Not so long ago, implementing a new software solution was a real headache. It was a time consuming process, often taking entire IT teams months or even years to develop and implement. On top of this initial investment there was also the need for constant updates and upgrades.
But just as email has replaced fax, and streaming services the humble DVD, so too has SaaS become the universally favoured software delivery model for progressive businesses looking to digitally transform their operations.
If you’re looking to leverage the latest technology to propel your business towards digital transformation, SaaS platforms are the solution. Here’s why.
WHAT IS DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION?
When you digitise, you simply take an analog process (for example, anything paper-based) and change it into a digital form. A simple example of this is when the world moved from fax to email. Digitalising involves creating new processes and using new technologies that are data driven end-to-end.
Digital transformation is the integration of digital technology into key areas of the organisation. The end goal is to use data and technology to deliver better value to users and customers by simplifying and streamlining workflows that enable more informed business decisions. This process improves the way your business operates and delivers services and products to customers.
As digital transformation involves change, it is important to identify champions in the business to support and drive the move from long-standing, time consuming, manual practices to digital processes. Using Excel spreadsheets to track and manage tasks is a good example of this. Ultimately, if digital transformation is done correctly and the organisation gets buy-in from employees, it leads to numerous benefits – improved customer experience, communication, productivity, profits and convenience are just some of them.
Most importantly, digital transformation doesn’t replace the people in your organisation. Rather, it enables them to work smarter and more effectively.
KEY BENEFITS OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Greater customer engagement: In today’s digital era, customers are more likely to engage with you via a web based interface than in person. Digital transformation efforts are seeing organisations improve their customer satisfaction and retention by around 40 percent.
Business growth: Digital technology can open up new markets and customer opportunities. Respondents to the same survey reported that digital transformation has boosted new revenue streams by 37 percent on average, and improved their digital reach by 76 percent on average.
Greater operational efficiency: If organisations are to keep up in an increasingly digital environment, they need to move fast. By digitally transforming your processes, you’re likely to improve employee productivity and organisational efficiency (both by around 40 percent). Productive employees are generally happier too, so by improved productivity you’ll experience better employee recruitment and retention.
All of the above strengthens your competitive advantage leading to the holy grail: increased company profits.
HOW SaaS DRIVES DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
To make digital transformation a seamless experience, you need to invest in the right technology. A best-in-class Software as a Service(SaaS) solution is ideal. Why? Because the overarching goals of both SaaS and digital transformation are the same.
Modern SaaS capabilities go way beyond those of traditional software – systems can accommodate complex organisational processes and workflows, and connect teams and clients across countless locations all on one platform. In built data capture, aggregation, accessibility, and visualisation are far more comprehensive than those provided by most legacy systems.
For companies looking to take their digital transformation to the next level, here are some of the ways SaaS can help.
SaaS is lower cost and provides price certainty: digitally transforming your business is not an inexpensive process, but the SaaS subscription models eliminates the (often high) cost of purchasing, installing and maintaining software. Also, SaaS solutions are usually offered on annual subscription plans and pricing allowing enterprises to better budget for their tech investment.
SaaS allows the organisation to work on one platform: it brings business units together to manage your products, processes, communication, services and documentation in one easy-to-navigate system. It consolidates all your data into one system, providing multiple teams with real-time access across numerous locations to a single, accurate source of truth.
SaaS is scalable: the solution can be tailored to suit your business. You only pay for what you need and don’t have to navigate around a bunch of irrelevant applications. As your budget grows you can add functions, allowing you to scale up quickly. Likewise, you can scale down during slower periods.
SaaS is nimble: SaaS solutions give you access to valuable data sets in real time. Using sophisticated data analytics tools, businesses can more accurately translate this data into insights across various touch points enabling them to make informed decisions more quickly.
CTA
GLX Digital is a leading SaaS provider to the global commodities industry. Its end-to-end transaction management system, GLX CARGO, enables cargo operations teams across your organisation to collaborate on a single platform from multiple locations, and can be configured according to your business’s specific requirements and processes. For a demonstration, contact one of our customer experience experts.
By leveraging purpose-built technology, commodity companies can streamline their cargo operations by reducing costs and risk exposure, and increasing their competitiveness in the market.
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