OUR LATEST INSIGHTS

Up to date, high-level business information that is relevant to our clients and contacts, helping keep up to date on the ver-changing business world of today.

Learn More

Joe Weppler / November 29, 2022

Unpacking SaaS, No. 1: What is Software as a Service (SaaS) and why do businesses need to know?

You may have seen the acronym SaaS floating around in the past few years. Software as a Service is an incredibly popular model in the modern business world, which many businesses utilize for their daily operations.  

If you’re a newer business or a more established enterprise looking to expand your use of software, learning about this model might help you find the perfect tool for your company.  

Part one of Schooley Mitchell’s three-part series on SaaS.  

Schooley Mitchell has recently expanded to add Software as a Service to our areas of cost reduction specialty. To mark this exciting time, we are publishing a three-part series on SaaS – beginning with today’s article, looking at what it is, and why businesses choose to use it.  

What is SaaS? 

SaaS, or Software as a Service, is a licensing and delivery model for enterprise software, in which the product is licensed on a subscription basis and centrally hosted. Meaning, you can subscribe and receive a product hosted by the company that owns it, rather than purchasing it outright and hosting it over your own infrastructure.  

If you’ve ever heard someone talk about software ‘on-demand’, they are referring to SaaS.  

Why is this a preferable option for businesses?  

There is a lot of convenience for businesses who employ SaaS. Not only do they avoid licensing issues – such as knowing when to update software or storing the software on their own devices – but SaaS provides secondary advantages as well. These include, but are not limited to: 

  • Cost effectiveness, including eliminating maintenance costs 
  • Global compatibility 
  • Cloud-based solutions 
  • Quick and seamless integration 
  • Scalable usage 
  • Enhanced security  
  • Patches and updates are rolled out to all users simultaneously and automatically 
  • Customizable solutions  

This industry is quickly growing.  

With the rise of remote working and other post-pandemic strategies, SaaS has experienced exponential growth in the past three years.  

This includes some of the most popular messaging, email, and video conferencing apps you have certainly made use of since 2020, and likely before. For many companies, allowing their employees to work from personal computers or smartphones kept them afloat during the worst of the pandemic, and cemented SaaS as a necessary part of a company’s operations and disaster recovery plan.  

Corporate office settings aren’t the only businesses who have been using SaaS now more than ever. Restaurants, retailers accepting online payments, and healthcare providers offering virtual appointments. This had led to an increasing amount of SaaS providers focusing on making their products mobile compatible via apps.  

You know a lot of SaaS providers.  

Even without thinking about it, you probably know some of the biggest SaaS providers. Though these are just a few of the companies making waves in the industry, some recognizable brands include: 

  • Microsoft Corporation 
  • Salesforce.com, Inc. 
  • Cisco System, Inc.  
  • Amazon Web Services, Inc.  
  • Adobe 

So, how does it work? 

SaaS is all operational via the cloud. TechTarget describes it like this: 

“A software provider will either host the application and related data using its own servers, databases, networking and computing resources, or it may be an ISV that contracts a cloud provider to host the application in the provider’s data center. The application will be accessible to any device with a network connection. SaaS applications are typically accessed via web browsers.”  

The provider gives its customer network-based access to a copy of its software that has been specifically created for SaaS distribution.  

“The application’s source code is the same for all customers, and when new features or functionalities are released, they are rolled out to all customers,” TechTarget explains.  

Then, depending on the agreement between provider and client, the latter’s data may be stored locally, in the cloud, or both.  

How is Saas priced? 

Because SaaS is cost-effective and often customizable, there are naturally a range of payment plans and options that companies can offer. Here are a few of the models you might come across when working with SaaS providers: 

  • Flat rates: in which customers are granted access to the software’s full suite of features for a fixed subscription fee, paid monthly or annually.  
  • Per user: in these cases, the pricing is determined by how many people use the service for each subscription. There is a fixed price for every user. In other cases, a provider might offer user-based tiers, where the price is based on the number of active users.  
  • Storage tiers: in which customers can use the service for free, but are required to pay for storage if they wish to use the product after they reach a designated limit. Think of Dropbox or Google Drive.  
  • Usage based: a pay-as-you-go model where customers are billed based on usage.  
  • Feature based tiers: in which customers are billed based on the amount of features their subscription utilizes.  

