Managed Services vs. SaaS, Which One is Best for Your Business?

Managed Services vs. SaaS, Which One is Best for Your Business?In today’s digital age, businesses rely heavily on wireless connectivity for a wide range of operations. Corporate wireless programs are an essential component of any organization’s IT infrastructure, and they can have a significant impact on productivity, efficiency, and security. However, implementing a successful wireless program requires careful planning and consideration as you will need to utilize a third-party solution.

Today’s Managed Mobility Service (MMS) third party solutions fall into two categories:

(1) Software as a Service (SaaS) and (2) Managed Services.

Let’s explore these two the determining factors that will help you define your needs, and which is right for your organization.

Software as a service (SaaS) and Managed Services are two distinct delivery models that allow organizations to access software and IT resources without having to purchase, manage and maintain their own infrastructure. While both models provide benefits in terms of scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, they differ in terms of ownership, control, and scope of responsibilities.

SaaS is a model in which software applications are delivered to customers over the internet. The customer does not own the software, but rather pays a subscription fee to access it. The vendor takes care of maintaining and updating the software, ensuring that it is secure, and providing technical support. SaaS is a popular choice for businesses that require access to a variety of software applications and have sufficient wireless knowledgeable personnel to provide services and support to their employees.

Managed Services, on the other hand, refer to the outsourcing of your wireless program to a third-party provider who takes care of managing, monitoring, and maintaining the wireless carrier expenses and employee support requirements. Unlike SaaS, managed services typically involve a higher level of customization, with the vendor providing tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of the customer. Managed services providers (MSPs) are responsible for ensuring that the environment is secure, reliable, and efficient, and they may provide a range of services, including optimization, allocation, usage reporting, project management, provisioning, staging, kitting, reclamation and help desk support.

While both SaaS and Managed Services offer advantages in terms of cost and convenience, they differ in several keyways.

– SaaS is generally more suitable for organizations that require access to specific software applications, but don’t want to be burdened with the overhead of maintaining and managing them.

– Managed Services, on the other hand, are ideal for businesses that require a more turnkey solution that includes both software (SaaS) and services. Additionally, Managed Services will provide more expertise and best practice experiences to help configure your solution.

In summary, both SaaS and Managed Services offer businesses the benefits of reduced costs, improved scalability, and flexibility. However, the two models differ in terms of ownership, control, and scope of responsibilities. SaaS provides access to specific software applications, while Managed Services offer a more comprehensive IT solution that is tailored to the needs of the customer. Ultimately, the choice between SaaS and Managed Services depends on the specific needs and resources of the organization, as well as its long-term goals and objectives.

Understanding third party options available to support your wireless program can then be aligned to your important internal considerations such as:

– Scope and requirements of the wireless program. This includes identifying the number of users, devices, and locations that will require wireless access. It’s also important to consider the types of applications and services that will be used, as well as the level of performance and reliability that will be required.

– Overall Cost. Wireless programs can be expensive, so it’s important to determine the budget and evaluate the potential return on investment. This includes considering the costs of devices, accessories, carrier services and support. A comprehensive Wireless Policy will set the stage for practices that will have a direct result on costs such as who gets a device, what model(s), how often can they upgrade and what are the acceptable use cases.

– Internal resource and third-party costs. Staffing internally is one option but you need to access what level of expertise do you have and is this a strategic area of your organization’s internal focus and can your internal resource do it well?

– User experience is an important consideration when implementing a corporate wireless program. Employees need to be able to submit requests, receive support and have visibility to their usage/cost without interruption or delay. This requires not only the appropriate technology and infrastructure but also effective support and training to ensure that users are comfortable and confident with the program.

Since 2002, OVATION Wireless has been guiding enterprises and their wireless programs with our Managed Mobility Services delivering hands-on managed services, leading edge technologies together with our thought leadership and best practices. Contact us to discuss your wireless program and solutions that align to your business needs.