WHAT IS SAAS SOFTWARE?
SaaS software means “software as a service” in French. Unlike traditional software, SaaS software does not need to be downloaded or even installed by users.
Access to such software or application is via the internet, as it is hosted on a remote hard drive, called a cloud server. For example, Gmail, Google Sheets, Telegram, and WhatsApp are SaaS solutions.
With the SaaS model, the user, therefore, does not need to purchase a license to use the software. All you have to do is connect to the publisher’s site and take out a subscription proportional to your needs.
In addition, the user does not have to worry about software maintenance and updates, as they are carried out automatically by the publisher.
Another advantage that SaaS provides to the user is the subscription without constraint.
Indeed, the user can choose the types of functionalities he wishes to benefit from.
In addition, it is possible for him to terminate his subscription at any time, and to pay only for his actual use.
WHAT DOES A SAAS SOFTWARE COMPANY DO?
A SaaS software publishing company, as its name suggests, designs, develops and publishes SaaS software or applications.
Then, the applications and software, also called “IT solutions”, created are and market to individual customers or companies.
However, the role of the publishing company does not stop there. It also supports the maintenance, optimization, and updates of its applications.
When designing SaaS software, the publishing company aims to solve a business problem in a very specific sector.
For example, there are SaaS applications aimed at simplifying the bookkeeping of SMEs as much as possible.
In addition to facilitating user tasks, a SaaS application also aims to automate certain repetitive tasks in a business process.
Therefore, the SaaS model facilitates the daily life of users while optimizing their time and their productivity.
WHAT FUTURE OF THE SAAS SOFTWARE MARKET?
The SaaS model represents the future of software today. Indeed, it continues to gain ground and constantly capture market share from “classic” software.
According to the Dragon Survey, SaaS accounted for 17% of the software market in 2017, while by the end of 2021 that share had jumped to 24%.
Another figure that confirms the SaaS trend is the market growth rate. This market is experiencing a growth rate of more than 15% per year.
In addition, 62% of software publishing companies are making SaaS and other forms of cloud computing their priority for the coming years, which once again proves the dynamism of this market.
You will find figures and market data (updated several times a year) in our business plan for a SaaS.
WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS IN THE SAAS SOFTWARE MARKET?
Technology has continued to evolve at a very rapid pace in recent years, especially that relating to cloud computing and SaaS.
Here are the most prominent SaaS market trends at the moment:
– The majority of companies want to centralize their SaaS applications, for better security, better IT management, cost savings, but also better productivity
– Micro- SaaS is on the rise. These types of software only focus on a single problem faced by a niche market.
– Solutions based on artificial intelligence (AI) are very popular and allow publishers to automatically optimize their software and their costs.
– Vertical SaaS is on the rise: instead of addressing a single business problem, the software is intended to solve the business problems of an entire industry.
You will find the latest trends in the software market in our business plan for a SaaS.
WHAT ARE THE INDUSTRIES WHERE THE MOST SAAS SOFTWARE IS DEVELOPED?
Among the areas that rely the most on SaaS software, we can mention:
– Accounting and finance (especially payroll management)
– Human resources management
– CRM and ERP
– Project management
– Digital marketing
– Everything related to data collection and research
WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR AND PROFITABLE SAAS?
The most popular and lucrative slots are as follows.
In the field of marketing automation: the demand for the automation of tasks is growing phenomenally. Indeed, such software drastically improves user productivity.
For companies, marketing automation software can eliminate repetitive tasks and allocate their resources to high-value-added operations.
Video creation and editing: With the skyrocketing popularity of videos on the internet in recent years, it’s no surprise to see the demand for video editing tools skyrocketing. Amateurs and professionals alike use these tools frequently today.
Then, SaaS accounting software: accounting remains a real headache for most entrepreneurs, especially those who do not have the substantial means to call on accountants.
Fortunately, and this for a few years now, publishers have released SaaS software and applications allowing small businesses to keep their accounts and make their accounting declarations serenely.
Then, the area of invoicing: companies, craftsmen, and self-employed, all without exception, are required by law to present an invoice to their customers.
With digitization affecting all industries, SaaS software for easily creating invoices is being taken by professionals.
Finally, collaborative tools: the health crisis has turned the way companies are organized upside down.
