2 min

Updated on Jan 17, 2023

Published on Jul 6, 2022

SaaS: the jewel in the crown of French Tech?

software publishers saas
Pauline Dubois

Pauline Dubois

Content manager @Yousign

Illustration: Kentaro Hosomi

Summary

SaaS stands for Software as a Service.

As you will probably have gathered, Yousign is itself an SaaS solution. Read on to delve into the heart of our ecosystem and find out all you need to know about this growing trend! 🔝

So what is SaaS exactly?

This article offers:
1. an overview of the software industry as a whole

2. an explanation of how SaaS works

3. a quick look at the main drivers of SaaS's success

4. a surefire strategy to stand out from other SaaS solutions

Overview of the software industry

In 2021, the global software industry remains “solid”, according to the Truffle 100, an authoritative ranking of French software vendors.

❓ Where did this trend come from? The public health crisis has stepped up the digitisation of many businesses across all sectors.

Independent software vendors have been able to ride this wave by designing and distributing innovative and highly sophisticated software applications.

❓QWho are they? The vast majority of software vendors are SMEs operating on niche B2B markets.

Better known software vendors, such as Microsoft and Slack, target both a B2B and a B2C audience!

According to the same Truffle Capital and Teknowlogy Group study cited above, the prize for coolest dude in the software industry goes to SaaS, which even back in 2019 accounted for...

40% of total revenues!

With terms like “software vendor", “integrator” and “SaaS specialist” often bandied about, it can be difficult to follow!

Let’s unpack what SaaS means.

So what is SaaS exactly?

This operating model has been flying high for some time now!

The solution is made available remotely by a provider and is 100% accessible via an internet connection.

This means that nothing is installed on the SaaS client company's internal devices or servers.

➡ The entire process is handled externally by the service provider, hence the association often made between SaaS and the cloud.

The rise of SaaS is due in no small part to the ubiquity it allows its users, who can set up their workspace anywhere they wish, as long as they have a good internet connection!

Strengths of SaaS

SaaS offers considerable advantages compared with traditional software:

  • Reduced usage costs thanks to a monthly subscription based on number of users and resources consumed over a given period.
  • Regular updates, handled by the service provider, so the SaaS client company doesn’t have to worry about them.
  • Simplified installation and rollout: no need for computer equipment or specialist knowledge.
  • Instant usability for the end user.

SaaS vendors most often offer project management tools in vast fields such as customer relations (CRM software), the sales process, human resources, finance or accounting.

Standing out as an SaaS vendor

he best way of standing out in a field as innovative and competitive as SaaS is undoubtedly to optimise the user experience.

This means designing a carefully considered and seamless experience.

Through API integration, software vendors can improve their service offers and thus their customer experience without incurring additional development costs.

➡ So why not facilitate the process of signing and terminating contracts, a common recurring task for SaaS solutions?

Yousign’s eiDAS-certified electronic signature software, offers a robust API that can be easily integrated in another system or business software.

growth Saas

It will also give you a clearer and improved customer experience, in line with the growth requirementslinked to SaaS:

  • Easier collaboration between users
  • A secure, automated signature process
  • Streamlined validation workflows

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