Legacy-style software platforms continue to fall behind the curve when it comes to current business technologies. If your company still uses a legacy model, the situation represented by the diagram below might be painfully familiar to you. Between isolated servers, VPNs, and multiple database licenses, the excessive maintenance costs incurred from running a legacy software can quickly outweigh the benefits.

In an attempt to keep their platforms relevant, some software companies are now rebranding their legacy software with newer "SaaS" pricing models, but as the demands of an operation grow, it becomes clear that legacy software methodologies simply cannot meet the rigorous challenges of operational expansion in today's world. Not only are these systems functionally inefficient; their obsolescence leaves your business data open to major risks including catastrophic data loss.

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As more businesses begin to realize the true value of SaaS platforms, companies must be cautious against buying solutions that are not built on true SaaS software models. These deceptive platforms are marketed and sold as SaaS, but fall short of having critical features including agility, scalability, security, and efficiency.

Cloud computing is advantageous in an industry plagued by ageing systems. Legacy software vendors are attracted by any opportunity to make additional money, even if that means tacking a few cloud features onto their existing products and mislabeling those as "SaaS" systems. Unfortunately, this forces customers to discern whether or not the vendor has actually made the investment and committed to delivering a true SaaS version of its platform. In reality, many have not.

There is simply no comparison between genuine cloud products and legacy systems with SaaS components when it comes to implementation, upgrades, performance, fees, and services. Lower costs, seamless upgrades, and rapid delivery of new features are among the many reasons companies are moving to SaaS systems in order to simplify their business and meet scalability requirements.

How can you identify whether your vendor has a true SaaS delivery model? Ask these 3 simple questions:

• Does your vendor require you to purchase in-house servers to operate and scale their platform?
• Does your vendor require separate licensing and setup of databases?
• Do software updates require manual installation and technical resources versus automatic delivery?

If you have answered Yes to any of these questions, then your vendor has not made the investment and is not fully committed to a true SaaS delivery model.

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Fortunately, with the rise of cloud computing technologies like Fast-Weigh, companies in the aggregates and bulk materials industries no longer have to make large, up-front investments in order to make a change. By migrating your data to a cloud-based SaaS platform, your team will instantly gain the ability to track and manage your entire material sales and hauling operation from one centralized data hub that can be accessed from any device.

No servers, no VPNs, no need for expensive IT support or complicated hardware setups. The result is lower operating costs, more efficient processes, and a safer, more secure solution for housing your company's data. Not only does a cloud system help your bottom line, it provides an environment where growing your business is virtually effortless. User logins are free and unlimited, and brand new plant locations can be established with minimal hardware and just a few clicks, removing the need for any large capital outlays.

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Strategic Advantages of SaaS Software in the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 has been a major challenge for all companies. SaaS platforms like Fast-Weigh have enabled companies to provide work-from-home flexibility while maintaining full capability for their administrative and management teams. In today's challenging workforce landscape, these tools give companies a unique competitive advantage to assist with overall employee experience and retention.

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Moving to a Cloud Platform Is Easier Than You Think

If you find yourself stuck on a version-locked scale or dispatching platform that is hindering your business performance, now is a good time to evaluate your company’s systems. Aging scale systems often prevent businesses from achieving progress by making users feel complacent toward the state of their daily operations. By incorporating cloud-based material management platforms like Fast-Weigh into your toolkit, you can bring a whole new world of innovation and capability to your business.

Further, you can refocus your staff on value-added activities and improve collaboration between departments, customers, and vendors. Doing so will also remove the burden and cost of managing outdated systems while gaining enterprise-level security and automatic data recovery measures.

If you are considering moving off your legacy software, you aren’t the first to do so. The consensus is clear: Numerous companies everywhere in the aggregates, bulk material hauling, and contracting arenas have already made the switch. So don’t get left behind. Reach out to us, and let us show you why legacy scale software cannot compete in the modern Cloud era.