The pandemic has accelerated the move to SaaS for many organisations. With the rise of remote work, cloud technology has become a necessity rather than an option.
Companies previously reluctant to adopt SaaS solutions are now shifting to a “cloud-first” policy. Cloud technology is constantly improving and has become integral to work and home life.
According to Gartner, by 2025, 51% of spending will be on the cloud, and 66% of application software spending will be on cloud technologies. At the time of writing, this prediction is only two years away.
Ok, I’m sure you get it, and I’m not the first to point out that SaaS adoption is already happening. But you’re reading this because you want to know, is it time you moved to SaaS test tools?
I think it is, and here’s why…
The Problems with On-Premises
If you have ever bought a test tool, you know the drill.
- You must select the software, spend weeks understanding the costs involved for your company (including hardware, server software, backup, and security), build the business case, to get financial approval.
- Then you spend more time getting the hardware and negotiating with infrastructure teams to deploy the software.
- Then, you spend yet more time patching and installing new versions – this lifecycle stage never stops.
It’s an exhausting process.
Why SaaS is Becoming Increasingly Popular for Organisations
With SaaS, most solutions have one cost, making it easier to justify. Everything is done for you, leaving you to get on with testing.
Quality SaaS solutions are always current, always secure, and always backed up. You can deploy SaaS test tools in days – from initial inquiry to live running.
SaaS versions of some tools have been available for many years. Now you can get all your test tools as SaaS, simplifying life for you and your company — no more negotiating to install the software, etc.
6 Specific Benefits You Can Expect From SaaS
Many organisations have already switched, and more are considering SaaS for several reasons.
1. SaaS Simplifies Deployment
One of the primary benefits of SaaS is that it simplifies the deployment process. With traditional software, you must install the software on your servers or hardware, which can be time-consuming.
With SaaS, the software provider hosts your software. All you need to do is sign up and use it.
The vendor handles all the support, updates, backups, and security, leaving you free to focus on your core business activities.
2. Reduced Costs
Another significant benefit of SaaS is that it can reduce costs significantly. Traditional software requires substantial upfront investment in hardware, infrastructure, and ongoing support costs. With SaaS, you pay a subscription fee that covers everything, from hosting to maintenance, updates, and support. With SaaS, you avoid traditional software’s upfront costs and only pay for what you use.
3. SaaS Ensures That You Have the Latest Version
SaaS ensures you always have the latest software version with all the necessary security measures. The vendor takes care of all the updates and upgrades, ensuring you always use the most up-to-date version of the software.
Always having the latest version is crucial with security updates, where any delay in updating the software can leave you vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
4. SaaS Provides Global Reach
SaaS solutions are hosted in the cloud, which means they are accessible worldwide, provided you have an internet connection. Global access is beneficial for organisations with distributed teams or multiple locations.
5. SaaS Offers 24×7 Support
Serious SaaS vendors offer 24×7 support, which means you can get help whenever needed. 24×7 support is essential for organisations that operate in different time zones or have teams working outside regular business hours.
6. SaaS Ensures High Uptime
SaaS solutions are highly available, with 99.9% or higher uptime guarantees. You can rely on the software to be available whenever you need it without worrying about downtime.
Considerations When Moving to SaaS
As you can tell, I’m a massive fan of SaaS, but I will offer a word of caution – Not all SaaS providers are the same. When you look for a solution, you must make sure you’re choosing a solid option.
When choosing a vendor, you should always consider the following:
- The software provider’s experience with SaaS.
- The product’s capabilities.
- Global v local reach.
- The level of support – look for 24×7.
- The service guarantees – look for 99.9%+ uptime.
- The provider’s Security credentials – i.e., relevant ISO and other accreditations – your infrastructure teams will need this.
- The total cost of ownership. I have written about this many times.
Do You Need to Move to SaaS?
The pandemic changed mindsets, from the boardroom to the infrastructure and security teams. If you are considering tools or have a renewal coming up, now is the perfect time to move to SaaS.
On-premises software is just too much of a hassle nowadays. It places demands on many teams, with hosting, installation, and support all taking up valuable time and resources.
SaaS software simplifies every aspect of deployment and lets you focus on your day job. It also reduces costs and ensures you always have the latest software version with all the necessary security measures.
So, the real question is, why are you waiting? Plan your move to SaaS today.
