SAAS businesses to offer customized in-app messages and in-product widgets to their users
Introduction:
Software as a service (SaaS) is a software distribution model in which a cloud provider hosts applications and makes them available to end users over the internet.
How does software as a service work?
SaaS works through the cloud delivery model. A software provider will either host the application and related data using its own servers, databases, networking and computing resources, or it may be an ISV that contracts a cloud provider to host the application in the provider's data center. The application will be accessible to any device with a network connection. SaaS applications are typically accessed via web browsers. There are majorly 3 cloud-based services - SaaS, PaaS and IaaS from which SaaS is the most popular one. It is referred to as a cloud-based model in which all the maintenance work of software including updates, delivery, improvisations etc. are done by the operating organization.
While users just have to pay the subscription charges on a monthly or yearly basis. Many popular SaaS-based services are available for free with certain limitations like Google Drive & Slack.
Can we customize SaaS software?
Modern SaaS applications offer personalization and configuration within the application and are always ready for upgrades and enhancements without the need for technical assistance. SaaS applications can't be modified by building customizations that include changing the core product.
What are in-app notifications and messages?
In-app notifications (sometimes referred to as in-app messages) can take many shapes and forms. They can appear as pop-ups, overlays, or small notification windows. Some of those will show at the top of the screen while others float or pop up somewhere in the corner. But they all have one thing in common:
They appear on the screen (be it a desktop window or a mobile) while a person is using an app.
Think of in-app notifications as your direct way to reach customers. However, instead of using channels like email or SMS, you communicate with those people while they are using your product.
The term “SaaS deployment model” refers to the installation and delivery of software as a service, as opposed to the traditional on premise model of software deployment.Essentially, SaaS is a subset of cloud computing. However, it is important to note that not all SaaS models are built-in the cloud. SaaS products or applications can be built on a local terminal and deployed to a cloud-based server. The product itself is accessed and utilized through a web browser.
SaaS Market Analysis and Predictions
Strategy Analytics Mobile Workforce Strategies (MWS) report “SMB Mobile SaaS Forecast 2011-2017,” says that the small and medium markets for SaaS enterprises are going to grow from $6.7 billion in 2012 to $19.7 billion in 2017.
In its turn, Forrester Research presented a “Sizing the Cloud” study. According to this survey, the world cloud-based SaaS market will expand from $40.7 billion to $241 billion between the years of 2011 and 2020 years.
SaaS mobile app development
Software as a Service is used not only for desktop or laptop devices but also on various mobile devices. Sometimes the SaaS app only adds value to the service or can be used as a dashboard to provide reports for stakeholders. However, the SaaS app can also act as a full-fledged independent player as it occurred with LinkedIn or Dropbox.
So, what's the difference between a Software as a Service application and a stand-alone app?
The SaaS app doesn't need any desktop downloads. Users can access the service with direct download from the app store or computer using the secure login.
The typical monetization model of a SaaS app is a monthly fee that is based on users' amount, storage capacity, or other features. In stand-alone apps, the cost is determined per person and paid only once. Therefore, the SaaS model in the long term is more beneficial for the vendor in the long run.
SaaS is perfect for teamwork and allows all members of the group to interact with each other in real-time. Stand-alone apps are not able to ensure users with back and forth communication.
Mobile SaaS app development is based on cloud technologies. This means that complete information from all team members, the same as updates, is stored in the cloud. With a stand-alone app, you need to export files to Dropbox, email, or another service to share the information.
Judging by the trends, cloud-based SaaS mobile application development became mainstream amongst enterprises. The rise of mobile device usage had an enormous impact on this technology. Just think about the figures. Back in 2010 tablet devices generated $300 million in global app sales. In 2015 that number had raised up to $8.1 billion. John McCarthy, the Forrester Research Vice President had underlined the biggest advantage of SaaS apps in his report “App Internet”. It comes from the ability to work offline. John McCarthy even implemented a new term “offline cloud apps”. However, this is not the only benefit.
Incident Communication that has the capability to make or break the customer experience
SaaS Pros and Cons
Despite SaaS popularity, there are many questions and misconceptions when you need to build this sort of application. However, to develop mobile apps for SaaS has become not a trivial question. Your SaaS app development company should take into account the high performance of the app, the ability to multi-tenancy, reconfigurability, and, most importantly, security issues.
Like any other technology, software as a service deploying has its pros and cons.
SaaS Pros:
Planning the revenue stream
The SaaS monetization model is a monthly subscription. It means that as a vendor you can plan and predict proceeds that are based on the number of your SaaS app users and the number of services you provide.
Scaling the business: As your client's business grows, you don't need to worry about scaling yours. The customer can only adjust the monthly subscription according to his needs. No matter how big or small your client's business, he can always rely on your service because that is way cheaper and easier than to invest in in-house software licenses and server capacities.
Accessibility for customers: All your clients need to set up your SaaS app is a device and internet connection. This simplicity makes SaaS particularly attractive and relieves vendors from unnecessary care.
Upgrades legerity for customers : An additional benefit for your clients is that they have no need to update software and take care of outdated hardware which removes the workload from their IT-departments.For you as a vendor, the main benefit is that you don`t waste time visiting and updating every customer separately.
