SaaS ECM: Doing More with Less

Doing more with less has never been more important to businesses and organizations than it is in today’s economic environment. One option for many today is using Software as a Service (SaaS) for Enterprise Content Management.

What is SaaS? Rather than deploying software on an in-house network, users access the application and their data online – trading capital costs and complex implantation for rapid deployment and a monthly operating expense.

The benefits are substantial – and immediate. For example, a hospital can utilize a SaaS ECM service to manage their records. When patients arrive, emergency room personnel can access patients’ medical histories using a PC with an internet connection located in the department. Doctors can provide emergency treatment immediately without the time associated with waiting for the patient’s paper medical records to arrive.

Additional Benefits: SaaS ECM also eases organizational costs. Since system maintenance and upgrades are provided the manufacturers, IT resources are freed up for other tasks. Additionally, storage space grows automatically to accommodate the growth of corporate information. No complex hardware buying processes or capital budgeting is required.

Trends: Despite the economic woes, many companies are still investing in technology to improve business performance. However, they are more carefully reviewing their return on investment (ROI) and payback period to prioritize which projects are getting attention first. Analysts at Nucleus Research, a leading independent research firm, suggest that projects with a payback of more than six to nine months should “be on the back burner right now.” They go on to advise that companies “consider on-demand, or SaaS options to reduce initial and ongoing cost.”

Doing more with less is critical for success in 2010 and beyond, and SaaS ECM is right for the leaner businesses of today.