These are some of the most common pricing models currently on the market, but they are just a handful of the options out there.  

In conclusion… 

Software as a Service, or SaaS, is a cost-effective, accessible enterprise software delivery model. It has many perks for the subscriber, including customizable solutions and automatic updates. As cloud-based services continue to expand, this model is seeing more and more widespread acceptance among business clients.  

Next issue… 

In part two of our three-part series on SaaS, we look at paid versus free software subscriptions.  

Related articles: 

Joe Weppler / July 15, 2022

SM Spotlight OK Tire Owen Sound

Every town needs mechanics. The average automotive repair & maintenance facility has a low barrier to entry, and tons of competition. Since there are only so many unique services a facility can offer when it comes to maintaining your vehicle, getting and retaining customers often comes down to plain old customer service. 

“Everybody says they’re the best at customer service,” said Dave Booy, owner of OK Tire Owen Sound. “But how do you actually apply that?”  

For Dave, it’s all in the communication.  

“After you’ve been in and we’ve done a phenomenal job communicating with you and great work on your vehicle, we follow up and make sure you’re satisfied,” he said. “If you’re not, we catch it fast and make it right.” 

OK Tire Owen Sound is the largest automotive repair and maintenance facility anywhere in the Greater Owen Sound Area. Originally founded as a tire dealer in the early 1980s by Brian Pickett, the shop moved locations and began expanding services to include oil changes, brakes, steering and suspension, and exhaust. When Brian sold his business to Dave, the first item on his list was to expand the mechanical side of things without diminishing their tire sales. 

After some initial expansion, Dave made the decision to begin operating as an OK Tire to take advantage of their national brand.  

“OK Tire had the national identity, national warranty, better buying programs, larger groups for training, more heads to put together to approach industry issues — I’ve had no regrets choosing them.”  

Dave was born into the mechanical world, learning all the work of a licensed technician in his father’s shop. As he grew older, he developed an interest in business. He decided he didn’t want to turn wrenches as a mechanic, but he enjoyed the business side and told his dad he’d like to work with him.  

“Dad told me to go get a degree and work somewhere else for two years,” Dave said.  

Today, Dave’s business has six techs and three counter staff, a very loyal client base, and the best reviews for automotive repair in the area. Since purchasing the business, Dave has seen their capacity almost double, renovating their existing building to add several more service bays. 

“I love seeing my team work as a unit,” he said. “We’ve tried to instill a culture where everyone works together and is equally important.”  

Dave and his wife Rebecca are also active in the community, sponsoring a local hardball team as well as a scholarship for a local private school. The shop is also partnered with OSHaRE, a local non-profit that provides meals to those in need. Rebecca sits on the board and serves meals with the kids, and the shop sponsors their vehicle to make sure it always remains delivery-ready.  

Dave hopes to continue growing his business to best serve his community and the rapidly emerging technologies of the automotive industry.  

“It’s a really exciting time in vehicles,” he said.  

If you’re interested in learning more, check out their website at www.oktire.com/stores/ok-tire-owen-sound, or just stop by to say hello, grab a coffee, and get a free car wash with your next service!  

Joe Weppler / June 14, 2022

SM Spotlight Impact Family Wellness

When it’s your health that’s on the line, would you prefer to see an exhausted doctor on their 30th patient of the day, or a healthcare expert that knows you, what you do, and your health struggles?  

“I can know my patients on a personal basis. They feel more like friends,” said Monica McKitterick, APRN, FNP-BC, Owner of Impact Family Wellness. “I could never truly do that in the insurance-based system.”  

Monica runs the only Direct Primary Care practice in the Cedar Park, TX area that is fully staffed by nurse practitioners. Thanks in equal parts to their training and their business model, Impact Family Wellness is able to provide the care their community needs without sacrificing personability.  

“In the current healthcare system, professionals have 3000 patients and see 30 a day,” Monica said. As you can imagine, that volume isn’t conducive to really getting to know your patients.  

