Overview of the best online software → SaaS!
Whether you're an online software publisher yourself, a small business, an SME... in short, whatever your sector of activity, your size and your business, you need the best software tools to help you manage your business.
Project management, financial management, accounting management, invoicing, customer relations, sales management, marketing, human resources... there's a tool for every discipline!
New players and new products are constantly emerging, and needs are evolving, but in this article you'll find the trends in the SaaS market and some examples of popular software of the moment.
And because "the shoemakers are always the worst shod", appvizer offers a focus at the end of the article on SaaS solutions dedicated to software publishers themselves.
Software publisher and Software as a Service: definition
A software publisher designs, develops and markets a software product.
Sometimes the product is implemented by a software integrator, who supports the user in deploying and customising the product to meet specific needs (system integration, module configuration, training, etc.).
Software as a Service, or software on demand, or cloud, is based on installing the software on a remote server rather than on the user's machine ( on-premise software, installed on site).
Unlike customers of on-premise software, SaaS customers do not buy a licence for a version that will eventually require updating. Instead, they use an online service on a subscription or pay-as-you-go basis.
The SaaS market
SaaS worldwide
According to US consultancy Synergy Research, the global market for SaaS solutions represents :
⇧ growth of over 30%,
⇧ in the first quarter of 2019, spending to the tune of $23 billion,
⇪ but only 20% of spending in software.
SaaS in France
Source: extract from the infographic © IDC France "The Cloud in France", October 2017
According to research conducted in 2018 by Syntec Numérique (digital industry trade association):
⇧ S aaS revenues reached €2.8 billion, showing growth of 24% ;
⇧ they now account for 22% of the software publishing market;
⇧7 8% of software publishers offered the SaaS model at the end of 2018.
The reason for this growth? The digitisation of tools and practices, IT investments with a SMACS (Social, Mobility, Analytics, Cloud and Security) approach to digital transformation, and RGPD compliance.
Markess
Selection of SaaS software publishers by category
Analytics software
Solutions for collecting and exploiting data through connectors and reporting to understand and adjust performance levers and automate operations ranging from accounting to industrial production and marketing.
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Domains included in the category |
Some popular software |
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Business intelligence, Data analysis, Statistical analysis |
IBM Analytics Platform, Power BI, Hortonworks Data Platform, SAP Analytics Cloud, Verseo C&S, YOODA Insight |
Some of the benefits :
- The creation and monitoring of high-performance indicators to facilitate decision-making,
- decision-making and strategic management of your business,
- real-time control of your data sources thanks to dashboards.
Collaboration software
Today's teams need the agility and visualisation of collective projects and tasks that SaaS software provides. Hyperconnected, they can exchange ideas and documents without constraints.
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Domains included in the category |
Some popular software |
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EDM (electronic document management) |
Dokmee, IRISPowerscan, Youdoc |
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CSR (corporate social networks) |
Jalios, Jamespot, Talkspirit |
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File sharing and transfer |
CyberSas, NetExplorer, weDrop |
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Collaborative project management |
insterStis, Wimi, Wrike |
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Electronic signatures |
Adobe Sign, DocuSign, Yousign |
Some of the benefits :
- centralisation of documents, tasks, calendars, tools and discussions in a single space,
- work simultaneously and collectively, on any type of medium,
- real-time synchronisation of information.
Communications software
Cloud telephony, social networking, public relations, events - SaaS solutions offer cutting-edge functionality and unite the various communication channels.
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Domains included in the category |
Some popular software |
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Graphic design |
Adobe Stock, Canva, Stencil |
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Social network management |
Agorapulse, Buffer, Hootsuite |
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Unified communications (chat, videoconferencing) |
Skype, Slack, Spoka |
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Cloud telephony |
Ottspott, RingOver |
Some of the benefits :
- Consistent management of internal and external communications operations,
- mobility and immediacy, making it easier to share information,
- smooth collaboration between colleagues, customers, partners, etc.
Finance and accounting software
This is an area where there's no room for error and where the automation of time-consuming tasks is the order of the day. Processing invoices, expense reports and other accounting documents is made much easier with cloud-based management software.
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Domains included in the category |
Some popular software |
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Accounting |
Quickbooks, Sellsy Accounting, Wity |
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Estimating and invoicing |
Evoliz, Factomos, Zervant |
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Expense reports |
Cleemy, Expensya, N2F |
Benefits include
- Real-time monitoring of cash flow and critical indicators,
- Compliance with current standards thanks to constant updates,
- electronic invoicing, VAT returns, etc.
