takes the weight off your shoulders, saving you time
- Pay as you use the software
- Customization available to reflect your unique business operations