Backup resilience : Even if something goes wrong with your servers, your customers can always go back to the previous savings with the backup log and get access to information from any device with an internet connection.
As you have noticed, SaaS has benefits both for vendors and customers. Check the table below to make out the differences.
Customer benefit
Reduce time for deployment;Lower risks;Quicker access to latest features;Absence of ongoing maintenance;Low variable cost based on usage instead of upfront fixed cost.
Vendor benefits
Revenue stream can be planтed and predicted;Software usage can be tracked by the customer;Need for maintaining a single code base;Scaling helps to capture cost savings.
SaaS Cons
Of course, like any other technology, SaaS has its pitfalls that are not critical though and could be easily fixed.
Security:
Safety is always a number-one concern for any business, startup, or private user. As a service provider, you need to protect sensitive client`s data. At The App Solutions, engineers ensure customers with multiple methods to protect a SaaS app.
Outages:
Outages do happen with any service and technology. We all remember the epic Amazon EC2 outage for instance. The primary care of your engineers is to prevent them as thoroughly as possible. Of course, you need to think about technology and communication strategies in case of outages. Then even when an accident happens, you and your team will eliminate it with minimum customers and reputational loss.
Governmental agreement compliance : Well, this, not a con, rather a warning. Help your client to investigate the legislation and determine the regulations that apply to their business.
As a bonus, there are also a few tips for you to take away:
Don`t forget about the legal agreements for your SaaS app. For sure, the arrangement set depends on the service specifics, but there are some more standard ones that can be used in almost all of them: the privacy policy agreement, the terms, and conditions contract, etc.
To reduce your SaaS app development cost and make it easy for other applications and services they have on their smartphones, you can use sets of API's that every SaaS app needs: authorization and authentication API, user management API, usage metrics collection API, operational data storage.
Stick to the native app development to provide better security, faster performance, and provide access to all inbuilt capabilities of the device.Now you must be wondering why these SaaS applications and SaaS application development services are becoming so demanding.
Well, the most fabulous hallmark of web-based SaaS apps is that not only you but everyone around the globe can access the information of your data by simply logging in. This means that you no longer have to store data on the computer's hard drive. Sounds amazing, isn’t it? Anyone having an internet connection and login credentials can use the software.It really is and especially, in this unprecedented time of Covid-19 spread, these SaaS applications have grown enormously to cater to the needs of remote working teams.
In the graph below, you can see the rise of video chat apps alone amid the lockdown. Besides this cloud-based data storage advantage which is by far very much essential for remote teams, let’s look at the other perks which make these SaaS application development solutions even more convincing.
Low initial cost:- If you want to develop your custom software, it is definitely going to cost you a fortune and will burn your pockets deep if you were to add some complex functionalities.
Reduced Time:- SaaS applications can save a tremendous amount of your time because all the updates and improvisations are offloaded to the provider. So, you can focus on your core business without being worried about the recent technological advancements.
SCALABILITY: -
This is another imperative feature of the SaaS model for small businesses that face frequent transitions in their process. As all SaaS applications are subscription-based, you have the flexibility to change your plan according to your needs.Try and use:- Most of the premium brands and providers always offer a free trial to use their SaaS app first. Hence, pay only if it solves your problem and satisfies your needs, else just move away and find the alternative without wasting a single penny, as simple as that.
Below are two Popular SaaS examples:
Zoom:
The pandemic made us adopt virtual meeting platforms and the world welcomed Zoom, a video conferencing platform, with open arms. Be it educational classes, professional meetings or personal meetings, Zoom has become an essential part of our lives.Backed by a robust cloud platform, Zoom allows users to have virtual meetings, conferences, webinars and events. It has many simple-to-use features such as screen sharing, live chats, admin control, etc. The pandemic brought a lot of video communications companies to the surface but Zoom’s seamless performance and easy-to-use interface.
USP: All-in-one video communications platform with top-of-the line features and super-easy interface.
Launch Year: 2011
Revenue: $1.06 billion (2021)
Official website: Zoom
Shopify:
Shopify is a one-stop eCommerce store solution for all the retailers who want to sell their products online. This CMS (content management system) offers flexible plans from which small & medium businesses can create a simple static as well as a complex and highly functional eCommerce website.With the spike of online purchases and immense demand of eCommerce websites, this Canadian-based company has rooted its place in the list of best examples of SaaS applications for retailers who want to build their online presence.
USP: It allows people with no coding experience to set up their e-commerce platforms with built-in SEO features, access to apps and integration with multiple payment gateways.
Launch Year: 2006
Revenue: $4.6 billion (2021)
Official website: Shopify
Scope @ N9 IT Solutions:
- N9 IT Solutions is a leading IT development and consulting firm providing a broad array of customized solutions to clients throughout the United States.
- It got established primarily with an aim to provide consulting and IT services in today’s dynamic environment.
- N9 IT also offers consulting services in many emerging areas like Java/J2ee, Cloud Computing, Database Solutions, DevOps, ERP, Mobility, Big Data, Application Development, Infrastructure Managed Services, Quality Assurance and Testing.
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