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GLOSSARY


SAAS PLATFORM

A SaaS platform is a solution used to sell, distribute, and manage cloud-based
software and services. A SaaS platform is a type of digital platform.

Much of the technology market has shifted from traditional software models -
where the buyer purchases an application and then installs it directly on a
device or server - to the SaaS model. SaaS stands for “Software-as-a-Service.”
This kind of software is hosted in the cloud and customers access their
applications remotely, often through a subscription package. In this
environment, the SaaS platform serves as a key piece of technological
infrastructure.

A SaaS platform can offer a wide range of features and functionalities, but to
be most effective, the solution should make it easy to streamline application
onboarding, automate back-end processes such as billing, and instantly provision
cloud-based solutions.



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DIGITAL ECONOMY INSIGHTS


WHY PLATFORMS ARE A MUST-HAVE FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Hear from leaders at ADP, Rogers, and FireEye on how digital platforms enable
their organizations to accelerate innovation and offer more choice and value to
their customers.





THREE REASONS WHY YOU NEED A SAAS PLATFORM

A SaaS platform can offer a wide range of features and functionalities, making
it easy to streamline application onboarding, automate back-end processes such
as billing, and instantly provision cloud-based solutions. Read the three
reasons why SaaS platforms are a must to succeed in the digital economy.


1. REMOTE WORK IS HERE TO STAY

SaaS platforms are an important support system because they make it possible for
employees to access the tools they need to do their jobs from wherever they are.
Also, these platforms give businesses the ability to scale at will without
on-site and in-person maintenance.


2. MICRO-SAAS AND VERTICAL SAAS ARE ON THE RISE

With vertical SaaS on the rise, industries like health care and remote learning
are moving toward SaaS platforms that are designed specifically for them.


3. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HAS ENTERED THE PICTURE

AI is here and it has infiltrated SaaS platforms in a way that makes businesses
think twice about speed, security, automation, personalization, and more. AI
systems are reinforcing SaaS platforms to help ease fears about cloud security
and business processes.

SaaS platforms should help to streamline application onboarding, automate
back-end processes, and instantly provision cloud-based solutions.Read our blog
post to learn more about why your business needs a SaaS platform today.


SAAS AND SAAS PLATFORM FAQS

What are the top benefits of SaaS?

For businesses and customers alike, there are several advantages to using SaaS,
as compared to traditional software models.

One of the leading benefits for businesses is that offering a SaaS product gives
them the chance to automate key elements of delivery and maintenance. This is
especially true when the company uses a suitable SaaS platform.

For the customers who subscribe to a SaaS app, automatic updates are one of the
central reasons to purchase software through the cloud rather than traditional
means. Instead of updating the app manually, they can rest assured knowing that
their software is always up to date. They’ll enjoy the latest product features
and the highest level of security possible.

In addition to these core advantages, there are several other benefits to using
SaaS applications. For example, providers can grow their subscription commerce
efforts with sustainable recurring revenue while customers will have access to
their cloud-based applications across devices and in various locations. By
selecting complementary tools through a reliable SaaS platform, they’ll also be
able to ensure that integrating different apps isn’t a hurdle.

Take a look at our recent blog post to explore further advantages of
Software-as-a-Service.

What are some examples of SaaS?

Prominent SaaS examples include longstanding technology leaders and more recent
entrants to the field. Several existing software companies have shifted core
products to the cloud and updated their underlying infrastructure to enhance the
digital experience for their customers. New companies have had SaaS in their DNA
from the beginning.

Some of the leaders in cloud offerings include:

 * Intuit
   The financial software giant is never content to rest on its laurels. This
   company’s customers now benefit from access to a wide variety of third-party
   products produced by outside developers and vendors, then resold through
   Intuit’s open platform.

 * Atlassian
   Collaboration software leader Atlassian has onboarded over 4,000 new apps to
   its marketplace from an initial offering of 1,000 third-party applications
   with built-in integration. Their customers have responded well to the
   extended functionality and constant innovation.

 * Salesforce
   The fact is, you can’t talk about SaaS without mentioning Salesforce. The
   customer relationship management (CRM) company has been empowering sales and
   marketing teams for years. Over time, it built up the AppExchange ecosystem,
   which is projected to be six times bigger than the company itself by 2024.

Prominent SaaS examples range from cloud computing services to marketing
automation software and much more. Many leaders in this space actively cultivate
marketplaces, promoting partnerships that support both the vendor and the core
company.

Check out our blog to find out which top SaaS companies have experienced
exceptional growth in recent years.

How can you find the best SaaS platform for your organization’s needs?

If you’ve decided the time is right to search for a SaaS platform that can help
your organization move forward, there are a few key considerations to assess
before deciding which option is right for you.

First, you’ll have to solidify the initial scope of your ambitions: Do you want
to launch with a broad-based platform that appeals to a central function for a
wide cross section of industries, like sales, marketing, finance, or human
resources? Or is it your goal to establish a foothold with a wide variety of
offerings relevant to a specific vertical?

