We’re in the age of software, where booking a table, tracking fitness goals, and even starting a business—it’s all done with software.
Australia’s Software Development Industry is a testament to the growth of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), with over thirty-two thousand new jobs created in 2021 alone. It clearly demonstrates that this sector has grown steadily and rapidly.
That’s why companies are increasingly turning to SaaS solutions to provide them with an efficient, cost-effective, and reliable way to manage their operations without hassle.
But as great as SaaS is, its implementation process still requires a lot of planning and organization. To ensure your business makes the most out of SaaS, we’ve compiled this guide to ensure your SaaS implementation is a success!
Advantages of a SaaS Solution
There’s no other way to say that implementing software in your business operation takes a lot of time, effort, and money. But the benefits that come with SaaS solutions are undeniable and make your effort worthwhile.
Here’s what you can expect when you have a SaaS model:
Lower Costs
A SaaS model comes with a subscription, so businesses no longer need to invest in expensive hardware and software installations. This means that companies can save huge sums on operations costs, which translates into more money in your pocket!
Faster Implementation
Since the software is already pre-built and ready to use, you can get up and running quickly. This means that you can start leveraging the power of SaaS in no time, allowing you to focus on running your business operations.
Scale without Hassle
With SaaS, scalability is no longer an issue. As the software is hosted on a centralized server, it’s easy to scale up or down as needed, giving you the flexibility to meet changing business requirements.
Gain Valuable Insights
SaaS tools come with built-in analytics features that provide insights into customer behavior. This allows you to make informed decisions about your products and services, giving you the edge against competitors.
More Customers
By providing a better user experience with SaaS applications, you can gain more customers and increase your revenue. Since the software is hosted on a centralized server, customers don’t need to worry about downloading and installing it, making it easier for them to access your services.
So there you have it—the benefits of SaaS apps are undeniable. Now, let’s take a look at the SaaS implementation steps!
11 Best Practices to Follow for a Successful SaaS Implementation
Like we mentioned, the software implementation process can be quite a journey, but with the right preparation and planning, you can make it a lot smoother.
For an enterprise SaaS implementation, here are some best practices to keep in mind for success:
1. Understand Your Business Requirements
You wouldn’t invest thousands of dollars for a product you don’t need. This goes the same way when getting new software.
Before investing in a SaaS solution, make sure to analyze your current business needs and requirements. This will help you find the right solution that fits your needs and doesn’t require you to invest in extra features.
Think of these:
- What are the business objectives in getting a SaaS app?
- What existing systems do you have?
- Do you need to integrate with other systems?
- What are the specific features that you need for the software?
- Does the software provide all of those features?
If you have the answer to these questions, you can move forward to the next step.
2. Establish a SaaS Implementation Plan
Once you’ve evaluated your business requirements, it’s time to build a software implementation plan. This plan should include the following:
- All stakeholders involved in the process
- The timeline or implementation roadmap you need to reach
- The budget or cost you’ll need
- A clear and concise list of objectives
- An evaluation system to measure success
This plan will determine which part of the implementation phase will come first and which will follow. This will ensure that all steps are completed on time and within your budget.
3. Create Alignment with Your Vendor
Every business is unique and has its own set of requirements. This means that a SaaS solution may not fit perfectly with your needs right off the bat—this is where customization comes in.
To make sure you get the most out of your software, sit down with your SaaS provider and create alignment between the two of you. This way, your provider can suggest customizations that fit your specific needs, ensuring a successful implementation.
Before signing any contracts, it is crucial to examine the Service Level Agreement (SLA) in detail. This document outlines a SaaS vendor’s offerings and covers associated liabilities should something go wrong. If you are content with what the SLA has outlined, then the next steps can be taken forward!
4. Consider Scalability when Getting SaaS Components
Procure scalable SaaS components that can be adaptive to your business. This way, you don’t have to go through the process of finding a new solution when things start getting complicated.
For example, if your business data grows exponentially, you’ll need new software that can adjust to the increased load. You should also consider how the software will be upgraded in the future and if it can handle adding new features or integrations.
5. Make Everyone On Board
A SaaS implementation team needs to be in place for the project to run smoothly. This team should include members from different departments—from marketing and sales to IT and products.
This team will ensure that all the stakeholders are aware of the SaaS adoption process, responsible for their tasks, and can offer insights when needed. It’s also a great way to make sure everyone is on the same page and that no one misses any important updates, features, or development cycles.
By having an implementation team in place, you can ensure a successful SaaS implementation project and get the most out of your software.
6. Ensure there is Open Communication
Your team and your SaaS service provider need to be on the same page during the entire process. To make sure that happens, ensure that you have open communication with your vendor.