The hybrid working mode, combining teleworking and face-to-face, is becoming more and more popular. However, to work together and without friction, online collaborative work tools are in high demand.
Learn About Here: How To Use Artificial Intelligence In Mobile App Development?
WHAT REGULATIONS FOR A SAAS SOFTWARE PUBLISHER IN FRANCE?
By creating and marketing a SaaS, the publisher assumes its responsibilities in several aspects: legal, commercial, and in terms of data security.
Consequently, the editor must compulsorily offer to its customers and the various actors (host, insurer, developer, subcontractor, etc.) what is called a software contract.
For the publisher, this contract aims to protect itself well and to protect itself against the possible risks resulting from the use of its SaaS software.
To do this, the publisher must include in this document several clauses deemed essential.
These clauses are:
– The general prerequisites of sale and general prerequisites of use
– The clauses relating to the services and features offered
– The clause relating to the performance of the service: to guard against any contingencies that may cause the alteration or even the temporary interruption of the service
– The maintenance and scalability clause of the service
– The clause relating to the processing of data collected
– The clause for the security of customer data
– The reversibility clause, to be able to transfer customer data to another host
WHAT ARE THE SUCCESS FACTORS OF SAAS SOFTWARE?
The most important factor that drives the success of SaaS software is the value proposition. If the software addresses the issues of the targeted customers, then success will automatically follow.
Even better, if the software is the only solution available on the market to solve the problems of potential customers, then success is guaranteed. For example, SaaS accounting software to support micro-entrepreneurs and VSEs in their accounting management is a relevant tool that will find customers.
Then, the second most important factor for the success of a SaaS application is none other than its ease of handling.
Indeed, even if an application offers many features, its use should not be complicated. So, a good UX (user experience) combined with a great UI (user interface) is required.
Indeed, these two elements allow users to benefit from easy and understandable navigation.
Among other things, the publisher must allow the user to test the software for free.
This strategy makes it possible to eliminate any doubts of the user, in addition to letting him discover the functionalities offered by the software about his expectations.
Last but not least, there is the security part. Indeed, a SaaS application can combine all the above factors, but if it has data security flaws, it will undoubtedly fail.
In addition to losing users, such a situation would cause major legal problems for the publisher.
Thus, it is essential for each SaaS software publisher to rigorously monitor, for example, how the personal data of their customers is processed.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE WEAKNESSES OF SAAS SOFTWARE?
The main weakness of SaaS applications remains data storage. Indeed, the data collected by the application is not, in the vast majority of cases, hosted by the publisher, but by a third-party supplier.
Thus, the publisher does not have full control over the confidential data of its customers. However, in the event of data leakage, or fraudulent manipulation of the latter, the responsibility of the publisher could be engaged.
The second risk lies in the interruption of services. Although the publisher and the cloud host make every effort to avoid outages, it is almost impossible to predict everything.
Therefore, temporary service interruptions seem unavoidable, whether due to natural disasters, errors in source code, or other inherent causes of technology interruptions.
The risks relating to the transfer of data. Above all, SaaS remains a young industry. Although it attracts many entrepreneurs, the risk of failure remains high.
Thus, it is necessary to plan, with the host, and from the beginning, a solution for the transfer or the deletion of the data if a case of bankruptcy occurs.
Conversely, this strategy is also useful if the software is hugely successful and requires a change of vendor along the way.
WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY FOR SAAS SOFTWARE?
The social networks-SaaS association works very well today, in the digital age. However, to have the expected results, mastering the subtleties governing communication on these platforms is essential.
Indeed, each social network has its specificity and its user profiles. Therefore, the strategy, media, and content used must be carefully adapted to each platform.
For example, on LinkedIn, interacting regularly with your audience remains the key to success. On Facebook, creating a group with the same interests as the SaaS company can be very effective. For Twitter, influencer marketing can lead to success, and so on.
However, if we had to cite common points between these platforms, it is that they all require:
– Quality content to generate commitments/conversions
– Clear, short, and concise content
– A good explanation of how the SaaS software works
– To post high-quality and attractive images at the same time
For a publisher, choosing the best strategy on social networks consists in:
– Being present on the social network(s) where his targets are
– Defining a clear objective (conversion, engagement, or other)
– Determine the most reasonable moment to interact with your audience
Learn More About Technology From progression business
