SaaS Solutions
Network World published an article about the rise of SaaS implementation, based on a study by Gartner. The article states that “More than 95 percent of organizations expect to maintain or grow their use of software as a service (SaaS).” Clearly there are a lot of organizations discovering how to maximize the Cloud for their needs.
However, there are some skeptics who are very leery of implementing a SaaS solution.
The good news is that there are numerous benefits to using a hosted application or SaaS that just aren’t available with traditional software.
Automatic Updates
When using a hosted application, you don’t have to worry about updates that are standard with standalone software. I can’t tell you how many times I have logged onto my PC to see that another one of my programs has another update available. Even worse is when my operating system updates my computer, then tells me I have 15 minutes to restart or it will do it for me (I usually postpone it for an hour but I digress). A SaaS solution will automatically update itself at the host’s end, meaning you don’t have to waste time waiting for the program to upgrade itself.
Data Backup
One of the strongest attributes SaaS has in comparison to desktop based software is the fact that your data is continually backed up. If your computer crashes, or your laptop has to get sent off for repairs, you can still access all of your data because the SaaS operates over the internet. The mobility of SaaS is perfect for those who travel frequently. Updates made across the country will show up when you log on back at home.
The Bottom Line
Hosted applications have some incredible benefits. I’m not saying ditch all of your current programs for SaaS solutions, but at least consider SaaS the next time you find yourself window shopping in the software department.
The Cloud Trend
So we’ve talked about the benefits of SaaS (Software as a Service) including cost efficiency, scalability, and even its positive effect on the environment. However, most companies handle their Business Intelligence (BI) applications in-house. This may not be true in the next few years as SaaS usage is expected to grow to 23% by 2013.
What exactly are BI applications? Business Intelligence applications are computing utilities ranging from data mining and analytic programs to Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms.
CIO conducted a survey in May with over 300 IT leaders and found that 23% expect to utilize cloud of SaaS as their main BI solution within three years.
For SaaS vendors, this is incredibly good news, as 57% of those surveyed claimed they anticipate a bigger investment in BI applications within the next year. Opportunity is knocking!
The Benefits of SaaS
We’ve already discussed the benefits of SaaS, but we’re going to do it again!
Two Major Advantages of SaaS
- Cost Efficiency:
o SaaS eliminates the need to buy licenses in bulk.
o Rented on a month-to-month basis (lower upfront costs).
- Off Site Management:
o Reduces workload for in-house IT staff.
o Vendor monitors and updates application.
o Off-site automated backups available.
Its Up To You
Do you want to be ahead of the game and hop on the bandwagon now or later? Regardless of what you decide, SaaS is on the rise. Now is the time to start thinking about whether or not to head into the Cloud.
Touch Ahead Software Releases EquityTouchTM 2.0.1
New version update includes additional file support and a revised import tool
Boston, MA, April 5, 2010 - Touch Ahead Software, creators of EquityTouchTM, a deal sourcing and collaboration tool for private equity and venture capital firms, just released the newest version update, 2.0.1. The update will come out just three weeks since EquityTouch 2.0 became available on March 19. The new release includes support for Excel® 2007 files (.xlsx), and an upgraded import tool.
The import tool is accessible under the "Tools" tab in EquityTouch. Brian Le Blanc, VP of Software Engineering at Touch Ahead, states that the tool offers easier migration of data from multiple sources. "Clients keeping data in Outlook® or Excel can easily migrate said data to EquityTouch" says Le Blanc, "The updated import tool can now map data into the new grid controls available in EquityTouch 2.0."
The ability to map data into grids allows for a more customizable lay-out and more refined search results when researching data in EquityTouch. Current users will not have to do anything on their end to receive these updates. Prospective users can contact Touch Ahead Software for more information and to set up a demonstration at sales@touchahead.com
About Touch Ahead Software LLC
Touch Ahead Software is a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions company, focused on providing unparalleled benefits of advanced technology to the alternative asset community. The benefits include dramatically reduced cost of ownership and time for implementation, as well as higher user satisfaction and organizational profitability through deal sourcing and powerful collaboration tools. Touch Ahead Software is the developer of EquityTouchTM, the premiere deal CRM service for the financial and other specialized industries. For more information, please visit http://www.touchahead.com.
Press Contact
For more information, please contact:
Cathie Briggette
Touch Ahead Software LLC
(p) +1 (866) 960-9301
(e) cmb@touchahead.com
(w) http://www.touchahead.com
Prestigious CEO Forum Now Using EquityTouch Deal Sourcing Software
All women business forum of The Commonwealth Institute implements CRM system from Touch Ahead Software
Boston, MA, March 19, 2010 - The Commonwealth Institute Evening CEO Forum has recently started to use EquityTouch for information management. The Commonwealth Institute (TCI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women CEO's and entrepreneurs grow their businesses. TCI's Evening Forum members meet once a month to discuss complex business decisions and exchange ideas. Nancy Keddy, a member of The Commonwealth Institute and co-founder of Touch Ahead Software, noticed that TCI's Evening Forum would benefit from a system to track the communications of the monthly meetings.
During the forum, members exchange contacts and recommendations among one another. TCI Members also provide monthly "check-in" documents with updates and other news about their own businesses. TCI's Evening Forum was looking for a fast and efficient way to digitally archive the documents so that they could be easily accessed in the future. Keddy saw this as an opportunity and recommended EquityTouch. The program now provides a centralized database for all TCI Evening Forum members to upload and reference information at the click of a button.
The "Touch" concept of EquityTouch is helping to organize the information flow of the Evening Forum. According to Keddy, the Forum meets for three and a half hours, and a lot of information is exchanged. With EquityTouch, all communications including recommendations (reading materials, businesses, and individuals), key events, and research can all be catalogued as "Touches" and placed in the database for fast and efficient referencing. Keddy says "TCI's Evening Forum is using EquityTouch in many different ways to have information ready at our fingertips."
About The Commonwealth Institute
The Commonwealth Institute (TCI) is a non-profit organization that helps women entrepreneurs, CEOs and senior corporate executives grow their businesses through peer mentoring. For more information, visit www.commonwealthinstitute.org.
About Touch Ahead Software LLC
Touch Ahead Software is a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions company, focused on providing unparalleled benefits of advanced technology to the alternative asset community. The benefits include dramatically reduced cost of ownership and time for implementation, as well as higher user satisfaction and organizational profitability through deal sourcing and powerful collaboration tools. Touch Ahead Software is the developer of EquityTouch, the premiere CRM service for the financial and other specialized industries. For more information, please visit
www.touchahead.com
Press Contact
For more information, please contact:
Cathie Briggette
Touch Ahead Software LLC
(p) +1 (866) 960 9301
(e) cmb@touchahead.com
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