Marketing software
Marketing tools need to be up to date with the latest trends in website management, digital campaigns, workflow and content management. Marketing automation, lead generation, marketing intelligence - SaaS publishers cover all these needs.
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Domains included in the category |
Some popular software |
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Digital Asset Management (DAM) |
Adobe Experience Manager Assets, Bynder, Keepeek 360° |
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Prospecting, Sales intelligence, Lead generation |
Corporama, Decidento, Swabbl |
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Digital strategy, webmarketing |
Neocamino, Ranxplorer, Seiso |
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Emailing |
Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Sarbacane, Sendinblue |
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Marketplace, e-commerce |
Cocolabs, Kreezalid, Markeet |
Some of the benefits :
- Implementation of a marketing strategy at lower cost,
- automation of follow-up, loyalty and prospect research operations,
- improved customer knowledge thanks to advanced data analysis.
Organisation and planning software
Project management, stock management, scheduling and resource management all require software that is responsive, collaborative and accessible at all times and in all places. Teams can view the tasks assigned to them and report on their progress with just a few clicks.
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Domains included in the category |
Some popular software |
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ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) |
Archipelia, Everwin, Wavesoft |
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Project and portfolio management (PPM) |
Gladys, One2Team, Vianeo |
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Management of interventions, rounds and maintenance (CMMS) |
BigChange, Organilog, Praxedo |
Some of the benefits :
- optimised operational performance of teams,
- easier monitoring for managers and customers,
- strategic planning that takes account of available resources, for a better return on investment.
Customer relations and sales software
Customer data is finally centralised and usable. All stakeholders can access it and combine their efforts to ensure optimal customer knowledge and experience, as well as long-term customer loyalty.
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Domains included in the category |
Some popular software |
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CRM, sales management |
Quintessence, Salesforce Sales Cloud, Sellsy CRM and Customer Support, Zoho CRM |
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Customer support, chat and chatbot |
Botnation.ai, iAdvize, RingCentral Engage Digital |
Some of the benefits :
- multi-channel customer relations to seek out customers and provide answers wherever they are,
- anticipation of their needs by taking into account their habits and previous purchases,
- Increased productivity by pooling the knowledge of the support, marketing and sales teams.
Human resources software
Electronic pay slips, contract management, real-time access to schedules, access to remaining paid leave - the employee experience is at the heart of the matter, but so is relieving the HR department of repetitive tasks.
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Domains included in the category |
Some popular software |
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Payroll |
e-Paye, Fiche-Paie.net, PayFit |
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HRIS |
Lucca HRIS, Nicoka HR, Sirhéos HRIS |
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Leave and absence management |
Figgo, Notys, Eurécia |
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Talent and training management |
Impakteo, Talentmanagement, Talentsoft |
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Recruitment, job posting and applicant tracking (ATS) |
Beetween, Flatchr, Softy |
Some of the benefits :
- Reduce recurring and time-consuming administrative tasks,
- centralised management of recruitment, training, talent, payroll and social security returns,
- more visual, real-time management of time and schedules.
IT services software
Cloud backup, data encryption and storage in electronic safes, password management, IT test management... data protection, traceability and accessibility go hand in hand.
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Domains included in the category |
Some popular software |
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Backup, storage, security |
Dot River, NetBackup, Splunk Cloud |
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Password management, e-c safes |
LastPass, LockPass, Zoho Vault |
Some of the benefits :
- optimised integration of tools into the information system,
- Secure data to protect employees, customers and third parties,
- protection of the company's information assets (strategic and legal documents, etc.).
Focus on 5 solutions for software publishers
This selection may also be aimed at other types of company, but our focus is on the particular needs of publishers in SaaS mode, operating on a subscription-based, dematerialised sales model.
Data Legal Drive for RGPD compliance
Data Legal Drive is a benchmark for RGPD compliance governance. This data protection software is ideal for software publishers, who are considered subcontractors in legal terms, and therefore co-responsible with their customers for the processing of the personal data entrusted to them.
Like any other business, software publishers need to ensure that the functions and services they offer are compliant and secure, thanks to the support of a solution such as Data Legal Drive.
Data Legal Drive enables publishers to organise and manage their RGPD activities in a collaborative way, by displaying ongoing projects in the form of prioritised tasks.
