How Do You Keep Track of Your Drivers?

QUICK GUIDE: CHOOSING A SaaS PROVIDER FOR YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS

Cloud computing can be a polarizing topic

among small business owners. There are

generally two perspectives:

Both points of view are valid, but how can such

extreme opinions about the same technology

exist at once? In many cases, it comes down

to the vendor relationship. You need a cloud

provider that will be a true partner, letting you

trust it to deliver technology that will meet your

specific business needs.

This is especially true when you are taking

advantage of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

solutions. SaaS systems are cloud apps that

can be delivered either through the Web or a

mobile app store. These apps let you access and

interact with data – for example, pulling up work

schedules and adjusting them – making them

powerful business tools. However, the quality,

reliability, and security of an app depends on the

service provider offering it. Here’s how you can

find a partner for your SaaS needs.

Making Initial EvaluationsOpen conversations early in the sales process

can help you decide if you should continue

pursuing a partnership. As you have these

discussions, there are a few key questions you

should ask about both your business and the

service provider:

● Will the SaaS provider make updates to

apps as my industry changes?

● Do the capabilities offered by cloud apps

solve business problems I am facing

right now?

● How difficult will it be for users to adjust to

the technology?

● Will this technology create value on an

ongoing basis?

A good relationship centers around trust. If you

are confident in your potential partner’s ability

to deal with all of these questions, then you are

ready to take a deeper dive into making your

final choice.

I love working in the cloud,

the technology is great and

ROI has been amazing!

OR

I’m never getting burned

by the cloud again.

The Right SaaS Provider Can Make Cloud Technologies EasyNew technology can be intimidating, but the

concerns surrounding cloud computing primarily

come down to one factor: Can you trust your

SaaS provider?

The relationship is the real difference between

small business owners who end up swearing by

the cloud and those that end up swearing at it!

As you explore cloud options for your service

fleet, keep one thought constantly in the back

of your mind - you are evaluating a partner that

will simplify operations for your business, not

a technological silver bullet that might solve

all your problems. Once you have a good

relationship in place, the intimidation around

technology disappears.

Choosing the Right VendorSelecting a SaaS provider isn’t all that different

than choosing a standard business partner. When

you evaluate mechanics to service your trucks,

you probably get references, talk with them to

make sure the relationship clicks and check their

experience working on the types of vehicles in

your fleet.

This same process applies to choosing a SaaS

solution, but there are a few unique issues you

should consider:

● Flexibility: Carefully analyze the service

provider’s culture around managing your

data and handling your subscription to

make sure it will be flexible in meeting your

needs. This includes thoroughly reviewing

the legal details of the cloud service to

make sure you know what to expect from

the provider over time.

● Customer service: Make sure the solutions

you’re considering prioritize customer

service through the life of the relationship,

not just during the sales process.

● Transparency: Evaluate any provider you

may partner with to ensure it is open and

transparent in their conversations with

you. Working with a cloud provider that

is forthright about policies, technological

capabilities and its update cycles will

protect you from unwanted surprises

throughout the relationship.

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