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is an alternative to the traditional system that works on a membership-style subscription. You pick a plan and pay the fee, and it entitles you to unlimited access to health care professionals, visits, consults with professionals, heavily discounted lab rates, and more. In Impact Family Wellness’ case, 70 percent of care is via text.  

“I don’t need to touch you to see the rash on your leg,” Monica said. “We try to make it convenient.  

While DPC is great for families with no insurance or health shares, it also works with plenty of patients with great insurance because they simply want someone who actually listens to them. The team works with local businesses that aren’t big enough for large health care plans.  

Monica got into nursing right out of high school; she became a nurse in 2005 and a nurse practitioner in 2008. She always had a passion for primary care, but struggled with the traditional health care system. DPC became a solution to those issues.  

Now, Monica sits on the board for CASA of Williamson County, works as a mentor for Austin Angels, speaks at engagements for businesses on various health topics, and even provides services for local events that require a medical provider.  

One of Impact Family Wellness’ biggest struggles is educating the community on their service. 

“We can’t just put an ad in the paper because no one would know what it means. Our business mainly comes from word-of-mouth referrals,” she said. “We’re trying to fix health care.”  

Monica, along with two other nurse practitioners and an office administrator, continue to grow month over month. In their current location, they have the capacity to treat up to 2000 patients in their community. Ultimately, their goal right now is to provide the care their community needs so they can stay healthy for a very long time. And that means treating patients like human beings. 

 For more information on Impact Family Wellness, visit their website at www.impactfamilywellness.com.

Download PDF

Joe Weppler / January 5, 2022

Member of the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce

The Newmarket Chamber of Commerce is a strong advocate for business success. The Chamber has been part of the Town of Newmarket since 1857. While they’ve been around a while, they’re anything but “old school.” Instead, what you’ll find is a dynamic, forward-facing organization that is committed to supporting Newmarket business and a strong, innovative economy that provides jobs and opportunities for their community and York Region.

 

To learn more, visit them at www.newmarketchamber.ca

Joe Weppler / January 5, 2022

Member of the Canadian Office Products Association

COPA connects, empowers and celebrates their members by providing a host of business support resources, cost-saving programs and networking opportunities. They have been a proud membership community for the nation’s resellers and manufacturers of office products for over 80 years.

Their focus is to help their members EVOLVE by streamlining their operations, removing their barriers to growth and fostering the sharing of ideas to the benefit of everyone. Expertise, buying power, education and synergy are the cornerstones of their association.

For more information, visit their website by clicking here.

Joe Weppler / January 5, 2022

Stephan Lafreniere is a proud sponsor and volunteer of Golden Rescue ™

Stephan is a financial sponsor of Golden Rescue and a member of the product sourcing team which supports their web-store fundraising activities. The Lafreniere family is also very proud to have given a Golden from Cairo Egypt a forever home; Kairo joined the family in 2018 and is pictured at left enjoying a nap in the sun.

Golden Rescue™ (GR) is one of Canada’s largest single-breed rescue groups. They are a non-profit registered charitable organization run entirely by volunteers working hard to ensure every Golden who is brought into their program is placed with a safe and loving forever family. Since 1990, Golden Rescue has found homes for surrendered, abandoned, unwanted or displaced Golden Retrievers.

For more information, visit them at www.goldenrescue.ca.

Joe Weppler / January 5, 2022

What are variable expenses and how can they impact your business’ bottom line?

When creating a budget for your business, it is helpful to separate and account for fixed versus variable expenses. Mistaking the latter for the former can cost you, and the better you understand all your expenses, the better chance you have of optimizing them.

If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, the best way to describe the difference is that fixed expenses are costs that stay the same from month to month, whereas variable expenses are ever-changing and harder to predict.

Fixed expenses.

Fixed expenses often represent the largest part of your budget. For a business, your fixed expenses are going be costs such as rent payments, insurance premiums, property taxes, and so on. While these are not easy to optimize, they are easy to work into your budget, as they are unchanging and paid at a consistent frequency.