Increasingly, businesses are choosing the latter. There’s a lot of potential for
industry-specific software innovation. Today, a vendor doesn’t have to reinvent
the wheel - they just have to make sure their SaaS model meets the needs of a
specific customer profile, allowing them to provide a new cloud solution to meet
a unique need.

Second, there are some key features that you should look for in a SaaS platform,
no matter what your ultimate objectives are:

 * Easy application onboarding: Streamlined integrations and approvals will help
   you benefit from new solutions provided by independent software developers
   and third-party entities.
 * Automated backend processes: Your SaaS platform should be able to handle the
   heavy lifting when it comes to administrative functions like billing.
 * The ability to instantly provision cloud solutions: Speedy software delivery
   is key to providing a seamless digital experience and promoting customer
   satisfaction.

Take a look at our blog to explore top B2B SaaS sales tips once you’ve selected
the best platform.

What is the difference between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS?

The terminology related to different cloud services can seem complicated and
confusing at first. In addition to SaaS, some other prominent cloud technologies
include Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS).

IaaS refers to cloud computing resources related to foundational aspects of a
company’s technological infrastructure. By working with an IaaS provider, the
customer can move elements like data storage from on-site servers to the cloud.

PaaS solutions are used by developers to create unique and novel applications
with cloud-based services.

SaaS offerings are specific applications hosted in the cloud and delivered
directly to customers. The SaaS product differs from traditional software in
that it is not installed directly on the user’s own server or device.

The SaaS model is closely related to cloud services like IaaS and PaaS, and key
benefits are similar for these various offerings. In particular, all three of
these cloud services provide the customer with significant flexibility to scale
quickly and efficiently because of the limited need for physical infrastructure.

How do you deploy SaaS?

Automating the SaaS deployment process is one of the key benefits of using a
robust SaaS platform. Ideally, your platform should be capable of automatically
provisioning software as soon as the customer’s transaction is completed. With a
streamlined process for onboarding new applications from either independent
developers or a third-party SaaS provider, you can ensure smooth integration
between the customer’s new app and an existing SaaS product.

However, it may still be important to provide some hands-on support for new
customers. By assigning an onboarding agent to help your customer with initial
software delivery requests, you can help encourage adoption and pave the way for
future self-service and customer satisfaction.

It may also be a wise idea to help support new customers by providing training -
not only on how to acquire new SaaS applications, but on how to use them as
well. A customer who feels confident in the product and its benefits is more
likely to resubscribe and champion the service.

Even if your company is not the actual software vendor, it pays to have a deep
knowledge of how the core tools on your platform can be used to achieve the
greatest effect.

Download our free eBook for more insights on promoting a positiveSaaS customer
experience.

How can you integrate SaaS applications?

The hard work of SaaS application integration is accomplished by developers.
Some potential solutions include using application programming interfaces (APIs)
to directly connect two separate systems or connecting each application using an
add-on app.

By working with a robust SaaS platform that offers a large software catalog,
you’ll benefit from a wide variety of pre-integrated applications that you can
begin offering to your customers right away. Your platform should also support
independent developers by providing them with automated integration testing
support.

Learn more about how you can use AppMarket to immediately offer more than 300
different SaaS and IaaS solutions alongside your own core offerings.

If you’re looking for a partner relationship management solution that allows you
to launch, scale, and optimize indirect channels faster with commerce
capabilities for your reseller and referral partners, find out howAppReseller
can support your efforts today.

What are the SaaS business metrics that matter most and why?

There’s no shortage of ways to measure the success of your SaaS offerings. While
there are technical aspects that you’ll want to keep an eye on, those attributes
are mostly in service of higher-level objectives like customer retention and the
ability to drive recurring revenue.

While the SaaS model promoted innovative technological advances that moved
software from on-device installation to the cloud, the ability to drive
subscription revenue is a key advantage of this development for businesses.

Keep track of the portion of your revenue that’s derived from subscription
models and look for new ways to expand this percentage over time. You also want
to monitor churn and adoption rates to ensure that you’re able to grow your
overall subscriber base.

To learn more about the state ofB2B subscription commerce in the new normal,
check out our free eBook.

What are the differences between public, private, and hybrid cloud?

The SaaS model, and other cloud services, rely on the ability to host
applications in the cloud. Providers provision access to remote users so they
can connect to software over the internet. But, what exactly is the cloud?

There are three main types of clouds.

Public clouds are owned and operated by large providers for the benefit of
multiple tenants. Examples of public cloud providers include Google, Amazon, and
Microsoft.

Private clouds are used exclusively by one entity or organization. The
infrastructure is not shared by multiple tenants. An organization may choose to
create its own private cloud or contract the services of an outside vendor.

Hybrid clouds are environments that combine the use of public and private
clouds. For instance, while sensitive information subject to certain legal or
industry-specific requirements may be secured in a private cloud, other elements
of the environment may rely on public clouds





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