From managing endorsements and identifying third-party applications to keeping a register of data processed on behalf of customers, the management solution centralises procedures and actions identified as necessary, and provides access to in-depth legal documentation.
The platform also enables storage of documents proving compliance with the measures imposed by the RGPD, as well as the history of requests from right holders, the history of audits and controls, etc.
Data Legal Drive EQS Group
PDFMonkey for automatic PDF generation
Like any business, a software publisher generates a large volume of reports, presentations, contracts and invoices. PDFMonkey makes it easy to edit your PDFs en masse by offering you :
- creating document templates in HTML and CSS formats ;
- automated integration of your data, particularly customer data, into these templates, using depending on your level of technical expertise :
- either the REST API and the code, to match your requirements as closely as possible,
- or Zapier as a gateway, for an approach that doesn't require development skills;
- preview your PDFs directly from your dashboard.
The advantages of this solution include
- add your own Google Fonts, QR codes and graphics, using your own CSS and Javascript tools and external libraries;
- export in A4 format, but not only: flyer, slip or fully customisable formats are also available;
- free generation of 1,000 PDFs per month!
Your developers won't have to waste any more time coding PDFs... once you've set up the software, it'll do it for you.
PDFMonkey
ProAbono for subscription management
ProAbono is a full-featured editor that automates subscription management for SaaS publishers, thanks to easy integration with their information systems and a well-documented API.
This solution is dedicated exclusively to publishers, enabling them to create their offers and adjust pricing in real time, no matter how complex: variable pricing, pay-as-you-go billing, paid options, prorata, freemium offers, evaluation period, etc. Invoices are sent and customers are automatically reminded.
- The online subscription process and the customer journey are made easy with dynamic grids, online payment (SEPA direct debit, bank card), recurring or one-off, whatever the currency and payment method, even offline (cheques, cash).
- The customer portal gives users considerable autonomy to modify their offers and monitor their consumption in real time.
- Each subscription can be customised, so customer satisfaction is guaranteed.
- ProAbono communicates securely with your business applications (CRM, etc.).
ProAbono
Slimpay for payment management
Slimpay is a payment gateway dedicated to e-merchants operating in the subscription economy, such as SaaS software publishers. Slimpay is one of the European leaders in this field.
The API enables SlimPay's Checkout to be integrated natively into a website or mobile application with just a few lines of code.
The aim is to facilitate customer acquisition and loyalty by simplifying and securing the purchasing process.
Its benefits include
- an electronic signature module for SEPA direct debit mandates and contracts, to activate customers online or in-store,
- document archiving with probative value and time-stamping of signatures,
- collection of recurring or pay-as-you-go payments,
- verifying payments by filtering IBANs and authenticating bankcards with 3D-Secure,
- recovery of failed payments using Automatic Retry,
- business monitoring and management thanks to the dashboard.
SlimPay
Simple Feedback for managing opinions and feedback
Simple Feedback is a social media listening tool equipped with HaPPi artificial intelligence, which collects and analyses the opinions left by Internet users, particularly on cloud software.
After collecting, reading and understanding the various comments left about a brand, a detailed analysis and classification in a report enable e-reputation management and incredible marketing intelligence: millions of pages are scanned 24 hours a day!
In particular, the management solution enables you to:
- Receive alerts on negative reviews so you can launch relevant and rapid action plans;
- generate intuitive dashboards, allowing you to drill down or ignore information;
- scan all online sales sites and all possible web pages;
- create a precise map of a company's online reputation.
Integrated into a more global software suite, Simple Marketing, it offers CRM and ERP functionalities, communications management and marketing operations, among others.
Simple Feedback
Enter SaaS!
It's impossible to be exhaustive, there are so many different types of software, so many different needs, so many different professions and business sectors.
But you'll have realised that software as a service has a number of advantages that will make you more efficient and, consequently, more competitive. Even SaaS software publishers need it!
- With a monthly subscription and pay-as-you-go pricing, you're more flexible and can organise your budget or cancel whenever you want.
- You have access to a range of innovative services of varying sizes and on-demand features to suit your own needs, which can evolve as your business develops.
Read our articles to keep up to date with the latest business news and best practice, and use our directory to find the management solutions that will help you continue your digital transformation and stay competitive.
Updated article, originally published in September 2019.
Article translated from French