A good percentage of businesses still use legacy software for various reasons like cyber security, on-premise preference, etc.
However, the ever-changing and extensive requirements make it almost imperative that most businesses move to Cloud. This is because spending for innumerable software licensing fees and subscription renewals is impossible.
It’s here SaaS comes to the rescue. SaaS or Software As A Service is a distribution model where software is provided and serviced by a third party, which companies can rent and access online. The software could be office applications, email applications, accounting software, or anything. There is no need for voluminous hardware or in-house service personnel in such an arrangement, and it cuts costs massively for smaller companies. But it would help if you chose the right SaaS vendor.
Here are some tips for selecting the appropriate SaaS vendor.
Analyze your Needs
Make a list of the exact needs of your company or business. Is the software you need essential or extras? Is cutting service personnel costs your primary aim? There might be the software you intend to continue using and those you aspire to shift. Assess your current facilities and see if the vendor can integrate the Cloud-based software easily. Most SaaS vendors offer software compatible with popular productivity and office applications. Calculate the costs of each scenario and make the final decision.
Compliance
The industry is now witnessing an explosion of SaaS, and there might be many which end up costing more than your existing software. Make sure that you are getting only what you need, as ideally, you should need only a browser to install and run the software. Everything else should remain on Cloud. Also, go only for those that use recognized standards and frameworks. Ask for their standard certifications and also how they are audited. You need to ensure that your SaaS vendor complies with all the rules and regulations of the land in which you are doing business
Look for Flexibility
The times are such that anything can happen at any time. Scaling up and scaling down of business have become part and parcel of businesses. Adaptability is the key. Hence your SaaS provider should be flexible enough to accommodate your requirements. Such terms need to be written in the agreement. Any oversight in the terms and conditions may give you trouble at a later stage.
Data Security
Today, a significant concern with every business is data security. As per studies, cybercriminals make several attempts every second to cause data breaches and security.
Besides having the best data security mechanism, you have to look for a SaaS vendor who defines data security and safekeeping in clear terms. When you move to Cloud, there will be several data that may remain idle for some time, and also sometimes the projects might have ended, and there will be data from such projects. While SaaS vendors hand over the data to the company in typical cases, it’s always better to have it in better and clear written form.
Avoid vendors who make it very difficult, expensive, or even impossible to exit once you are locked in. Make sure to leave your options open and never go for a vendor which locks you in. Also, ensure the exit options are laid out on paper, right at the time of purchase.
Service and Support
The most important criterion when choosing a vendor is the quality of support. Most vendors promise 24/7 support of superior quality but might be unavailable in an emergency. A safe option would be to try out a vendor from an account different from your company and check their service and support directly. There might also be vendors who expect your own IT service personnel to do the basic support, which can beat the purpose of relying on a SaaS vendor altogether.
