SaaS (software as a service)
SaaS (software as a service) is software used in a browser rather than installed, usually for a monthly or yearly fee.
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What does SaaS mean?
The provider handles updates, backups and servers. In return the data lives on the provider's servers, so it matters where and how it is stored, and whether it can be taken out.
Most CRMs are offered as SaaS; some can also be installed on your own server.
Why does it matter to a small business?
A small business rarely has an administrator to update servers and check backups. With SaaS the provider does that, and the team signs in from anywhere in a browser. In return it is worth checking what you pay over time, what happens if you stop paying, and whether you can take your data out if you ever switch.
What does it look like in practice?
Details
Suppose an electrical contractor in Tatabánya works with three colleagues. Instead of installing anything, everyone reaches customers and tasks in a browser, on site from a phone too. When the company does not renew a paid module, it switches off at the end of the period, but the data stays and can be saved to CSV at any time.
How does HelloCRM handle it?
Details
HelloCRM runs in the browser, on a phone's browser too, with monthly modules; the core CRM is free. Data can be exported to CSV at any time, and installation on your own server is available. When a paid period ends, the company falls back to the free plan and nothing is deleted.
A CRM for small businesses in Hungary
HelloCRM is an online CRM made in Hungary for small and mid-sized businesses there, in Hungarian and English: the core CRM is free for good, with no time limit and no card, and it can be tried without signing up in a demo company full of example data.
Questions
What is SaaS, in one sentence?
SaaS (software as a service) is software used in a browser rather than installed, usually for a monthly or yearly fee.