SaaS for a Leaner & Meaner Business
In his article, The Do-It-Yourself Economy New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman makes the case that in the low access to credit world that we live in, businesses are thriving as they embrace the model of SaaS, or Software as Service.
At it's most basic SaaS refers to the wealth of web applications that allow businesses to use their services for a very low or no fee at all. For example, in the aforementioned article, Friedman mentions Ken Greer of Greer and Associates who had to lay off a number of workers because of the current state of the economy and doesn't have the access to credit to hire new ones. As his workplace has been depleted, he was forced to turn to web applications under the SaaS model - and it resulted in providing him with a cheaper, more efficient, and more profitable way to work. Of a recent project, Greer says:
“The budget was about 20 percent of what we normally would charge,” said Greer. “After one meeting with the client, almost all our communication was by e-mail. The script was developed and approved using a collaborative tool provided by www.box.net. Internally, we all could look at the script no matter where we were, make suggestions and get to a final draft with complete transparency — easy, convenient and free.Through the SaaS model, Friedman states:
By being able to access all these cheap tools, Greer got to focus on his value-add: imagination. The customer got a better product for less money.Here at Foreclosure Grove we use plenty of cheap or free services to keep our bottom line low:
- Basecamp: Share files, meet deadlines, assign tasks, centralize feedback, make clients smile.
- Highrise: Track your Leads, Contacts, & Deals
- Blinksale: Create and track invoices online.
- Mint: The best free way to manage your money.
- Gmail: The best way to email.
- Wufoo: Making forms easy + fast + fun
- Delicious: Access your bookmarks from anywhere. I can't emphasize how central this service is to my life.
- Google Voice: One phone number, online voicemail, and enhanced call features.
- Google Apps: Google Apps reduces IT costs and empowers today's employees.
Do any of you have stories about how using web services under the SaaS model has made your overhead cheaper and more efficient? Join the conversation.
-Rob
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