Open communication allows everyone to stay informed on the progress of the SaaS implementation process and ensures that any issues or concerns can be addressed quickly. This way, delays or setbacks can be avoided.
We recommend having a weekly call with your vendor to check the project’s progress and discuss any concerns or questions. This way, you can ensure that everyone stays on track with the SaaS adoption plan.
7. Ensure Data Security and Manage Accessibility
Data stored in the cloud is vulnerable to potential cyber threats. It’s important to keep your data secure and make sure that only those with authorized access can access it.
Ensure that your SaaS service provider offers the right security measures in place, such as encrypted storage and two-factor authentication. It’s also important to manage the data migration, who can access it, and how they are able to use it.
Tracking SaaS usage helps you monitor who is using the software and for what purpose. This ensures that data is used only for business purposes and is not accessed by unauthorized users.
8. Have a Disaster Recovery Plan
Even with a successful SaaS implementation, you need to have a plan in place for when things go wrong.
This plan should include regular backups of your data and measures for recovering data in case of an emergency. This way, you can rest assured that what you keep in data centers is backed up and that you can quickly restore your data if something goes wrong.
A disaster recovery plan includes:
- Identifying data and applications that need to be backed up.
- Creating a plan for backing up and restoring data when disaster strikes.
- Ensuring you have the right key resources to manage the recovery process.
- Testing schedule, including timeline testing, to ensure the plan works efficiently.
9. Monitor SaaS Implementation and Impact
A successful software implementation is one thing, but measuring their impact on the business is another.
You want to ensure that the implementation project goes as promised—improving and streamlining operations. To this end, you could set up monitoring tools and key metrics to track your new app’s performance.
But don’t expect positive outcomes immediately after the initial rollout plan. You can do this by tracking key performance indicators, such as customer satisfaction or operational costs. This allows you to measure your SaaS adoption’s success and identify areas for improvement.
10. Build Exit Strategies
Unexpected disasters in a SaaS implementation process can come in any shape or form at any time. So, setting up exit strategies can help you move your data and systems to a different provider quickly and easily.
By having a well-thought-out exit strategy in place, you can make sure that your business is never left without access to its data or systems. You should consider the following points:
- Are you looking to transition back to on-premises software or another SaaS service?
- How will the information stored in the SaaS host data center be handled and protected?
- How should we approach the migration process?
- Are there any costs associated with this?
[Also read: How to Create a Business Exit Strategy in 2023]
11. Celebrate Your Win
Even with all the success metrics and data tracking, don’t forget to celebrate the successful completion of your software implementation plan.
It’s important to recognize the hard work and dedication of the team involved and your provider’s efforts. Celebrate your win and make sure everyone involved knows that you appreciate their contribution to the success of your software implementation.
By taking the time to celebrate, you can make sure everyone involved feels appreciated and motivated to keep succeeding in their future projects!
5 Tips for Finding a SaaS Vendor
So, you’ve decided to adopt SaaS applications for your business—good call! You’ve taken the first step into a brave new world of tech and are ready to take your business to the next level.
But now comes the tricky part—how do you find the right SaaS vendor?
Here are tips for choosing the right vendor to boost your business processes:
1. Do Your Research
Just like with dating, you need to do your research before committing. Check out the company’s website, read reviews, and look for success stories from happy customers to get a sense of its reputation.
2. Define Your Needs
Before you go into any vendor procedures, figure out what you’re looking for in a solution. Do you need feature-packed software or something more basic? It’s important to know what you want before you start swiping left or right.
3. Consider Pricing
SaaS solutions can vary widely in pricing, so it’s important to consider your budget when evaluating vendors. Communicating your business model and budget upfront will help ensure that you stay within your limits.
4. Assess Customer Support
Customer support is crucial in software implementations, so evaluate the level of support offered by potential vendors. Look for vendors that offer responsive, knowledgeable support to ensure a smooth implementation process.
5. Try Before You Buy
Before making a final decision, ask potential vendors for demos and trials of their solutions. This will give you hands-on experience with the software and help you make an informed decision.
Let’s Develop Your SaaS Application Today!
Implementing SaaS is not for the faint of heart. Potential pitfalls should be considered. But with the right approach and tools, you can successfully deploy your new software application in no time.
At StarTechUP, we can develop your application and create a SaaS implementation plan designed to meet your specific needs. We’ll work with you every step of the way to ensure your application is secure, reliable, and user-friendly.
We use cutting-edge technologies and agile methodologies to ensure a successful, timely software deployment. From ideation to implementation and long-term management, we can handle your project from start to finish for successful adoption.
So don’t wait—let’s start developing your SaaS application today and get you on the path to success! Contact us now for more information.
