During the pandemic, the wholesale business faces an urgent need to implement new software that can optimize b2b-company infrastructure and increase the speed, accuracy, and quality of personnel work several times over to avoid falling sales. However, the development of such projects is not the most budget-friendly task, especially given the increase in programmer rates that has been observed since the beginning of 2020. SaaS solutions that can accelerate the creation of a b2b eCommerce system for cloud-based enterprise online operations – using market best practices, the latest technology and developments – can help solve this problem. Let’s talk about how wholesale companies can realize their business optimization goals by taking advantage of the SaaS model.
The SaaS model is cloud software available on a subscription basis. The main advantages that the SaaS model offers businesses – a fairly low cost, rapid development and application of best practices for the implementation of eCommerce solutions. In addition, this model is an opportunity to provide access to a cloud solution for business for all specialists of the company, without the need to equip an additional workplace for each. So employees can continue to work without problems during quarantine restrictions or on self-isolation.
Benefits of running a SaaS solution
SaaS solutions are also a good investment for businesses. After all, when working on the SaaS model, there is no need to make additional investments to support and update the application functions: the SaaS solution provider is responsible for the stable operation of the SaaS solution and continuous customer access to the server. The cost of these services is already included in the subscription price of the SaaS business solution, and for a reasonable fee you can order additional support and rapid updating of the project.
The principles of the SaaS business model
To better understand the concept of SaaS model, it is worth examining in detail the principles of SaaS eCommerce projects. Software of such – a platform for e-commerce, that is, trade over the Internet. They perform several functions:
unite thousands of suppliers and buyers on a single online platform (marketplaces);
Provide customers with round-the-clock access to a supplier’s catalog of products or services;
Allow to manage orders, payments, deliveries from a personal account;
connect third-party systems like 1C, CRM, ERP, SAP, SRM, logistics calculators, and payment gateways via API;
have a billing system, product-matching, smart search, and other functionality required for the effective operation of an eCommerce site;
use the Export Manager module to quickly and automatically add content to the catalog;
collect statistics, prepare reports and analytics;
Have built-in marketing tools to stimulate demand and analyze current sales for further optimization.
Developed on the SaaS platform, such a site can be quickly configured to the customer’s requirements; even an interface in the corporate color scheme can be developed on request. It can also offer the customary algorithms to calculate prices and discounts for different customer groups, or automate personnel actions while optimizing, improving accuracy, and eliminating the duplication of processes. In this case, the SaaS platform and its developers are responsible for the stability, reliability, safety and security of the project data.
SaaS model for b2b business is an opportunity to get all the benefits of a turnkey solution using the best practices of the e-commerce market and taking into account the characteristics, expectations and preferences of the client companies. What is more important, in the case of SaaS model – it leads not only to the rapid implementation of the solution, but also to reduced operating costs through optimization of business processes, as well as increased speed, accuracy and efficiency.