If you can lower these expenses – say, by finding a different insurance plan that works for your needs – you automatically save more money each month or pay period.

In business budgeting, it is important to remember that all your fixed costs must be paid, regardless of your sales that pay cycle. If you’re starting a business, making sure you can cover these expenses for a period before you start bringing in revenue is crucial to staying afloat.

Variable expenses.

Your variable expenses are going to represent the costs incurred by how a given month or pay period goes for your business. How many credit cards you swipe, how much electricity you use, or how much waste you generate; all of these are going to incur a bill that varies every cycle.

Some of these expenses can be harder to reduce than others. How much heating you use to keep your office warm, for example, may be more difficult to lower than the amount of waste your organization is generating. However, in many cases, these expenses are in areas that you can strategize or work with professionals to identify savings, creating a more predictable monthly bill.

Employees can represent either kind of expense.

Depending on how you staff your business, your employees can be either a fixed or variable expense. Anyone hired on full time, who is guaranteed a forty-hour work week, will be a fixed expense, whereas a seasonal or part-time employee will likely be a variable expense, as their hours are subject to change month to month.

Budget with these expenses in mind.

When you’re budgeting, it’s important to separate your fixed costs and your variable costs. If you’re able to determine what you absolutely will be spending in your fixed costs, then it is easier to identify and strategize areas to save with your variable costs.

Month to month, keep track of your variable expenses. Maybe one month you allotted too little to certain expenditures and went over budget. If you keep a closer eye on each cost category, you can do a better job budgeting and planning for the future going forward.

Don’t settle on expenses.

The lower you can keep your costs, fixed or variable, the better the results for your bottom line. If you don’t have experience negotiating rates or deciding what expenses are fair in comparison with the rest of the market, don’t settle. Explore your options, bring in consultants, and work with professionals who can guide you in the right direction.

Especially for the fixed expenses you will be locked into for some time, this could be a make-or-break decision for your business. Why pay more than you have to?

Related Articles:

Joe Weppler / January 5, 2022

Member of the Canadian Home Products Trade Association
CHPTA
An Industry Voice Since 1968.

The Canadian Home Products Trade Association (CHPTA) is a national non-profit organization previously known as the Canadian Hardware & Housewares Manufacturers Association (CHHMA).  As per the past 50+ years, the Association continues to serve and represent manufacturers, brand owners and sales agents working within the Canadian home products industry, but also looks to offer value to other sectors of the industry including retailers, dealers, distributors, builders, suppliers, tradespeople and end-consumers.

Find out more at the CHPTA website by clicking here.

Joe Weppler / January 5, 2022

Get to know Stephan Lafreniere

Stephan Lafreniere is a growth-oriented and insight driven senior executive with a track record of success in developing and implementing strategies and tactics to drive profits.

Stephan has held progressively senior roles within the planning, merchandising, and branding disciplines at iconic Canadian retailers including Canadian Tire Corporation, Hudson’s Bay Company, Loblaw Companies Ltd., and Sears Canada Inc.

In 2021, Stephan joined Schooley Mitchell, the largest independent cost reduction consulting firm in North America with offices from coast-to-coast in the United States and Canada. On average, Schooley Mitchell reduces essential business service expenses by 28% and have delivered over $360 million in documented savings to our clients to date.

We are passionate about saving money for our clients and helping them grow their business. Schooley Mitchell delivers expertise to companies of all sizes from all industries, offering a broad range of services including:

– Analysis of existing and future Telecom, Merchant Services, Small Package Shipping, Waste Disposal, Electronic Logging Device, eSignature, Utility, and Fuel needs
– Billing error identification
– Implementation of cost-effective solutions
– Ongoing monitoring to ensure services remain optimized

Our independent and objective recommendations are based solely on the client’s best interests. Schooley Mitchell receives no kickbacks, residuals, or incentives from providers. Also, our fees are self-funded from the savings generated. If savings aren’t found, our clients don’t pay – a truly risk-free and mutually beneficial model.

Virtually every type of business, in every sector, can benefit from Schooley Mitchell’s expertise and growing cost category specializations.