SaaS hosting is a cost-effective way to reduce infrastructure costs without sacrificing performance. But choosing the wrong one could put your long-term success at risk.
SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) is a cloud hosting solution for all your software needs. It relieves companies of the need to host and manage local applications by hosting applications in the cloud.
We discuss 5 tips below to make sure you choose the right SaaS hosting for your needs.
The best way to select a SaaS provider is to do it the way you would select your own technologies internally. This starts with a deep knowledge of your business.
Technology is not the only factor in a successful investment. Your SaaS solution should also boost the value of the business. You must connect the dots between the software and the income, and everything else.
You will go through technology investment cycles during the life of your business. Make sure your SaaS host is compatible with all of them.
Consider the following five factors when choosing a SaaS provider …
1. Understand the unique needs of your business
There is a lot of online chat about the ‘best SaaS hosting solution’. But it is the individual support of your unique business needs that you must consider.
Start by evaluating exactly what services you would like to change to an external provider.
This can be things like …
- Hosting websites and servers
- Server backups
- Cloud storage
- VPN
- DDoS protection
- Administration and management of servers
- Content Management Systems
Cloud companies have proliferated so that there is a continuous list of capabilities they can provide. Determining exactly what services you need is a great first step.
Prices are another business need that you should consider. You will want to balance the capabilities with your pricing points. This becomes more difficult as you juggle the different capabilities you want from your solution.
For example, you want profitable scalability. If your company grows rapidly, you should facilitate that growth. Look for price structures that support this on your terms.
Does your SaaS hosting solution support all the present and future capabilities you will need? Do not get cornered by selecting a solution that will change within only one year. You have a clearly defined business plan that must include the details of your technology.
2. Take into account all technological needs
Even when your company starts moving from internal servers to SaaS applications, you should consider the resources you can decide to host internally.
Maybe you have an internal accounting system. Your own IT team manages the system and would like to keep it that way. So, what does it have to do with SaaS?
You may need to integrate these solutions with applications in the cloud. You may want that accounting system to link to your customer relationship management portal to reduce the rebound between applications. Interoperability with these is essential, even if you do not need it at the beginning.
Be sure to take into account all the applications you are currently running and work with a SaaS provider that can be integrated with as many of them as possible.
3. Consider how your investment will support future initiatives
As your business grows, you will want to scale your SaaS resources. Make sure that your SaaS provider has fair offers when it comes to increasing your investment. They must also offer discounted prices for wider use.
Consider the technology “menu” of your SaaS provider. Which of these technologies support your business plan? Choose a solution that supports key technologies that you will need within 12 months.
4. Secure a Service Level Agreement
A disadvantage of external providers is that you depend on their ability to respond during emergencies. But for many SaaS providers, 24-hour service is an important point of sale.
Find a provider that fully invests in disaster continuity and recovery. These are the key advantages of the cloud that should not be overlooked. You must make sure that your provider is always available.
5. Prepare for rapid growth
Do not make your success a problem for your business. Find a provider who has an active interest in helping you achieve your goals.
Share your long-term business plan with potential suppliers. Do you immediately identify with your growth plan? Or, do they seem indifferent, only interested in securing an agreement?
You are looking for a long-term partner, not an IT owner. The ideal SaaS provider will develop exclusive service plans for your company. If you think you can share your success, you have found the right SaaS hosting solution for you.