1. How Do You Keep
Track of Your Drivers?
QUICK GUIDE: CHOOSING A SaaS PROVIDER FOR YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS
Cloud computing can be a polarizing topic
among small business owners. There are
generally two perspectives:
Both points of view are valid, but how can such
extreme opinions about the same technology
exist at once? In many cases, it comes down
to the vendor relationship. You need a cloud
provider that will be a true partner, letting you
trust it to deliver technology that will meet your
specific business needs.
This is especially true when you are taking
advantage of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
solutions. SaaS systems are cloud apps that
can be delivered either through the Web or a
mobile app store. These apps let you access and
interact with data – for example, pulling up work
schedules and adjusting them – making them
powerful business tools. However, the quality,
reliability, and security of an app depends on the
service provider offering it. Here’s how you can
find a partner for your SaaS needs.
Making Initial Evaluations
Open conversations early in the sales process
can help you decide if you should continue
pursuing a partnership. As you have these
discussions, there are a few key questions you
should ask about both your business and the
service provider:
● Will the SaaS provider make updates to
apps as my industry changes?
● Do the capabilities offered by cloud apps
solve business problems I am facing
right now?
● How difficult will it be for users to adjust to
the technology?
● Will this technology create value on an
ongoing basis?
A good relationship centers around trust. If you
are confident in your potential partner’s ability
to deal with all of these questions, then you are
ready to take a deeper dive into making your
final choice.
I love working in the cloud,
the technology is great and
ROI has been amazing!
OR
I’m never getting burned
by the cloud again.

2. The Right SaaS Provider Can
Make Cloud Technologies Easy
New technology can be intimidating, but the
concerns surrounding cloud computing primarily
come down to one factor: Can you trust your
SaaS provider?
The relationship is the real difference between
small business owners who end up swearing by
the cloud and those that end up swearing at it!
As you explore cloud options for your service
fleet, keep one thought constantly in the back
of your mind - you are evaluating a partner that
will simplify operations for your business, not
a technological silver bullet that might solve
all your problems. Once you have a good
relationship in place, the intimidation around
technology disappears.
Choosing the Right Vendor
Selecting a SaaS provider isn’t all that different
than choosing a standard business partner. When
you evaluate mechanics to service your trucks,
you probably get references, talk with them to
make sure the relationship clicks and check their
experience working on the types of vehicles in
your fleet.
This same process applies to choosing a SaaS
solution, but there are a few unique issues you
should consider:
● Flexibility: Carefully analyze the service
provider’s culture around managing your
data and handling your subscription to
make sure it will be flexible in meeting your
needs. This includes thoroughly reviewing
the legal details of the cloud service to
make sure you know what to expect from
the provider over time.
● Customer service: Make sure the solutions
you’re considering prioritize customer
service through the life of the relationship,
not just during the sales process.
● Transparency: Evaluate any provider you
may partner with to ensure it is open and
transparent in their conversations with
you. Working with a cloud provider that
is forthright about policies, technological
capabilities and its update cycles will
protect you from unwanted surprises
throughout the relationship.
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