Cloud computing has eased up business operations. Software is no longer device-bound. You can operate them from any laptop or tablet as long as you have the right credentials.
SaaS or Software-as-a-Service companies are capturing the traditional software market. So much so that 80% of global businesses are looking to move all their business operation to SaaS platforms by 2025.
SaaS has made data security, accessibility, and scalability easier than ever before.
Having said all of that, you must invest some time in choosing a dependable SaaS company for your business. You are looking to move your entire business over it.
On that note, here is a list of seven critical questions that you must ask a SaaS vendor.
7 Critical Questions to Ask from A SaaS Vendor
Question 1- Do you have SCIM support for the on and off-boarding of my users?
When an employee joins an organization, it is termed employee onboarding, whereas if they leave the organization, it is coined off-boarding.
Since all the software access will be on the cloud, the SaaS company will be responsible for ensuring the smooth access and revoke of such software.
Quality SaaS companies use SCIM or System for Cross-Domain Identity Management to automate and streamline the entire process. SCIM applies identity data provisioning across all cloud applications.
If your SaaS company uses manual management for on and off-boarding, they are lagging behind technology, and it would be best to cross them off your list.
Question 2- Do you have SSO systems for security?
An SSO is a single sign-on system where a user gets a single ID and password to log in across multiple software.
The SSO authenticates the user’s identity and enables the owners to exercise control over their access.
Thanks to SSO, users no longer need separate credentials to log in to different software systems.
If your SaaS company does not have it, you should bid them adieu.
Question 3- Do you have an SSL certificate installed?
The security of your SaaS platform is paramount. You cannot risk moving all business operations to a vulnerable website, as it will be catastrophic for both your website and user data.
An SSL will encrypt user data and pass it over a protected network so that no hacker can read or steal the data getting transferred.
SSL is a mandatory requirement for Google’s rankings and the Payment Card Industry’s compliance.
So, why should you ask them specifically for a wildcard SSL?
A SaaS platform has multiple subdomains attached to it, performing a range of functions. Therefore, they cannot rely on a single domain regular certificate. They must get a Comodo Positive SSL Wildcard Certificate to protect primary domain and its unlimited first level subdomains.
Thus, ask them about wildcard SSL and choose them only if you hear a ‘YES.’
Question 4- Do you comply with PCI guidelines?
Eventually, you may need a payment system to help you accept payments online. And you cannot do it without complying with Payment Card Industry/ Data Security Standard or PCI/DSS guidelines.
We already talked about the role of an SSL certificate in complying with PCI/DSS guidelines. Therefore, ensure that they have an SSL installed.
Question 5- Do you have a robust 24×7 support system?
Remember that you are running a business, and even a minute of downtime can scare a dozen customers away.
Therefore, you can ill-afford to have website downtimes. That is where the importance of support kicks in.
Your SaaS provider must provide optimum support 24×7. There should always be a representative available who can accept your calls and solve the issue immediately.
Also, diagnostic reports and logs are paramount to ensure that everything is running smoothly. You do not want to be running to a support representative for petty things.
Note:
Support representatives should be optimally trained to understand your queries without passing them on to higher managers. Ask your SaaS provider about the competence of their support team and their recruitment criteria. Also, ensure that you are charging no additional costs for registering your complaints unlimited times.
Question 6- How do you ensure the continuity of your services and performance?
Ideally, a SaaS provider must have 99.5% of uptime on average. You must ask them what security protocols they use to ensure continuity?
A dependable SaaS company also has backup servers to restore everything to normal if a mishap happens.
Ask them about how they deal with natural calamities like earthquakes and whether or not you get a refund on your subscription if your SLA does not comply.
Question 7- How often do you update your platform?
The platform update is essential in today’s scenario, given that cybercrimes are mounting by the day.
You are banking your entire business on a SaaS platform; therefore, you must know about their efforts and commitment to your data safety.
Regular updates contain bug fixes and security patches that eliminate platform vulnerabilities and make it a safer place for business.
Also, ask them about the impact of updates on your business continuity. The last thing you want is a business experiencing downtime due to an update.
They must give you a list containing the impact of updates on your business operations.
Final Thoughts
SaaS platforms are taking over traditional business software. In this era of automation, everything is getting synchronized and integrated to ensure ease of doing business.
However, challenges like cyberattacks are still hovering over our heads like dark clouds. Therefore, SaaS platforms must have security systems like SSL certificates, SSO, and SCIM that can assure our data safety.
Data confidentiality is of supreme importance to every business looking to move its business operations online. Therefore, choosing a SaaS platform should involve some research about its past performance.
Ask them these seven questions mentioned above and ensure that you get fruitful answers to all of them.