CRM Gets SaaS-Y
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.