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 evolve, but in this article you'll find SaaS market trends and a few examples of popular software of the moment.
And because "shoemakers always wear the worst shoes", at the end of the article appvizer focuses 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 customizing the product to meet specific needs (system integration, module parameterization, training, etc.).
Software as a Service, or software on demand, is based on the installation of software on a remote server, rather than on the user's machine ( on-premise software).
Unlike customers of on-premise software, SaaS customers do not purchase a license 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 firm 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: excerpt from the infographic © IDC France "Le Cloud en France", October 2017.
According to research conducted in 2018 by Syntec Numérique (digital industry trade association):
⇧ S aaS revenues reached 2.8 billion euros, posting growth of 24% ;
⇧ they now account for 22% of the software publishing market;
⇧7 8% of publishers offered the SaaS model at the end of 2018.
The reason for this growth? The digitization 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, adjust performance levers and automate operations, 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 visualization of collective projects and tasks, enabled by SaaS software. Hyperconnected, they 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 signature |
Adobe Sign, DocuSign, Yousign |
Some of the benefits :
- centralize documents, tasks, calendars, tools and discussions in a single space,
- work simultaneously and collectively, on any type of medium,
- real-time synchronization of information.
Communication software
Cloud telephony, social networking, public relations, events - SaaS solutions offer state-of-the-art functionality and unified 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 for easier information sharing,
- smooth collaboration between colleagues, customers, partners, etc.
Finance and accounting software
Here's an area where there's no room for error, and where automation of time-consuming tasks is de rigueur. 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,
- dematerialization of invoices, 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 |
Benefits include
- implementation of a cost-effective marketing strategy,
- automation of follow-up, loyalty and prospect research operations,
- improved customer knowledge thanks to advanced data analysis.
Organization and planning software
Project management, inventory management, scheduling and resource management all require software that is responsive, collaborative and accessible anytime, anywhere. Teams can visualize 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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Maintenance management (CMMS) |
BigChange, Organilog, Praxedo |
Benefits include
- optimized operational performance of teams,
- easier follow-up for managers and customers,
- strategic planning that takes into account available resources for a better return on investment.
Customer relations and sales software
Customer data is finally centralized 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 customer needs by taking into account their habits and previous purchases,
- increased productivity thanks to the pooling of knowledge between support, marketing and sales teams.
Human resources software
Dematerialization of 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, time-consuming administrative tasks,
- centralized management of recruitment, training, talent management, payroll and social security declarations,
- 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 |
Benefits include
- optimized integration of tools into the information system,
- data security 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 can also be aimed at other types of business, but our focus is on the particular needs of SaaS-mode publishers, operating on a subscription-based, dematerialized sales model.
Data Legal Drive for RGPD compliance
Data Legal Drive is a benchmark for RGPD compliance governance. The data protection software is just the thing 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 business, software publishers require compliance as well as security for the functionalities and services they offer, thanks to the support of a solution such as Data Legal Drive.
Data Legal Drive enables publishers to organize and collaboratively steer their actions in favor of the RGPD, by visualizing ongoing projects in the form of prioritized tasks.
Managing endorsements, listing third-party applications, keeping a register of data processed on behalf of customers, the management solution offers a centralization of procedures and actions detected as necessary, and access to cutting-edge legal documentation.
The platform also enables the storage of documents proving compliance with the measures imposed by the RGPD, as well as the history of requests from rightful claimants, the history of audits & 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 on a massive scale, with :
- creation of document templates in HTML and CSS formats ;
- automated integration of your data, including customer data, into these templates, using depending on your level of technical expertise :
- either the REST API and code, to match your needs as closely as possible,
- or Zapier as a gateway, for an approach that doesn't require development skills;
- PDF preview directly from your dashboard.
The advantages of this solution include
- add your own Google Fonts, QR codes and graphics, using your own CSS, Javascript and external libraries;
- export in A4 format, but not only: flyer, slip or fully customizable 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 SaaS 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 periods, etc. Invoices are sent and customers are automatically reminded.
- Online subscription steps 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 (checks, cash).
- The customer portal gives users considerable autonomy to modify their offers and track their consumption in real time.
- Each subscription can be customized, for maximum customer satisfaction.
- ProAbono communicates securely with your business applications (CRM, etc.).
ProAbono
Slimpay for payment management
Slimpay is a payment gateway dedicated to e-tailers in the subscription economy, such as SaaS software publishers. Slimpay is one of the European leaders in this field.
The API enables SlimPay 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.
Benefits include
- an electronic signature module for SEPA direct debit mandates and contracts, to activate customers online or in-store,
- probative archiving of documents and time-stamping of signatures,
- collection of recurring or pay-as-you-go payments,
- payment verification with IBAN filtering and bank card authentication with 3D-Secure,
- recovery of failed payments thanks to Automatic Retry,
- business monitoring and control with the dashboard.
SlimPay
Simple Feedback for opinion and feedback management
Simple Feedback is a social media listening tool equipped with HaPPi artificial intelligence, which collects and analyzes comments left by Internet users, particularly on cloud software.
After collecting, reading and understanding the various comments left on 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 :
- receive alerts on negative reviews, enabling you to launch relevant and rapid action plans;
- generate intuitive dashboards, allowing you to drill down or ignore information;
- scan all possible online sales sites and web pages;
- create a precise map of the 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 understand that software as a service has many advantages to 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 budget or cancel whenever you like.
- You gain access to a wide range of innovative services and on-demand functionalities according to 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 practices, and search our directory for management solutions that will help you continue your digital transformation and stay competitive.
Updated article, originally published September 2019.
Article translated from French