It’s all too easy to forget how integral and pervasive software-as-a-service (SaaS) has become to modern business operations, given the efficiencies and flexibility benefits it provides users.

But like any sector, SaaS is constantly evolving as it incorporates new technologies and adapts to market forces. Some have even questioned if the entire SaaS concept is under threat as software becomes easier for businesses to build and run themselves.

Before we look at the current state of play, and whether SaaS really is ripe for disruption, let’s recap how SaaS operates, and what it looks like in its current form.

What is SaaS and how does it work?

SaaS is on-demand software hosted in the cloud and accessed free or via a subscription. It has become synonymous with cloud computing given that the software resides on remote computers, not on-premises. The term has also come to be used interchangeably with other remote-based services such as infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and managed software as a service (MSaaS). Notable SaaS providers include household names such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft, as well as specialized providers like Salesforce (CRM), Box (storage) and Twilio (web comms).

The benefits of SaaS for SMBs

Why did SaaS become so popular? Simple – out-of-the-box software solutions and ready-made tools are invaluable to businesses of all sizes, but are especially beneficial for smaller ventures and SMBs with limited resources. SaaS enables these operators to access powerful, enterprise-grade software without having to invest significant capital upfront or for them to purchase costly infrastructure or software licenses. Convenient and popular SaaS solutions for SMB’s include:

• Cashless payment software
• Digital accounting packages
• Customer relationship management (CRM)
• Supply chain management systems
• Cloud-based data storage

So where is the sector going, and what will SaaS look like in the years ahead, particularly in the context of an SMB?

There is no doubt that SaaS – and cloud-based computing – will remain integral to enterprise of the future and will continue to play a dominant role in the market of the future.

Niches, mobility and big data

Providers of niche SaaS services – including for sectors such as health care, education and real estate – are likely to reap the benefits of widespread adoption as they design solutions for specific industries. This contrasts with more established, full-service SaaS providers who now face more market competition, and where growth is expected to be more modest.

The other growth area will be for SaaS solutions with a strong mobility presence, particularly via apps that allow SMB owners to conduct their operations remotely from their mobile devices. Here businesses are looking for streamlined mobile dashboards that can help them automate their mobile marketing, manage sales, and help them seamlessly enable social media integration, to name just a few. The rise of big data and analytics will also see players in this space become more prominent as SMBs look to leverage cloud computing to help them collect and analyze granular information on their users and competitors.

While it’s not easy to predict what’s likely to happen in such a dynamic market, all signs point to the SaaS cloud service delivery model evolving and growing as more businesses transition from on-premises private clouds to externally managed public clouds.

Have questions on how this affects your business? 

Five Nines Ranked Among World’s Most Elite 501

Managed Service Providers

12^th Annual MSP 501 Identifies Top Forward-Thinking Global MSPs & Leading Trends in Managed Services

June 20, 2019: Five Nines has been named as one of the world’s premier managed service providers on the prestigious 12^th-annual Channel Futures MSP 501 rankings.

Every year, MSPs worldwide complete an extensive survey and application to report their product offerings, growth rates, annual total and recurring revenues, pricing structures, revenue mix and more. MSPs were ranked according to a unique methodology that weights revenue figures according to how well the applicant's business strategy anticipates trends in the fast-evolving channel ecosystem.

Channel Futures is pleased to name Five Nines to the 2019 MSP 501.

"It’s a great honor and validation of our team’s efforts to provide the highest level of service in Nebraska,” said Joel Friesen, President of Five Nines. "We will continue to work toward being a leader in the Managed Services space, and help our partners succeed knowing that their technology is taken care of.”

In the 12 years since its inception, the MSP 501 has evolved from a competitive ranking list into a vibrant group of service providers, vendors, distributors, consultants and industry analysts working together to define the growing managed service opportunity.

“The 2019 MSP 501 winners are the most elite, innovative and strategic IT service providers on the planet, and they stand as a model of excellence in the industry,” says Kris Blackmon, Content Director of Channel Partners and Channel Futures and lead of the MSP 501 program. “As the MSP 501 Community grows, leagues of managed service providers learn from the successes of these winning companies, gaining insight into the best practices, strategies and technologies that elevate an MSP to the level of the 501 winners. Our heartfelt congratulations to the 2019 winners and gratitude to the thousands of MSPs that have contributed to the continuing growth and success of both the 501 and the thriving managed services sector.”

In addition to deciding the rankings, the survey drives the creation of an annual in-depth study of business and technology trends in the IT channel, released each year at the Channel Partners Evolution conference. The full MSP 501 Report leverages applicant responses, interviews with industry experts and historical data to give a well-rounded picture of the managed services opportunity.

The complete 2019 MSP 501 list is available at Channel Futures.

About Five Nines

Founded on an intense desire to solve problems and build long-term relationships with clients, Five Nines leverages technology to drive business success. With offices in Lincoln, Omaha, Kearney & Central City Five Nines advises the best IT solutions for Nebraska based businesses, offering Managed IT Services. Through its unique service model, Five Nines’ clients experience reduced costs, accelerated growth, and increased productivity. Learn more at: www.gonines.com

August 29, 2016 – Inc. magazine ranked Five Nines 4136 on its 35th annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment— its independent small businesses. Companies such as Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees of the Inc. 5000.

 “We are extremely excited to be recognized by INC Magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in the US” said Nick Bock, CEO of Five Nines.  “This is our 8^th year on the list, which is a reflection of the longstanding relationships with our clients, and the fact that they are growing with us. Their success is what results in our consistent year over year growth. We are so proud to be a Nebraska company, and are so thankful for the support of the communities we serve.  Nebraska has been a great place to start and grow a company, and we see a bright future focused on being the leading IT services and consulting partner in Nebraska.”

The 2016 Inc. 5000, unveiled online at Inc.com and with the top 500 companies featured in the September issue of Inc. the average company on the list achieved a mind-boggling three-year growth of 433%. The Inc. 5000’s aggregate revenue is $200 billion, and the companies on the list collectively generated 640,000 jobs over the past three years, or about 8% of all jobs created in the entire economy during that period. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Five Nines

Founded on an intense desire to solve problems and build long-term relationships with clients, Five Nines leverages technology to drive business success. With offices in Lincoln, Omaha & Kearney, Five Nines advises the best IT solutions for Nebraska based businesses, offering Managed IT Services. Through its unique service model, Five Nines’ clients experience reduced costs, accelerated growth, and increased productivity. Learn more at: www.gonines.com

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