Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Questions and Answers

What is Software-as-a-Service?

SaaS, also known as on-demand software, is a way to use software without actually having to install it. SaaS provides you with these benefits:

• Accessible through a Web browser 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Pay-as-you-go model (unlimited users and transactions)
• Low implementation and operation costs with no need to worry about upgrades
• Fast deployment enables you to go live in a matter of days or weeks (vs. months for on-premise software)

Why did SmartTurn choose the SaaS model?

The founders of SmartTurn chose the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model in order to satisfy three primary goals:

• Offer a reliable, low-cost, low-hassle WMS solution
• Maximize the product functionality and quality for the price
• Create unprecedented capabilities for supply chain collaboration

Only with a SaaS model could SmartTurn provide the functionality of a sophisticated WMS at a price point accessible to small- and medium-sized operations.

For example, with an on-premise model, many resources are needed to develop, test, and support an application that needs to run on multiple hardware and software environments of their customers.

With a SaaS model, those resources are re-deployed to focus on new functionality, quality, and customer satisfaction.

What makes SaaS better?

For businesses, SaaS allows you to do more with less because of the flexibility and scalability of the model.

• Lower Costs—SaaS is a pay-as-you-go model which means a fixed cost each month. With SmartTurn, users are charged based on per facility/warehouse basis, unlike other solutions which charge based on transactions and/or number of users.
• Anytime, Anywhere Access—Applications are ready to run when you are, requiring only a login and a Web browser.
• No Hardware or Software Administration—Because of the on-demand architecture, businesses do need not to invest in additional IT infrastructure (e.g. servers, data storage, software installs, etc.) and staff to maintain the software or store the data. In addition, there is the added convenience of not needing to constantly backup data. SmartTurn provides a dedicated team to handle these tasks.
• Security—Data is kept secure in a redundant, remote server environment and can only be accessed through permission-based SSL-encrypted logins.
• Scalability—As your business expands with an increasing number of items, partners, facilities, or customers, SaaS is flexible enough to expand with you. Unlike traditional software which requires buying new equipment, SmartTurn can easily by configured with a few clicks of your mouse or with the help of the SmartTurn team.

Only with a SaaS model could SmartTurn provide the functionality of a sophisticated WMS at a price point accessible to small- and medium-sized operations.

For example, with an on-premise model, many resources are needed to develop, test, and support an application that needs to run on multiple hardware and software environments of their customers.

With a SaaS model, those resources are re-deployed to focus on new functionality, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Can SaaS integrate with existing systems?

Integration can be one of the most costly and time consuming parts of implementing a new WMS.

A SaaS application can easily integrate with many different external systems such as accounting systems (QuickBooks, Great Plains, Peachtree, etc.), and order management systems among others.

For example, companies are rapidly adopting SmartTurn's integration-ready system because of its strong business process integration capabilities that cover the entire cash-to-cash cycle, including Web storefronts, ERP systems (SAP, Oracle), or procurement systems (Ariba) through industry-standard web services.

How can I collaborate and share information with partners and customers?

Supply chain collaboration can only be established through a SaaS model by leveraging the Internet and its ubiquitous nature across a supply chain network.

With the appropriate security and permissions, you can allow partners and customers to gain real-time visibility into inventory and streamline transactions between organizations.

The financial benefits are clear: Improved relationships with customers and partners can save a typical warehouse thousands of dollars per month.

SmartTurn provides businesses an option that was previously out of reach: access to a world-class system with real-time inventory visibility and collaboration. A warehouse owner can check on warehouse capacity, shipments, customer status anywhere, anytime.

What's in it for your organization?

SmartTurn's SaaS WMS offers a multitude of benefits that can deliver ROI in the first month, versus having to wait years with traditional software requiring significant capital outlays.

• 24/7 Web-based access via the Internet
• Unique security & permissions
• Multi-warehouse, multi-customer, multiple roles
• No-hassle maintenance and free upgrades
• Scalability, high availability of 99.999% uptime
• Web 2.0 capabilities including collaboration with customers and partners
• Tie in with on-site tools (bar-code, RF, scales, parcel/LTL, etc.)
• Unlimited users & transactions with no increase in price

More questions about SaaS? Call SmartTurn.

Have an experienced warehouse professional show you how SmartTurn quickly and efficiently addresses common warehouse deficiencies, and leads you to higher profitability.

Call us now at: +1-888-667-4758 (U.S./Canada), +1-415-685-4200 (Intl.).