Is Software as a Service (SaaS) Right for Your Warehouse?

The Software as a Service (SaaS) model of deploying software has come of age and is gaining traction in warehouse management.

Managers are adopting this Internet-centric model to offload the burden of server maintenance and data backup, while expanding access to their system and providing their employees with an intuitive user interface.

While some managers might remain skeptical of new technology and question a third-party’s ability to safeguard their data, the early challenges with SaaS have been overcome.

To assess the SaaS model, it is important to first understand what it is and how it differs from traditional software deployment models.

Many warehouse managers have heard of SaaS or “webbased” software, but few understand the differences between traditional client/server, web-enabled, web-based and SaaS systems. In this paper, we will define these models and outline the advantages and potential disadvantages of each.

What Is a SaaS System?
SaaS refers to a type of software deployment in which all of the system’s software and data is hosted and managed at a central data center operated by the software vendor. Warehouse managers simply use the system through their web browsers and a broadband Internet connection. The software vendor will manage data backups and periodic updates. The warehouse will typically pay a monthly subscription fee to use the service, rather than purchase the software up front.